Astra J VXR: What I Learned After 6 Months of Ownership

So this is my 6 month ownership review, I mention most of the major problems with the vxr that I know about and some of the problems I have encountered since owning.
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[@pieteroosthuizen8406]

I have a 2013 OPC, BiXenon forward adaptive lighting is standard (trust me, you do not need foglights) , as well as dual climate control and heated front seats standard.Also approved by the German Orthopedic Society. It is high performance car so obviously the Brembo brakes are going to be costly to replace. I mean if you review a M3 for instance, obviously parts are going to be more costly than those of a Starlit or a Picanto's.....🤷‍♂️

[@RB-lt8kt]

Servicing these cars is the key to a good one. Have known cars serviced at main dealers have issues. One main dealer blamed steering judder after service and new brakes on suspension mounts but the garage had messed up fitting new brakes. Paint issue colour match can be caused when panels are painted or repainted as plastic panels can have static causing paint issues. I had a similar colour issue after crash repair on a GM car so had car bumper repainted and blown into the door which is what the repairer should have done. The repairer and Direct Line Insurance did it at their expense once I threatened legal action as the colour wasn't correct. I looked at the VXR but bought a VW group car instead with full service history. The seats in your car are similar to Civic type R and recent A45 cars so why change them? Regular coolant and oil changes as well as brake fluid changes should keep you car running fine. Cold start revs like so many owners do on cold engines in McDonalds car parks will lead to expensive headaches down the road.

[@CoreyChallis]

Good video! I've had my 2015 VXR for about 6 months too, so far had to replace the MAF sensor and spark plugs (77k on the clock) so not too bad (yet, haha). I'm hoping to get an induction kit but they aren't cheap in Australia!

[@H19XNS]

Not bad going that mate! Why they so expensive there?

[@arrbek2359]

@@H19XNS Not a common car. Very hard to get anything performance and shipping costs a bomb from EU. Just looking up exhausts now aaaaaaand no performance exhaust places service VXR/OPC

[@adyg8221]

@@arrbek2359 hi mate just looking at one myself here in Australia so are parts readily available from Holden or not? Or is it uk mostly. are you happy with yours cheers

[@adyg8221]

⁠ hi mate just looking at one myself here in Australia so are parts readily available from Holden or not? Or is it uk mostly. are you happy with yours cheers

[@jokerash]

VXRs are notorious for thin paint, I have the same issue on my OPC, bonnet has a lot of small scuffs from road debree, front bumper was repainted at the dealer because of that. Another thing that is bad, the front under bumper rubber protection fittings. The fitting for that is very cheap plastic, I bumped that protection to a not so high sidewalk when parking and the whole thing ripped from the bumper not just the rubber protection. My 2013 also doesn't have Xenon headlamps, as far as I know they put these and back lights with LED starting 2014-2015 plate. My car has 65000km (40k miles or so) , Airtec intercooler kit, RSS intake and it pulls 333bhp and 560Nm on dyno with stage 2 tune. But key here is to run with good oil and change it every 8000km (5000 miles). Also, I do change oil in transmission every 2 motor oil changes. I have downpipe de-catted , secondary pipe with cat from Malian Exhausts, next upgrade would be Scorpion resonated cat back system.

[@Mottyz]

Great video mate, you mention the handbrake. Shouldn't need to realese it as it's automatic so realeses on its own when you drive off.

[@dwaynecooley9879]

My mate got a 2013 VXR he had it from new it got 125000 mile on it he says he never had a problems with engine or gearbox but his car his standard

[@mohammedsaid6057]

Quality video. Keep them coming!!

[@H19XNS]

thanks mate, i plan on it haha

[@Snappypass1]

Good vid mate, mines is 2015 and air front ducts are not fake on mine

[@H19XNS]

That’s good man! Mine are 😂 least they look fake I’ll have to take a closer look 👀 but pretty sure they are 🛥😂

[@Snappypass1]

@@H19XNS just watched your video mate was well good, ave done lots of exterior changes but not much with engine yet apart from remap, love driving this but it ain't my daily far too thirsty lol

[@H19XNS]

@@Snappypass1 yeah they are expensive to run, mines a daily

[@Yodaracing1]

Good vid as usual mate was a good watch deffo up there with one of my favourite j’s

[@H19XNS]

Thank you mate! It’s an alright j! Got a lot planned for it so hopefully get some big changes going soon

[@craigtrigg4288]

great car you have mate great channel i think they should put fog lights in the front bumper thanks for your video

[@H19XNS]

Thanks buddy! Yeah they should of tbh

[@michaelporter8485]

Just bought a white 2014 and worried sick after watching this! I hate things going wrong with my cars 😞😂

[@finlaygray4628]

Have you had any problems?

[@michaelporter8485]

@@finlaygray4628 No absolutely faultless!

[@finlaygray4628]

@@michaelporter8485 great to hear. Was looking at a 2015 version with 55000 miles. Have you changed any oil etc? Does it take much maintenance?

[@michaelporter8485]

@@finlaygray4628 I’ve changed the gearbox oil and full service recently apart from that it’s been great.. terrible on fuel 😂

[@arrbek2359]

@@michaelporter8485 my previous car was a MKV Golf R32. The OPC is significantly better in fuel

[@philmafona5024]

One other costly item you may have missed is the handle behind the front seats to move the seats forward... if tge handle or the tether breaks it becomes very expensive... may as well buy new seats. Can't wait to buy mine back though

[@H19XNS]

I’ve heard they are a problem, not happened to me yet though thank god

[@martynwhite4802]

@@H19XNS Both of mine snapped off within 2 weeks of buying the car. I glued them back on as a temporary measure but to my surprise they’ve actually held up really well for months now after lots of use. There’s no visible sign of the repair either. So if it happens to you just glue them back on because it really does work & somehow makes them much stronger 😂

[@H19XNS]

@@martynwhite4802 good job man! Well I’ll be taking the seats out the back so I shouldn’t need to move my seats soon

[@markcroft5670]

Hi mate new to your channel 👍, just had mine 6 weeks mine is a 12 plate, within one week of having it massive coolent leak, luckily it was still under warranty,turned out to be the water pump, was fitted at vauxhall it self,so at no cost to me, keep up the good work really enjoying your content 👍 mines done 70.000 miles so if any comes up you might be able to help me out

[@H19XNS]

@@markcroft5670 hi mate glad your enjoying the uploads! Lucky you had warranty! Mines been alright up to now just gearbox oil seems to need changing regularly

[@markbailey7161]

Just bought a vxr and the dealer thrown an air tec induction kit in, anyone had any running issues with these on ? Lumpy running or throwing up warning lights on the dash ? Cheers

[@blenrowley8445]

Hey mate, did you work out what the issue was with your air con? Mine has isn't working either! I've noticed a few others mention they have no air con. Just wondering if it's a comment problem. Ta

[@H19XNS]

Hi mate. No I didn’t look into it tbh I never have cars long enough 😂

[@blenrowley8445]

@H19XNS haha fair call. I'm getting mine looked at this week. These cars a so expensive to run! But, I enjoy it

[@H19XNS]

yes they are pricey mate, them front brakes cost an arm and a leg @@blenrowley8445

[@lisamullen6124]

air con pipe went on my husbands insignia vxr, garage said its a common thing on them. I'm looking to trade in my car for a GTC vxr

[@thelizardqueen123]

@H19XNS have you found any options for replacement gear knobs out there? Doesnt look to be a lot to work with...

[@Kalus_Saxon]

1:37 the m32 on the h Astra’s was known as the chocolate box in the trade due to shit bearings just melting away….

[@SuperStarM8]

Sort of things give you that turbo noise?! Everything I’ve tried throws codes

[@H19XNS]

Just my air intake mate

[@SuperStarM8]

@@H19XNS just ordered my airtec system

[@H19XNS]

@@SuperStarM8 that should do the job mate

[@leonmiller807]

Buy a reno next 😅

[@ashleypearson5363]

The gear box’s in these is the f40 gearbox same as what’s in the vectra vxr It must be a common problem for the 2gear as that’s the problem I have in vectra vxr

[@VXZTO]

Quality video and insightful, much appreciated lad. Only had mine 2 week and loving it. Question regarding the Maxton diffuser, will you be rocking it or no?

[@H19XNS]

Glad you love it mate! Hmmm not to sure yet ain’t decided on what I want to do tbh

[@atomiq2707]

go for the ingo noak diffusor. thats the one i have. so much better than maxton.

[@markcroft5670]

Just a quick question are your front lights as bad as mine? There like someone's holding a candle 🕯 in there 🤣 could you recommend any new ones??

[@H19XNS]

They ain’t the best and I wouldn’t know mate I haven’t upgraded them yet so let me know if you do it soon

[@michaelporter8485]

Hi mate quick question. Have you known these engines to have trouble with timing chains?

[@H19XNS]

I don’t think so mate not that I’ve heard, mainly gearbox and piston issues you hear about

[@jedichen1792]

Not sure how true this is but after the 2013 models they fixed the piston issue. Sure i seen/heard it in another vid about mk6 vxr.

[@uzziel5085]

Na still a issue mate😂

[@Sean-s2w]

These do not suffer from Piston 4

[@PabitraPadhy]

I use a car for what it is... any other cosmetic or performance expense is a waste of money. Good brakes, Good Oil, Good Rubber, Good Battery... that's all a car needs.

[@H19XNS]

Yeah mate each to their own. Loads of people love modifying cars and yes it’s a waste of money but if people love it then that’s how it is

[@StanJM]

Those canards 😅 what the…