Thinking about buying astra OPC, opinions?

cojomo2

Currently have a BMW 520i auto E60 2004, full leather.

Only had it a short time, the missus would rather something smaller, I love it but would be tempted with something with a lot more power.

looking at this one:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/2.0I-16V/201107201299077/advert?channel=CARS

Is the above car worth more than mine? How much should I be paying along with my own, I'm thinking in the region of 500 or so...

what are peoples opinions of the OPC? I like the power, but being honest, I think it looks a bit boy racer for my liking..still in 2 minds.

Ardennes1944

cojomo2 wrote: »

Currently have a BMW 520i auto E60 2004, full leather.

Only had it a short time, the missus would rather something smaller, I love it but would be tempted with something with a lot more power.

looking at this one:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/2.0I-16V/201107201299077/advert?channel=CARS

Is the above car worth more than mine? How much should I be paying along with my own, I'm thinking in the region of 500 or so...

what are peoples opinions of the OPC? I like the power, but being honest, I think it looks a bit boy racer for my liking..still in 2 minds.

dont worry no boy racer will have an astra opc!
i think they are beautiful looking really but ive seen much better priced ones that the link youve posted im sure. it being a 2litre you'll prob get a good enough deal off your man though.
the only thing that would put me off is...its still just an astra

Leonard Hofstadter

I've heard they're meant to be a terrible car to drive - certainly whenever I think of the Astra OPC I'm reminded of the time Clarkson tested it on TG and seeing just how prone to torque steer it is. A pity, because they could have been a great car.

On the other hand, the madness of it appeals to me in a weird sort of way!

Mr. Presentable

Can't believe you'd trade your nice BMW for that! Just my opinion, but it looks chavvy as hell.

cojomo2

Mr. Presentable wrote: »

Can't believe you'd trade your nice BMW for that! Just my opinion, but it looks chavvy as hell.

I kind of agree withe you here, in that it looks a bit chavy...

Any suggestions for a medium sized car, buckets of power without looking too chavy, that would be worth around the same as my BMW, as if changing ,id bee looking to spend no extra cash if possible.

Atomic Pineapple

cojomo2 wrote: »

I kind of agree withe you here, in that it looks a bit chavy...

Any suggestions for a medium sized car, buckets of power without looking too chavy, that would be worth around the same as my BMW, as if changing ,id bee looking to spend no extra cash if possible.

Ford Focus ST or VW Golf GTi would be the front runners in what you describe I'd imagine, maybe the Mazda 3 MPS as well.

Henry Ford III

captainspeed wrote: »

I've heard they're meant to be a terrible car to drive - certainly whenever I think of the Astra OPC I'm reminded of the time Clarkson tested it on TG and seeing just how prone to torque steer it is. A pity, because they could have been a great car.

On the other hand, the madness of it appeals to me in a weird sort of way!

It's a bit wild when on a racetrack ok, but as long as you don't provoke it by booting too early coming out of a corner an OPC has a lot of usable power and performance. I've driven one, and quite liked it.

Personal thing but I think it's not too chav either.

Atomic Pineapple

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Personal thing but I think it's not too chav either.

Agreed, an OPC is not chavy, its just not boring looking.

cojomo2

I do like the golf gti, but a bit too expensive.

From a resale point of view, if I was looking to sell in a years time, which would have better reslale values:

my current 2004 BMW e60 520i which would have about 72k miles

or a 2006 opc astra with about 44 k miles?

i.e assuming it costs me little or nothing to change cars, would the opc cost me in the long run?

Leonard Hofstadter

cojomo2 wrote: »

I do like the golf gti, but a bit too expensive.

From a resale point of view, if I was looking to sell in a years time, which would have better reslale values:

my current 2004 BMW e60 520i which would have about 72k miles

or a 2006 opc astra with about 44 k miles?

i.e assuming it costs me little or nothing to change cars, would the opc cost me in the long run?

A BMW will always be more desirable (even a 2.2 petrol will find a few fans - there are always a few people out there that will want a six cylinder petrol engined BMW), but you don't buy a car like an OPC and then start worrying about mere inconveniences like mpg and depreciation, especially as the OPC has higher fuel consumption and CO2 figures than the 5 series!

Atomic Pineapple

I'd imagine the BMW will hold its value better.

cojomo2

captainspeed wrote: »

A BMW will always be more desirable (even a 2.2 petrol will find a few fans - there are always a few people out there that will want a six cylinder petrol engined BMW), but you don't buy a car like an OPC and then start worrying about mere inconveniences like mpg and depreciation, especially as the OPC has higher fuel consumption and CO2 figures than the 5 series!

I think your wrong there, as far as I know the opc has less fuel consumption and lower co2 emissions..

Henry Ford III

cojomo2 wrote: »

...assuming it costs me little or nothing to change cars...

A rather dangerous assumption.

Leonard Hofstadter

cojomo2 wrote: »

I think your wrong there, as far as I know the opc has less fuel consumption and lower co2 emissions..

E60 520i - 31.4 mpg / 217 CO2
Astra OPC - 30.7 mpg / 221 CO2

cojomo2

captainspeed wrote: »

E60 520i - 31.4 mpg / 217 CO2
Astra OPC - 30.7 mpg / 221 CO2

yep but those figures for the BMW are for a manual.

Auto- 28mpg/237 CO2

ARGINITE

Renault Megane 225

Atomic Pineapple

cojomo2 wrote: »

yep but those figures for the BMW are for a manual.

Auto- 28mpg/237 CO2

You've a auto box!? Git out a that now!

b318isp

A friend of mine had one and it never seemed to break 22mpg. They are very heavy on fuel.

MetzgerMeister

Would you maybe consider staying with BMW and getting an E46 M3?

cojomo2

einheisserschre wrote: »

Would you maybe consider staying with BMW and getting an E46 M3?

would love to! but the tax, along with other running costs would be too scary, pluss the missus wants a smallish car..

MetzgerMeister

cojomo2 wrote: »

would love to! but the tax, along with other running costs would be too scary, pluss the missus wants a smallish car..

Same reasons I never bought one! Draffodx mentioned some great contenders which I would imagine would exceed the OPC in a lot of ways:

Mazda3 MPS
Ford Focus ST
VW Golf GTI

Personally I'd go for the ST out of this bunch. the Mazda's interior is fairly dull and the ST just looks more muscular than both the GTI and Mazda.

Squall19

einheisserschre wrote: »

Same reasons I never bought one! Draffodx mentioned some great contenders which I would imagine would exceed the OPC in a lot of ways:

Mazda3 MPS
Ford Focus ST
VW Golf GTI

Personally I'd go for the ST out of this bunch. the Mazda's interior is fairly dull and the ST just looks more muscular than both the GTI and Mazda.

Focus ST is 2522cc so tax as 2.6. thats 1210 a year.

Golf Gti is not that fast, its 197bhp and 280nm.It will feel slow compared to the Mazda 3 Mps with its 260bhp and 380nm.

Focus ST is the best out of the last generation of hot hatches imo, good power, lovely engine sound, good torque, class handling.Just a shame about the road tax, though the engine is suppose to be very very reliable like the Mazda, not sure about the Golf or OPC.

Focus would be my pick.

Mazda is over 4 seconds quicker from 80-180kmh, thats a good few car lengths.

http://www.zeperfs.com/en/match1328-1388-1256.htm

Atomic Pineapple

Squall19 wrote: »

Focus ST is 2522cc so tax as 2.6. thats 1210 a year.

Golf Gti is not that fast, its 197bhp and 280nm.It will feel slow compared to the Mazda 3 Mps with its 260bhp and 380nm.

Focus ST is the best out of the last generation of hot hatches imo, good power, lovely engine sound, good torque, class handling.Just a shame about the road tax, though the engine is suppose to be very very reliable like the Mazda, not sure about the Golf or OPC.

Focus would be my pick.

Mazda is over 4 seconds quicker from 80-180kmh, thats a good few car lengths.

http://www.zeperfs.com/en/match1328-1388-1256.htm

The tax has its benefits too though(if you can afford it) it keeps the car rare and also out of the hands of the chav brigade, which is possibly not all that important to most but I like having a rarer car.

The Mazda 3 MPS seems to be rare for no good reason though, I cant for the life of me see why anyone would buy a Golf GTi over a Mazda 3 MPS.

Nonoperational

draffodx wrote: »

The tax has its benefits too though(if you can afford it) it keeps the car rare and also out of the hands of the chav brigade, which is possibly not all that important to most but I like having a rarer car.

The Mazda 3 MPS seems to be rare for no good reason though, I cant for the life of me see why anyone would buy a Golf GTi over a Mazda 3 MPS.

Because in my opinion it looks a miles better and with a remap you have 230-240bhp. It also holds it value better and handles a bit better. The 3 MPS can really struggle to get the power down at times. It really is a poor mans 6 MPS being front wheel drive as opposed to AWD. Now that's a car the 6. I'd have one in a shot. The DSG option in the GTi is a real plus too.

Don't get me wrong the 3 is a cracking car but it's not as complete as the golf for me. (I drove one before I bought a GTi).

dimma

Hi, I had an Astra OPC for a couple of years, upgraded it with a few goddies such as milltek exhaust and remap and was putting out 296BHP, also had Mk5 Golf GTI before that,What I will say is that golf was a nice car, lovely interior, relatively economical but to be honest a boring drive, Astra even standard when I bought it brand new in arden blue was a much more exciting drive, the car on TG was a pre-production car plus the european OPC's came with ILDs shocks so torque steer was not as bad as TG made out!! it likes the juice more than the Golf but then it had 40 extra horses standard and mine had the 19" alloys which are nice, In my opinion,its a brilliant car, looks beautiful with its chunky body kit and will always get the looks.
The focus ST mkII is just too heavy and is terrible on the juice plus with its RS brother (now theres a car) will always be second in the ford focus range while the astra OPC will always be first, wait till the new one is out, bet it looks fab too.....

Be different, go for the Astra OPC!!!:)

Atomic Pineapple

gpf101 wrote: »

Because in my opinion it looks a miles better and with a remap you have 230-240bhp. It also holds it value better and handles a bit better. The 3 MPS can really struggle to get the power down at times. It really is a poor mans 6 MPS being front wheel drive as opposed to AWD. Now that's a car the 6. I'd have one in a shot. The DSG option in the GTi is a real plus too.

Don't get me wrong the 3 is a cracking car but it's not as complete as the golf for me. (I drove one before I bought a GTi).

I suppose its all subjective, the Golf is more of a decent all rounder than a bit of a mad hot hatch. I drove a GTi before I bought the ST and just found it to be a bit too boring of a drive. Although it was standard, might be different with a remap.

Nonoperational

Ya the remap changes it considerably. I agree with you though. Its reasonably fast when you catch it nicely on boost. It's not a slow car. But when I bought it I thought my power itch was scratched coming from a 1.6 Alfa 156. It's not. Next car will need another 100bhp!

Happy out with it at the moment to be fair. But I can absolutely see why people might think its tame enough. One thing to watch out for too that may colour your view is that the dump valve in the 2005s 2006s will almost certainly be the crappy revision and will have torn the diaphragm. I was driving for months with this as it doesn't throw on the engine light. Your basically only getting 2/3 boost so when I replaced that with the new revision it was like a different car!

Atomic Pineapple

dimma wrote: »

The focus ST mkII is just too heavy and is terrible on the juice plus with its RS brother (now theres a car) will always be second in the ford focus range while the astra OPC will always be first, wait till the new one is out, bet it looks fab too.....

Be different, go for the Astra OPC!!!:)

Depending on the spec of the ST (ESP, leather heated seats etc add weight) the OPC and the ST weight almost the same.

Around 1400kg

Squall19

gpf101 wrote: »

Because in my opinion it looks a miles better and with a remap you have 230-240bhp. It also holds it value better and handles a bit better. The 3 MPS can really struggle to get the power down at times. It really is a poor mans 6 MPS being front wheel drive as opposed to AWD. Now that's a car the 6. I'd have one in a shot. The DSG option in the GTi is a real plus too.

Don't get me wrong the 3 is a cracking car but it's not as complete as the golf for me. (I drove one before I bought a GTi).

It could do with a makeover all right:D

Depending on the way the light shines on it, it can look like an estate lol.I didnt get it for its looks though, I wanted a little muscle car, something that could throw you into the back seat and bring a smile everytime you bang on the accelerator.

You can map every car so I dont really take that into account.Mazda will put out over 300bhp and closing in on 500nm from a good remap, Focus ST will put out close to 270bhp and over 400nm, OPC over 280bhp and and over 400nm.All alot quicker than the Golf Gti, they are actually up against the Golf R32 imo.

I looked at the 6 Mps as well, but its expensive and slower, cant have that lol.I dont race from the lights so dont need 4wd anyway.

Nonoperational

I didn't mean to come across dismissive or ofensive about the 3MPS by the way. It's a cracker but the looks weren't for me. No arguments that it and the ST are faster cars. Probably give less trouble than the GTI too.

Squall19

gpf101 wrote: »

I didn't mean to come across dismissive or ofensive about the 3MPS by the way. It's a cracker but the looks weren't for me. No arguments that it and the ST are faster cars. Probably give less trouble than the GTI too.

IS your one Dsg?

Would love that, how do you find it?

PaulKK

OP I can't believe you'd change an E60 for an Astra :eek:

What about a 3 series? You could get a 320d or something with similar poke to your own. They aren't a big car in fairness.

Another option is to bring your wife out in the 5er a few times when its quiet and get her confident at parking it etc.

I remember myself when I started driving a saloon(passat), coming from a golf I thought it was a complete barge, but after a week or two you completely get used to the dimensions!

Nonoperational

No it's not a DSG unfortunately. Basic spec mine is. I got a fantastic deal on it so I just jumped on it. I only paid 10k for a 2006 with 45k on it last June. Wanted DSG and leather but when I was buying I couldn't afford what was out there. I'll change again in 2 years and see what I can muster then!

Idleater

OP, how "small" a car are you looking at getting?

There is the MiTo cloverleaf that would probably not have as many suicidal tendencies and be probably more economical than the OPC Astra. It is rated at 170 horsepower from a 1.4 with 129g CO2 which is pretty cheap to tax. I have the normal not the cloverleaf, and it's a great little car that feels solid, and it's probably only a tiny bit smaller than the Astra. Looks are possibly a bit of a splitter too, and it certainly isn't as practical as a 3/focus/golf.
One downside is the price, as I haven't seen any S/H ones here (yet) so you'd be looking at importing or new.

Damokc

Am I the only one that spotted the Nürburgring sticker? either the guy that's selling it has thrashed it around the "Ring" or wish he had and just thrashed it around Dublin...lovely car. those 225 Megane's are supposed to be sweet.

fletch

ARGINITE wrote: »

Renault Megane 225

This one is better value.

MetzgerMeister

Damokc wrote: »

Am I the only one that spotted the Nürburgring sticker? either the guy that's selling it has thrashed it around the "Ring" or wish he had and just thrashed it around Dublin...lovely car. those 225 Megane's are supposed to be sweet.

There actually was an official Nurburgring edition which (i think) only came in white. IIRC, photos of one of these that smashed into the armco barriers on the 'ring surfaced here and the owner of that very car arrived to tell us all what happened!

I think it was here, either here or irishrotary.com. Can't remember!

bazz26

The Mazda 6 MPS can be had for decent money these days:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201112201694791

MetzgerMeister

Nice find bazz!

rickyjb

gpf101 wrote: »

I didn't mean to come across dismissive or ofensive about the 3MPS by the way. It's a cracker but the looks weren't for me. No arguments that it and the ST are faster cars. Probably give less trouble than the GTI too.

Have you had much trouble with yours?

Henry Ford III

bazz26 wrote: »

The Mazda 6 MPS can be had for decent money these days:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201112201694791

Not too bad for the performance. It's very dull though - perhaps that's the idea?

ando

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Not to bad for the performance. It's very dull though - perhaps that's the idea?

Yes very dull and plain looking car. Some people like having a sleeper though

Nonoperational

No trouble yet bar a new dump valve (90 quid).

bazz26

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Not too bad for the performance. It's very dull though - perhaps that's the idea?

Indeed the ultimate Q-car, decent performance for reasonable money without announcing it to the world.

cojomo2

OP here, thanks for the input everyone.

Am planning on viewing this golf gti soon:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf-GTi/DSG-AUTO/201101200788400/advert?channel=CARS

I like it as it's full leather, price seems ok.

Things I don't like:
Description says the colour is brown..doesn't look like it though, respray or just a mistake ?

Also, description says it has blue tinted windows:eek: but doesn't look like it in the pic..to me tinted windows says young lad driving the arse off it...

Anything I need to look out for on this car, such as timing belt, dsg box..etc?

Hoping it will cost a bit less to run than the 520i..

bazz26

This one should be worth looking at too:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201108201335020

cojomo2

bazz26 wrote: »

This one should be worth looking at too:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201108201335020

Nice find, lovely looking car but the only problem is it's a private sale..I'm looking to trade in my BMW so am limited to dealers.

JoeA3

bazz26 wrote: »

This one should be worth looking at too:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201108201335020

This is one for that other thread.... "Fully loaded" :rolleyes:

Where's the climate control, the 18" detroits, the xenons :pac:

bazz26

JoeA3 wrote: »

This is one for that other thread.... "Fully loaded" :rolleyes:

Where's the climate control, the 18" detroits, the xenons :pac:

Well compared to a bog standard GTi it is.

JoeA3

cojomo2 wrote: »

OP here, thanks for the input everyone.

Am planning on viewing this golf gti soon:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf-GTi/DSG-AUTO/201101200788400/advert?channel=CARS

I like it as it's full leather, price seems ok.

Things I don't like:
Description says the colour is brown..doesn't look like it though, respray or just a mistake ?

Also, description says it has blue tinted windows:eek: but doesn't look like it in the pic..to me tinted windows says young lad driving the arse off it...

Anything I need to look out for on this car, such as timing belt, dsg box..etc?

Hoping it will cost a bit less to run than the 520i..

The colour is "blue graphite" judging by the photos. My GTI is the same colour and it's a very smart looking shade when looked after.
The cream leather interior wouldn't be to my taste and the carpets are also cream, so maybe a bit hard to keep! Some people like that colour leather though.
Early GTI's, up to early 2006 had a slight blue tint on the windows/windscreen which actually looked really nice, but VW stopped doing it after that, I believe due to cost cutting.
Timing belt should be done at 100k kms or 4 years, whichever sooner - so it should be done on that car and if its not, it should be done asap!

Running costs aren't too bad for a 200bhp car. You'll get 34-35mpg on long runs easily but it does get much thirstier on shorter journeys. Servicing costs are the same as any other Golf. Decent tyres on the 18" rims can be pricey alright, the bridgestones on mine are about 170 a corner.

The 18" detroits alloys on them make the car, but take a good look at them, cos they're bound to be kerbed. If they're kerbed then they'll likely have the "whiteworm" issue (water getting under the lacquer) and they can't be easily refurbished due to the diamond cut finish... I don't know of anyone in Ireland that can refurb them properly!

EDIT - the ad description also says its a 1.8 Petrol... it's a 2 litre petrol. Another example of clueless dealers on carzone.

cojomo2

JoeA3 wrote: »

The colour is "blue graphite" judging by the photos. My GTI is the same colour and it's a very smart looking shade when looked after.
The cream leather interior wouldn't be to my taste and the carpets are also cream, so maybe a bit hard to keep! Some people like that colour leather though.
Early GTI's, up to early 2006 had a slight blue tint on the windows/windscreen which actually looked really nice, but VW stopped doing it after that, I believe due to cost cutting.
Timing belt should be done at 100k kms or 4 years, whichever sooner - so it should be done on that car and if its not, it should be done asap!

Running costs aren't too bad for a 200bhp car. You'll get 34-35mpg on long runs easily but it does get much thirstier on shorter journeys. Servicing costs are the same as any other Golf. Decent tyres on the 18" rims can be pricey alright, the bridgestones on mine are about 170 a corner.

The 18" detroits alloys on them make the car, but take a good look at them, cos they're bound to be kerbed. If they're kerbed then they'll likely have the "whiteworm" issue (water getting under the lacquer) and they can't be easily refurbished due to the diamond cut finish... I don't know of anyone in Ireland that can refurb them properly!

EDIT - the ad description also says its a 1.8 Petrol... it's a 2 litre petrol. Another example of clueless dealers on carzone.

Cheers Joe

I'll be using it for mainly city drives, I'd be hoping to get 30 mpg?

So apart from the timing belt, anything else to look out for? Is there anything that needs doing with the dsg box? And what's the difference between the dsg box and a standard auto ?

Do you think everything looks in order with the gti I linked to? Just worried it may have had the arse driven out of it ..or can these cars handle that?
Thanks