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Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:51 pm
by easty-5
I know, I know - it's a vauxhall. Let's just gloss over that for now. I am seriously considering changing my Z4M for this -
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... ue/4389823
Does anybody know the car or its history? I have absolutely no doubts about the dealer. He has been excellent so far. I am just trying to get some unbiased opinions on the car and what I should be asking/looking out for. It has a huge spec list so a lot to take it and get your head around. I'm hoping with 260bhp and 290ft/lbs it will be quicker than my M and overall a sharper, more focussed tool. It has huge boots to fill though so I need to make sure I make the right decision.
Any advice, opinions, pointers and known history of the car would be greatly fully appreciated.
Jamie
Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 10:26 pm
by Stu160
Dont know the car, but it looks stunning.
Stu
Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 10:42 pm
by j2 lot
Love the colour and from my experience of the Vauxhall turbo engine ( in the Europa) I would reccomend it - quick & flexible, and they have a reputation for being fairly robust.
Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 10:31 am
by Lazydonkey
I see you've already posted on .org so you'll hopefully have been reassured by the posts there, seller is highly regarded and well known.
It's clearly had a tonne of money thrown at it so, on the face of it, it should be a good buy. I had an NA VX220 for 9 years and 90k miles and i loved it, underrated compared to the lotus equivalent IMHO. Running cost wise the oily bits are astra and robust, suspension is standard elise fair so pretty cheap, discs are so cheap you can just replace them every time you change your pads (think £25 a corner). Lights are VX specific and as such are sh*t the bed expensive, but almost everything else is easy to source. It is still a 12 year old car though so it will have the odd age related failure.
Not sure of your car history but the car will take a strongly developed sense of humour at times, but it will be stupidly, stupidly quick and amazing fun to drive on the road and track.
Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 10:53 am
by istoo
hey easty,
No comments on the VX220, but I went down a similar route last year. I had my E46 M3 about the same time you bought the Z4M, I know we have done a few track days back to back. I know Clark has probably been pushing you this way too!
The Z4M is a great car, the elise has a greater sense of occasion and just feels more engaged, although the Z4M is by no means bad! I looked considered a VX220 turbo/SC'ed car. But ended up with an S2 111s, 150 ish BHP rover engined elise. Lap times are pretty comparable with the M3, its nothing like as quick in a straight line but sheer cornering speed is just up another level, it comes alive. Take out out for a blast of an evening, laughing to yourself in your own car alone is a sign thats its a bit special. And it is. I could have afforded more power but for as much as i use the car and what it does, its excellent. That thing you are looking at has near double the torque and power of mine, it will be properly entertaining.
Like all things buy on condition and how well looked after it is. Thats had a lot thrown at it, i hope its as good as it looks!
I can say i have the same Sector 111 mirror, which is hideously expensive, but if you are tall (cant remember if you are) it gives you a lot more vision around the cockpit.
Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 10:59 am
by C7Steve
Stu160 wrote:Dont know the car, but it looks stunning.
Stu

Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 3:19 pm
by GBOBM
Jonnyboy is really picky on his cars so he wont have taken in a shed. (he runs lotushardtops)
The colour is great and the upgrades are decent. You probably wont find another around that's as good as that at the moment.
Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 4:04 pm
by graeme
Petrol Blue... one of only 13 made. Soooooo nice.
Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 5:30 pm
by easty-5
Thanks for the feedback guys, it's appreciated. I done some digging and found an old 'for sale' ad. Good news is that everything adds up and there has been a ridiculous amount of money spent on the car. Also got some much better pictures. The ones Jon has on his advert don't do the colour any justice at all. It really is stunning.
I'm offshore till next Friday, then it's going to be a nice drive to Yorkshire to hopefully buy it, providing he holds on to it for me

Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 5:57 pm
by mxvx
Jamie, I'm in Abz too, let me know if you want a run in my VX if you need any help to make your mind up. (Similar performance to one you're buying)
PS. Anyone on SE with a e46 m3?
Cheers
Stewart
Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 6:11 pm
by istoo
mxvx wrote:
PS. Anyone on SE with a e46 m3?
Cheers
Stewart
Sold mine to buy the elise... does that pre-empt any questions?
Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 6:27 pm
by mxvx
istoo wrote:mxvx wrote:
PS. Anyone on SE with a e46 m3?
Cheers
Stewart
Sold mine to buy the elise... does that pre-empt any questions?
Fancy a shot of one to decide if I want to swap out current v8 BMW.
Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:10 pm
by Stu160
mxvx wrote:istoo wrote:mxvx wrote:
PS. Anyone on SE with a e46 m3?
Cheers
Stewart
Sold mine to buy the elise... does that pre-empt any questions?
Fancy a shot of one to decide if I want to swap out current v8 BMW.
Had one, and loved it. Just spat the dummy in the winter when it wouldnt go anywhere and sold it....
Stu
Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:11 pm
by istoo
I have a pal who is on here with a CSL, I love V8 but the CSL is a bit special. Where are you based?!
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Re: Looking for some advice on a VX220
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:40 am
by smoo25
Be sure to bring it on the Hoon next year
