Astra J Sports Tourer from SYD Australia

[sanj424]

Purchased new in 2013 , Opel Astra J Sports Tourer 1.6 Turbo Petrol 6sp auto (Select Variant here in Australia - equivalent to a SE/Elite)

Summary of modifications:
1. white LED interior lights
2. Genuine Opel/GM glove box shelf
3. Generic boot liner cut to size
4. white LED number plate lights with DIY mounted load resistor (to eliminate check bulb dashboard message).
5. Functional Shark Fin FM Aerial
6. Opel/GM genuine 18 wheels. 235 45 R18 Bridegstone potenza RE50A, previously 17s
7. Genuine opel sunglasses holder
8. Smokes side repeaters with chrome bulbs
9. Vinyl Black Roof
10. EDS IPF Phase 1 Tune (Engine and Auto Transmission)
11. Pipercross Panel filter
12. New engine @ 24,000 km due to warranty work (misfiring engine from faulty coil pack)
13. New brake rotors and pads fitted. DBA T2 slotted front, DBA standard rear with QFM hpx ceramic pads. 
14. Custom Fit H7 LED bulbs. 5700k colour
15. Opel OEM 19 wheels with new 235/40/r19 Tyres (Front - Vredestein Ultrac Vorti , Rear - Conti Sportcontact 3)

[vocky]

I like the wheels, they suit the tourer

[Steveb19111978]

Wish my Tourer looked that good.

[sanj424]

I like the wheels, they suit the tourer

They look alright ey? The body of the Astra generally makes wheels look smaller than they really are. This design does justice to 19s though, I am actually not a huge fan of it as it is, I though my previous 18 OEMs had better design but offcourse were smaller in size. I am thinking of removing the star centre caps and using the traditional round opel centre caps, but painting the centre of the rim metallic grey - I think it will add more depth to the wheel design because it is rather good up close. From afar it looks kinda of flat. 

I will update this thread when I get around doing the wheel and show comparison photos.

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Wish my Tourer looked that good.

maybe just needs a bit of TLC

[Dennis S]

Very nice looking car. How do you find the auto gearbox ?

[sanj424]

Very nice looking car. How do you find the auto gearbox ?

Thanks. The 6speed auto (6t45) I find a bit sluggish - slow to react and change gears. The transmission tune I got has improved the shifting a bit but nowhere near how a DSG or even a ZF transmission performs. The engine tune having heaps more torque lower in rev range masks the reaction as it feels good holding on the gears a bit more. Reliability wise, haven't had any issues though I'm only at 42,000km and did a preventive transmission oil change @ 36,000.

[Dennis S]

Very nice looking car. How do you find the auto gearbox ?

Thanks. The 6speed auto (6t45) I find a bit sluggish - slow to react and change gears. The transmission tune I got has improved the shifting a bit but nowhere near how a DSG or even a ZF transmission performs. The engine tune having heaps more torque lower in rev range masks the reaction as it feels good holding on the gears a bit more. Reliability wise, haven't had any issues though I'm only at 42,000km and did a preventive transmission oil change @ 36,000.

I was wondering if the transmission could be tuned. My car is completely standard.
The only issue I have with the auto gearbox is when I'm driving along, it's in 6th gear and I put the foot down to overtake something.
The gearbox often jumps down two gears rather than one, feels like it's over-revving, and has missed the optimum torque available in the next gear up.
But maybe I'm just being picky... I could use the manual shift.
I was previously a VW driver but needed an auto gearbox for my wife. I was put off the DSG box by the reliability issues I'd read about on line.

[sanj424]

I was wondering if the transmission could be tuned. My car is completely standard. 
The only issue I have with the auto gearbox is when I'm driving along, it's in 6th gear and I put the foot down to overtake something.
The gearbox often jumps down two gears rather than one, feels like it's over-revving, and has missed the optimum torque available in the next gear up.
But maybe I'm just being picky... I could use the manual shift.
I was previously a VW driver but needed an auto gearbox for my wife. I was put off the DSG box by the reliability issues I'd read about on line.

Which motor do you have? The transmission could be tuned, but I don't think it can iron out those behaviours, it can only probably make things slightly quicker to react and remove the limiter (I can get up to 7200 rpm now - not that I want to as it gets trashy up there and no real power gain  but at least no hard power cut off). 

I have learned to adapt to cars behaviour and work on its strengths rather than its shortcomings. I do use the manual shift on the motorway for overtakes and hilly twisty roads for better control. But mostly, I learned to modulate my right foot to prompt up and down shifts.

[Dennis S]

Mines is the 2.0 165 diesel, so it pulls quite well from low revs and most of the time is a pleasure to drive.
You're right about adapting yourself to the car's behaviour. It seems to suit being driven in a relaxed manner.

[niteram]

I've just got myself a 1.6 auto, not yet driven it far enough to make too many comment on the gearbox, but it seems do do the job ok.
any ideas on the sort of fuel consumption you get?

[sanj424]

I've just got myself a 1.6 auto, not yet driven it far enough to make too many comment on the gearbox, but it seems do do the job ok.
any ideas on the sort of fuel consumption you get?

is yours a 1.6 turbo petrol as well? To be honest the consumption is not great. Best I get on 110 kph long drives is 7.6-7.8 L/100km. Lower if 80-100 kph. On city stop start it gets very thirsty ~ 12 L/100km.