28 replies to this topic

[p4cks]

Having bought my VX a couple of months ago I found the >Buyers Guide< very helpful indeed . It did not, however, give me any clues or hints about actually owning one, so I thought I'd start this thread for the searchers who are looking to buy one, and include things that will become part and parcel of owning a VX220 ( )...

My first input;

'Coz it gets cold, not coz it's

[turboman]

You cannot be without A sense of Humour

Its a must have.

Just pop into the dealer and ask the chap behind the parts counter for a wiper blade, and after assuring him that you dont need a rear one and that you dont need to replace them in pairs, you will need your A Sense Of Humour when he gives you the bill.

Or when ordering food from the Drive Through, again, you will need your A Sense Of Humour.

On a cold morning, when your car has ice inside and out, you must also have your A Sense Of Humour to hand when you expect your heater to actually heat.

When you collect your VX from the dealer after paying too much for a service, and find more damage to your car than it went in with, trust your A Sence Of Humour to help out.

At 4am when your neighbours PIR sensor has a mood swing and disides to set your alarm off, your A Sense Of Humour may not be at its best, but it can be used to remind you of all the time you split your trousers getting in and out of the car (I have a big ar5e) and that will cheer you up and make you forget about the lack of sleep.

I would never be without it, you can order yours also from HERE

Edited by turboman, 13 January 2006 - 01:24 PM.

[Nevsta]

As I discovered yesterday morning a decent absorbent cloth for cleaning the condensation on the INSIDE of the windscreen. Every journey is an adventure at the moment

[paulf-cam]

As I discovered yesterday morning a decent absorbent cloth for cleaning the condensation on the INSIDE of the windscreen.

Every journey is an adventure at the moment

I remember having to actually scrape ice off the *inside* of the windscreen when it lived outside a year ago!

[Ratspants]

Put a bit of copper grease on EVERYTHING, but my favourite would have to be on the bit where the wheels meet the 'hub' (?). Chances are you'll find your wheels will otherwise have rusted onto the car and you won't be able to get them off without a lot of bad language Only ask for part numbers at a Vauxhall dealer, never say what it is or why you want it. Drive it like a granny in the wet and/or cold unless you don't care or really know what you are doing. Get your front number plate on heavy duty velcro. Get a REALLY LARGE roll of heavy duty velcro, it's even more handy than copper grease. Have your sense of humour handy when your doors have frozen solid and your miles from home. I've yet to hear of anyone having a whizz on their car, but it's only a matter of time Ben

[LazyDonkey]

As I discovered yesterday morning a decent absorbent cloth for cleaning the condensation on the INSIDE of the windscreen. 

Every journey is an adventure at the moment 

I remember having to actually scrape ice off the *inside* of the windscreen when it lived outside a year ago!

Ive had to do this three times in the last few months

[mark_b]

I always have a towel on the parcel shelf thingy. Inevitably the car leaks a little onto the sills, so it's good to have one handy. I've also got a condensation wiping sponge/cloth from halfords that fits perfectly in the cubby hole next to the door. And a pair of driving shoes is always good if you don't want to knack up a decent paid of shoes

[Niklas]

I bought Relacement Door Pins SS Exhaust Aux lead for Stereo to iPod Small front Number Plate Foam to quiten where interior plastics meet in the rear Copper Slip for Wheels/wheel nuts Mats to cover the VX Mats Plenty of Screen wipes Removed the massive rear view mirror (clamp still in place so easy refit) I've tried everything to get the screen clean but it always mists up with smears in the cold weather I need to buy Better windscreen wipers Better brake pads New Tyres Anyone know is its a normal thing to hire ramps/lift ? I need to sort out a rattly heat shield and I think it will be a PITA without ramps/lift.

[Dave]

understand that you will want to mod it in some way or another.

And watch out for the darkside

Dave

[mainline]

Essential.

[mainline]

Oh and you'll need one of these too.

[Tony_M]

OZ Wheels + New Tyres AP Brakes Nitron Suspension Carbon Fibre Interior Spliters / Diffusers Rear Wing Retrim the Seats Leather and Colour Coded Alcantara Harness Bar & Harness Stage 4 Engine (NA or Tubby) Finally... Spray it Silver

[p4cks]

and almost certainly...

[sterb]

As far as the sense of humor goes - if you need certain parts (I'm waiting on a new heater unit) be prepared to wait. Luckily mine stopped completely at the start of winter (October) and hopefully the part arives just in time for summer. BTW - it's a warranty repair, but they just can't source it. If it weren't for the Corsa loan car I would have dumped the car off on the forecourt ages ago...

[Ollie_VXT]

Can LMF Vauxhall not source parts for it? I needed the Traction Control fascia plate for my astra - local vauxhall dealers said it didnt exist, vauxhall UK send the wrong part 3 times then said they didnt stock it, vauxhall in germany said the same.... I rang LMF and it was delivered and in the car within 2 days!! Now thats service!! Maybe able to try LMF for parts, I mean the part i was after was not a part requested much and they still had it!....

[P40L VX]

A new pair of these for those "I drove through some diesel" moments!!!

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[christurbo]

When locks are really dry:-

Either apply loads of carbon - or squirt loads of WD40 inside the locks. They have a tendency to stick so you cant unlock them, this will also stop them freezing as water cannot ingress into the lock mechanism to freeze.





Also:-

Fit a Water Ingress Kit - Unless you want to have misfire/water in the plugs problem - which is inevitable.

VXL Water Ingress Kit






Also:-

Consider the Bad Ass Engine Covers - they protect your ECU form water ingress - if your ECU gets water damage a new one is going to cost you over £900.

Bad Ass Engine Covers





A Trolley Jack:- [This is the cheapest you will find - and it fitted under my slammed S1 so fits the VX easily!]

Trolley Jack





A Hardtop is not desirable - its ESSENTIAL!





And a Snooper S4 or similar device for obvious reasons!




You will want to modify your VX - even though you said 'It doesnt need any mods' when you bought it!




You will get seriously addicted to the car and the forum - so make sure you try and squeeze a little time in for the missus' or family



Oh and I nearly forgot - you know what the best colour is





Chris

Edited by christurbo, 13 January 2006 - 05:03 PM.

[SuperCooper]

vx220.org.uk

[Tolksee]

Mintex 1144 or Pagid brake pads. Essential. Potentially life-saving & insurance-claim saving. Plus totally agree with water ingress / showercap & velcro posts. Aftermarket speakers are also required. Just about anything is better than the OEM ones, and as they're a universal 5.25" size, there's lots of speakers to choose from. 3/4 Size Numberplate. (On heavy-duty velcro) Regular size looks downright awful and out of proportion in relation to our beautiful small car. Full Milltek & remap is expensive but just about worth it.

[Niklas]

Full Milltek & remap is expensive but just about worth it.

It turned mine for a fast car into a rocket ship with throttle response.

Up there with my 5 best all time purchases / £