209 replies to this topic

[rob999]

Get the M on a carlimits day at North Weald....or the skidpan at Rockingham.

That'll give you some faith in how the car reacts.

[fiveoclock]

I agree, I was hoping that would be part of the fun, in the dry it's great and I have confidence but in the wet I find it very unpredictable, even in a straight line. Maybe with practice I'll get better.

What tyres are fitted to it?

[gaffer1986]

Give it some time.   I've owned many RWD cars from an AE86, 500 Griff, Z3's, M5 E39 briefly, and recently a Cayman S.   They're all different, and all take getting used to.   I still rate the VX's very highly for an entertaining, and quite safe, drive. I've had three of them so says something.

That's a good call, I wasn't massively fond of the VX220 when I first got it. Still not fond of it's stopping distances on standard wheels but one thing is for sure, I don't want to sell it. Can't keep both though.

[gaffer1986]

Get the M on a carlimits day at North Weald....or the skidpan at Rockingham. That'll give you some faith in how the car reacts.

That definitely sounds like good fun!

[gaffer1986]

I agree, I was hoping that would be part of the fun, in the dry it's great and I have confidence but in the wet I find it very unpredictable, even in a straight line. Maybe with practice I'll get better.

What tyres are fitted to it?

Michelin Super Sports all round.

[gaffer1986]

Another thing I'm not so fond of is the gearing, 2nd gear doesn't top out until 70mph, so you can never rev the car out and hear the wonderful sound without breaking the speed limit.

[Captain Vimes]

Another thing I'm not so fond of is the gearing, 2nd gear doesn't top out until 70mph, so you can never rev the car out and hear the wonderful sound without breaking the speed limit.

 

At least it's not as bad as my BMW bike which does 80mph in 1st and won't take full throttle & max rpm until 3rd..

 

The roads really aren't great at the moment for a vx or an M car. At least in the M you'll be warm & comfortable while waiting for some dry/warm roads to have some fun. I'd wait a couple of weeks and see if you gel with it.

[james_ly]

Even an NA VX can be twitchy in the wet, so if you double the power and remove the rear weight bias of course it will have traction issues...

[gaffer1986]

Another thing I'm not so fond of is the gearing, 2nd gear doesn't top out until 70mph, so you can never rev the car out and hear the wonderful sound without breaking the speed limit.

  At least it's not as bad as my BMW bike which does 80mph in 1st and won't take full throttle & max rpm until 3rd..   The roads really aren't great at the moment for a vx or an M car. At least in the M you'll be warm & comfortable while waiting for some dry/warm roads to have some fun. I'd wait a couple of weeks and see if you gel with it.

80mph in 1st gear! So I guess you don't get many chances to rev your bike out? Sometimes slower cars (Fiesta ST slow) are more fun. Just took the car out for a little drive as I had a bit of time. I enjoyed it more today, I find it relatively easy to rev match changing down gears but changing up gears at slow to moderate speeds is fairly hard as the revs drop so quickly I have to smooth the gear change out with the clutch. However I've just discovered if I blip the throttle slightly on the up changes I can drop the clutch and still be smooth.

[gaffer1986]

Even an NA VX can be twitchy in the wet, so if you double the power and remove the rear weight bias of course it will have traction issues...

This is what the VX220 has going for it. On track days most the BMWs cars go snail pace when it rains but I could still be on it. I understand why they're so careful now. It doesn't help that I have the traction control off permanently because I like to think I'm driving

[gaffer1986]

I find it very annoying that when you sell a VX220 you seem to need a reason to sell it?? Maybe I just fancy a change, I don't need to be old and unable to get in it to want sell it 

[Tusk]

Gaffer - think I'm following you down the rabbit hole! Got my Vx220 listed for sale just now with the intention of a Z4MR next! Any feedback after a short period of ownership? I quite like the look of yours with the extended leather - you planning on keeping her for a while?

[gaffer1986]

Gaffer - think I'm following you down the rabbit hole! Got my Vx220 listed for sale just now with the intention of a Z4MR next! Any feedback after a short period of ownership? I quite like the look of yours with the extended leather - you planning on keeping her for a while?

At the moment I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I have both the VX220 and Z4MR but not sure which one to sell. The VX220 is definitely more fun on the road and more capable through the corners on track, but the Z4MR is comfortable with heated seats and drifts very well at Woodbridge airfield. Really struggling to make a decision but I definitely prefer the VX220 on the road as it just feels more fun and makes low speeds feel fast. Be careful buying a Z4MR, it is a highly tuned engine and they are known to wear cams and followers which will set you back about £3000. Either way the Z4MR is still a lovely car to drive, just don't expect it to make driving feel like an occasion as the Elise/VX220 does. More of an everyday car.

[Tusk]

You're starting to put me off now! I'll see if the VX shifts and take it from there. If you get rid of the Z let me know. I could even offer you another VX in P/X if you wanted Cheers

[gaffer1986]

Haha, one VX220 is enough I guess it all depends what you're looking for from a car. If you're looking for fun country roads, driving to feel like an event and neat track laps then the VX220 wins. If you want something that will go sideways under power without momentum and is easy to live with then Z4MR. Another point, I generally get 25mpg from the VX220 on road and 11mpg on track but the Z4MR gets 17mpg on road 8mpg on track with early braking, when I get track brake pads I suspect I will get 6-7 mpg.

[gaffer1986]

I'm thinking my next car will be an elise 111R.

[Tusk]

I do like the idea of a 111R - personally I think I'd try get a Honda'd S2 for a roughly similar budget. It's definitely on the list for me at some point. Fancy something a bit different first thus the Z4M idea.

 

I'd definitely consider a Cayman/Boxster as well - think the 2.7 is the way to go to avoid bore scoring, but then they are a bit too slow in my view unfortunately.

[gaffer1986]

I also like the idea of a Honda Elise, I just think a factory car will probably be more reliable and easier to work on. My thoughts exactly on the Boxster, I drove a Boxster S and it was like a more powerful refined version of the VX220. Sounded good too.

[jonnyboy]

Honda cars kick the arse of the 111R. I have one in at the moment and another one coming soon which I might be keeping (its Mexico blue like my old Elise) The performance is amazing and no waiting for the 2nd cam and the Vtech comes in at 4k with the K pro. They are almost always based on the older lighter Rover based cars as well. 

[Tusk]

Jonnyboy you're tempting me with these Honda'd Elise's! Let me know when you have prices etc. and I'll try do some man maths.

 

Mexico blue is a great colour - not surprised you're thinking of keeping it.

 

I want something a bit more rev happy than the VX next otherwise I would probably follow up on supercharging her. I had a Civic Type R a good few years ago (alebit an EK9/B16 car not a K20) - I loved the drama. Think a K20 in an Elise would be brilliant fun if a bit nuts. My main worry is spotting/finding a good one and residuals - thus why I'm also looking at Z4M's which I think are inevitably going to have a bit of a following. Not sure if the ride would get on my nerves after a while though.

 

I'd imagine a Boxster/Cayman will continue to drop in value a bit faster like its predecessors. Not detracting from it being a great car, of course.