If you don't want the coil over route, then stick a set of H&R progressive rate springs (yes they will work fine with standard shocks) on it.

 

I ran with those springs and standard shocks for 3 years and it helped the handling no end, then this year I took the plunge and bought a set of Koni FSD's which was another step up.

 

As for performance go with the basics, air filter (K&N etc in standard box with a decent cold feed) or induction kit if you want noise, exhaust (and sports cat if you can afford it) and a stage 1 remap.

As your dampers are new I would go for a set of springs. Your front arb will probably of lost the plastic bushes by now so a golf R32 23mm bar would help aslong that it is coupled with a neuspeed 28mm rear bar.

Go for stage 1 map but I would fit a front mount on first this makes a massive difference to temps, if I remember correctly mine on stage 1 was getting inlet temps of 95 deg c with side mount in third. With the forge front mount fitted it was around 5deg c above ambient temp.

I actually lowered my car and searched for a new insurance company at renewal time and saved £50. I've owned mine for nearly 7 years now and I sometimes think about getting something newer. But, newer isnt always better. Its got 120k on its clocks and its wearing well. It starts every time. The engines are bullet proof if serviced regularly. Out of the cars you've mentioned, type r IMHO I couldn't live day to day. I've driven a few, and with mine being remapped performance feels identical. Plus, the ride is too harsh for me and the interior is worse than the octy! The cupra r is a great car IMO but nowhere near as practical. And the megane you just know is gonna cause loads of grief now they've been around for a few years. I wanted a focus st for ages but I'm glad I didn't buy one. My son has had a 09 plate in his garage for two months that stalls, won't rev past 3k rpm. After having ford specialists look at it ( replacing clocks and ecu ) the fault remains! I won't touch one now. And I won't even mention the astra vxr! I sometimes get bored and take a reliable car for granted but I shouldn't. The stress an unreliable car causes is unreal. With a bit of lowering and a remap this car is fast enough for me and I can confirm apart from big diesel BMW Audi's etc mine has no bother with diesels. Sorry for going on but the grass isn't always greener!

One non related question; I`m not from UK and in my country if you remap a car or do some "lighter stealth" mods (stage 2) insurance is the same as for stock car. What would happen for example; remap a car and don`t tell insurance company? or even stage 2 hardware mods? Do they really visually check car or ? 

To cover yourself I would say declare ALL modifications. Its better to be safe than sorry. Some people say insurance companies don't check for maps as it would involve hooking up to the cars ecu and delving into the software, some say they do. I don't know about that but its not worth risking. However, after an accident they Do send inspectors out to check the car over. So any modifications will be spotted.

If you Mod the car, you should tell the insurance company. If you need to claim, they will check the car. A stage1 without any hardware would probably not be noticed, but if they find ANY modification not declared, they wont payout.

One non related question; I`m not from UK and in my country if you remap a car or do some "lighter stealth" mods (stage 2) insurance is the same as for stock car. What would happen for example; remap a car and don`t tell insurance company? or even stage 2 hardware mods? Do they really visually check car or ? 

 

Where about's in Yorkshire are you mines not quite stage 1 as the suspension is standard, but its remapped and has full 3" turbo back exhaust. You'd be welcome to come out in it. I'm in Hull East Yorks. 

I have the exactly same line of thought and am thinking about swapping mine for an Accord Type R.

 

I also had mine for 2 years and it is completely standard. 

 

The reason I am thinking about changing mine is because I bought an MR2 last March. The handling of the VRS is completely crap compared to the MR2.

 

As I have a company car as well as the VRS and the MR2, the MR2 is never meant to stay for long and need to go soon as 2 seat is not enough. However, I will never be happy again with a standard VRS.

 

Most of my "fun" driving are done on twisty B-roads so the only thing I am complaining about is its handling. It has more than enough power for those roads. 

 

To be honest, I am leaning towards the ATR because I will never get a VRS to handle like an ATR.

 

However, I absolutely love mine, it is in as good condition as you can get for a 53 Reg, I have the best tyres I could get all round (Eagle F1 AS2). All parts (even service ones) that I ever put on it are OEM and I will be absolutely gutted to let it go. Therefore, I am thinking about starting a new thread on "how to improve my cars handling so that I don't need to sell it"

 

I have broken it down to these:

 

Change to ATR:

Better handling

Higher revving engine and much better engine noise

Better reliability (arguable)

I have a thing for Hondas

 

Keeping the VRS:

Non existing torque on a fully loaded ATR

No neat way of fitting a roof rack (I am a keen mountain biker)

I know and treated my VRS very well and it will be difficult for me to get one as good as this

Better power delivery

More luggage space

 

However, I think I need to at least have a go at doing the front and rear ARB before I let it go. It would be good if someone round my way could give me a go in one with a Front/rear ARB Mod though.

Hey all,

 

Thanks for all the opinions. I think for the time being I'm going to stick with the vRS and try to find an insurance company that will cover both cars with the one NCB and cover the stage 1-ish mods.

 

Realistically I think a decent set of coilovers is going to be too much money and maybe too harsh for daily driving so I'm thinking Koni FSD's and H&R springs? That, remap, some sort of RARB and some fast road pads and see what it feels like then.

 

And if it's still not exciting enough, hell the 5.0 V8 Mustang is released over here in 2015.... :love: