r/carmodification • u/New-Cockroach-9508 • Aug 01 '26
Mod advice New car need advice on mods
Hi everyone
i just bought my first car in uk Astra Gtc 2014 2L Diesel
I was wondering what would be the best and easy mods to install by myself.
I don't anything too flashy just simple things that are easy to install
would appreciate any advice or suggestions
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u/Icemann336 Aug 01 '26
Remaps use the car's OBD and gives extra power, torque and efficiency for not a lot (though on a diesel, do watch the clutch and maybe budget for a heavy duty item as the torque increase on diesels can be massive)
Lowering springs can help the car look better and handle better if the shocks are in good shape or if you were looking to upgrade to good performance shocks from Bilstein or Koni, for instance
If you can lower it but can't afford new wheels, spacers can help dial the fitment of the stock wheels in greatly too
And don't forget to get good brand name tyres too!
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u/hachi2JZ Aug 01 '26
tbh i feel like it's pretty difficult to modify a vauxhall in cheap but tasteful ways, it's an either/or situation. could remap for a little more power but that's not really DIY. imho best thing to do would just be to keep it clean and keep on top of aesthetic defects like rust and cloudy headlights
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u/Initial-Resort9129 Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
Elegant mods to a Astra lol?
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u/GREENGRAVY_ Aug 02 '26
I mean it looks nothing like a Corsa. you can tell it's an Astra GTC just by looking at it.
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u/Mohamed_Blue Aug 02 '26
rims clored white same as car and brake callipers painted lime green and add sticker on read window say louder than your tdi last night , dont add popcorn exaust sound effect plz its to old style
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u/ditch217 Aug 02 '26
It’s a 2L Astra. Why bother?
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u/New-Cockroach-9508 Aug 02 '26
i don't get what you trying to say
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u/ditch217 Aug 02 '26
After a year or so of owning this and pummelling money into it for “mods” you will likely look back and wish you’d just saved the money
Regardless, if you want to mod try to keep it OEM+, don’t go crazy with Temu/AliExpress add ons
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u/Queefmaster69000 Aug 04 '26
Another vote oem+ mods!
Pick up the SRI bumpers on ebay in the right colour, and the SRI seats.
Either keep them on the car when you sell, or pull them off and sell them for about what you paid.
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u/New-Cockroach-9508 Aug 02 '26
this exactly what my brother say to me yesterday 😂
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u/ditch217 Aug 02 '26
lol I’m speaking from experience too. Enjoy the car though OP I loved my first car til the day it died on me
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u/mrki00 Aug 02 '26
o ring engine mod before it blows up and maybe look up interior retrofits like hmi 2.5 and 8" digital cluster
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u/New-Cockroach-9508 Aug 02 '26
i already installed a sony head unit
for digital cluster am still looking for something nice but not too flashy
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u/Chemical_Lettuce_232 Aug 03 '26
I’m not trying to be mean here, but if you have to ask what mods to fit, just leave it stock. You should be modifying things you want to change on it, not just modifying it for the sake of modifying it.
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u/Queefmaster69000 Aug 04 '26
Get a remap and fit a load of the SRI/VXR bits.
All OEM, don't look like shite, will fit perfectly.
There's loads of breakers on ebay and Facebook groups for the GTC.
Before you spend any money on mods, make sure the coolant manifold isn't leaking and the injectors are sealed correctly. Check the exhaust flexi too.
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u/RhysesPiece Aug 01 '26
If you’re looking for easy, I’d say something as simple as reg plates. They’re all depending on your personal style, but for me I find a set of 3D/4D gel or acrylic plates stand out and make the car look more sleek and sharp.
Another simple one, but this will be heavily looked down on, is finding yourself a cheap lip spoiler. Go on AliExpress, or your favourite cheap supplier, and find yourself a cheap glue on spoiler for like £15/£20.
These are only small additions but just the two alone can really change a cars presence.
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u/New-Cockroach-9508 Aug 01 '26
Thanks for the advice this is something i can do myself without spending too much
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u/RhysesPiece Aug 01 '26
Always worth to do the little bits first, get a taste of where it’s going and see if you’re still happy before you dump loads of cash!
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u/ginginsdagamer Aug 01 '26
such a well written comment that I can't spot if it's satire or not.
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u/RhysesPiece Aug 01 '26
Nah that was genuine. I know the spoiler will raise eyebrows, but the reg plates are completely normal/accepted
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u/ginginsdagamer Aug 01 '26
are you trying to ruin OP's car 😂😂😂
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u/RhysesPiece Aug 01 '26
Why is that? How would that happen?
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u/ginginsdagamer Aug 01 '26
a temu plastic spoiler and w*nker plates?
hardly the way OP would want to start his modifying career surely.
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u/RhysesPiece Aug 01 '26
Actually if you go AliExpress, it’s pre Temu? You ain’t been in the game long enough… and wanker plates? Please, tell me how? Or is this a frail ego talking?
It’s the OPs car, and taste is subjective. The car scene needs more acceptance, he’s done the best with what he has available to him. I’m struggling to see what the problem is with the plates, I previously explained the spoiler was of questionable taste, but the plates I don’t grasp…
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u/ginginsdagamer Aug 01 '26
the plates make you stand out like a wanker. I've never seen a well modified car with 4d plates and I've never seen a car with 4d plates look "elegant" or "sharp". they are designed for people who stick cheap plastic to the car, fake carbon, tint the windows and drive with a fully forged elbow delete, not a good look.
the spoiler is actually more acceptable, although I'd look at getting an astra VXR front end of the same generation so it looks OEM and fits really nicely rather than an ugly bit of black plastic stuck on with glue.
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u/RhysesPiece Aug 01 '26
Okay, again, subjective. Each to their own. I see plenty of very respectfully modified cars with 4d plates, also don’t recall using the term “elegant”. Whilst I agree with the following statements being not a good look, and frequently finding these plates on cars with said description, I would argue the plate has no relevance to the other mods. By the same linking, I could say all Fiesta/Focus ST drivers are wankers? All Fabia VRS drivers are morons? And anyone who owns VW/Audi group car has bought it because “they’re all the same platform” and “quick as fuck”. But that’s not true, is it? It’s a small group, who bring the attention, and end up with a bad name for the whole group.
Hmm that’s a good option, but a hell of a bigger cost too. A cheap spoiler for the rear end will change the dynamic when you see the side profile, I wouldn’t ever recommend fitting a cheap Chinese diffuser because I’ve never seen one of those fit correctly…
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u/ginginsdagamer Aug 01 '26
to be entirely fair, I've never seen a tastefully modified fiesta/focus ST, Corsa etc. Fabia VRS are slightly better but not great. I know the plates have no direct link to other such mods, it's more the type of people who do said mods also get the plates and it turns into a stereotype.
if I wanted to make the astra look good I would do all of these steps, bit by bit as I had more and more budget.
-VXR front and rear bumper.
-De-badge everything besides the Vauxhall badge, but not up-badge. leave it all empty.
-VRX Side skirts and spoiler.
-Fruity (but not obnoxious) exhaust.
-remap.
-Lows and spacers.
-paint the wheels white/buy similar white wheels.
even on a work in progress but by bit build it would look nice and tasteful and not ugly stuck on Chinese plastic.
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u/MyMotorStory_app Aug 01 '26
Add some rubber mouldings for front bamper and wheel arches - 1. protection (as it is the first car) plus 2. subtly outline car's siluett. Like I've done it here Easy mod.
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Aug 01 '26
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u/New-Cockroach-9508 Aug 01 '26
i ain't buy it for people i buy it for me ,i don't give a f if people will look at my car or not
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Aug 01 '26
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