Ride quality of GTI VI v GTI V v TSI 118??

[JIMMYP]

Just wondering what people's views are on the comparison of ride between the three models above? Is the difference reduced substantially with the ACC/DCC option? Or is the GTI ride still very hard?

Thanks

:banana:

[Corey_R]

Ride quality in the MKV GTI vs MK6 GTI is the same. They are very similar cars with the same suspension / wheel / tyre configuration.

The Dynamic Chassis Control (as it's now known, to avoid confusion with ACC which was already used for Active Cruise Control AND Automatic Climate Control), is useful for allowing you to have compliance on crappy roads, and more responds for when you want some fun.

The GTI isn't really a 'hard ride' to begin with. It's well known for being a rather compliant car given it's sporty attributes.

I think you're best to just go out and test drive a GTI and a 118TSI from the same dealer. If you're not happy then with the GTI over crappy roads, find a dealer with one with DCC and take it out.

I personally think that the GTI with 17" wheels is perfectly comfortable - but everyone has different ideas of what is a 'hard ride' etc, so you need to experience it for yourself.

[Dubya]

I personally think that the GTI with 17" wheels is perfectly comfortable - but everyone has different ideas of what is a 'hard ride' etc, so you need to experience it for yourself.

Are there any threads with discussion of the difference in ride quality between 17s to 18s (on the GTI specifically)?

I gather the 18s have a lower profile (40?) tyre which one might expect to result in a harsher ride.

(By the way, I have read a lot of criticism directed at members creating new threads on existing topics and so on. However, it is not always easy to find a relevant thread and there is a limit to how many pages of posts one should be expected to trawl through before starting a new one.)

[Transporter]

(By the way, I have read a lot of criticism directed at members creating new threads on existing topics and so on. However, it is not always easy to find a relevant thread and there is a limit to how many pages of posts one should be expected to trawl through before starting a new one.)

:?
That's why we all should be using the forum search function before we post a question. Also when one wants to say something he/she could use the thread with the similar topic instead of creating a new thread and there would be less clutter.

:)

[Stoney!]

I Can't talk for the GTi but I regret not getting the ACC in the 118tsi with sports pack because the ride is completely ****!

Stoney!

[Axis]

I've driven a MKV GTI with both 17s (test drive) and 18s (now own) and believe that the 18s are slightly harsher but nothing to complain about really.

This may well translate to the MKVI GTI.

[guest12345]

I think the mk6 is slightly better ride to the mk5, but thats from driving them back to back, but as soon as you drive just one, you can't tell.

[WhiteJames]

Some reading material for you:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=41794

Cheers.
WJ

[Dubya]

:?
That's why we all should be using the forum search function before we post a question. Also when one wants to say something he/she could use the thread with the similar topic instead of creating a new thread and there would be less clutter.:)

It is not easy to find a relevant thread using the search function is what I was trying to say.

Whatever key words you use they throw up scores of irrelevant threads.

If you could let me know what keywords will pinpoint or narrow results down to threads dealing with ride quality on 17s vs 18s I would be interested to hear them.

Or what techniques you recommend that will ensure the relevant posts come up in the first few page or two of results.

[mikinoz]

Lets help the man make a decision - Dubya, there was no need to raise searching in this thread as the person did not state that they had searched or no one asked them to go and search for the information. Normally the response of search first is for commonly asked questions that are asked in the first handful of posts by a new user.

I personally don't think that the harshness that the suspension provides is half as bad as some of the golfs I have been in with some tire combinations. It really makes a world of difference having compliant rubber.

I found the MKVI to be a slightly better ride than the mkv, but not an out of sight difference say between mkiv and mkv was.

Back to back test drives are the best.

[Splashalot]

I think the mk6 is slightly better ride to the mk5, .

I agree. The Mk6 GTI I tested on 17's had better impact isolation over small sharp irregularities than my Mk5 5 GTI also on 17's (even after factoring-in my 1/3rd worn tyres).

[Dubya]

Lets help the man make a decision - Dubya, there was no need to raise searching in this thread as the person did not state that they had searched or no one asked them to go and search for the information. Normally the response of search first is for commonly asked questions that are asked in the first handful of posts by a new user.

At the outset of my post I asked if there was a thread dealing with the pros and cons of 17s vs 18s.

Having searched in vein for such a thread it seemed as sensible a place as any to ask if there was a more on-topic thread.

So in that regard I would have thought a comment about searching, which was only an aside (in parentheses) was not only relevant but germane.

In terms of the link kindly provided by WhiteJames, the second post in that thread says:


Search is your friend, plenty of discussion on this topic and feedback from owners.

However, as I have said, if you type in obvious keywords such as "18" or "17" or "wheels" you will find dozens of threads.

As I said, I'd be happy to read any tips for obtaining more relevant search results.

[stevie_t]

Here is one
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=41844

[Transporter]

Thanks stevie t for finding it for Dubya!

Dubya there is your answer in the post #3 and #4 comments on the ride quality!
This thread is about "Ride quality of GTI VI v GTI V v TSI 118" and not about how to search the forum.

So, in order to minimize clutter keep the conversation on topic it will be easier to search the forum later or in other words, do not go OFF Topic by asking how to search the forum!

I know it does take a time to read through many posts that are not relevant to the question asked, but there is no one to blame for it except people that go off topic all the time and their inability to search!

There should be no more comments on this!

[WhiteJames]

On short test drives around the Barloworld - Mascot loop of the GTI Manual, GTI DSG and 118TSI std wheels (15" or 16"?) & std suspension, I found not a great deal of difference in the way they rode in town. The GTI is a bit more controlled and stiff legged than the 118TSI, but not a lot in it. I was suprised that the std 118TSI rode so composed. Having said that, I'd still go for the ACC come DCC electronic suspension with the sports pack with the GTI type seats, fog lamps, 17" wheels, etc. 118TSI is great value. I went with the GTI as on the open road, the firmer suspension and extra power comes into its own. 118TSI is the pick for a town car - GTI for extra-urban driving. Manual GTI rides a tad better than the DSG GTI due to softer front spring on the manual imo. ACC aka DCC varies the damper rate every millisecond, which I think is great for $1500.

Cheers.
WJ

[John Deere]

Ride quality in the MKV GTI vs MK6 GTI is the same. They are very similar cars with the same suspension / wheel / tyre configuration.

I thought the MkV GTI had an independent rear end and the Mk VI GTI did not...that's a fair difference and should probably be noticeable on corrugated roads if spring rates are similar.

[Corey_R]

I thought the MkV GTI had an independent rear end and the Mk VI GTI did not...that's a fair difference and should probably be noticeable on corrugated roads if spring rates are similar.

Volkswagen GTI MKV Brochure:

Rear Axle Independent, four-link with coil springs. Anti-roll bar. Sports Suspension.

Volkswagen GTI MK6 Brochure:

Rear axle Independent, four-link with coil springs. Anti-roll bar. Sports Suspension lowered approximately 15mm.

It looks the same according to the brochures.
In practise, based on peoples feedback here, the MK6 feels more taut due to a stronger body with more laser welds - but the suspension is the same.

[vwsp]

I Can't talk for the GTi but I regret not getting the ACC in the 118tsi with sports pack because the ride is completely ****!

Stoney!
That's really interesting because my 118tsi with sportpack has a firm but comfortable suspension tune. Infact when I originally test drove standard, sportspack and sportspack with dcc/acc I couldn't tell much difference between the three for ride comfort/absorbency.

I am very happy with my choice. But like someone said u really need to test drive for yourself because we all think differently.

Could any differences come down also to the brand of tyre? Mine came with bridgestones.

Also, check the pressures. A few extra psi can harden the ride up heaps.

[Olaf the Golaf]

That's really interesting because my 118tsi with sportpack has a firm but comfortable suspension tune. Infact when I originally test drove standard, sportspack and sportspack with dcc/acc I couldn't tell much difference between the three for ride comfort/absorbency.

I am very happy with my choice. But like someone said u really need to test drive for yourself because we all think differently.

Could any differences come down also to the brand of tyre? Mine came with bridgestones.

Also, check the pressures. A few extra psi can harden the ride up heaps.

I agree with you, I have the 118TSi with sport pack and i think it's great. I do a lot of both town and country driving and couldn't be happier.
Mine came with Potenza's and i generally use 40psi in them and still find it really comfy.
I also drove the ACC/DCC and couldn't find enough of a difference in the ride to justify the money tbh. But each to their own!

[ctan]

I tested a TSI 118 with sports pack and ACC. Drove it up and down a busy and bumpy stretch on Botany Rd. I must say that initially I did not pick up the difference. But after driving it up and down the same road about 9 times (3 times on each mode) the difference became clear to me. There is definitely a difference in suspension between the comfort and sports mode, although I did no sense that much of a difference between normal and comfort. But the more obvious difference is in the steering. In sports mode the steering has a stiffer feel. My take is that on day to day driving in urban areas I would be cruising using Comfort mode but on a fast lane along a highway sports mode is the way to go. There is a definitely a difference although subtle. I opted for it because of the discounted price with the Sports pack and just to have the sheer pleasure of being able to choose different rides.
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TSI 118/DSG/Reflex Silver/SP+ACC/Sunroof/Dyna/MDI/SatNav /PA+RVC