GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: bumpyride on 13 June 2018, 18:49
-
hi! I’ve finally got round to buying a GTI but I’m struggling with back pain - as the ride is bumpier than my old 1.4 tsi , especially day-to-day round town. I’ve even been negotiating with the garage to swap for, say, a 150bhp EVO - but at a significant cost. Now, I had a breakthrough yesterday when I reduced the Bridgestone tyre pressure from 39 all the way to 30 psi!! It was really smooth over pot-holes and was still fine twisting around country lanes (I like to put my foot down but I’m not a hardcore racer). So - I get that I may be sacrificing mpg and speeding up tyre wear - but is 30 psi actually in the danger zone? It says 36 is recommended on the car (for a low load). I actually took them back up to 33 today and it’s lost a bit of smoothness again. Any thoughts? I’ve looked on lots of forums but haven’t come to a conclusion.
-
36psi is what they are supposed to be not 39, on my pp GTi anyway. I always run mine at 35.8 all round and it's fine although I do have DCC.
-
When I was researching tyres, I noticed the Uniroyal Rainsport 3 had a soft sidewall compared to other tyres and because of that gave a comfortable ride.
So just a thought, cheaper than PX'ing for another car :)
The other thing is to buy wider tyres, so the sidewall height is more, ie, 235 instead of 225,
Or even go up to 45 profile, might spoil the looks a bit and throw the speedo reading out a bit ,but if it helps your back....
I'm assuming you're on 18" wheels :)
-
@bumpyride, is your GTI new? If so, then there’s a chance that the dealer didn’t remove the shipping pucks from the front suspension struts when carrying out the PDI. There’s really no excuse for this, as the dealer will have PDI’d hundreds, if not thousands of mk7 / mk7.5 Golfs since it’s launch.
If the pucks have been left in, then you will experience a very hard, bumpy ride.
-
It will be a lot firmer than your old 1.4 as they are very different models. However I find my GTi on 19s to have excellent ride and comfort but depends on what you are used to.
Did you test a GTi before buying
and how did you find it?
-
Have you thought about smaller wheels?
A 17 inch wheel would make a noticeable difference. Cheaper tyres and less prone to kerbing too. Granted they don't look as nice, but a 1.5 Evo doesn't have 18's either. 17's are an standard in Germany, so the car can still be run on them to official VW specs.
-
Another bizarre post... a GTI isn't harsh. Absolute not harsh or bumpy at all.
-
^^^ This. Mine's on 19s at 41 PSI and my elderly father, who knows little about cars, thought it was much softer than my old Leon Cupra on 18s.
-
There you go bumpyride, told you :smiley:
Would still suggest you look into correct seat adjustment though.
-
Another bizarre post... a GTI isn't harsh. Absolute not harsh or bumpy at all.
^^^ This. Mine's on 19s at 41 PSI and my elderly father, who knows little about cars, thought it was much softer than my old Leon Cupra on 18s.
That’s why I suggested the shipping pucks might have been left in. There are still a few instances of this happening.
-
Wow what an amazing response, thank you all! First of all I’ll get it back to 36psi. I’ll also check about the pucks - though it’s an ex-demo with 5k miles. Surely a dealership employee hasn’t driven 6 months with pucks in! I think the clue is in the tyres. I wonder if they’ll swap my tyres and wheels and upgrade one of their used EVOs with my set? Or else just buy new tyres, would my existing ones that arent yet worn be worth anything??
So yes, all I’ve heard is that it’s a smooth ride and not a hardcore boy racer car but I haven’t found that to be the case. And im. Only 40! Maybe I’ll test drive another GTI.
Thanks again.
-
I would suggest getting initial rainsport 3 Tyres as they have the soft sidewall.
Also get them in 235/40 instead of 225/40..that will add more comfort.
And then sell your existing tyres..
-
I dont like being shook around either
I ordered my car with leather seats which are constructed using memory foam and the ride is superb.
I was also advised against a GTI or TD version because of the lack of ground clearance and their low profile tyres would deliver a harsher ride.
One option worth considering would be to go to the company that recovers car seats in leather and get them to build you a custom seat with added foam.
NB When researching a softer seat for my 94year old Father I was told that the Golf seat is regarded as the very best production seat in the car industry.
-
Never had an issue with the ride comfort in my previous 2 GTD's or my current GTI, and to be honest they still continue to amaze me how well they ride considering it's a hot hatch with 19" alloys (in my case). To be fair ll 3 have had DCC, but I've heard good things also about cars without DCC. I have to say though, on the motorway with the DCC set to comfort, sometimes you could be forgiven for thinking you are riding in a big German executive barge as the ride in that mode is so good.
-
Ok great. I actually think I should convince the dealership to swap the tyres round for me, and maybe wheels as well. After that maybe I’ll look at the seat but I suspect it’s the same as my old golf seat, but in tartan :).
-
Some great tips here - https://www.spine-health.com/blog/7-tips-alleviate-back-pain-your-road-trips
-
I was having back pain problems with my current car (Audi A4 Sport, sport seats but no lumbar support). This was not due to the ride, as it's quite soft (no S-Line suspension). I finally worked out that I had the seat set too low. This meant that my legs were lying fairly straight from my hips, with not much of a bend in the knees. This must have resulted in increased pressure on my lower back when driving.
Raising my seat has created a more pronounced bend in my knees, and this has had a dramatic effect on my back pain when driving. It really has made the car so much more comfortable to drive, even if its soon to be replaced by a Golf GTI!
Of course, this might not work for everyone. Particularly taller drivers who may end up with their head stuck against roof lining if they raise the seat much (I am only 5'10").
-
It might be worth seeking out a professional to help get your seat position right. Simple things like seat height, back position and the steering wheel position can all affect you. I found I was reaching a bit much in my old GTD and just bringing the steering wheel closer to me helped.
-
My R is a little firm even on the 18's. It's not uncomfortable though and it feel's great once pressing on
-
Doesn't help you I know (future reference?) My R on 19s is brilliant, I barely ever us DCC (comfort) and rides way way better than our Mk7 GTI. Ride, performance, handling a year on and love it even more. I still say these are an absolute steal IMO if you can cope with 25mpg daily and up to 35mpg long run at near legal.
-
Hi all,
A bit of a update - to be honest, I took it for a long drive yesterday twisting round country lanes etc. Back was stiff afterwards but not really bad. It's actually not the bumpiness that's the issue, I think you're right about the seat settings. But the seat itself isn't much different that a regular golf, right?
Is there any science involved in getting seat setup right, or is it just trial and error? I know with office chairs there is an optimal position!
Is there any value in getting a memory foam seat support (surely the cheapest of the options I've considered!).
Thanks,
Phil.
-
I don't think there's any hard and fast rule beyond common sense and what feels right.
Just make sure you don't have to stretch too far to reach the pedals or the steering wheel, and that the wheel doesn't obstruct your view of the dials. If i'm being picky, i'd say the seating position is one of my least favourite things about the current iteration of the Golf. The seats just don't adjust as low as i'd like.
-
...which probably means you're taller than me! I'm only 5ft 6.
I'm going to give this a go:
https://www.wikihow.com/Adjust-Seating-to-the-Proper-Position-While-Driving
Of course when my wife jumps into the car it will all go awry!
Thanks again.
-
bumpyride thanks for that link. I will try that with my current A4, and again with my GTI when it arrives in a couple of weeks.
-
After half a lifetime driveing Landrovers I find that I much prefer an upright position.
My old Mk 5 had a slightly higher seat setting than this new Mk 7 but the seats were certainly not a comfortable as my latest leather version.
-
Don’t know how scientific it is, but the two tips I got.
Sit with your back flat against the seat and you should be able to rest your wrist on the top of the steering wheel without twisting or reaching.
For pedals, if you can fully press in the clutch and have only a slight bend in the knee, that should be right.
Also, be aware that the height of the seat can put pressure on the backs of your legs (hamstrings), which can affect your back.
-
All these guides are all well and good but what if you have really long arms and short legs or long legs and short arms etc. Unfortunately as not everyone is exactly the same it's a bit trial and error. I still move my seat in every direction every time I get in it but that's probably due to how buggered my back is :grin: