GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Sootchucker on 19 July 2015, 22:39
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OK, here's a question for you. My mate loves my car so much he's looking to buy a MK7 (a GTI).
He's seen one at a dealer and it's a decent spec, but he can't get over for a test drive for a week or so. The car has the optional 19" Santiago alloys, and he asked me if the ride would be terrible or similar to mine (mine is riding standard 18" Negaros).
Mine has Dynamic Chassis Control, so I can choose from comfort to normal to sport, and in comfort mode, is really smooth and just glides over pot holes. The one he's looking at doesn't have DCC, and he was asking me but I have no experience of riding in a MK7 with 19's. Therefore I'm seeking the experience of the collective here (GTI and GTD's only as the R sits even lower so might not be a fair comparison).
Could owners of those cars with 19's, with and without DCC comment on if the ride is harsh or not much different to the 18's please ?
Thanks
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I've got the 19s and no DCC. The ride quality is superb if I'm honest, yes it's a bit firm when you hit the bumps but on normal roads I can't tell any difference between the suspension on this car and my previous Ibiza suspension.
My biggest gripe with the 19s would be the tyre expense. A big difference between the 18s and 19s in terms of replacing tyres, and with the mk7 being particularly partial to eating rubber it's something to consider.
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On the R (5mm lower than the GTI/GTD) with 19" wheels and no DCC, ride comfort is a little firmer than it was on my GTD on 18" wheels, but still perfectly comfortable and miles ahead of a MK5 Golf 170TDI on 17" rubber which was pretty crashy over all but the best surfaces.
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Not noticed a massive difference between the 18's on my GTI and the 19's on my R. Neither have DCC. A little bit firmer is to be expected but for me the big difference is the Poorer turning circle on the R. Sometimes you end up looking a proper tool trying to park :shocked:
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I test drove a GTD with 19" and no DCC before I ordered mine.
It was the first Golf I'd driven so it was hard to say quite what I thought, but mine has 18" and DCC and is lovely and smooth :)
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Poorer turning circle on the R. Sometimes you end up looking a proper tool trying to park :shocked:
Really? Why would that be I wonder?
That's one of the things I love about my GTD - its got an excellent turning circle!
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Not noticed a massive difference between the 18's on my GTI and the 19's on my R. Neither have DCC. A little bit firmer is to be expected but for me the big difference is the Poorer turning circle on the R. Sometimes you end up looking a proper tool trying to park :shocked:
Agreed. Turning circle in the R is worse than in the GTI/GTD. Ride was a little firmer on 19's (GTI) compared to 18's (GTD), but nothing to shout home about. Ride on 18's (R) feels the same as 19's (GTI). But again, it's not a bone shaker in any way shape or form.
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Is the turning circle actually worse in the R? I've not tried it to be honest.
I'd seen wigit mention this before some time ago that the turning circle was worse than his mk6 but in my own experience the mk7 GTI had a better and sharper turning circle than the mk5 and mk6 cars I had previously. I must try my turning circle test lay-by at some point!
Back on topic: I ran my mk7 GTI on 19's for most of the 20 months or so I had it. It rode worse than the mk6 on 19's when there were any sharp ridges or potholes in the road (yes I do try and drive around them but sometimes they just can't be avoided when oncoming traffic prevent), with really bad crashing noises and one blow out during that time. But on other road surfaces the mk7 rode better than the mk6. The mk6 rode better than the mk5 too.
When I put the 18's back on I still got a certain amount of crashiness(sp) but the general smoothness was noticeably better.
On the R even the 18's don't ride that well, it feels quite busy underneath at all times (except motorways obviously).
But the handling on the mk7 is so far ahead of any other Golf with standard suspension I guess you make allowances.
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Turning circle is probably the wrong turn of phrase. It is the lack of lock when manoeuvring that I have really noticed to be worse in my R than the GTI that I had before it :undecided:
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Thanks all - I'll let him know.
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I test drove a GTD on 19s with no DCC and was surprised by how good the ride was. I aimed it at every rut, pothole, drain cover etc and was very impressed.
I bought my car with 19s and DCC but that's because i wanted the dampers, not because the ride demanded them.