GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: volkswizard on 19 February 2017, 20:42
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Here's a really hastily typed out summary of my views on my CSS after day behind the wheel, excuse any typos!
EXHAUST NOISE
As with any 4 pot, it's not the most tuneful of engines but they've made it pop and crackle so much in RACE mode that you really don't notice.
Pops a few times on warm start up - you don't seem to have a choice about this as I think it does it in every mode which can be a bit embarrassing.
Barks in between upshifts like a DSG fart but much louder, at first it sounds like the undertray has grounded out, perfect for waking people up that you've just overtaken.
Also does a series of pops and crackles on the overrun, even in 2nd gear.
The harder you drive it the more of this it seems to do, almost like it needs high exhaust gas temperatures to create the noise.
I don't believe the CS Ed 40 does any of this which is a shame, maybe a tuner can sort it.
ROAD NOISE
Due to the lack of back seats and parcel shelt there is a fair bit but it's actually not too noisy at motorway speeds when it matters, at slower speeds it just adds character. It's never loud enough to affect a phone call. You can really hear stones in the rear wheel arches though but then again the exhaust is very audible (in a good way).
THE RIDE
Well Comfort mode isn't all that comfortable unlike in the Golf R which is all squishy even on 19s but it rides really well still and as Evo said, the quality of the damping is something else. Ever seen the way a WRC car just settles after a jump? Well it's not going to be as good as that but on the road (not in the air) the way it copes with bumps is astounding.
Also I'm confused as to whether the DCC suspension setting in Comfort mode is the same as selecting the hidden 'ring mode where DCC is also set to Comfort. I have seen a technical document from the June 'ring launch event that suggested that the damper settings in 'ring mode were unique and not the same as in Comfort even though they are both shown as 'comfort' but my seat of pants can't feel the difference (they also said the white/red UK cars would have a contrasting black roof...). I suppose VCDS live data may answer that.
THE VAQ DIFF
Not driven a car with this before but it's most obviously present in road use when driving in 'ring mode (or I guess RACE) and you go to overtake a car, as you start to cross the crown of the road and hit the gas, the steering weaves left and right disconcertingly in exactly the way I imagine it does in the Mk1 Focus RS having read all the reports. Still, it certainly gives it character and makes it feel like a feisty car that needs to be treated with respect (and unlike in the Focus, you can always drive it in a less aggressive diff mode!).
ACCELERATION
Still not strung it out too far yet but it feels really quick with in gear acceleration. At motorway speeds in 6th it feels more normal so presumably 6th is tall for economy, doubt Benny ever used it!
FAKE ENGINE NOISE
Surprisingly the 'lightweight' CSS still has this unnecessary contraption but you can tune it out in individual mode as it doesn't really need it.
CLUTCH
Generally OK but after long fast motorway run I can sense something in the pedal action that feels weird, it's really subtle and not a problem in anyway yet.
ATTENTION, WANTED AND UNWANTED
Not sure if the Corsa kids know what it really is or can just tell its some special, I can't see them buying EVO but YouTube (inc ECOTY) is free so maybe that's it? Mine's black so expected a bit more stealth but it draws more attention than my Lapiz Blue R ever did (and mine was one of the very first). Mind you the frontal aspect of my R always made my heart sink, it never looked particularly special but CS/CSS have got that bang on. Didn't take long for me to set the doors to auto lock for security, was surprised this wasn't the default setting.
PAINT QUALITY
Seems to have improved since my R but still a couple of very minor dirt inclusions on 1 panel, not bothered enough to deal with it.
MODE BUTTON
I'm not saying it was me but I complained about having to press MODE and then select the mode by pressing the touchscreen when I wrote about my R for VW Driver mag and lo and behold they've done what I suggested, cycle through the modes using MODE and a short pause will select it.
FRONT ASSIST
Had a false alarm today, obviously it's not set up for a CSS's cornering abilities as I was going round a right hander pretty fast and it sensed a building close to the outer edge of the road, having a distraction on the dash at that moment and a loud BEEP!!! weren't ideal.
CUP 2 TYRES.
Still not felt the magic but have been very careful under 7 degrees, today at 11/12 degrees they felt at least as good as normal but still not going to be getting warm on the road. Surprisingly quiet tyres especially if you have ever driven on Toyo R888/R888R!
NO FOLDING MIRRORS = A GOOD THING!
Thought it would be pain getting into garage without the folding mirrors of my R but it's actually better as I can keep nearside mirror out and just fold the drivers one in manually, I reverse into a smallish garage so keeping an eye on nearside rear quarter is crucial, the offside has to be well off the wall to allow me to get out.
NO SPARE WHEEL, NO PROBLEM
Bought a 12v pump and tyre foam can (genuine VW) but also got a foam insert from a Volvo V50 off Ebay cheap which is designed to just hold them (but no tools) so is small and light and can be bolted in if you can source the required pin to thread into the mounting on the boot floor which is present.
SEATS
Really comfortable, all buckets look good but not all are this supportive. Wife love's the heating function so that has to be a good thing
WHAT NO PARKING SENSORS
Still forget that none are fitted to this car and I suspect one day it will catch me out when every hot Mk7 Golf has always had them.
CRUISE
I miss cruise but don't miss adaptive cruise which I know is useful but it can also make you look like you are an idiot driver, braking on a motorway is generally easy to avoid but not with ACC. Sometimes get knee ache so the ability to wriggle right leg around while car on cruise can be handy, spent the retrofit cost on physio.
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
Like so many things, the first gen systems were rubbish but this one is perfect apart from putting handbrake on when I take my seat belt off while stationary (hate that as I do that when I reverse onto my drive but I am sure there is some logic, I don't undo seat belt to reverse now)
SQUEAKS AND RATTLE
There are few developing but none too annoying yet, mainly dash and seat frame I think
DAILY DRIVER?
I can see no reason why you couldn't daily this car apart from the compromised tyres (fixable), the boot contents always being exposed and if you need to carry 2+ passengers, the lack of back seats. It's amazingly civilised considering but then again it's too special to stick loads of boring miles on. Do what I do and daily a sh!tbox.
Security is also an issue, it's not a car I'd want on my drive overnight even though neighbour has a 2016 Civic Type R (we didn't talk much before anyway) and has no hassle.
OVERALL
Quite frankly I love it! So much so I am selling my similar value 996 C4S 911 as I can't see myself using it and unlike when I sold my 997 to buy my Mk7 R, I honestly don't think I will regret it this time, I'm sure the ex-Porsche guy behind the CSS will find that heartening I hope. Unlike with my R, VW wont be doing the CSS on crazy lease deals so they are everywhere with values softening accordingly - when you buy it with your own hard earned it is something you do need to take into account although the buzz from driving a CSS transcends rational financial logic, it's the car I'd always dreamed VW would make and I still can't believe I am lucky enough to have one in my garage.
Thanks
Andrew
CSS 154
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That is how an owner of a car like that should feel.
Not sorry I have to have a GTD or anything:cry:
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FRONT ASSIST
Had a false alarm today, obviously it's not set up for a CSS's cornering abilities as I was going round a right hander pretty fast and it sensed a building close to the outer edge of the road, having a distraction on the dash at that moment and a loud BEEP!!! weren't ideal.
Front assist AFAIK shouldn't be doing that. I've had it do plenty of crazy things, but not that.
You'd have had more fun if it hadn't just beeped, but go to the second and third stages... a dab of the brakes followed by slamming on the anchors. And all of that happens in rapid succession...
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Considering all the things omitted from the CSS it still surprises me that they kept the radar considering the type of use it's aimed at.
Nice little write up there Andrew and no doubt we can look forward to more thoughts on it in VWD mag.
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The "radar" linked to the city collision facility, helps reduce the insurance group considerably on the mk7 Golf.
As this feature is standard on the mk7 range, it was probably easier to leave it on the CS-S than to remove and have the car re assessed by the insurance industry.
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The "radar" linked to the city collision facility, helps reduce the insurance group considerably on the mk7 Golf.
As this feature is standard on the mk7 range, it was probably easier to leave it on the CS-S than to remove and have the car re assessed by the insurance industry.
That did initially cross my mind but the launch mk7 dealer demo GTI's had no radar and as the CSS is a bit of a speciality machine with even less models registered than initial GTI demos it does raise a question. Not a question I'm going to dwell on mind you! :grin:
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You need to make sure you turn the collision avoidance off on track.
When I put a set of proper brakes on the front of the R (so it stopped a lot sharper) and took it to Bedford it kept throwing an error code until extreme de-acceleration and realised this was still on
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If it's anything like the standard GTI, if you turn off the TC (not sure) or or use the reduced stability program (definitely) then it turns front assist off anyway.
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Good fair write up
Yes turning off the TC turns off the brake assist, a must on track
Will brake assist stop the car for you in an emergency?
If you get the car on track you will really appreciate the diff, it works so well in turns.
Also, agreed, suspenders is superb. I cannot, for the life of me, understand why people are fitting KW's when the car was set up for optimum track speed on it's std set up. Not only that but it's adjustable
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Now I've taken the sticky cup tyres of I don't get the stones sticking to the rubber and pinging up into the inner arches.
I've added parcel shelf,tool kit,tyre foam, luggage net,continental 5p tyres,ceramic coating, disklok,changed the mats to standard to preserve the red edge ones for show off days, and it has a nextbase 512 g dash cam.
208/400 black.
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I have only done delivery mileage on mine and was all set to sell but the very short drive back from the dealership changed my mind... The damping was the first thing I noticed and the overall darty feel of the car. I would like more noise but probably never got the engine hot enough to get the full effect. I find it a very "Q" car and would not worry too much about its security. I'm looking forward to the spring time and warmer weather to get it out and will report back on my thoughts compared to other sports cars I have owned .... I think for the £34k price tag it's as good a performance car purchase as you will ever get ... you would probably have to pay close to triple that amount to get a car that's descernably better 👍
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I've covered nearly 4000 miles in mine now and I can confidently say it is one of the best cars I have ever driven. Just awesome.
My GT4 has been put away for the Winter and I am not missing it one bit. I adore the CSS.
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Now I've taken the sticky cup tyres of I don't get the stones sticking to the rubber and pinging up into the inner arches.
I've added parcel shelf,tool kit,tyre foam, luggage net,continental 5p tyres,ceramic coating, disklok,changed the mats to standard to preserve the red edge ones for show off days, and it has a nextbase 512 g dash cam.
208/400 black.
Hi Bigwood,
Just wondering if the addition of the parcel shelf has made a noticeable difference to cabin noise?
I've bought the official Cargoniser that is a foam tray that fits into the spare wheel well. Really impressed with it...helps hold the miscellaneous items I have bought. I'm also going to get the full official tool kit, did you buy yours from a dealer?
I've also bought the official deep load liner with the adjustable segments. Hope it will help with day to day practicalities.
Thinking about a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4's or ContiSportContact 6's, but the car feels so great on the Cup 2's that I'm in two minds!!
Cheers,
Nick
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I've covered nearly 4000 miles in mine now and I can confidently say it is one of the best cars I have ever driven. Just awesome.
My GT4 has been put away for the Winter and I am not missing it one bit. I adore the CSS.
Hi Ooosh,
Having completed only 180 miles in my first weekend I totally agree. It feels like a great every day alternative to a GT4, getting under my skin very quickly! However, are you sure you are not missing the GT4 one bit?!
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Now I've taken the sticky cup tyres of I don't get the stones sticking to the rubber and pinging up into the inner arches.
I've added parcel shelf,tool kit,tyre foam, luggage net,continental 5p tyres,ceramic coating, disklok,changed the mats to standard to preserve the red edge ones for show off days, and it has a nextbase 512 g dash cam.
208/400 black.
Hi Bigwood,
Just wondering if the addition of the parcel shelf has made a noticeable difference to cabin noise?
I've bought the official Cargoniser that is a foam tray that fits into the spare wheel well. Really impressed with it...helps hold the miscellaneous items I have bought. I'm also going to get the full official tool kit, did you buy yours from a dealer?
I've also bought the official deep load liner with the adjustable segments. Hope it will help with day to day practicalities.
Thinking about a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4's or ContiSportContact 6's, but the car feels so great on the Cup 2's that I'm in two minds!!
Cheers,
Nick
No the parcel shelf doesn't make any difference to noise,gives privacy when parked up. Got the tool set of eBay, I'm on conti 5s and makes a big difference in the wet roads.
Sorry for late answer just got back from cuba
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Hi Ooosh,
Having completed only 180 miles in my first weekend I totally agree. It feels like a great every day alternative to a GT4, getting under my skin very quickly! However, are you sure you are not missing the GT4 one bit?!
Maybe a bit!
I drove 10,000 miles in the GT4 between March and December (and had 3 months of no driving). I have mixed emotions racking up so many miles in the GT4 - great fun but guilt at decimating the value. I don't have that negative feeling in the VW at all.
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Now I've taken the sticky cup tyres of I don't get the stones sticking to the rubber and pinging up into the inner arches.
I've added parcel shelf,tool kit,tyre foam, luggage net,continental 5p tyres,ceramic coating, disklok,changed the mats to standard to preserve the red edge ones for show off days, and it has a nextbase 512 g dash cam.
208/400 black.
Hi Bigwood,
Just wondering if the addition of the parcel shelf has made a noticeable difference to cabin noise?
I've bought the official Cargoniser that is a foam tray that fits into the spare wheel well. Really impressed with it...helps hold the miscellaneous items I have bought. I'm also going to get the full official tool kit, did you buy yours from a dealer?
I've also bought the official deep load liner with the adjustable segments. Hope it will help with day to day practicalities.
Thinking about a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4's or ContiSportContact 6's, but the car feels so great on the Cup 2's that I'm in two minds!!
Cheers,
Nick
No the parcel shelf doesn't make any difference to noise,gives privacy when parked up. Got the tool set of eBay, I'm on conti 5s and makes a big difference in the wet roads.
Sorry for late answer just got back from cuba
No worries regarding the delay...it was only a few hours. Cuba time must be playing tricks on you. I got my deep load liner today. Fits nicely, and allows you to 'hide' bits and pieces underneath in the spare wheel well.
The sound from the exhaust is epic, so glad the parcel shelf doesn't interrupt!
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Hi Ooosh,
Having completed only 180 miles in my first weekend I totally agree. It feels like a great every day alternative to a GT4, getting under my skin very quickly! However, are you sure you are not missing the GT4 one bit?!
Maybe a bit!
I drove 10,000 miles in the GT4 between March and December (and had 3 months of no driving). I have mixed emotions racking up so many miles in the GT4 - great fun but guilt at decimating the value. I don't have that negative feeling in the VW at all.
Ha! Thought as much. Understand your perspective, but the bottom line is the GT4 isn't going to cost you anything to run in depreciation terms, even with 10k miles of enjoyment out of it. Can't say fairer than that. Hope it's the same for all us CSS owners over the next few months / years!