GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: cossiegaz82 on 30 March 2018, 12:47
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Hi all,
Been lurking for a couple of weeks but not posted yet.
Just picked up a 2016 Golf GTI with the performance pack and 19" Santiago wheels in Carbon Steel grey (I think that's what it's called anyway! :huh:) after a bit of a bad experience with my 2017 Ford Focus ST3 (more specifically Ford customer care and service more than the car itself) so I thought I'd give the Golf a whirl!
I've never been a fan of Golfs in the past (apart from the mk1 & 2, I'm an old skool car nut) having worked on plenty of them over the years but at a bit of a loss as to what to buy, I test drove a few cars and settled for the Golf, the mk7 seems, to me at least, a big step up from the previous marks in terms of drive and build quality.
The Golf doesn't feel quite as fast as the ST (it is 20 BHP down so that's to be expected) and doesn't seem to handle quite as well either but the Golf is a lot better so far in every other way! The ride quality is better, build quality is better and everything just seems to 'work' so much better. Very happy I made the switch overall! :smiley:
I went for a manual as that's what I prefer and I also hate the farty sound the DSG cars make on upshifts!
I plan to do a couple of things to it soon as I can't seem to ever leave anything alone!
I want to fit some lowering springs and spacers just to get it sitting a bit better but I don't want to ruin the ride quality too much so wondering what you folks would recommend?
I wouldn't mind a remap at some stage as well as I do get bored quickly so will look at that once the warranty is out. Any recommendations guys and girls?
Cheers, :wink:
Gaz.
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Better tires and a pedal box seems to be the best mods from the sounds of it
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As above and welcome Gaz.
I’ve never been keen on Golfs either but seem to have acquired the odd one or two (dozen!)
Vwjap hits the nail on the head there.
Decent tyres make a big difference to the Golf, particularly once you’ve learned to drive the VAQ e-diff properly. That thing makes the car handle like it has 4wd once rolling, but minus the bulk. Forget understeer and backing off before corners. Once you’ve learned the VAQ characteristics you’ll find you can corner at astonishing speeds for a standard road car. The ST won’t be leagues ahead if at all.
The same with Performance. The pedal box will bring the car alive and it’ll feel far more responsive with the torque being so readily accessible. It might not be quicker than an ST against a stop watch but it’ll feel more alive with the performance and handling so accessible.
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Hi Gaz,
Welcome to the GTI fold - I'm running a 2014 GTI PP Manual and have lowered mine on Eibach Sportlines which give a reasonable drop and keep a reasonable amount of the comfort (even on the 19" wheels I'm on now). I've had mine on for around 2 years now on Standard shocks with no issues.
As for a remap, whatever you go for, make sure it's a "low torque" map. The clutch on the manuals is very marginal and there have been quite a few reported cases of it slipping at stage 1. Mine did when I fitted a tuning box (that said, I'd still recommend the tuning box - DTUK). I'd say to get the feeling of speed go for the pedal box as advised above. Alternatively factor in for a replacement uprated clutch at around £600 plus fitting as a GTI PP at stage one is a very rapid, enjoyable and easy drive.
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Better tires and a pedal box seems to be the best mods from the sounds of it
Tyres on 19s should be fine even though the standard fit Bridgestones on 18s are also fine too.
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I'd definitely recommend a pedalbox too. If you have the original tyres still then I assume they are Pirellis. I had them and found them to be good, I kept them rotated so all 4 were replaced at 20k miles. They did get the traction control light on fairly easily especially in the wet and/or cold which has virtually been eliminated by the Michelin PS4S, a great tyre but I wouldn't suggest binning the Pirellis early. I have added an Audi short shift kit to mine, nothing particularly wrong with the standard setup but the Audi part tightens up the lever, makes it feel better, more mechanical and at around £45 with 20 minutes to fit was well worth it to me.
On the inside, an Audi 12v socket plug for under a fiver helps smarten things up, red leds in the footwells another cheap easy improvement, changing the oem left footrest for one with the same look as the pedals (from China but available on ebay sub £50) and an upgrade to the floormats to ones with a red border either oem or aftermarket looks good.
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@Watts, Slightly off topic, please could you provide a link or part number to the Audi 12v socket, thanks!
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@Watts, Slightly off topic, please could you provide a link or part number to the Audi 12v socket, thanks!
4H0919311 - cost £4.45 + vat from a main dealer. They seem to be £10+ on ebay!
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Thanks Watts
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Better tires and a pedal box seems to be the best mods from the sounds of it
As above and welcome Gaz.
I’ve never been keen on Golfs either but seem to have acquired the odd one or two (dozen!)
Vwjap hits the nail on the head there.
Decent tyres make a big difference to the Golf, particularly once you’ve learned to drive the VAQ e-diff properly. That thing makes the car handle like it has 4wd once rolling, but minus the bulk. Forget understeer and backing off before corners. Once you’ve learned the VAQ characteristics you’ll find you can corner at astonishing speeds for a standard road car. The ST won’t be leagues ahead if at all.
The same with Performance. The pedal box will bring the car alive and it’ll feel far more responsive with the torque being so readily accessible. It might not be quicker than an ST against a stop watch but it’ll feel more alive with the performance and handling so accessible.
Hi guys,
It's got Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres all round on it at the moment, I don't know what the original tyres were though. I've only driven it properly a couple of times in the dry, it seems to be constantly raining every time I drive it! Lol!
In the couple of times I've driven it in the dry, when giving it a bit of stick through the corners, I could feel the diff working pulling the front end round the corner under acceleration. Reminded me a bit of my old Mk1 Focus RS with its Quaife ATB diff. I wish I'd never sold that car! :cry:
I did find the back end felt quite light and twitchy under heavy braking though, the Focus feels quite a lot more planted under braking. I don't mind that though, keeps you on your toes! :grin:
What are the pedal boxes about that you guys mentioned?
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Hi Gaz,
Welcome to the GTI fold - I'm running a 2014 GTI PP Manual and have lowered mine on Eibach Sportlines which give a reasonable drop and keep a reasonable amount of the comfort (even on the 19" wheels I'm on now). I've had mine on for around 2 years now on Standard shocks with no issues.
As for a remap, whatever you go for, make sure it's a "low torque" map. The clutch on the manuals is very marginal and there have been quite a few reported cases of it slipping at stage 1. Mine did when I fitted a tuning box (that said, I'd still recommend the tuning box - DTUK). I'd say to get the feeling of speed go for the pedal box as advised above. Alternatively factor in for a replacement uprated clutch at around £600 plus fitting as a GTI PP at stage one is a very rapid, enjoyable and easy drive.
Hi mate,
How much do the Sportlines lower the car by? I don't want to go too low as there are some fairly nasty speed bumps near where my daughter lives so I don't want to end removing my bumper every time I go over them! :grin:
Same goes for the ride quality too, I don't want to make it too harsh a ride as my daughter is in the car quite often (she's only 2) and she's happier in the Golf than the Focus so far so don't want to make it worse.
Someone did say to me that the clutches are a bit poo and that I should have gone the DSG route but I test drive a DSG GTI and didn't really like it compared to a manual one plus I really hate the fart noises they make! I've seen the uprated clutches so if I go for a remap, I'll put a clutch in before the remap, won't take long to do :smiley: I'd rather do the clutch as I know I'll regret not going for the proper remap! Lol!
Are there any particular remaps/tuners to go for/to or avoid in people's experience?
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I'd definitely recommend a pedalbox too. If you have the original tyres still then I assume they are Pirellis. I had them and found them to be good, I kept them rotated so all 4 were replaced at 20k miles. They did get the traction control light on fairly easily especially in the wet and/or cold which has virtually been eliminated by the Michelin PS4S, a great tyre but I wouldn't suggest binning the Pirellis early. I have added an Audi short shift kit to mine, nothing particularly wrong with the standard setup but the Audi part tightens up the lever, makes it feel better, more mechanical and at around £45 with 20 minutes to fit was well worth it to me.
On the inside, an Audi 12v socket plug for under a fiver helps smarten things up, red leds in the footwells another cheap easy improvement, changing the oem left footrest for one with the same look as the pedals (from China but available on ebay sub £50) and an upgrade to the floormats to ones with a red border either oem or aftermarket looks good.
Hi mate, they're Dunlop Sport Maxx's on it at the mo. Is it Pirellis that are fitted as standard?
I'll probably leave the lever as is at the moment as it feels ok to me, always good to hear what mods other folk have done though! :) Might have a look at one of those footrest covers though! :)
Cheers mate! ;)
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Save you searching 👍
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2014-RHD-VW-Golf-7-MK7-Seat-mk3-footrest-pedals-Car-pedal-Cover/32218031571.html
(https://s26.postimg.org/3p79pfhzt/73229722-_EE90-4516-9079-30_F442_F28184.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/feb9de8yd/)
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Nice one! Thanks mate ;)
Looks a lot nicer than the standard one!
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Hi Gaz and welcome you can't go wrong with the Gti a good all rounder iv had mine from new in 16 and 2yrs down the line I can't fault it.
As mentioned a dtuk pedal box the Ali express foot rest and replace the white footwell lights for red leds are great little mod starters I'm on 19" Santis and fitted spacers but decided not to lower it and the spacers give it a better stance imo but again welcome... :smiley:
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Save you searching 👍
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2014-RHD-VW-Golf-7-MK7-Seat-mk3-footrest-pedals-Car-pedal-Cover/32218031571.html
(https://s26.postimg.org/3p79pfhzt/73229722-_EE90-4516-9079-30_F442_F28184.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/feb9de8yd/)
when fitting the gti sill plates did you need to remove the door rubber first?
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Hi Gaz,
Welcome to the GTI fold - I'm running a 2014 GTI PP Manual and have lowered mine on Eibach Sportlines which give a reasonable drop and keep a reasonable amount of the comfort (even on the 19" wheels I'm on now). I've had mine on for around 2 years now on Standard shocks with no issues.
As for a remap, whatever you go for, make sure it's a "low torque" map. The clutch on the manuals is very marginal and there have been quite a few reported cases of it slipping at stage 1. Mine did when I fitted a tuning box (that said, I'd still recommend the tuning box - DTUK). I'd say to get the feeling of speed go for the pedal box as advised above. Alternatively factor in for a replacement uprated clutch at around £600 plus fitting as a GTI PP at stage one is a very rapid, enjoyable and easy drive.
Hi mate,
How much do the Sportlines lower the car by? I don't want to go too low as there are some fairly nasty speed bumps near where my daughter lives so I don't want to end removing my bumper every time I go over them! :grin:
Same goes for the ride quality too, I don't want to make it too harsh a ride as my daughter is in the car quite often (she's only 2) and she's happier in the Golf than the Focus so far so don't want to make it worse.
Someone did say to me that the clutches are a bit poo and that I should have gone the DSG route but I test drive a DSG GTI and didn't really like it compared to a manual one plus I really hate the fart noises they make! I've seen the uprated clutches so if I go for a remap, I'll put a clutch in before the remap, won't take long to do :smiley: I'd rather do the clutch as I know I'll regret not going for the proper remap! Lol!
Are there any particular remaps/tuners to go for/to or avoid in people's experience?
They quote 30mm front and 20mm rear.
I've not caught mine on any speed bumps at all in the 2 years I've had them on. I've got those annoying square speed bumps as well as full width ones too.
I find comforts okay too, although I now go slower over some stuff than before. If comfort is more important, there's always the Eibach pro kit which lowers the front slightly less and keeps pretty much all the standard comfort (so I've been told, not used them myself).
As for remaps, I've never mapped mine, just fitted a tuning box, but I'm well happy with it (apart from the crap standard clutch).
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Save you searching 👍
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2014-RHD-VW-Golf-7-MK7-Seat-mk3-footrest-pedals-Car-pedal-Cover/32218031571.html
(https://s26.postimg.org/3p79pfhzt/73229722-_EE90-4516-9079-30_F442_F28184.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/feb9de8yd/)
when fitting the gti sill plates did you need to remove the door rubber first?
No. All I did was have a couple of dry runs without removing the backing tape to work out how to hold them and then a couple of bits of masking tape to make sure it was lined up straight and then went for it. :smiley:
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Hi, Gaz
I'm rolling on a PP manual with the following upgrades.
Racing line springs.
Apr mapped high output.
Sachs uprated clutch
Racing line R600 intake
Racing line intake
Racing line Elbow
Racing line turbo muffler delete
Wheels 3sdm 0.09 18's 8.5j custom colour.
Interior P3gauge with track spec.
Exterior Maxton front splitter
Rear valance gloss black.
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Hi Gaz and welcome you can't go wrong with the Gti a good all rounder iv had mine from new in 16 and 2yrs down the line I can't fault it.
As mentioned a dtuk pedal box the Ali express foot rest and replace the white footwell lights for red leds are great little mod starters I'm on 19" Santis and fitted spacers but decided not to lower it and the spacers give it a better stance imo but again welcome... :smiley:
Hi mate,
The Golf does seem a better all round car than my ST, just need to do a couple of little bits to it to make it my own :wink:
Not going to go mad with it though as it's my daily, got my other car tucked away if I want to be silly! :smiley:
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Hi Gaz,
Welcome to the GTI fold - I'm running a 2014 GTI PP Manual and have lowered mine on Eibach Sportlines which give a reasonable drop and keep a reasonable amount of the comfort (even on the 19" wheels I'm on now). I've had mine on for around 2 years now on Standard shocks with no issues.
As for a remap, whatever you go for, make sure it's a "low torque" map. The clutch on the manuals is very marginal and there have been quite a few reported cases of it slipping at stage 1. Mine did when I fitted a tuning box (that said, I'd still recommend the tuning box - DTUK). I'd say to get the feeling of speed go for the pedal box as advised above. Alternatively factor in for a replacement uprated clutch at around £600 plus fitting as a GTI PP at stage one is a very rapid, enjoyable and easy drive.
Hi mate,
How much do the Sportlines lower the car by? I don't want to go too low as there are some fairly nasty speed bumps near where my daughter lives so I don't want to end removing my bumper every time I go over them! :grin:
Same goes for the ride quality too, I don't want to make it too harsh a ride as my daughter is in the car quite often (she's only 2) and she's happier in the Golf than the Focus so far so don't want to make it worse.
Someone did say to me that the clutches are a bit poo and that I should have gone the DSG route but I test drive a DSG GTI and didn't really like it compared to a manual one plus I really hate the fart noises they make! I've seen the uprated clutches so if I go for a remap, I'll put a clutch in before the remap, won't take long to do :smiley: I'd rather do the clutch as I know I'll regret not going for the proper remap! Lol!
Are there any particular remaps/tuners to go for/to or avoid in people's experience?
They quote 30mm front and 20mm rear.
I've not caught mine on any speed bumps at all in the 2 years I've had them on. I've got those annoying square speed bumps as well as full width ones too.
I find comforts okay too, although I now go slower over some stuff than before. If comfort is more important, there's always the Eibach pro kit which lowers the front slightly less and keeps pretty much all the standard comfort (so I've been told, not used them myself).
As for remaps, I've never mapped mine, just fitted a tuning box, but I'm well happy with it (apart from the crap standard clutch).
I think I'm going to go for the Pro kit I think, I've seen a few pics of GTI's with those fitted and that's about right for me! :)
I'll just stick an uprated clutch in it when the time comes for looking at maps, it'll only wind me up if I map
it then it slips its nuts off under boost! For the sake of a couple of hours work, I'd rather just get it out of the way!
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Hi, Gaz
I'm rolling on a PP manual with the following upgrades.
Racing line springs.
Apr mapped high output.
Sachs uprated clutch
Racing line R600 intake
Racing line intake
Racing line Elbow
Racing line turbo muffler delete
Wheels 3sdm 0.09 18's 8.5j custom colour.
Interior P3gauge with track spec.
Exterior Maxton front splitter
Rear valance gloss black.
Hello mate,
How does the uprated clutch feel? I'm assuming it's just a normal friction plate with a heavy duty pressure plate? Is the pedal a lot harder than standard?
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Clutch feels a lot better, however pedal is still only realy notice on stop start traffic.
Clutch is a must on manual if mapped.
Was advised whilst getting the APR tune clutch will need updating.
I choose Sachs, however some peeps are running TTrs version.
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My mods that I’d recommend to you:
Revo remap stage 1 - my clutch is fine so far. Will be next thing to do. A few people have said the clutches are a known weak point, my local vw specialist said they’ve seen some go at 4000 miles and some last like normal so they seem very hit and miss.
Turbo technics hose
Revo Lower torque mount
VW racing springs - drops height 20-30mm and I find the ride still really good and I haven’t had any problems with speed bumps. I live on an almost finished new development and the bumps here are huge and I’ve had no catching at all.
I’ve also moved to 19 inch Revo RV019 wheels which are lighter and wider and they fill the arches better than the standard 18s.
As you’ve already got 19s I’d definitely think about spacers as someone else said. They’d look good if lowered too.
Let us know what you go for.
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Clutch feels a lot better, however pedal is still only realy notice on stop start traffic.
Clutch is a must on manual if mapped.
Was advised whilst getting the APR tune clutch will need updating.
I choose Sachs, however some peeps are running TTrs version.
Thanks mate, I think I will stick a clutch in it as I can't be arsed dealing with a slipping clutch! If something isn't 100% as it should be, it does my nut in! Lol!
Be a while before I remap it though due to still being in warranty.
I'm only worried about the heavy clutch pedal as I smashed my left knee to bits in motorbike accident when I was 22 so it doesn't deal with a heavy pedal too well! Everyone says I should have gone DSG but I much prefer a manual! :)
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My mods that I’d recommend to you:
Revo remap stage 1 - my clutch is fine so far. Will be next thing to do. A few people have said the clutches are a known weak point, my local vw specialist said they’ve seen some go at 4000 miles and some last like normal so they seem very hit and miss.
Turbo technics hose
Revo Lower torque mount
VW racing springs - drops height 20-30mm and I find the ride still really good and I haven’t had any problems with speed bumps. I live on an almost finished new development and the bumps here are huge and I’ve had no catching at all.
I’ve also moved to 19 inch Revo RV019 wheels which are lighter and wider and they fill the arches better than the standard 18s.
As you’ve already got 19s I’d definitely think about spacers as someone else said. They’d look good if lowered too.
Let us know what you go for.
Hi mate :),
Yeah it was the Revo stage 1 I was considering but I will wait until the warranty is up before I do it. I may do a couple of bolt on bits but nowt major as it's easily removed! Lol!
I've got 19" Santiago wheels on mine so I'll stick with those. I'll be ordering the Eibach Pro Kit springs and 15mm rear/12mm front spacers for it in the next week or so. Should sit much nicer then! The way it sits is about the only thing that's bugged me about the car really. That and the fact I can't turn the ESC completely off!
I don't mind doing the suspension while it's still under warranty as there isn't really that much to go wrong with it plus if something does go wrong, I can fix it myself. Engine and box is a bit different though, they're a bit dearer to fix if it all goes Pete Tong! Lol!
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I have the pro kit on 19's and you will be very impressed. I love it.
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I have the pro kit on 19's and you will be very impressed. I love it.
Good stuff! 👍🏻
Do you have any pics of how it sits please mate?