My test drive.

[Jimble]

I'm contemplating buying a gti so the next logical step was a test drive, so arranged one with my local stealer for friday, when i turned up the car was still in the showroom, a white 3 door with shadows and manual box, i'm after a five door with 17's but close enough. Anyway dealer pulled it out and drove us round for a couple of miles really given it the beans! the power is fantastic but the ride was solid and there was a knocking coming from under the car, i questioned this and when we stopped to switch seats he had a look at the springs and sure enough a bright orange block on each one! Told me that the car was still in delivery mode too so it hadn't been pdi'd yet.
So now the questions;

1: Obviously there will be some difference in ride without the blocks but are we talking night and day or slight? (the dealer didn't want to go out again after being removed cos i wasn't going to buy THAT car)

2: While driving the car, found that it wheel spun a lot even when pullin away smooth, does delivery mode affect this or am i going to be buyin lots of tyres?

A long post with only a couple of questions but any more info or opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks Lads n Lasses.

[Exonian]

The ride is quite firm (it's a sports hatch remember) but comfier than many rival models. I had Koni FSDs on my mk5 and thus find the mk6 a tad firmer but very compliant for a sporting model.

How the hell fast were you accelerating on the test drive? I find that my car hardly ever wheelspins and mine is re-mapped! I get the traction control light coming on occasionally but that's about it.
Front tyres should see about 10 - 12k I would hope but generally change mine before they get down to 2mm.

[Snoopy]

The delivery blocks have a HUGE effect on the ride and handling as well as grip.
The car will be totally different without them.
Also in delivery mode the tyres are at 55psi instead of 38 so theres NO GRIP.
If you think what these blocks do. If you ever see a car on a transporter it does not move does it. If you have ever seen a car on a recovery truck you will see it bobbing up and down and moving all over the place like a jelly. Basically you have little suspension with the blocks in.

[Exonian]

Yeah, I'm quite amazed that they let the car on the road with them in to be honest. It must be lethal handling wise. What also amazes me is how many forums I've read about instances like that on different models. 

[Jimble]

Accelerated hard a couple of times and the wheels spun loads, but i mean when pulling away like an old lady there was still some loss of traction! Thanks Snoopy, so taking in to account the block, the tyre pressure and the fact i'd go for 17's, we probably are talking night and day?

[Snoopy]

IMO oh yes.

At the end of the day with greasy roads at pressent, 2wd and 200bhp your always going to have some traction problems to a degree.
But to have excessive tyre pressures so little tyre contact area, new tyres, no suspension travel your going to have huge problems.

[R32UK]

i cant believe they let you test drive a car with the transport blocks still in... thats almost comical

In my years as a VW owner I have come across some stupidity from dealers but they never fail to amaze me where do they get these guys from

[keelaw]

same thing happened to me on my test drive, the car i drove also had the transporter blocks in and because of that i didn't give it the beans!

visually the car will look a lot higher and also the ride will be rock hard.  having now taken delivery of mine, the ride is very good (esp in comfort with the optional ACC).