ACC or no ACC?

[p3eps]

I took ACC... but its one of these things I'll probably play with for a week, and then never use again!
Having said that - its something I'd probably do without for a week and then wish I'd got it!

With 19" Rims and 25mm lower suspension, I imagine the ride in the R will be pretty stiff - so the option to press 'comfort' might be quite useful on some of the horrible roads around here!

I'd rather pay for it now and never use it that wish I'd fitted it.  Its something that could never be retrofitted.

[keelaw]

I think ACC is worth it for factors:

1, Its does take the edge off in comfort mode around town.  Living in London potholes are common and speed bumps are everywhere.  Hence in town I drive in comfort all the time.

2, In sport the steering firms up nicely.

3, Normal gives dynamic adjustability.  It is the non-ACC setting most of the time, but when the car senses you're pushing on, it'll put itself into sports setting automatically.

4, It'll be worthwhile if I ever do any trackdays or when going for a decent "spirited" drive.

5, Just makes you feel good to have an element of "user tuning", even if the difference is slight.  Much like the multi-chassis modes in an M5 or Evo.  Its a cool gadget for pub talk with your mates as it sets the car apart from lesser brethren!

[JellyCat]

Hmmm, I'm sorting out if I can get an ACC and a non-ACC test drive in order to assertain the differences, then also see what will happen to the build week if I go for it.

It's to comfort setting which is the appealing one, but the normal setting sounds great (i.e adjusts automatically when needed).

Doubt I'd use the sport as not going to use it for track days. Don't shout but the GTI on order will mostly will used my the other half for local commutes about town (and she's not bothered), appart from when we take it for weekends away in the lakes \ wales where there's lovely roads!).

[mac7]

2, In sport the steering firms up nicely.

3, Normal gives dynamic adjustability.  It is the non-ACC setting most of the time, but when the car senses you're pushing on, it'll put itself into sports setting automatically.

These are the two reasons I'm specifying it.

[Tailpipe]

Yep, I looked at the M3 and thought wow, I want one! The V8 sounded fantastic when it was reversed out of it's spot at the dealers. Problem was M3 just felt, too ostentatious. Don't laugh but I wanted to duck down everytime I stopped at the lights as every car that pulled up against it kept looking over, felt like I was in a goldfish bowel. The 335i was more descreet and felt just as quick off the mark, but lost that magic sparkle of the M3 V8. Tricky you want something brilliant fun and comfy that's doesn't draw too much attention. Can't get past loving the GTI.

This is funny. I'm trading down from an M3 coupe to an R for the same reason. I want something quick but less ostentatious. I like the everyman everyday image of the Golf very much. But I also like to blitz it on European B roads when I go to spend time with my wife's parents in Italy. You can only do that in winter when you have a car with AWD. Add the Golf's practicality and economy and giving away a 8/10ths of a second 0-60 mph is the only real downside. Actually, it is a bit disappointing not having a V8, but 14-18 mpg when you put the hammer down, anti-social emissions and horrible i-Drive tip the scales in VW's favour. In the final analysis, the R is sodding expensive for a Golf, but given that a properly specced M3 is nudging £55K, £32K doesn't look too bad.

Having test driven both ACC and non-ACC Golfs, ACC is definitely the way to go. It is simply a much better ride.

[JellyCat]

I agree with Tailpipe, know what you mean regarding the M3, the new current model is an outstanding car that sounds fantastic, but Golf is fun, not bad value, and discreet. Best of all you don't have to put up with BMW dealers (I hate their sales people, each time I've gone to look at a BMW, I've found them to be rude obnoxious and up their own backsides, I've owned one in the past and never again unless I get someone to sort out getting the car services for me so I don't have to deal with them. Sorry if I sound condesending but I can't understand their sales people when you get a far better and more down to earth service at other dealers, even ones covering way more exotic brands!