Miscellaneous questions

[mhoutman]

I wrote already an introduction on the intro section. After driving Bimmers for more than 10 years, my family is in for 2 new 2011 Gti DSG. In fact I have asked the local garage to make a proposal for 2 full dutch specced cars except 18" (not comfortable due to bad roads/tarmac in my neighborhood) and an electric chair (no memory).

As I want nearly all options the car comes very close to a Golf R, but imho it feels too agressive and I really don't want 18" rims.

Some questions as I test drove a DSG with Dynaudio, ACC and 18".

ACC.
If I read the description well, ACC also should influences the steering characteristics but I only felt a difference in suspension. (I am used now to BMW's Active Front Steering AFS) What is correct ?

(SK) Color
As I love specials cars I also like a special color. Our wish was dark blue but except Moonlight Blue there are restrictions on other dark blue colors from the SK program. Carbon Steel grey which seems slighly greyish/green in the sunshine the only color from the standard color program we do like. Is anybody familiar with dark blue metallic paints other than Moonlight Blue which can be ordered for the GTi ?

Dynaudio.
To be honost I really expected more. Used to Logic& in the Bimmer, the Dynaudio system really misses sheer power. Is there consensus on this ?

Rear head rests
Want i don't like about the Gti are the big rear head rests. Did any try to mount the lower head rest which comes with non GTi's ?

Tyres
The dutch VW importer (also importer of Continental) usually changes all non-Conti tyres to Conti. Only on Gti's 18" I saw Dunlops. With BMW my favorites where Bridgestone (runflats) but what is advisable tyre for the standard 17" "Denver" rims. Any good experiences with Michelin Pilot Sports here ?

Tuning
The dutch importer have their own guarantee backup tuning program from ABT. (so 2 years guarantee for ABT tuning). HP increase is from 210 HP to 265 HP for about € 1.500,00 which doesn't seem to much considering the full importer guarantee. Now they have told me that with the ABT tuning, the DSG will lose its awesome sound when in sport mode. Is anybody familiar with this ?

Trims/steering wheel etc.
Don't shoot but the red stitching and parts and black trims everywhere are not our taste. In fact I have chosen for the R-Line trims (silver alloy) and R-Line steering wheel. Also the car gets R-Line door sill trims and a GTD grille. Yet I need some good pictures of the R-Line parts. Does anybody have a link to them ?

Thanks for your time and feedback 

M.

[Radek]

Hi and welcome!
I can comment on ACC: what is does (on top of the suspension setting change) is it's reducing the power assist steering therefore giving noticeable, much stiffer feeling. I personally like it very much.

[mhoutman]

Hi and welcome!
I can comment on ACC: what is does (on top of the suspension setting change) is it's reducing the power assist steering therefore giving noticeable, much stiffer feeling. I personally like it very much.

hum, strange I didn't experience ACC as such. Is it perhaps with high speed of in sports mode ? (same experience there )

[Radek]

Hi and welcome!
I can comment on ACC: what is does (on top of the suspension setting change) is it's reducing the power assist steering therefore giving noticeable, much stiffer feeling. I personally like it very much.

hum, strange I didn't experience ACC as such. Is it perhaps with high speed of in sports mode ? (same experience there )

Now, that's strange! No you can feel it stright away. Maybe try some other GTI or any Scirocco as it has that as standard (at least in UK)...

[FroGTI]

Not really answering your questions here, sorry, but IMHO you are going to miss your BMWs. The GTI is a great car, but FWD means it is inherently flawed.

[PenguinGTI]

I can only help with some of your points.

Colour
There is a colour for UK spec cars called shadow blue. Have a wee search for a user called Snoopy and have a look at his car if you want an idea of the colour. It is a fantastic colour. It moves the image of the GTI away from a hot hatch and more towards elegance. If your going for the R Line trim then such a colour would be perfect in my opinion.

Tyres
My car came with Bridgestone Potenzas and I swapped to Dunlop which were an improvement. I have since swapped to Michelin Pilot Sport 3s which are the best tyre yet. The dry grip is slightly better than the Dunlops and the wet grip is brilliant. There are plenty of others on here who would give the PS3s a thumbs up.

ABT Tuning
I cannot comment on ABT in specific but my car is remapped and it doesn't sound any different. 

Dynaudio
This has been a good discussion point on this forum. Generally people are in 2 minds about Dynaudio. Some people believe the 310 variants have better sound quality but prefer the functions of the 510 variants. I only have an RCD 310 in my car and I have never really needed a louder system.

Sorry I have not answered all your questions. I don't know enough about the other aspects to offer you advice  :embarassed:

Ali

[RickS]

Hello and welcome.

I personally love my GTI, the Dynaudio is very good and 300 watts is plenty for me, the rear head rests are not too big, 18" Monza's are superb and I don't have any issues with using them on all types of road surface, the red stitching and other interior trim is something I really like. Basically I bought the car because I think it looks fantastic all round and the drive is superb.
You seem to have so many misgivings about trim and various aspects of the GTI perhaps you should consider buying something else.

[matchboy]

except 18" (not comfortable due to bad roads/tarmac in my neighborhood)

car looks sh1t with 17" alloys, and the ride is not that hard honestly!


Dynaudio.
To be honost I really expected more. Used to Logic& in the Bimmer, the Dynaudio system really misses sheer power. Is there consensus on this ?

which setting did you have it on?  cause there are 3 settings and i can assure you the highest one will blow your head off.  better than a bmw standard system by a mile, not better than a bose, bang & oluf etc

Rear head rests
Want i don't like about the Gti are the big rear head rests. Did any try to mount the lower head rest which comes with non GTi's ?

the big head rests look cool dude - if you want little ones buy a sh1ttier version of a golf!


Trims/steering wheel etc.
Don't shoot but the red stitching and parts and black trims everywhere are not our taste. In fact I have chosen for the R-Line trims (silver alloy) and R-Line steering wheel. Also the car gets R-Line door sill trims and a GTD grille. Yet I need some good pictures of the R-Line parts. Does anybody have a link to them ?

buy a different car lol - is there actually anything you do like about the GTI?!?!

[gizzywizzy]

Hello and welcome.

I personally love my GTI, the Dynaudio is very good and 300 watts is plenty for me, the rear head rests are not too big, 18" Monza's are superb and I don't have any issues with using them on all types of road surface, the red stitching and other interior trim is something I really like. Basically I bought the car because I think it looks fantastic all round and the drive is superb.
You seem to have so many misgivings about trim and various aspects of the GTI perhaps you should consider buying something else.

I totally endorse everything you have said. 

[Steve30]

Buy another BMW, if the GTI dos'nt float your boat, why are you even considering a GTI if you have all these concerns?