ACC retro fit question

[andyr]

I was just checking out Snoopy's Ride Difference thread...
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=200169.0
And read Askers comment re ACC that driving with 17" in comfort mode is <classified as close to a magic carpet> in his opinion...

Coming from a Bora PD150 with standard suspension and 16" wheels with loads of rubber and now with a GTD on the standard Seattle Shadow's 17" rim's (minus ACC!) I find the ride is almost.... at times.... extremely hard!
On the test drive the ride was (obviously) tighter and slightly harder than what we're used to, but not overly so, but.....
Driving with certain passengers (ie, the ageing MIL with osteoporosis) my rear end is tightly puckered and I'm having to check the oncoming tarmac for each and every bump.

Personally I can live with it - and enjoy it - but my question is :-

Anyone know if ACC can be retro fitted (by VW of course, I certainly wouldn't attempt anything that complicated!) or are there any other options to smooth out the ride a bit, perhaps Koni's FSD kit??

Cheers for any input 

[Exonian]

I've got a GTI with standard non ACC suspension and 8x19'' wheels with wider 235 tyres and I find the ride very comfortable for a 260bhp sports hatch.

I had a set of Koni FSD shocks on my mk5 GTI. I won them in a magazine competition which was good because I was thinking about buying a set anyway due to the fact my 40,000 mile old suspension was getting on a bit.
They were very good and didn't rely on complicated electronics, thus extremely easy to retro fit.

[am1w]

Both of you are Andy. As I am Asker, it's an AAA rating!

@Andyr: Are your wheels the same as Doc's? In which case I love that design. They look positively huge.
I did enquire about the ACC retro-fit from my fitter at the VW bodyshop. He said it could be done, but it was a big job and a PITA.
I don't know which tyres you have, but if they are Bridgestones, the ride is a bit rough. The new Goodyear Asymmetric 2s have a pretty good ride. Doc has them and has compared them with the Bridgestones. They cost £92 each from Tyre Traders. I'd change tyres first and then assess the situation. Hope this helps a bit.

[am1w]

Oh, Andyr, you can try reducing the tyre pressures by 2-3 psi. Snoops has found that this helps the ride. He's also got 17" wheels with Bridgestones.

[Snoopy]

After reading the technical documents in a electronics trade mag about the system VW use i think its beyond most to retrofit it. That does not meen you could not but cost and time wise...
Try playing with tyre pressures. I noticed VW upped the tyre pressures 3-4psi with the mk6 over the mk5 even though the mk6 is lighter to help ultimate handling i guess.

[andyr]

Thanks for the input people, the obvious (and cheapest!) first stop is to fiddle with the tyre pressures (I wonder how much air could be removed before the tyres start wearing on the edges??).

@Asker, yes the wheels are the same as The Doc's.... and I'm terrified of curbing them!!! I personally think they're the puppies doodahs, and Yes, they're shod with Bridgestone Potenzas. I had Goodyear Eagle F1's on the Bora and was pleased with them, so when the Bridge's wear I'll look into the Asymmetric 2's... Cheers! (or something with a rim protector  ?!?!?)

The Koni FSD's look like an option.... But I'd like to try before I buy,  as spending that sort of dosh  on something that might not do what I hope it to do is a bit much.

[am1w]

@Andyr: You could sell the Bridgestones on the Forum or on eBay for say £120-£140. Then, if you buy the Goodyears, they would cost you approx £370 less £130 = £240! 

http://www.tyretraders.com/tyreInformation.aspx?ItemID=GOO22545R1791YF1ASY2

[Snoopy]

As i said the suspension and chassic is the same as the mk5 and the tyre pressures on the mk5 are lower. You can go 3psi down without issues i would say. Whats the quoted figure for the GTD?

[Jimble]

I might try dropping mine for a week to see if it makes any difference to my issue,
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=200179.0
I wonder if the last time i did my pressures the calibration was out on the machine or my tires were too warm? You think 35psi will be ok then snoops?
Slightly off topic i know but still to do with ride comfort.
Thanks

[Snoopy]

35psi is what mines been at for a while now and the tyres are no different ware rate but its took the edge off the sharp bumps in the city which is an improvment to me.