19 inch Santiago Wheels - do you need ACC?

[CR4ZYHOR5E]

Hi there,

First post…

I need to order my company car replacement and am 95% settled on a GTD. However I'm finding it impossible to commit to a particular spec. My head (and accompanying spread sheet) tells me to order a completely 'vanilla' car, but I've been toying with the idea of speccing (is that a word?) a couple of options to 'spoil myself'.

One of the more 'are you crazy' considerations are the 19 inch Santiago wheels. Problem is, I suspect that Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) is a minimum requirement for these wheels, which then makes it a very expensive option. Are there any owners who have experience of 19 inch wheels both with and without ACC?

Is a GTD on 19'' wheels a viable option on U.K roads (either with or without ACC)? My understanding what that the standard GTD suspension is slightly more supple than the standard GTI suspension?

Unfortunately, I will not be able to test drive for myself and will realistically need to order the car this weekend. I have provisionally ruled the wheels out, looking for a reason to rule them back in to be honest. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
CH.

[Geomets]

Stick with the standards. The aftermarket options are far superior in any view (except the price which is slightly higher and you have a second set which can be sold). The car was tested and developed with the 18" configuration. If I were you I wouldn't order them. But that's my opinion of course...

[noobmonkey]

Also being in West Sussex, and knowing how rubbish the roads are, i would not go for the 19's! (I have a vanilla GTD)...
I'm very happy with the vanilla - if i had had a choice (Either vanilla in 3 weeks, or get an option and i would have had to wait until feb/march... hence vanilla) - i would have added Keyless .

I would possibly have gone for Dynaudio, but seeing how good the standard is, i wouldn't bother

[matchboy]

Depends how sensitive you are to a slightly harder ride. I have 19s and don't have ACC as I would never use it, and the ride is absolutely fine. If you have a car full then it can be a little bumpy, but I honestly don't notice it/think it's a hard ride. The standard suspension is so good anyway! You really need to test drive one if you can though as it's all down to personal preference.

[C2K]

I test drove a demo on 19s with no Dcc,  it drove fine. I ordered Dcc purely because I like to explore the limits of the vehicle. 

[Gordor]

I have 19's without ACC and it's really spot on. The wheels make a real difference to the look IMO but cleaning them is a drag.

[CR4ZYHOR5E]

Okay, thanks for all of your replies. Was mainly worried about what Mrs CH would say if the ride was particularly crashy/harsh. I don't mind if its not velvety smooth but was concerned it might be similar to something like the Mercedes A Class in AMG trim (which couples particularly firm suspension to 18 inch run flats). Sounds like a GTD on 19s is not in that same category.

[monkeyhanger]

Some people really are sensitive to harder rides (you'll see some people concerned on other forums that they are used to 15" wheels and worried that the 16" wheels on an SE are too harsh a ride). If you were happy with the 18" ride on a MK5/6 then 19" will be no worse as the refinement has improved so much with the MK7.

[noobmonkey]

Well... having gone in an A class the day before i got my GTD (18's) - there is no comparison! Driving the A class was like driving over a permanent railroad crossing in comparison!