Adaptive chassis worth the cash?

[rocketfuel]

(Cross posted from vw chat).
About to order a new gti (hooray!) and keen to hear advice of others that have driven cars with & without the optional £800 adaptive chassis control. I would only really be interested if it made significant difference in smooth comfy ride.... Presume it won't increase resale value? Thanks for any help

[Mk1Macca]

I have it, but to be honest I wouldn't have it again. Other than the noise, I barely notice a difference between the modes.

Admittedly I haven't driven it hard yet as still letting it bed in, but there are options of spend that money on before hand: keyless, sport and sound park assist etc.

[JBirchy]

On the test drive I could tell a big difference in ride quality to be honest. I had it on my Passat CC and thought it was excellent so it was the first option box I ticked.

I'm yet to take delivery of my car so I can't give a well informed view of the GTI (A 20min test drive around Liverpool Town Centre is hardly the optimum place to test it properly!) but I do think it would be worth it.

[Jimmy Filth]

I've heard a lot of people saying it makes a huge difference, but have not experienced it myself.  I ended up adding it to the car because on the PCP it didn't make a huge difference to the price because of what it added to the GFV.  It costs me the same as the winter pack and keyless entry.  Admittedly that is on an R.

Also, having spoken to people I currently have two slipped discs and the comfort mode is a must for that, plus the 19" alloys mean it helps (if I decide to add them).

[monsta]

Much like DynAudio this is a hugely debated topic!  I personally am very glad I have it. 

Lots of opinions here: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=262045.0

[mullermn]

I've got it, and you can tell a difference - sport is really hard and comfort is what I would consider fairly normal in an average car. I think it has improved the longer I've had it, but comfort is still not what I would actually call comfortable - I was expecting something that felt kinda cushy and luxurious. Sport setting doesn't (and to be fair, doesn't claim to) make the car any faster to drive; Top Gear got their fastest time in comfort mode.

The only GTI I drove before buying was a non-DCC version, so it's my own fault for not doing a bit more research, but I have to say it's the least impressive bit of the car for the money.

[iandjm]

Hi,

I have it and live on the Isle of Wight which has the most terrible roads.  The difference is incredible and in comfort setting the car rides as well as my Mk6 1.4 Match.  In Sports mode the suspension really stiffens up and you know about every bump.   I would say the decision to have adaptive chassis is down to what the roads are like where you drive.  Bearing in mind the roads in this country are getting steadily worse, in my opinion it's a wise investment.

Ian

[chazzypuk]

Hi,

I have it and live on the Isle of Wight which has the most terrible roads.  The difference is incredible and in comfort setting the car rides as well as my Mk6 1.4 Match.  In Sports mode the suspension really stiffens up and you know about every bump.   I would say the decision to have adaptive chassis is down to what the roads are like where you drive.  Bearing in mind the roads in this country are getting steadily worse, in my opinion it's a wise investment.

Ian

I completely agree! The difference between the modes is VERY noticeable. In comfort the ride is very smooth and absorbs all the bumps for a very smooth ride. When going round corners there is slight body roll due to the softer setup. Switching to sport the suspension really hardens up and you can feel every bit of the road! I love it! There is pretty much no body roll at all in sport, it sits very flat round bends. I personally like being able to change between the modes. Sport for the country lane blast, comfort for everyday commuting. I would definitely spec it again on my next car. I find it strange that some people can't feel a difference, to me its very obvious. Even switching modes on a smooth motorway is easily recognisable. Maybe those who can't feel any change should check the transport blocks!  I would say go for it, but obviously the choice is yours; you won't be disappointed and your spending a lot anyway so get the car you want not the one you wish you had!

[mullermn]

I completely agree! The difference between the modes is VERY noticeable. In comfort the ride is very smooth and absorbs all the bumps for a very smooth ride. When going round corners there is slight body roll due to the softer setup. Switching to sport the suspension really hardens up and you can feel every bit of the road! I love it! There is pretty much no body roll at all in sport, it sits very flat round bends. I personally like being able to change between the modes. Sport for the country lane blast, comfort for everyday commuting. I would definitely spec it again on my next car. I find it strange that some people can't feel a difference, to me its very obvious. Even switching modes on a smooth motorway is easily recognisable. Maybe those who can't feel any change should check the transport blocks!  I would say go for it, but obviously the choice is yours; you won't be disappointed and your spending a lot anyway so get the car you want not the one you wish you had!

I did ask the dealer and all he said is 'to be honest I have it in my Sirrocco and I can't really feel that much difference either' so I've accepted it for what it is now, but posts like this make me really paranoid that there's something wrong with my car!

[FNJ-GTI]

I have the ACC and I can't tell that much of a difference between normal and comfort mode, though I've only really been doing motorway driving so far. I'm a bit disappointed with it, as some people are saying they can notice a huge change in the ride. Ive checked for the dreaded transport pucks and none were left on the car. I think had I known it would be so subtle I probably would have got the performance pack instead. The thing that worries me is that people say its a massive difference, makes me think mine isn't working correctly. Anyone know of a way to check? Without taking it back to Mr dealer.