GOLF GTD Comfort / Ride Quality - ACC / Tartan Cloth Seats ?

[Hawkeye14]

Test drove a new Mk 7 GTD today and liked the car a lot, but I'm a high mileage driver (c18k per annum) with a lot of long distance work and didn't like the choppy sporty ride. I'm er, late middle age now and I appreciate comfort ! The ride was noticeably poorer than my 59 plate Scirocco on 17'' alloys.

I know a lot will just say buy a Mondeo or its a sports car, but I like the best of both worlds. two questions :-

1. If a opted for the Adaptive Chassis Control - will the 'comfort' setting make much difference ? (I like it on the Scirocco). Local VW dealers don't have one with this option to test drive.

2. The test drive seats were leather which felt quite firm. Go for tartan cloth ?

[Sootchucker]

Yes, adaptive dampers in my GTD set to comfort mode, make it ride like a limousine. In my Scirocco, I couldn't really feel much of a difference in the settings, but on my GTD they are very noticeable.

Yes, go for Tartan, if wears better, isn't cold in the winter and hot in the summer, and much cheaper (like free) 

[Andy_cs]

Yes, adaptive dampers in my GTD set to comfort mode, make it ride like a limousine. In my Scirocco, I couldn't really feel much of a difference in the settings, but on my GTD they are very noticeable.

Yes, go for Tartan, if wears better, isn't cold in the winter and hot in the summer, and much cheaper (like free) 

+1

[Gordor]

Test drove a new Mk 7 GTD today and liked the car a lot, but I'm a high mileage driver (c18k per annum) with a lot of long distance work and didn't like the choppy sporty ride. I'm er, late middle age now and I appreciate comfort ! The ride was noticeably poorer than my 59 plate Scirocco on 17'' alloys.

I know a lot will just say buy a Mondeo or its a sports car, but I like the best of both worlds. two questions :-

1. If a opted for the Adaptive Chassis Control - will the 'comfort' setting make much difference ? (I like it on the Scirocco). Local VW dealers don't have one with this option to test drive.


2. The test drive seats were leather which felt quite firm. Go for tartan cloth ?

I'm 22-23k miles a year. No ACC, 19's and cloth...it's a brilliant ride, I've never felt uncomfortable. Mind you the last car was an A4 S-line on 19's and was like driving over logs constantly.

[monkeyhanger]

Definitely ditch the leather unless you have a strong preference (sounds like you don't) - comfortable in all temperatures and won't lose £1400 in 3 years of ownership. Get the cloth treated and it should look like new in 3 years time if you don't let any messy kids (or adults) eat in the car!

[Erskine1]

Hawkeye14
I was a bit of a sceptic on the DCC before buying.....but def not any more.
DCC is a revelation to me. Highly noticeable difference  (from sport) when set in Comfort or Normal.
Comfort truly is like riding in a Limo. I switch the settings fairly often while driving, but on balance when commuting (25k pa) comfort on the motorways absolutely rocks!!
Prev car was 5series, and comfort setting is well up there!
I read a few reviews where people couldn't differentiate between settings....you definitely can, big time.

S

[Skinnee D]

2. The test drive seats were leather which felt quite firm. Go for tartan cloth ?

I didn't notice any difference in firmness between cloth and leather.

[2014GTi]

I have a GTI PP with DCC, 19" alloys and tartan seats.
I agree, DCC is a must for me, the car is so comfortable in comfort mode.

[mjh_056]

Having been out myself now in a colleagues standard GTi then the ride is definitely harder without the DCC though still far better than my outgoing S Line.

The only way you will really know is to now source a demo with DCC as having now driven a standard set up and found it 'hard' you will feel instantly happy about the ££ you about to spend.

But I can verify all that has been said here in that the ride is truly comfortable. The local roads which were a constant cause for cussing are not noticed and that is without exagerration as the DCC cossetts the scarring and rutting completely.

Remember also this is a second version DCC that is active at all times so the other settings are equally dampened and when in Sport the ride is flatter as you push on but still not rigidly hard and I have not noticed the 'jiggling' off the line that my previous Quattro did when hit some ruts at speed.

I was reluctant to leave behind the leather seats but cost made that a non decision and now using the standard seats doubt I would go back as love the style of fabric and the material is more comfortable though must say the heated seats has been a revelation from being seen as a gimmick to a must have.

[Fabio Bignose]

DCC is awesome.

There is nothing better than before a long drive or as you hit the motorway flicking it into 'comfort' and settling back to enjoy the longer travel of the suspension and the way the car 'wafts' over undulations etc... The whole car just feels more relaxed and turns it into a real cruiser and then when you want a bit more action flick it back to 'normal'. I don't use 'sport' personally but as I do a lot of miles even just having the option of 'comfort' is value enough for me.

The seats are Tartan (cool and free) and the leather is not 'Nappa!'