GTD standard suspension

[Jobilo]

Hi all!

I'm thinking about ordering a GTD for company car and I've been reading the forum to see how other are getting on.
I currently drive a 3 series BMW (320ED) and my main concerns with the GTD are comfort and MPG.

In terms of MPG, as long i can get 45mpg it will be fine and cost less than another 320. I have been following the thread MK7 GTD - Real Life MPG religiously! 
As for comfort, I recently drove a GTD (15 miles only) in decent roads so i didn't really got a feel for the suspension, as in how harsh it is... The bmw is OK as i haven't got run flats but i can feel some bumps etc.

I read mix reviews online, some say it's fine, some that it's quite harsh... what do you think??

I can only compare to an Audi A3 sportback S line that i drove recently and that was a very harsh ride!! Will the GTD be the same?

Thanks!!

[Skinnee D]

I'd say the standard GTD on standard wheels is far smoother than an Audi S Line.  Mine is standard suspension and wheels and the balance between comfort, ride and cornering is spot on I find.  I'd recommend a longer test drive though to be sure it suits you.  Hope this helps.

[CR4ZYHOR5E]

Mine only arrived today so can only offer first impressions, others will be able to offer a better view.

My old car was a 2012 BMW 1 series (F20). It had the standard suspension with 17 inch run flat tyres. Overall I was happy with the ride of the Beemer, although it would have been better without run flats.

My new car is a GTD with standard suspension and 19 inch wheels. Feels very comparable (marginally better) to the Beemer. A lot is personal preference but I would have thought the GTD on 18 inch wheels is the sweet spot. Will be miles better than S Line suspension I would have thought.

Good luck.

[monkeyhanger]

The GTD has by far the most comfortable sports suspension on 18" wheels that I have ever experienced. Far softer (yet very precise and compliant) than any Merc A/C/E class, Audi S-line, Focus ST in real life situations. My old MK5 Golf on 17" wheels feels a boneshaker in comparison.have

I'm surprised you didn't get a proper feel for the suspension ride after 15 mins driving, especially if it wasn't all on dual carriageway. Put it this way - I have had 2 Sciroccos with 1st Gen ACC/DCC and was so pleasantly surprised by the standard ride, I didn't feel the need to spec DCC in my GTD.

[Jobilo]

Thanks for the replies!

Good to see that it should be better than the S Line suspension - I thought the GTD had the same suspension.

Monkeyhanger, the GTD I drove had 19" wheels and it felt ok, but the road didn't had any bumps... that's what i meant. Unfortunately I can't get a longer test driver and need to order my next company car ASAP! But I'm starting to feel good about the GTD. Might go for 5door, in red.

[Jammy1]

Hi Jobilo

I've currently got an E90 320d ED and have a GTD on 18's with standard suspension on order.  I had the GTD on a four day test drive.  I'd say the GTD is better on the undulating 'smooth' bumps (if that makes sense) but not quite as good where the road surface has broken eg pot holes.  Non runflats, 16's and squidgy sidewalls take up a lot of that initial crunch before the suspension has to do its work.

In summary I'd say the ride was comparable to the 320d ED in my opinion.

[Jobilo]

Thanks Jammy1, great stuff!!

I've just ordered a tornado red, 5 door, GTD with the key-less entry option. 

[Skinnee D]

Thanks Jammy1, great stuff!!

I've just ordered a tornado red, 5 door, GTD with the key-less entry option. 

Good choice.  Keyless on the Mk7 Golf is great (IMO), you won't be disappointed

[Jobilo]

Hi Jobilo

I've currently got an E90 320d ED and have a GTD on 18's with standard suspension on order.  I had the GTD on a four day test drive.  I'd say the GTD is better on the undulating 'smooth' bumps (if that makes sense) but not quite as good where the road surface has broken eg pot holes.  Non runflats, 16's and squidgy sidewalls take up a lot of that initial crunch before the suspension has to do its work.

In summary I'd say the ride was comparable to the 320d ED in my opinion.

Jammy1

What was mpg like on your GTD test drive? My 320d ED returns good mpg (50+) regardless of how you drive it... The GTD seems to struggle according to reports.

Thanks

Jobilo

[Jammy1]

If there's one thing the 320d ed is good at it's economy.  Did a 90 mile round trip from south east Sheffield to Brighouse and got 67mpg without trying too hard, my very first trip when collecting the car achieved 69mpg from Aldershot to Sheffield.  Always get mid to high fifties on a tank.  I've never got less than 50mpg on a tank in the 3 and a half years I've had it. 

I'm not expecting the GTD to be as good as the 320d on fuel.  I managed to nurse it to 50mpg on one 50 mile journey.  Looking at other comments the GTD economy  does seem to be affected quite badly in cold weather though.  From memory it was circa 5c when I had the demo.