Performance Pack - user reviews?

[Daz Auto]

I have read though most of the comments here and quite a few reviews. This has left me a bit confused.

I currently drive a Mk6 GTD and I have noticed quite a bit of understeer - mostly on wet roundabouts in the cold weather.

Watching and reading reviews - I thought that the LSD would solve most of my issues. However, it would appear that some people don't think it makes much difference.

So what are the opinions of the people here who own the performance pack - worth it on not?

(I know the Golf R is probably the answer, but I just cannot justify the extra running costs.)

[Watts]

I don't know if the PP makes much difference or not but I think having better brakes is always good. Main thing for me though is the painted calipers

[Daz Auto]

The calipers did look really cool in the flesh, but I am looking at the Performance Pack for it's ... umm... performance.

Does it help much with understeer?

[2014GTi]

It's does help a lot with understeer (dry weather) but you'll need to change your driving style when cornering, you need to keep your foot hard to the floor in sport mode and let the e-Diff (VAQ) work its magic. It'll grip and divert the drive to whichever wheel needs it the most.
It's a better system than the standard XDS setup.
Tyre choice also pays a big part, I'm running 19" Pirelli P-Zero's.
In the wet it's a different story, it's not bad but you can't push it as hard.
Personally the Performance Pack is worth getting, better brake setup, logo calliper's, 10hp more with slightly different map lines and the e-Diff (VAQ).

[Brenbo]

It's does help a lot with understeer (dry weather) but you'll need to change your driving style when cornering, you need to keep your foot hard to the floor in sport mode and let the e-Diff (VAQ) work its magic. It'll grip and divert the drive to whichever wheel needs it the most.
It's a better system than the standard XDS setup.
Tyre choice also pays a big part, I'm running 19" Pirelli P-Zero's.
In the wet it's a different story, it's not bad but you can't push it as hard.
Personally the Performance Pack is worth getting, better brake setup, logo calliper's, 10hp more with slightly different map lines and the e-Diff (VAQ).

  I would agree with this quote.  There is a difference with the grip in dry or wet weather.  But not as much as there would be without it. It does also depend on your driving style and what the roads are like where you live.  I live in Cornwall where there are lots of twisty A & B Roads which allow me to give it the beans now and again on tight bends etc,. If you live in a built up area, and don't venture out of town much then it probably will not make much difference apart from bigger brakes and making the car look cooler 

[Jackie Treehorn]

I have owned most engine layouts and drive configuration in the last 10 years, and the VAQ system will feel different to you Mk6 and even different to a XDS Mk7 with the new MQB and geometry settings the mk7 offers.  You really can power earlier in the corner than you thought possible for a FWD car.  With the Diff in aggressive sport mode you have to open the steering wheel as you go around a corner as the car feels like it wants to tuck in tighter and tighter to the inside of the corner. In a similar way a rear wheel drive car feels, its certainly worth taking one out to test to see what I mean, but it might be hard to see what i mean until you have had a few hours behind the wheel..

Will it cure wet grip loss? No... in a word,  but it will be much better than A: not having it B: its better than the XDS system in all non VAQ equipped cars, and for economy of price, mpg of the car and the VAQ diff, its a great option to tick.  I would pay £900 for the diff alone.

I wrote a review some time ago here, and in need of an update since replacing the wheels.

http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5954

[Exonian]

Moving from a mk6 to a mk7 the first thing you'll notice is the lack of understeer.
You have to be really pushing the car to notice the diff working and when it does it's very subtle.
The handling sharpness of the PP GTI really puts the Golf on another level on the right roads and must be fantastic on track.
The sub £1k PP price is superb value compared to most of the other options, and the bigger brakes are the icing on the cake.

[Watts]

I wrote a review some time ago here, and in need of an update since replacing the wheels.

http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5954

Great write up and pictures from your various trips abroad, especially the Spanish one! Good to see a car getting some proper use!

[Jackie Treehorn]

Thanks,

I probably do half my yearly miles on holiday in Europe,  I really don't enjoy much driving in the UK, perhaps its the congestion on UK roads?  But give me country roads in Europe and I love it. 

Spain and Germany again this year!!   

[Daz Auto]

I wrote a review some time ago here, and in need of an update since replacing the wheels.

http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5954

Great write up and pictures from your various trips abroad, especially the Spanish one! Good to see a car getting some proper use!

+1

Jackie, I notice you have chosen the manual instead of the DSG. In your opinion, does this work better with the VAQ diff?