New gtd without DCC

[jingsmonty]

Hi, new member to this site - have just ordered a gtd in night blue with tech pack, park pack, tinted rear windows and 19" santiago alloys, expected delivery end of Jan '17. This isn't exactly the spec that I would have liked as wanted 18"Nogaro wheels with DCC suspension - slightly worried about ride quality! Anybody else have 19" wheels on standard suspension out there?
 We took it as this was a car already on order, we liked night blue (think this colour is being discontinued) and got a healthy discount from our local dealer - almost bought a gti with similar spec that was in the showroom but it didn't have the tech pack and was looking for a gtd anyway.
Also, does anybody have experience of using an ipod classic (no bluetooth) with the Discover Pro Nav? Looking forward to trying out the Dynaudio soundpack!
Certainly expecting a more dynamic drive than our last car - a '06 B6 Passat 2.0 tdi SE estate..
Cheers!

[Brenbo]

I previously owned a GTI PP with 18", so cannot vouch for the ride quality of 19" wheels on GTI/GTD with regular suspension.  But the ride quality of regular suspension on my GTI PP was really good and nothing to be sniffed at.  In contrast the suspension on my last Civic Type R's prior to the GTI PP was a lot harsher and that was on 17" and 18" wheels with same tyres as my GTI (Bridgestones).  I think you should be fine.  Although the Comfort mode on my Golf R's DCC is a really nice ride but not much different to the standard setting on a GTI/GTD without DCC. 

[fredgroves]

19's without DCC will be harsher (the GTD I test drove was like this) than mine with 18's and DCC. I say "harsher", its 100% not terrible.

The choice I made was more lease tactical than anything else

With the Ipod, yes it works fine (I've got mine hooked up) but you'll probably want to forget it anyway because the SD card storage is a far better bet and you are less at the mercy of Apple when it comes to sound quality!

[volkswizard]

Hi, new member to this site - have just ordered a gtd in night blue with tech pack, park pack, tinted rear windows and 19" santiago alloys, expected delivery end of Jan '17. This isn't exactly the spec that I would have liked as wanted 18"Nogaro wheels with DCC suspension - slightly worried about ride quality! Anybody else have 19" wheels on standard suspension out there?
 We took it as this was a car already on order, we liked night blue (think this colour is being discontinued) and got a healthy discount from our local dealer - almost bought a gti with similar spec that was in the showroom but it didn't have the tech pack and was looking for a gtd anyway.
Also, does anybody have experience of using an ipod classic (no bluetooth) with the Discover Pro Nav? Looking forward to trying out the Dynaudio soundpack!
Certainly expecting a more dynamic drive than our last car - a '06 B6 Passat 2.0 tdi SE estate..
Cheers!

Ride quality is a very subjective thing so you really out to try and work it out for yourself with a test drive of both, as I have got older I find my acceptance of bumpy ride has become less for example.

Also the quality of your local roads will make a difference and how often you drive over speed humps and how often you carry passengers.  With all these variables I'd always order DCC regardless of wheel size as it doesn't have any downsides but that's just me!

[Daz Auto]

This isn't exactly the spec that I would have liked as wanted 18"Nogaro wheels with DCC suspension - slightly worried about ride quality!

We took it as this was a car already on order, we liked...

... you both really need to have a test drive in a car with DCC and a car with standard suspension.

We had a GTD with standard suspension, for an extended test drive this year. We live in a rural location. I knew by the time I had driven it home that I did not like the suspension. We drove through the Glens to the coast for Sunday lunch. My wife refused to allow me to drive back the same road. The standard suspension is fantastic on a good road. It is literally shocking on a bad road.

2 weeks ago I took a test drive in a GTI with DCC. Set the suspension to comfort mode and cut across a back road between two main roads on my test run. This is the same back road the garage used to check for a noise in my suspension. So it is a fairly bumpy road. The GTI felt solid, but not uncomfortable.

My car has the older ACC suspension system. My wife always found my car very uncomfortable. She had to drive it for a week while her car was in the garage. She said that as the driver, my car was not as uncomfortable. The passenger usually gets to sit over all the pot holes, man hole covers and worst bumps in the road. So it is a good idea to sit in the passenger seat on a test drive.

[kalimon]

The car you've ordered is a really nice spec, night blue is one of the few blue colours I actually like!
I think the ride may be a bit firm but I'm sure someone on these forums would swap their 18'' Nogaro's for your 19'' Santiago's if you asked nicely
Lack of DCC wouldn't be an issue then.

[Exonian]

I've run a GTI and an R on both 18's and 19's and yes, there is a definite difference in ride quality but by no means is it bad for a sporty hatch with standard suspension.
I'm quite fussy about suspension having owned GTI's and their ilk for nearly 30 years, many of which were on modified (harsh) suspension years ago, which has really made me appreciate how well modern VW's ride and handle with standard suspension.

Santiagos are an expensive option so I'm sure, as kalimon suggests that there will be someone willing to bite your arm off if you fancy a set of Nogaros.
The 18" tyres are also much cheaper to replace and the Nogaros are easier to clean!

[Restlessnative]

The car you've ordered is a really nice spec, night blue is one of the few blue colours I actually like!
I think the ride may be a bit firm but I'm sure someone on these forums would swap their 18'' Nogaro's for your 19'' Santiago's if you asked nicely
Lack of DCC wouldn't be an issue then.

True.night blue is a lovely colour.It was a toss up between that and carbon grey when i came to order.Picked grey in the end.When i went to pick it up i was really happy with my choice.Then an old couple in a 5 door night blue GTD parked up next to me.I knew then i should have picked the blue.
Also,i've seen a few carbon greys around but still never seen a blue.Apart from the one at the dealer!.
Maybe the dealer will swap the 18" for your 19"wheels?.It would be a no brainer for them.They are an expensive option.
I think my non DCC on 18" Nogaros rides just nicely.

[Restlessnative]

I've run a GTI and an R on both 18's and 19's and yes, there is a definite difference in ride quality but by no means is it bad for a sporty hatch with standard suspension.
I'm quite fussy about suspension having owned GTI's and their ilk for nearly 30 years, many of which were on modified (harsh) suspension years ago, which has really made me appreciate how well modern VW's ride and handle with standard suspension.

Santiagos are an expensive option so I'm sure, as kalimon suggests that there will be someone willing to bite your arm off if you fancy a set of Nogaros.
The 18" tyres are also much cheaper to replace and the Nogaros are easier to clean!

For sure the Santiagos look like a nightmare to keep clean.Nice to look at when they are clean mind.True,i think there's quite a jump price wise.That 1" makes all the difference.So my Mrs says.....
Looks like carbon grey has already been dropped for the facelift and night blue is only available on 'stock' cars (according to the configurator).Shame really,they are both nice colours.

[dfsGTD]

I have run a GTD on Santiago and standard suspension for the last 30000 miles and have no complaints about the ride although at the moment I'm running my 17" "winters" and to be honest I really don't notice much difference. As someone said previously ride comfort is very subjective but it is a hotish hatch and the roadholding on dry warm roads is excellent and there has to be some compromise. IMHO the standard suspension is ok to live with.