New gtd without DCC

[Sootchucker]

To be honest, my previous GTD ran standard 18" Negaro's and DCC, and my new GTD has the 19" Santiago's and DCC again. I was expecting as a lot of people do, to have a much harsher ride on the Santiago's and thought I'd be running the DCC in comfort mode all the time, but to be honest, I can not really notice much of a difference between the two cars. I'm sure there is, but it's certainly not night and day.

As for washing them, TBH, not that much worse than the Santiago's with the added benefit of extra clearance around the calipers. The pointless ridge that runs around the insides of the spokes is the hardest bit. However the very best thing I can recommend for either alloys is either an EZ Detail brush:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/ez-detail-brush/prod_480.html

or a set of wheel woolies (see below), which makes the cleaning of them a doddle.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/wheel-woolies-wheel-brush-kit/prod_1037.html

[jingsmonty]

Hi, thanks for the info - what wheels are you using for your 17" winters? Definetly need to sort out a set of winter wheels (a must as I'm in the North of Scotland..) - was thinking of sourcing 2nd hand Nogaros but I'm guessing the 17" are steel wheels? I have access to a set of 17" Monte Carlo vw alloys that I saved from my old Passat, not sure if the offset, etc is correct.

Only Golf experience I have is my parent's 1.6 tdi dsg match - bit different to the gtd!

Will see how I get on with the santiagos, will seroiusly think about an exchange for Nogaros if I don't get on with them! I don't mind sporty suspension (old passat was far too soft for my liking..) but if I had been ordering from scratch, would have had the Nogaros and dcc (climate windscreen too...).

Looking forward to end of Jan when I get to drive the gtd at last!

Thanks for all the advice - good to know the ipod classic works fine with discover pro..

[mustard]

I ran a Mk6 GTI with 18", standard suspension and it was very crashy over bumps and uneven roads, my Mk7 R with 19" and DCC (even in Normal mode) is much less harsh. I may be wrong but I believe the DCC is supposed to adapt to driving style and road surface.

[fredgroves]

Yes, DCC is an active system. Doesn't matter which mode its it, that's just the initial damping.

Which is why if you try all three modes around the top gear track it makes no difference to the lap times... but hey, don't let me pop that bubble.

[mustard]

Yes, DCC is an active system. Doesn't matter which mode its it, that's just the initial damping.

Which is why if you try all three modes around the top gear track it makes no difference to the lap times... but hey, don't let me pop that bubble.

Tried Comfort once, didn't like it too vague, use Normal and Sport depending on my mood. Never tried it on any track, although Top Gear one is not too far from me, so may see what I can do. Don't worry, bubble not burst.

[fredgroves]

I guess what I meant is that instead of comfort being bad for handling and sport being good, it makes no difference because you always get excellent handling and Top Gear failed to recognise this. It just depends on how much comfort you want - my Mrs hates comfort because wallowing makes her feel sick, equally when I'm driving through pot hole country on my own, I always use it.

DCC is great, if I get another Mk7 next year I'll tick that box for sure again.

[Daz Auto]

Which is why if you try all three modes around the top gear track it makes no difference to the lap times... but hey, don't let me pop that bubble.

... as said above, it is an active system.

The track test was pointless. The system has a G force sensor. Above 0.6G the suspension will automatically firm up to improve handling - if I recall correctly.

[dfsGTD]

My 17" wheels are Rundo shod with 225/45R17. After I got the car in September 14 I headed down to my local wheel and tyre fitter and asked for a set of cheap sorry budget they call them now alloys with winter tyres and he suggested these. It does make it look like a 1.4 but better than ruining the Santiagos during the winter with lots of salt on the road in NE Scotland.

[Mickmk6]

My mk7 GTD has the Santiagos and it is lowered on VWR springs and its not harsh at all, feels just as it did on standard suspension so I wouldn't worry about not having DCC. Only thing with them is that they are a bit of a mare to keep clean.

[jingsmonty]

Thats good to know, would even think about steel wheels for winter tyres, definetly a 'must have' as it will be a Wolfsburg sledge in any sort of snowfall - my old Passat would hardly get out of my driveway on 16" summer tyres but was excellent with winters..