Here's a really hastily typed out summary of my views on my CSS after day behind the wheel, excuse any typos!
EXHAUST NOISE
As with any 4 pot, it's not the most tuneful of engines but they've made it pop and crackle so much in RACE mode that you really don't notice.
Pops a few times on warm start up - you don't seem to have a choice about this as I think it does it in every mode which can be a bit embarrassing.
Barks in between upshifts like a DSG fart but much louder, at first it sounds like the undertray has grounded out, perfect for waking people up that you've just overtaken.
Also does a series of pops and crackles on the overrun, even in 2nd gear.
The harder you drive it the more of this it seems to do, almost like it needs high exhaust gas temperatures to create the noise.
I don't believe the CS Ed 40 does any of this which is a shame, maybe a tuner can sort it.
ROAD NOISE
Due to the lack of back seats and parcel shelt there is a fair bit but it's actually not too noisy at motorway speeds when it matters, at slower speeds it just adds character. It's never loud enough to affect a phone call. You can really hear stones in the rear wheel arches though but then again the exhaust is very audible (in a good way).
THE RIDE
Well Comfort mode isn't all that comfortable unlike in the Golf R which is all squishy even on 19s but it rides really well still and as Evo said, the quality of the damping is something else. Ever seen the way a WRC car just settles after a jump? Well it's not going to be as good as that but on the road (not in the air) the way it copes with bumps is astounding.
Also I'm confused as to whether the DCC suspension setting in Comfort mode is the same as selecting the hidden 'ring mode where DCC is also set to Comfort. I have seen a technical document from the June 'ring launch event that suggested that the damper settings in 'ring mode were unique and not the same as in Comfort even though they are both shown as 'comfort' but my seat of pants can't feel the difference (they also said the white/red UK cars would have a contrasting black roof...). I suppose VCDS live data may answer that.
THE VAQ DIFF
Not driven a car with this before but it's most obviously present in road use when driving in 'ring mode (or I guess RACE) and you go to overtake a car, as you start to cross the crown of the road and hit the gas, the steering weaves left and right disconcertingly in exactly the way I imagine it does in the Mk1 Focus RS having read all the reports. Still, it certainly gives it character and makes it feel like a feisty car that needs to be treated with respect (and unlike in the Focus, you can always drive it in a less aggressive diff mode!).
ACCELERATION
Still not strung it out too far yet but it feels really quick with in gear acceleration. At motorway speeds in 6th it feels more normal so presumably 6th is tall for economy, doubt Benny ever used it!
FAKE ENGINE NOISE
Surprisingly the 'lightweight' CSS still has this unnecessary contraption but you can tune it out in individual mode as it doesn't really need it.
CLUTCH
Generally OK but after long fast motorway run I can sense something in the pedal action that feels weird, it's really subtle and not a problem in anyway yet.
ATTENTION, WANTED AND UNWANTED
Not sure if the Corsa kids know what it really is or can just tell its some special, I can't see them buying EVO but YouTube (inc ECOTY) is free so maybe that's it? Mine's black so expected a bit more stealth but it draws more attention than my Lapiz Blue R ever did (and mine was one of the very first). Mind you the frontal aspect of my R always made my heart sink, it never looked particularly special but CS/CSS have got that bang on. Didn't take long for me to set the doors to auto lock for security, was surprised this wasn't the default setting.
PAINT QUALITY
Seems to have improved since my R but still a couple of very minor dirt inclusions on 1 panel, not bothered enough to deal with it.
MODE BUTTON
I'm not saying it was me but I complained about having to press MODE and then select the mode by pressing the touchscreen when I wrote about my R for VW Driver mag and lo and behold they've done what I suggested, cycle through the modes using MODE and a short pause will select it.
FRONT ASSIST
Had a false alarm today, obviously it's not set up for a CSS's cornering abilities as I was going round a right hander pretty fast and it sensed a building close to the outer edge of the road, having a distraction on the dash at that moment and a loud BEEP!!! weren't ideal.
CUP 2 TYRES.
Still not felt the magic but have been very careful under 7 degrees, today at 11/12 degrees they felt at least as good as normal but still not going to be getting warm on the road. Surprisingly quiet tyres especially if you have ever driven on Toyo R888/R888R!
NO FOLDING MIRRORS = A GOOD THING!
Thought it would be pain getting into garage without the folding mirrors of my R but it's actually better as I can keep nearside mirror out and just fold the drivers one in manually, I reverse into a smallish garage so keeping an eye on nearside rear quarter is crucial, the offside has to be well off the wall to allow me to get out.
NO SPARE WHEEL, NO PROBLEM
Bought a 12v pump and tyre foam can (genuine VW) but also got a foam insert from a Volvo V50 off Ebay cheap which is designed to just hold them (but no tools) so is small and light and can be bolted in if you can source the required pin to thread into the mounting on the boot floor which is present.
SEATS
Really comfortable, all buckets look good but not all are this supportive. Wife love's the heating function so that has to be a good thing
WHAT NO PARKING SENSORS
Still forget that none are fitted to this car and I suspect one day it will catch me out when every hot Mk7 Golf has always had them.
CRUISE
I miss cruise but don't miss adaptive cruise which I know is useful but it can also make you look like you are an idiot driver, braking on a motorway is generally easy to avoid but not with ACC. Sometimes get knee ache so the ability to wriggle right leg around while car on cruise can be handy, spent the retrofit cost on physio.
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
Like so many things, the first gen systems were rubbish but this one is perfect apart from putting handbrake on when I take my seat belt off while stationary (hate that as I do that when I reverse onto my drive but I am sure there is some logic, I don't undo seat belt to reverse now)
SQUEAKS AND RATTLE
There are few developing but none too annoying yet, mainly dash and seat frame I think
DAILY DRIVER?
I can see no reason why you couldn't daily this car apart from the compromised tyres (fixable), the boot contents always being exposed and if you need to carry 2+ passengers, the lack of back seats. It's amazingly civilised considering but then again it's too special to stick loads of boring miles on. Do what I do and daily a sh!tbox.
Security is also an issue, it's not a car I'd want on my drive overnight even though neighbour has a 2016 Civic Type R (we didn't talk much before anyway) and has no hassle.
OVERALL
Quite frankly I love it! So much so I am selling my similar value 996 C4S 911 as I can't see myself using it and unlike when I sold my 997 to buy my Mk7 R, I honestly don't think I will regret it this time, I'm sure the ex-Porsche guy behind the CSS will find that heartening I hope. Unlike with my R, VW wont be doing the CSS on crazy lease deals so they are everywhere with values softening accordingly - when you buy it with your own hard earned it is something you do need to take into account although the buzz from driving a CSS transcends rational financial logic, it's the car I'd always dreamed VW would make and I still can't believe I am lucky enough to have one in my garage.
Thanks
Andrew
CSS 154
