Is a Pedalbox worth while?

[Jim_mk7.5]

Back in a previous life, a much younger version of me was once dragged to an agricultural show.
I have little recollection of the event other than a brief moment where I happened to be in close proximity to the hind quarters of a shire horse being led out of a large tent where it had been moored.
Staring up at the hairy footed beast’s derrière (through fate as opposed to choice) admiring how tall it was I was treated to an impromptu display as the beast’s tail swished and a huge fountain of greeny poop was ejected, landing in a large mushy pile in front of me. To this day it’s one of the smelliest most putrid things I’ve had the pleasure of encountering.
Eco mode is similarly a gloopy mound of green turd.


A pedalbox however isn’t “worthwhile“.
More of an “essential”.
One of those rare items that delivers unexpectedly positive things.

^ 

Have you got a pedal box fitted to the TCR?

[Splashalot]

I fitted a pedal box to my 7.5 for exactly the reasons mentioned in the first post, except I always drive in individual mode with engine response set to sport.  And I still found throttle response hideous. The pedal box has improved throttle response markedly - taking out the dead spot on initial input and slushy delayed responses to my right foot input.  I notice no adverse effects in any type of driving - city or hwy. No noticeable impact on fuel economy, either.

Some will say a pedal box isn't needed, some will say it is essential.  All that proves is that people have varying preferences.  Not that their particular opinion is right and others are wrong.  If you think the car needs better response, then yes, a pedal box will help enormously.

[Exonian]

 A perfect summary Splashalot. ^^^^

Have you got a pedal box fitted to the TCR?

Funnily enough I do. 

I still have my 2013 Pedalbox that’s been fitted to all my mk7’s, however I’m not 100% sure it works as well on the TCR as it did with the earlier cars due to old software or maybe it’s just the DSG dumbing it down a bit.
The TCR is the only mk7 so far I’ve driven where the Pedalbox didn’t feel absolutely essential due to improved factory accelerator pedal response but it’s still far from feeling as responsive as I’d like at low throttle openings which is detrimental to enjoyment so I still deem the Pedalbox desireable.

[WatchThis]

I haven’t made too much use of mine... It’s the + model. Happy to be PM’d offers...

[Will2018]

I'd say so yes. I initially thought it was turbo lag I was experiencing. Having read up on these forums it was a no brainer to purchase one.  I have mine set to 'city -2' and the dead inch of pedal has gone and the car responds relly quickly to my throttle inputs.

Another way to describe the car with it switched off is like a laggy online game. No such issues in my previous MK7 Fiesta ST.

[monkeyhanger]

I would really like see a census on opinions for pedal boxes.

1. Manual box - yes, get one
2. Manual box - no, don't bother.
3. DSG6 - yes, get one
4. DSG6 - no, don't bother
5. DSG7 - yes, get one
6. DSG7 - no, don't bother

Could someone put a poll in if they have the knowhow?

Looking at posts over the years on the subject, it does seem more of the DSG owners think they benefit greatly from having one.

The way DSG slips clutches and feathers changes in for comfort and smoothness in all situations except launch control, I do wonder whether poor pedal response is attributed to that and the decision time DSG takes for changing down or staying with the gear it's already in, rather than throttle pedal being dull. Either that or people sticking the car in eco mode and expecting sport/race mode pedal response (as a recent poster in eco mode asked about pedalboxes).

[Splashalot]

Looking at posts over the years on the subject, it does seem more of the DSG owners think they benefit greatly from having one.

The way DSG slips clutches and feathers changes in for comfort and smoothness in all situations except launch control, I do wonder whether poor pedal response is attributed to that and the decision time DSG takes for changing down or staying with the gear it's already in, rather than throttle pedal being dull. Either that or people sticking the car in eco mode and expecting sport/race mode pedal response (as a recent poster in eco mode asked about pedalboxes).

Poll would be a good idea.

FWIW mine is a manual.  So was my 7.5 Trendline.  Both fitted with (the same) pedal box and both exhibited drastically improved throttle response.  Both driven with engine/throttle (can't remember what the setting is called now) set to "Sport".

I can't comment on any possibly related DSG jiggery-pokery which may affect throttle response, but with a manual transmission it has a clear and obvious positive effect.

I'd also like to see a poll on whether those who say a pedal box isn't needed or a useless waste of money have driven one.  Not discounting their opinions, as we all have our preferences, but just whether they are valid.

[Splashalot]

The 7 didn't need it either but hundreds of you all still bought the pointless box 

So I assume you've driven a 7 or 7.5 with pedal box to make such a statement? 

[monkeyhanger]

It's all subjective - so many people like spending their money on different things - for some, they insist that DSG is the only way to drive (not much of a choice any more), some will insist that Dynaudio is a must have while also trying to increase the ambient engine noise to drown it out, for others, DCC is a no brainer. Each and every option out there has a for and against argument.

For me, I think it's daft to put your car in Eco mode (dulling the throttle greatly vs Sport mode) and then deciding they need a pedal box because of it.

Eco mode is crap and pointless . The fuel gains are negligible. You get the coasting mode, but unless you're going down that perfect hill whereby momentum gains just about cancel out frictional losses, you pick up speed and dab the brake and coasting mode stops.

For me, Eco and Normal modes are the cause of dull throttle response. I find Sport more than adequate for progressive throttle without giving you so much at the bottom end when pulling away from a standstill with 2WD and a ton of tramping.

[Thedude74]

Yes agree a Eco mode is pointless and was only used given the car is new and I was playing with all the available options.

Now that I have had the car for a couple of weeks I don’t feel the need for a pedal box - the sport mode is fine for everyday mixed driving needs.

This is my 3rd GTI (including a big bumper mk2 way back in the day) and feels like the best so far however still adjusting to the engine noise compared to the V6 3ltr beemer that has just gone...

Glorious engine but the M135i V GTI 7.5 is a whole different debate !