Author Topic: DCC, an expensive lesson  (Read 2568 times)

Offline JG220

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DCC, an expensive lesson
« on: 26 January 2025, 11:38 »
I thought I'd share this here for others questioning whether or not this is an essential option.

I ordered a base spec car in August last year, collect it mid September and instantly hated the ride on standard Richmonds.

I hated it so much, I placed a new order for the same car with DCC. Collected it yesterday. It's much better.

Had I ordered it correctly in the first place, it would have slipped under the luxury car tax. VW had a price increase in  October so the new car is just over.

I have to say my VW dealer has been excellent, they paid nearly what I paid for my PX. They'll sell me other cars in the future, I've no doubt about that.

Offline fredgroves

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Re: DCC, an expensive lesson
« Reply #1 on: 26 January 2025, 12:26 »
I'd say it's still very much a personal choice.. I've had with and without. Neither is a problem IMHO
Current: Mk8 GTI DSG, Adelaides, DCC, HUD, HK, Winter Pack, Rear Camera.. Aka "HMS Weasel"

Gone: 2017 Mk7.5 GTD,manual, NavPro
Gone: 2014 Mk7 GTD, manual, NavPro, DCC

Offline SRGTD

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Re: DCC, an expensive lesson
« Reply #2 on: 26 January 2025, 15:21 »
I thought I'd share this here for others questioning whether or not this is an essential option.

I ordered a base spec car in August last year, collect it mid September and instantly hated the ride on standard Richmonds.

I hated it so much, I placed a new order for the same car with DCC. Collected it yesterday. It's much better.

Had I ordered it correctly in the first place, it would have slipped under the luxury car tax. VW had a price increase in  October so the new car is just over.

I have to say my VW dealer has been excellent, they paid nearly what I paid for my PX. They'll sell me other cars in the future, I've no doubt about that.

What car had you been driving before you got your non-DCC GTI? If you’d come from a non-performance car with smaller wheels and higher profile tyres fitted then there’d be a noticeable difference in ride compared to a GTI with low profile tyres and stiffer tyre sidewalls.

Additionally, there are still instances of VW dealers forgetting to remove the transit / shipping pucks from the front suspension (quite a common occurrence on the mk7, less so on the mk8); if they are left in, then the ride would be bone-jarringly harsh.
2020 Polo GTI Plus; Pure White, DSG (because they all are)
Gone but not forgotten;
2016 Polo GTI; Blue Silk
2011 mk6 Golf GTD; Carbon Grey
2007 mk5 Golf GT (2.0 170bhp TDI version); Deep Black Pearl
2002  mk4 Golf GTI (the 150 bhp diesel version); Deep Black Pearl

Offline JG220

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Re: DCC, an expensive lesson
« Reply #3 on: 27 January 2025, 10:18 »
I thought I'd share this here for others questioning whether or not this is an essential option.

I ordered a base spec car in August last year, collect it mid September and instantly hated the ride on standard Richmonds.

I hated it so much, I placed a new order for the same car with DCC. Collected it yesterday. It's much better.

Had I ordered it correctly in the first place, it would have slipped under the luxury car tax. VW had a price increase in  October so the new car is just over.

I have to say my VW dealer has been excellent, they paid nearly what I paid for my PX. They'll sell me other cars in the future, I've no doubt about that.

What car had you been driving before you got your non-DCC GTI? If you’d come from a non-performance car with smaller wheels and higher profile tyres fitted then there’d be a noticeable difference in ride compared to a GTI with low profile tyres and stiffer tyre sidewalls.

Additionally, there are still instances of VW dealers forgetting to remove the transit / shipping pucks from the front suspension (quite a common occurrence on the mk7, less so on the mk8); if they are left in, then the ride would be bone-jarringly harsh.

Other cars we have, M140 on adaptive, S4 on adaptive and an Elise. I did check for the pucks as I was sure they had to still be in there, they weren't.

New car is so much better, not only is more comfortable it s a lot faster too on our locals roads as it doesn't get so upset by the poor surfaces. No regrets making the change.

Offline DrivenToDistraction

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Re: DCC, an expensive lesson
« Reply #4 on: 28 January 2025, 09:48 »

Other cars we have, M140 on adaptive, S4 on adaptive and an Elise. I did check for the pucks as I was sure they had to still be in there, they weren't.

New car is so much better, not only is more comfortable it s a lot faster too on our locals roads as it doesn't get so upset by the poor surfaces. No regrets making the change.

Its good that your decision to re-order has panned out for you but, as Fred suggested, that doesn't mean that speccing DCC would necessarily be a good decision (in terms of value for money) for everyone. I am quite happy with the standard ride on mine (even on Bridgestones!) and am pleased to avoid the luxury car tax. Your story also emphasizes the importance of a thorough ("all terrain") test drive. Ok, not always possible if you want to be one of the first to get a brand new model, but still highly desirable.
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Offline DrG_GTi

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Re: DCC, an expensive lesson
« Reply #5 on: 28 January 2025, 10:45 »
I agree with the other opinions here that it not a requirement, it's personal preference. I have tried both and went without it - don't miss it or feel it's needed. For normal road use, it's not a necessity
« Last Edit: 28 January 2025, 10:48 by DrG_GTi »
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Offline fredgroves

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Re: DCC, an expensive lesson
« Reply #6 on: 28 January 2025, 17:35 »
Its good that your decision to re-order has panned out for you but, as Fred suggested, that doesn't mean that speccing DCC would necessarily be a good decision (in terms of value for money) for everyone. I am quite happy with the standard ride on mine (even on Bridgestones!) and am pleased to avoid the luxury car tax. Your story also emphasizes the importance of a thorough ("all terrain") test drive. Ok, not always possible if you want to be one of the first to get a brand new model, but still highly desirable.

After experiencing the terrible ride on my 1 day test drive of the BMW 128ti, when i drove the Mk8 the first time I took it to the worst places I could think of. It was on 18's and no DCC. It was more than OK. I only bottled it with DCC because of the 19's I wanted.... and didn't want to find I'd chosen something appalling.

In hindsight I think i could have skipped the DCC.
Current: Mk8 GTI DSG, Adelaides, DCC, HUD, HK, Winter Pack, Rear Camera.. Aka "HMS Weasel"

Gone: 2017 Mk7.5 GTD,manual, NavPro
Gone: 2014 Mk7 GTD, manual, NavPro, DCC

Offline WLT

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Re: DCC, an expensive lesson
« Reply #7 on: 29 January 2025, 11:20 »

In my case, after switching back to a GTI from an Audi, I was shocked by how harsh the suspension felt and how uncomfortable the ride was over bumps, as well as the noise on the motorway. I even experienced multiple rattles in the cabin. I was quite disappointed until I remembered that here in the UK, some dealers don’t properly control the tyre pressure during the pre-sale prep.

When I checked, I was shocked to find that all four tyres were at 49 psi. After lowering them to the factory-recommended 39 psi, all the issues with my car disappeared. Obviously, DCC is a much better system, but I believe that for some people, simply adjusting the tyre pressure could be a quick fix for many complaints about ride quality
Current: Red 8.5 GTI
Past: Audi A4 45tfsi, Audi A4 35tdi, Golf 8 GTI, Golf 7…

Offline davo245

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Re: DCC, an expensive lesson
« Reply #8 on: 03 February 2025, 07:50 »
I thought I'd share this here for others questioning whether or not this is an essential option.

I ordered a base spec car in August last year, collect it mid September and instantly hated the ride on standard Richmonds.

I hated it so much, I placed a new order for the same car with DCC. Collected it yesterday. It's much better.

Had I ordered it correctly in the first place, it would have slipped under the luxury car tax. VW had a price increase in  October so the new car is just over.

I have to say my VW dealer has been excellent, they paid nearly what I paid for my PX. They'll sell me other cars in the future, I've no doubt about that.

I have had with and without dcc would never pay for it as an option again it's good but you will find you don't actually change it that much whn you het to a setting you like.
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Offline Monkeymagik

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Re: DCC, an expensive lesson
« Reply #9 on: 19 April 2025, 07:23 »
I’m struggling to find any documentation on how DCC actually works. From the infotainment system I can change the setting on the individual setting, but what happens to DCC if I leave the car in a comfort/Eco? Do the DCC setting carry over. Would appreciate any feedback.
2025 GTI, Moonstone, Pano Roof, DCC, 19 inch Queenstown wheels, Towbar, HK Audio, Spare wheel

Gone: 2001 Mk4 8V GTI