Driving Tips Wanted - MK 8.5 GTI

[Beebopper]

I haven't had my GTi long, but tend to drive it almost everywhere in comfort mode / D on the selector. It seems to suit my lethargic driving style! However, I have used the sport mode on the info screen for an occasional b-road blast, does flicking the gear selector to S from D do the same thing? (Can't say I've ever done it this way!).

[JoeGTI]

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[JoeGTI]

yes it does, well it puts the gearbox into Sport. It won't change any of the other settings such as DCC comfort, etc.

[Yusee]

Why would the car be any slower out of junctions in D mode than in sport?

I presume it’s a less aggressive throttle response, ( and the shift up is sooner) - so you need a greater throttle input- but it should be just as quick- imho.

I read an interesting piece in this month’s Ride ( motorcycle) magazine by performance riding coach Dave Hewson- in which he explains the importance of smoothness on the throttle ( for winter riding).

He said- “ some riders feel a macho pressure to ride around in Race or Sport mode because they think the other modes must be for beginners, but that’s definitely not true. In my other role as crew chief for Rapid Honda, I know only too well that riders go faster with a soft, progressive throttle response rather than an aggressive one. In fact I happen to know that when the new S1000RR appeared in 2010, the BMW race teams were given an updated ignition map that had a softer throttle response than the road bike’s. It turned out the engineers had given the motor a sharper response to make it feel fast, but of course the racers wanted it to actually be fast around corners- and that meant it needed a softer throttle connection “

Just press the pedal harder, you’ll be fine 😉.

[JoeGTI]

Why would the car be any slower out of junctions in D mode than in sport?
I presume it’s a less aggressive throttle response, ( and the shift up is sooner) - so you need a greater throttle input- but it should be just as quick- imho.

Yeah that's it. The MK8 is deliberately very dialled back and geared very lazily in D mode. And I expect its by design, to keep emissions in check, meet certain minimum regulations, etc. But for me, it doesn't make for a pleasant driving experience, unless you're just pootling around or at cruising speed on the motorway, at which point D mode is absolutely fine.

Having owned a string of DSG performance Golfs, back to the MK5, the change in the gearing setup from the MK8 generation onwards was quite stark to me. In my MK5 to MK7's I almost always just used D mode, S mode in those cars was far too aggressive, in that it held onto low gears needlessly (so you'd be red-lining in 2nd/3rd gear all the time which obviously wears thin quickly). S-Mode in the MK8 is much closer to D-Mode in the MK7 than it is to S-Mode in the MK7 imo. The suggestion that I’m hooning around bouncing off the limiter in carparks with Corsa drivers is very very wide of the mark.

As for the pulling out of junctions issue, it's just one observation I'd have with it. I'd describe it almost like a "dead pedal" sensation, which is another thing that some MK7 owners complained about, using pedal boxes etc to alleviate it.

[Yusee]

@Joe

I’ll be careful what I say here- i don’t want to upset Exonian 😉

I also considered a pedal box for my mk7.5 because I didn’t like the initial “ dead pedal “ feel but I very quickly adapted to it and I’m not even sure I notice it now.

But the car would be no quicker with a more aggressive throttle map- and the main reason I wouldn’t want one is you getting a more jerky engine brake as you come off the throttle- particularly in town.

You can be smoother- and just as fast- with a softer throttle response.

But, yes, these cars are all about how they make you feel when you drive them- so if it feels better in sport, just stay in sport. It’s no quicker though.

Probably what’s happening when you’re at a junction in “ drive “ is that your brain hasn’t recalibrated to account for the softer throttle map.

[GTI_for_her!]

Just read this post.
I have to agree with JoeGti on this one.

I cant exactly remember how my 7.5 Gti was (had a few cars since it) but I'm pretty sure I had it in D most of the time and into S for accelerating or B road fun etc. I dont think I ever had any issues with having it in D and S felt a bit aggressive for just pottering about.

My current 2021 Audi S3 is however a different story.
It a great car and I have it in D most of the time and even E on dual carriageways/motorways etc.
If however I'm looking to get out of a busy junction, onto roundabout etc it has to go into S.
In D its just so sluggish (prob not the right word) pulling away. The car is obviously not slower but the pedal is definitely softer which means its takes an extra half second to get moving  which can make all the difference when pulling out.

On a quiet road it doesnt matter, I leave it in D and its fine pulling out but anywhere busy/ on coming traffic it needs S.
I'm guessing the Mk8 is similar to this.

[Yusee]

Interesting.

Must be a DSG thing, because you can’t modulate the power to the wheels in the same way as you can with a manual.

Serves you all right for buying an automatic 😉

[GTI_for_her!]

Why do you think I also have an Up Gti!!! 👍

[WebRoP]

Well after a couple of weeks driving the Mk8.5 GTI and a long trip to the east coast (Yorks) at the weekend, a few thoughts on how it drives (though i've barely pushed it until it's bedded in).

Gearbox in D mode, i find it great for everyday steady away driving, however for a quick overtake there's a fair bit of lag and noise until it kicks in (something the Mrs isn't keen on), I've started knocking it into S to do the overtake (it's the first DSG i've owned so i'm a rookie here).

Love the car in Sport mode, really feels sharp and responsive, though for round town driving it holds onto gears a bit longer than i'd like and therefore starts to drink petrol.. i'm finding best balance is Individual mode to get the sporty exhaust sound but keep the gearbox steady for everyday town driving.

Most MPG i got is to the coast at the weekend at 40.8mpg but it's quite thirsty around town at the moment until it loosens up.

I had a 21 plate Audi A3 35 SLine for 3 years before this, i think this handles much better and is much sharper to drive, the car is much more maneuverable and nimble than the A3 was, the steering is more precise. Also the build quality is better inside than the Audi which had too much black plastic for me and no carpet in the door bins.

Very happy with it so far and a lot let to learn no doubt.