Worth Getting Adaptive Suspension?

[cktsi]

It's really up to you mate, personally I think ACC is more geared towards those who want a comfier ride than those who want a sportier ride. The ones who are really serious about getting maximum handling will end up going for lowered springs/coil overs anyway.

Having driven the ACC equipped loaner a little more, I'd have to say that's a fair assessment

[noowve]

No, the car I drove had the standard 17s on it, without ACC. The suspension felt fairly firm to me and there was not much body roll in the corners I was able to take it through during the test drive.

It depends on what you are used to I guess. 18s on the GTI doesn't worry me one bit in terms of ride quality. In the past I've had a 200sx on coil overs with 18s, and lowered 3 MPS, so ride quality is something of a personal thing.

I have specified the 18s on my GTI and no ACC. The first handling mod I plan on doing is a Whiteline sway bar and leave it at that for the time being. Down the track I may lower it or put coil overs on, but I'm trying to leave this one fairly drivable or the wife won't be happy.

It's really up to you mate, personally I think ACC is more geared towards those who want a comfier ride than those who want a sportier ride. The
ones who are really serious about getting maximum handling will end up going for lowered springs/coil overs anyway.

thanks for the info iboost, can i also check with you, does that mean without the ACC installed, the springs are already hard as it is, more so i am definitely going for the 18" detroit wheels, am i correct, ? with ACC installed it's merely taking the hard ride out of the equation and it becomes lighter feel on both the steering and springs/suspension.

[iBoost]

I found the ride in the non ACC GTI to be firm and sporty but not bone jarring. I found it was fine for me, with the 18s I anticipate it to be a bit firmer still.

The ACC has three modes, normal, comfort and sport. Sport firms up the suspension further and also reportedly adjusts the steering for a weightier feel.

What I couldn't get out of the dealer was where in the spectrum the non ACC car sits. I assume it would be about equivalent to normal or slightly between that and sport.

Keep in mind the GTI is already lowered on sports suspension by 22 mm at the rear and 15 mm at the front.

Hope this helps...

[cktsi]

I can't comment on coilovers and other suspension mods; nor the standard suspension on the mark 6 GTI, so my observations are only good for a stock mk6 comfortline but...

WOW!!!

I was in sports mode hooning through the chicane I drive through every day (twice a day) and the thing is as agile as a cat! I waited till the car in front more than cleared... then floored it and probably drove through at...er... let's just say briskly without incriminating myself

The steering was very direct & very responsive which reminded me of the SP25... only this is way better. And it's much sharper than stock comfortline. There was no roll and the car felt altogether different than stock comfortline when pushed hard.

I was so impressed I had a huge smile on my dial !! I can appreciate the harder, sportier setup and why people bother to upgrade.

In normal suburban driving (in wet weather) I can't pick much between the two but in the dry & pushing it, the differences start to show.

I'd say comfort is softer than stock comfortline, sport is way harder. Didn't really try out normal, but it tends towards comfort.

If they still haven't finished with my car today, I may get to explore more of Normal over the weekend.

[MurphyTheElf]

I drive in Sport mode all the time. I prefer the performance benefits, and the ride isn't particularly harsh. The lady drives in Comfort most of the time, but doesn't whinge when she's in the passenger seat when I drive in Sport.

Speaking of performance, I continue to be amazed. Yesterday, I approached a 90 degree negative camber corner with a 6 (ish) metre radius at about 60kmh, and gave the accelerator a prod at the apex. I almost hit the inside kerb! It's such a point and shoot little machine.

[jamesatfish]

Not specific to the GTI, but in general terms I'd only spring for ACC if the car will be shared with another driver or used for two greatly different scenarios.

My 4WD has adjustable springs and on that car they're brilliant, because we drive it in Comfort when our baby is on board and can switch to Sport when I take it to the track, so our enjoyment of the car is improved by being able to adapt the suspension to those different uses.

I've got fully adjustable Bilsteins on my Polo, but as I'm really the only person to drive it and I like the firm ride I've never actually adjusted them - they're just set on fully hard and left that way.

If you're going to be the only driver of the GTI and you don't have a family I wouldn't worry about the ACC. If you want a firmer ride on the standard springs then spend a fraction of the cost of the ACC to tune the suspension to your particular liking, and leave it as such.

If you have a family (such that you like the Sport setting when driving by yourself but Comfort with the kids in tow) then the ACC will be worth its weight in gold (and spousal approval).

[gtimal]

What ever you do don't turn a great car thats fun to drive into one thats a PITA on long hauls .If I was looking at club racing coils overs might have been my choice .
Ordered mine with ACC .

Cheers