Two days in a Golf GTI

[Swallowtail]

The interior looks nice, better than the MkV - more classy - although there are a couple of bits that look a bit cheap (e.g. the little flip up cover in the center console that covers the 12V socket).
Bluetooth - don't buy from VW, go aftermarket. See my posts on Bluetooth in the Car Audio section. USB connectivity - MDI is well worth the $ in my opinion. The car had it fitted, it sits in the center console armrest on the Golf, great location, and it works very well. Sound system - it was an RCD510 in the car - sound is OK, nothing to write home about though.

[Corey_R]

Yeah it seems like a silly question, but I thought there might have been rev range in which it was effective, negating the "pause" at launch. But I guess the only objective of launch control is to maximise acceleration - to hell with noise, traction, etc.

The 'launch control' was introduced specifically to address that criticism from the press and owners - the 'pause' at launch. There is still a tiny pause when you remove your foot from the brake, but nowhere near as much as a regular acceleration from standstill.

Note that this is NOT "launch control" like you see on a Ferrari F430 etc. It does not regulate the revs to the optimal speed, nor does it give you the optimal amount of wheel spin. In fact, since you've just disabled the ESP to engage the launch control, if you have bad tyres and a wet road you can sit there mostly spinning and not moving! (so your traction control is off etc).

So because it's not a real launch control, you need to regulate the throttle yourself. I found with my stock MKV GTI that about 2400rpm on a dry grippy road was optimal. You get a bit of wheel spin but not too much, and when you feel/hear the wheels have gained max grip you can then push the accelerator all the way in.

After I had the APR ECU flash and full 3" quad tip exhaust done, this figure came down to around 1800-2000 rpm!

It also works in manual mode rather than the automatic 'sport' mode.

[MurphyTheElf]

The 'launch control' was introduced specifically to address that criticism from the press and owners - the 'pause' at launch. There is still a tiny pause when you remove your foot from the brake, but nowhere near as much as a regular acceleration from standstill.

Note that this is NOT "launch control" like you see on a Ferrari F430 etc. It does not regulate the revs to the optimal speed, nor does it give you the optimal amount of wheel spin. In fact, since you've just disabled the ESP to engage the launch control, if you have bad tyres and a wet road you can sit there mostly spinning and not moving! (so your traction control is off etc).

So because it's not a real launch control, you need to regulate the throttle yourself. I found with my stock MKV GTI that about 2400rpm on a dry grippy road was optimal. You get a bit of wheel spin but not too much, and when you feel/hear the wheels have gained max grip you can then push the accelerator all the way in.

After I had the APR ECU flash and full 3" quad tip exhaust done, this figure came down to around 1800-2000 rpm!

It also works in manual mode rather than the automatic 'sport' mode.

I just looked it up in the manual and it says "approximately 3200rpm". It does mention it only applies to cars with the launch control program installed. Wouldn't this method of acceleration still launch the car without a specific program if you're simply applying the brake, revving the engine, then releasing - assuming the brakes are good? If so, what does the program actually do?

Although I'm happy enough with the car, I'm a manual boy through and through* and the hesitation on acceleration is getting on my nerves. I'm considering the APR flash, but concerned about a shortage of testing on the MarkVI GTI. APR is a US-based company and that market has only had the GTI for a few weeks. Looking at their website, the flash for the MarkVI doesn't seem to be specific to that model, and although the engine is pretty much the same as the MarkV, there are subtle differences. Hey, I'm sure the company has done their homework, but in this case, I don't want to be the first.


* Reasons for buying DSG:
1. Wife
2. Commuting
3. Flappy paddles are fun

[Swallowtail]

You can't hold the car on the brakes and rev with the DSG (except if launch control is engaged). Try it... does nothing. There is no torque converter to torque up against the engine. All the launch control does is a programmed high(ish) revs clutch dump. It's tweaked for each model - the GTI I did wouldn't rev higher than 3000, my Passat's launch control will rev to 4000ish. More grip...

[MurphyTheElf]

I tried a couple of things this afternoon around the block from my house. I was in a bit of a rush, but curiosity got the better of me. First with ESP on, and in manual mode, I held the brake and revved the engine. The brakes held fine but the car was being held back - it was like the rev limiter was being hit continuously and I couldn't even hit 2000rpm. I then did the same thing with ESP off and manual mode again - the revs were getting up towards 2500rpm but then a crotchety old bloke walked into his front yard and put his hands on his hips. I drove off sensibly and sheepishly.

I was tempted to try again 5 minutes later while I was sitting at the lights next to the Google camera car.

I'll try again in sport mode later. Again, I don't even know if I have the program.... you say not all DSGs have it, and it wasn't listed as an option.

[Swallowtail]

You'll instantly know if Launch Control has engaged properly. S or M mode on the DSG, then ESP off, and left foot on brake - when you then rev it will rev like it is out of gear (up to its programmed limit - 3000 rpm in a GTI), you should feel NO pulling or edging forward to go like holding a conventional auto against the brake. If it does, lift right off the throttle and then apply throttle again. It should rev cleanly - once you are at the RPM you want let off the brake. After a small pause (< 1/2 sec) it should dump the clutch for you and go.

If you rev with ESP ON, and left foot on the brake, the ECU is programmed to not allow the car to rev - you cannot left foot brake and accelerate in a DSG, although I believe there are coding changes that can be made to change that for track work. In that left foot brake, right foot throttle, ESP on scenario, you are doing the equivalent in a manual car trying to let the clutch out whilst holding the brake. Not good.

[MurphyTheElf]

You'll instantly know if Launch Control has engaged properly. S or M mode on the DSG, then ESP off, and left foot on brake - when you then rev it will rev like it is out of gear (up to its programmed limit - 3000 rpm in a GTI), you should feel NO pulling or edging forward to go like holding a conventional auto against the brake. If it does, lift right off the throttle and then apply throttle again. It should rev cleanly - once you are at the RPM you want let off the break. After a small pause (< 1/2 sec) it should dump the clutch for you and go.

If you rev with ESP ON, and left foot on the brake, the ECU is programmed to not allow the car to rev - you cannot left foot brake and accelerate in a DSG, although I believe there are coding changes that can be made to change that for track work. In that left foot brake, right foot throttle, ESP on scenario, you are doing the equivalent in a manual car trying to let the clutch out whilst holding the brake. Not good.

Yeah I was asking for a stall, but it works nicely to prevent that.

I'll test it out using the proper method - sans crotchety old men and suburbia. Cheers for the info....

[Corey_R]

Btw... unless it's change on the MK6, it's not engaged by simply pressing the ESP button to turn it off, but rather by HOLDING the ESP button (for 5 seconds?) to turn it off.

So the procedure is:
1) Put foot on brake
2) Put it in S or M
3) Hold down the ESP for like 5 seconds
4) Keep foot on brake whilst stepping on the accelerator to get to your desired RPMs
5) Take foot off brake
6) Modulate the accelerator as required to get desirable grip vs wheel spin... you don't even have traction control so you need to do this yourself...

As Swallowtail said, you'll know immediately that it's engaged, because it revs freely up to 3000rpm. There is no 'car being held back' happening, because the clutch is in.

[Swallowtail]

No, you don't need to hold the ESP button for 5 seconds (on either my Passat or the Golf).

Now let's move on from Launch Control please folks... let's face it, it's something that will get used occasionally, not all the time LOL.

[Corey_R]

Aah ok cool. Has changed since the MKV then.
Still - I wonder why Murphy can't engage it then.

[MurphyTheElf]

I haven't given it a good try yet. Things were looking good yesterday before I was interrupted by "Mr Wilson".

[Swallowtail]

I haven't given it a good try yet. Things were looking good yesterday before I was interrupted by "Mr Wilson".

Oy - leave me out of it!

[elisiX]

Glad I found this. Nice to read a review from someone who doesnt write them for a living.

That first picture looks awesome.