My thoughts after 3 days with the GTI

[entice]

I've come of quite a few vehicles and I must say I am quite astounded with some of the comments here.
In my experience, (and please take note, I am yet to receive delivery of my GTI, but extensively drove one prior to purchasing) the difference between subaru and VW are massive.

my previous vehicles, amongst many others, include a 1997 WRX (yes modified), a 1999 MX5, 2003 Sti (Ver8 - peanut headlamp - again modifeid), a few other cars in teh interim, and more recently a 2009 Saab Aero TTiD.
out of all of those, the roadholding on the Saab was the poorest - by far.
The GTi, in my opinion, doesnt come close to even the Saab in terms to seat of the pants feel under acceleration. I must say, I was actually a tad disappointed when I gave it a squirt as to the response I was receiving. Ie, I was expecting much harder acceleration. Perhaps I have been spoilt with diesel Torque in the past, but that bit didnt really excite me. In no way was the GTi therefore anywhere near the levels of acceleration of my Sti - which was a monster

The handling, however, was a delight. Far, far better than the Saab, and a lot more exciting than the STi. I really didnt plough it that hard (Sti with front dif lock was just so much fun ploughing into a corner) so I cant comment on the ridiculous side of things. If only the Gti can prove to be an 80% match of the handling that my MX5 was, then I will be a very, very happy person indeed.

Am I bagging teh GTI? Hell no. I'm expecting mine to be received this week. I still think it's a fantastic well rounded package. I was also considering a more sedate STi (new ones look a lot more plush than mine did) but, I just wanted a lot more quality and fit and finish for my money...

[Corey_R]

- The paintwork on bottom of the sideskirts, next to the plastic seem strangely rough and inconsistent.

Is it like that both to the front and the rear of the plastic 'skirt', on both the driver and passenger side of the car?
If so, that is by design. It's a harder rougher finish to protect the car from stones and other things which would scratch regular paint in that area.

[iBoost]

I've come of quite a few vehicles and I must say I am quite astounded with some of the comments here.
In my experience, (and please take note, I am yet to receive delivery of my GTI, but extensively drove one prior to purchasing) the difference between subaru and VW are massive.

my previous vehicles, amongst many others, include a 1997 WRX (yes modified), a 1999 MX5, 2003 Sti (Ver8 - peanut headlamp - again modifeid), a few other cars in teh interim, and more recently a 2009 Saab Aero TTiD.
out of all of those, the roadholding on the Saab was the poorest - by far.
The GTi, in my opinion, doesnt come close to even the Saab in terms to seat of the pants feel under acceleration. I must say, I was actually a tad disappointed when I gave it a squirt as to the response I was receiving. Ie, I was expecting much harder acceleration. Perhaps I have been spoilt with diesel Torque in the past, but that bit didnt really excite me. In no way was the GTi therefore anywhere near the levels of acceleration of my Sti - which was a monster

The handling, however, was a delight. Far, far better than the Saab, and a lot more exciting than the STi. I really didnt plough it that hard (Sti with front dif lock was just so much fun ploughing into a corner) so I cant comment on the ridiculous side of things. If only the Gti can prove to be an 80% match of the handling that my MX5 was, then I will be a very, very happy person indeed.

Am I bagging teh GTI? Hell no. I'm expecting mine to be received this week. I still think it's a fantastic well rounded package. I was also considering a more sedate STi (new ones look a lot more plush than mine did) but, I just wanted a lot more quality and fit and finish for my money...

It was interesting to read your comments entice, seeing you've come from pretty quick cars. Are you planning on doing anything to the GTI once you've run it in?

When I drove the GTI it felt pretty quick to me for a stock 2 litre turbo, but it was certainly not as fast as my modded S15 or modded 3MPS. I think with APR stage 1 it will improve substantially though as they seem to be pretty conservative from the factory.

[entice]

Sorry to continue OT, But I'll answer since asked...
No doubt it is a conservative tune from the factory. TBH, i started to get the "tinker" itch for the GTi today whilst working on my spider. Bear in mind I am yet to take delivery of it (should be mid week).
I started to research exhaust systems, including TBE, CBE and just rear muffler options. I must say, one of the disappointing things from watching the footage of the APR exhaust is the noise. Granted, I am listening to it through a notebook, but still, it sounded quite raspy and not very burbly. It sounded as though it would give me and more importantly she who must be obeyed the 5h1ts if we were to take a 90 min drive to the peninsula. Now that my be fine if your in your early twenties and the subwoofer can drown it out as required, but in my mid thirties with a baby seat in teh back, it isnt acceptable for me anymore. I then started to research Remus, and found an application for the M6 Gti. Sadly, I was unable to find an image nor an audio grab of one. I have always been very fond of the remus sound, and must admit my remus equipped MX5 was one of the sweetest, most tolerable exhaust notes I have ever owned (comes close to my twin webered Ansa equipped spider) - even my wife loved the sound of that car. The beauty of the remus was the internal quietness, and the way it gently got "louder and deeper" the warmer it got.. so it didnt seem to be overbearing... For this, of course, you pay a premium.. paying stainless steel prices for mild steel construction. Is it worth it? for me, yes. Exhaust purchasing on this car for me would be about noise, not all out performance (I have used MRT Rally exhausts, and APS catless exhaust systems on teh subarus, and believe me, they mae some decent power, but not for a daily commute).

Then I started to research intake systems. I wanted something like the APS in guard kit that is available for the impreza, but am yet to locate one. I dont like the haphazard unifit systems like BMC (had one on the MX5 - nice piece of equipment, but after shelling out almost 50K on a car I dont really want to see aluminium flex tubing, and metal straps holding things together in the engine bay). There are some I found that look nice, and claim to have some gains, but nothing concrete yet. Might even look ino fabricating something myself and derestricting the system for a nicer off throttle chuff or gasp...Might even just settle for a replacement K&N panel. I really have to see what is tehre and what can work...

Now.. the tune...

ah yes.. the tune...
As you my have gathered, I like to tinker. I have already started to investigate what things I may be able to achieve on my own. I am definitely not thinking of an AVCr or similar. I want the tune to be visually undetectible. I am unsure as to the capabilities or accessible knowledgebase on tinkering with ecu parameters. There is a whole body of knowledge out there on the EJ20T's and the ability to plug your laptop in with the right cable, and shift things here and there. I have only just started to research stuff like VAG COM etc etc. Dyno time is cheap if you know the right people and are owed a few favours. I am led to believe that this approach is possible, but "hearing" and "proving" are 2 very different things.
If all else fails, I may consider going with a GIAC remap. But the dough is hard to part with, and the tinker factor not present.

Driveability is my key aim. My STi had 200atw KW's. that's at all 4, back in 2003. But, it was a pig to drive in traffic, chewed through 98Ron, and the fumes made your eyes water.... Traffic is far worse now than it was then, and I am less willing to compromise on my comfort. So, I want every gear, and every rev spot to be tractable, with no surge/cut off if I sink the boot in at 1500 RMP in fourth and end up overspooling... So I wont be chasing a figure, but more likely a "Feel"....

Sorry to be so long winded.. but i unseasonably, had the time....

PS, I wouldnt even wait for a "run in" period. my view is that you treat it how you want it to be treated from day 1.

[JohnA]

entice

like you, i loved the burble my AVO turbo back exhaust gave me in the WRX, however i think its also a trait of the boxer motor.
Doubt you'll get that note in your GTI

LIke you i am now researching intakes and exhaust systems, have not heard one that tickles my fancy just yet

[entice]

Yes, I agree, the burble wont exist to the same extent. but I'm really chasing the depth in the note/tone. Remus, from past experience do a fantastic job of that. (hrmm, wonder if Borla, and supersprint have a fitment for the Mk6)

[ricksterrr]

Is it like that both to the front and the rear of the plastic 'skirt', on both the driver and passenger side of the car?
If so, that is by design. It's a harder rougher finish to protect the car from stones and other things which would scratch regular paint in that area.

Yup that's exactly it. And yet another thing I've learnt about the car now. Thanks, Coreying!

[Corey_R]

I started to research exhaust systems, including TBE, CBE and just rear muffler options. I must say, one of the disappointing things from watching the footage of the APR exhaust is the noise. Granted, I am listening to it through a notebook, but still, it sounded quite raspy and not very burbly. It sounded as though it would give me and more importantly she who must be obeyed the 5h1ts if we were to take a 90 min drive to the peninsula. Now that my be fine if your in your early twenties and the subwoofer can drown it out as required, but in my mid thirties with a baby seat in teh back, it isnt acceptable for me anymore.

I wouldn't discount APR yet. It's very difficult to determine what an exhaust is going to sound like from a youtube recording or whatever. It's especially difficult to determine how it's going to sound from inside the car, as typically the microphones people have in their camera equipment favours certain frequencies over others.

From your description, I believe you and I have similar concerns about exhaust noise. I had the APR 3" Quad trip TBE on my MKV GTI and it was awesome. The sound it made both inside and outside the car was favourably commented on by friends and family, both young and old. It had raspiness on acceleration and burbling off throttle and on gearshifts etc. Although I must say it was louder inside the car than I would have realy liked.

However, the new RSC technology exhausts (Reflective Sound Cancelation tech which they worked with NASA to produce) are, from everyone I've talked to, absolutely awesome when it comes to the interior sound and lack of 'drone'.

So you should talk to your local APR distributor and see whether they have a GTI with one of the exhausts installed and go for a drive in that. No matter which exhaust you pick, I'd advise that this is the ONLY true way that you're going to really know what to expect

[entice]

I wouldn't discount APR yet. It's very difficult to determine what an exhaust is going to sound like from a youtube recording or whatever. It's especially difficult to determine how it's going to sound from inside the car, as typically the microphones people have in their camera equipment favours certain frequencies over others.

...
So you should talk to your local APR distributor and see whether they have a GTI with one of the exhausts installed and go for a drive in that. No matter which exhaust you pick, I'd advise that this is the ONLY true way that you're going to really know what to expect

Wise words indeed.
Difficulty is locating these things and testing them.
Beauty of a mainstrem brand like APR is resale through this forum when I'm done.

Any preferences on intakes???

[Corey_R]

Any preferences on intakes???

When I get my Golf R, as well as the APR Stage II ECU and at least the APR 3" downpipe (if not the full exhaust once I've had the opportunity to listen to it installed in someone's car), I'll also get the Carbonio Cold Air Intake at the same time. It seems like a pretty good system, it's a newly updated design using a traditional cylinder shaped filter rather than a panel filter, and it now doesn't seem too bad value for money (many guys here spend more on their Polo GTI intakes using OEM skoda parts and BMC panel filters).
It'll also just be convenient that it can all be acquired and installed by the same place

[logger]

Keep in mind that its not a "Service Mode" for the whole car. It just relates to the windscreen wipers. I use it to lift the wipers off the windscreen when washing the car.

With the Ignition on just tap the wiper wand down a notch and let go. The wipers will go vertical and allow you to then lift them up off the windscreen and they'll "lock" into place (like normal wipers do from the horizontal position).

Axis, Just in case someone is scratching their head at your instructions, wondering why the procedure does not work. I think you meant to say With the Ignition Off didn't you? If you were to do as you described, the wipers will wipe once and return straight home.

So within a short period of turning the CAR/IGN off, tap the wiper wand down a notch and let go. Wipers will go to service position. If the IGN has been off for a while you will need to turn IGN On momentarily then back Off again, other wise it will not work.

To stow the wipers again, IGN on and tap the wiper wand down again or just drive off and they will stow at ~ 15kph.

[Leagle]

Poor Subaru. So many previous WRX owners are defecting to VW....

Its quite funny, from what I understand, Subaru customers wanted a more "refined WRX", and Subaru seemed to respond by softening styling rather than softening interior plastics! Little wonder so many are now considering VWs.

I too went from a WRX to a VW (though as you can tell from signature, a larger VW!). I did consider the new Liberty GT, but could not get past the boxy styling and hard plastics.

My new CC experience is similar to many of the comments for the GTi, though (straight line) performance is even better and the car is even more refined. It really is a (very) different class of car to the Subaru.

However (giving Subaru where credit is due), I have to say the WRX was still a more exciting drive and I do miss the Boxer rumble somewhat (the CC is Prius like quiet unless you pin the throttle or put the dsg into sports mode, when it does emit a very nice V6 snarl).

The thing with the CC though (and I imagine this applies somewhat to the Gti as well) is you don't get the same rush/sensation of speed as with the WRX, so its actually not as exciting to speed in. That could be a good or bad thing depending on your mood...

[Corey_R]

The thing with the CC though (and I imagine this applies somewhat to the Gti as well) is you don't get the same rush/sensation of speed as with the WRX, so its actually not as exciting to speed in. That could be a good or bad thing depending on your mood...

Yeah - this is very true. In my MKV GTI, even with the Stage II upgrades, people would think that they're doing the speed limit of 70 near my house, yet would actually be doing 110-120. I'd have to very quickly point out that they should look at the speedo!

[JohnA]

Poor Subaru. So many previous WRX owners are defecting to VW....

.

Also doesn't help that the WRX has been hit hit the ugly stick.

I remember when i purchased the my03, i couldn't wait till the 06 to get the STI, then i saw the big nose.....
well that was the end of that....then the 09 and we got the ugly betty....time to look elswhere

[Sharkie]

Solution to the rush of speed problem is easy .... fit a Stg 3 APR kit .... drove the APR test mule GTI a week ago and it was crazy .... massive power and rush of speed at the hint of a bit of throttle ....