Golf R Observations and Questions

[Corey_R]

Big_Dave, did you order DSG or manual? Keep in mind that the manual is about 23 minutes slower

[Big_Dave]

DSG, Yeah, Baby, Yeah

[team_v]

Big_Dave, did you order DSG or manual? Keep in mind that the manual is about 23 minutes slower

Yeah but with the 2.5k you save by getting the manual you can put it towards a Stage 2 downpipe and you won't ever have to worry about a mechatronics unit

[Corey_R]

Actually, even getting the Stage III didn't make the manual R any quicker than the stock DSG R at the Motor Hot Tuner challenge.... and I can guarantee you that the Stage III kit costs _a LOT more_ than the DSG option does

So sorry for the exaggeration. The manual is only 13 minutes slower

[G-rig]

DSG is a good mod in itself for traffic light races.

[MurphyTheElf]

Actually I regularly get beaten to 40kmh (which is the most critical if you want to be first at the merge point) by all manner of average cars - purely because of the DSG delay. Tapping the accelerator pedal just before the light change doesn't work, nor does left foot braking. There is an inherent delay of about 1 second (which is huge) that can't be overcome with fancy footwork. I would like to see a 0-40kmh or 0-60kmh race between a standard DSG and manual - without using launch control - to see which is better in the real world.

[Converted]

MurphyTheElf
Try dropping the gears manually (activate paddle shift). The 'delay' feels less.
I've resorted to dropping the gears manually while driving i.e. overtaking, merging and switching lanes, going faster when the lights turn orange.
Only thing is, I keep forgetting to upshift lol.

[MurphyTheElf]

MurphyTheElf
Try dropping the gears manually (activate paddle shift). The 'delay' feels less.
I've resorted to dropping the gears manually while driving i.e. overtaking, merging and switching lanes, going faster when the lights turn orange.
Only thing is, I keep forgetting to upshift lol.

I almost exclusively use the paddles. Especially at the traffic lights GP. The delay is still excruciating.

[Brian]

Wow, 4.68, thats nice.
and with 18's that would be better still.
That's seriously quick.

Sorry Big_Dave but why would 18's be better still?
Does that mean that 17's and 16's would be even better still?
All depends on the rolling radius of the tyre. In fact some 20 inch combinations could be even better.
Check out this calculator before you fit your tyres and rims

Wheel / tire size calculator / comparer - RIMSnTIRES.com

A very handy tool in checking out after market rims / tyres for your car

[Big_Dave]

Brian,
others have made mention that having a higher profile is actually more conducive to faster acceleration, just look at the tyres on the drag cars for example.
I'm not sure why but for linear acceleration many believe the 18's offer faster times.
Maybe one of the more technically minded can explain this better.
Of course handling is a different story altogether.

[Corey_R]

Sorry Big_Dave but why would 18's be better still?
Does that mean that 17's and 16's would be even better still?
All depends on the rolling radius of the tyre. In fact some 20 inch combinations could be even better.
Check out this calculator before you fit your tyres and rims

Wheel / tire size calculator / comparer - RIMSnTIRES.com

A very handy tool in checking out after market rims / tyres for your car

Brian, we're talking about the Golf R here. So he means "18's will be better still than the 19's.
And it has nothing to do with rolling circumference. It's to do with rotational weight and to some extent, the more compliant sidewall allowing better bump absorbtion in 18's than 19's.

[AdamD]

I almost exclusively use the paddles. Especially at the traffic lights GP. The delay is still excruciating.

My mileage does vary - the launch/reaction delay on my DSG is, whilst not inperceptible, minimal at worst. Maybe I've just become accustomed to working around any delay subconsiously, but I still drive an auto (MkV 2.0 FSI 6-speed) fairly regularly, and there's very little in it. The GTI is my first non-manual car and I was worried about this pre-delivery, but I have to say my concerns haven't been bourne out. The R I drove felt the same as my GTI.

Maybe your DSG would benefit from a clear/relearn?

[MurphyTheElf]

Maybe your DSG would benefit from a clear/relearn?

Perhaps. Now just have to find somebody in Perth with VCD....

[Brian]

Brian, we're talking about the Golf R here. So he means "18's will be better still than the 19's.
And it has nothing to do with rolling circumference. It's to do with rotational weight and to some extent, the more compliant sidewall allowing better bump absorbtion in 18's than 19's.

Thank you Corey for your elucidation, but I was aware I was posting in a thread with "Golf R' in its title. I'm also aware that Fab_R has 19 inch wheels on his "R" because he's helped me to source a set for my lowly 118TSI (hopefully arriving any minute now).
What I was asking Big_Dave was - why would 18 inch wheels / tyres be faster accelerating than 19 inch wheels / tyres of the same rolling radius? Nothing to do with handling.
His reply made some sense WRT drag cars which can probably obtain a faster tyre peripheral speed due to "ballooning" of the tyres under high acceleration. Maybe the 18s (with their higher sidewall) may obtain some ballooning. However, if the rolling radius of whichever rim / tyre combo you choose is smaller, then the increased gearing effect should produce faster acceleration. If the 18s and 19s have the same radius / diameter / circumfrence, then acceleration times should be the same. Please enlighten me further on your "rotational weight" concept and how it affects acceleration?
Thanks in advance,
Brian

[team_v]

Thank you Corey for your elucidation, but I was aware I was posting in a thread with "Golf R' in its title. I'm also aware that Fab_R has 19 inch wheels on his "R" because he's helped me to source a set for my lowly 118TSI (hopefully arriving any minute now).
What I was asking Big_Dave was - why would 18 inch wheels / tyres be faster accelerating than 19 inch wheels / tyres of the same rolling radius? Nothing to do with handling.
His reply made some sense WRT drag cars which can probably obtain a faster tyre peripheral speed due to "ballooning" of the tyres under high acceleration. Maybe the 18s (with their higher sidewall) may obtain some ballooning. However, if the rolling radius of whichever rim / tyre combo you choose is smaller, then the increased gearing effect should produce faster acceleration. If the 18s and 19s have the same radius / diameter / circumfrence, then acceleration times should be the same. Please enlighten me further on your "rotational weight" concept and how it affects acceleration?
Thanks in advance,
Brian

Very simply (not exactly what happens but suitable enough for a basic explanation)
Force = Mass x Acceleration
Acceleration therefore = Force / Mass
The less mass you have the faster the acceleration if you use the same force, therefore lighter wheels = quicker acceleration

17 are generally lighter than 18's which are generally lighter than 19's.
So smaller (and thus mostly lighter) wheels will likely improve your acceleration times.

This is the reason BBS, Enkei, Oz etc all sell for a premium as they are light weight but strong so you can save 20-30kg when you fit your car with them.
I believe the new BBS FI style wheel comes in at 7kg per corner.

BBS FI - Perfect precision Individual - Ultra-light - Forged
The new high end product line combines technology and a unique design to a perfect and individual match.
The special technological manufacturing process reduces weight so that the FI in 19" x 8.75" weighs 7.4 kg (16.31lbs.) only! As a result the performance is increased significantly as well as driving comfort.
The FI emphasizes the unique character of the car.

Technology:
Forged blank made of aviation quality aluminum alloy.
The design is 5 Axis CNC milled for a unique look for each car.

Specials:
Weight reduced by back milling between the spokes.
Flow formed inner rim for a maximum of stability at a minimum of weight.