Golf GTI: the good, the bad, the weird...and appreciation thread

[bwen]

The Weird
- could still spin the wheel quite considerably even with ESP on... I thought it would prevent that?

ESP might be semi-off but traction control is still on

[rs73]

The Good:
- left mounted indicator stalk (yes, that's right!) - this way I get to keep my right hand at the wheels at all time since the wiper, headlights are all automatic. Car is DSG so there is no need to shift back and forth between indicator stalk and gearshift.
- DSG is quiet and smooth in traffic, while still allowing some decent performance when I give it the boot
- deep low exhaust growl, pop and crackle when revmatch downshift is fun.

The Not so Good:
- no bixenon standard - I think they should for a car of this 'calibre'
- no rearview camera standard - if you have kids you'll know why it's quite important to have one
- 4 door's window control felt was mounted a bit too high, I constantly reached rear window control when trying to lower front window

The Weird
- had a corolla hatchback wanted to race, wtf?
- could still spin the wheel quite considerably even with ESP on... I thought it would prevent that?

[Ryan_R]

Have never experienced noticeable delay with the steering wheel controls - I only wish that they would still work after I stop the engine after a trip.

[Maverick]

Here's a weird one I've noticed: it seems to take a bit for the steering wheel mounted audio controls to start working after starting the car. Took at least 20 seconds before the arrow keys to change track started to work...same for the volume.

What's weird is that there are occasions where it starts working right away....there are other times when it takes some time.

If you re-enter the car after it's been stopped for under 20 minutes they will work straight away.

If you open the door and take your time getting in they will work generally a few seconds after starting.

And if you open the door and start the car straight away (after it's been sitting for >20 minutes) it will take a while for the headunit to startup and the steering wheel controls to operate. The controls on the front of the headunit work all the time.

[ConR]

Here's a weird one I've noticed: it seems to take a bit for the steering wheel mounted audio controls to start working after starting the car. Took at least 20 seconds before the arrow keys to change track started to work...same for the volume.

What's weird is that there are occasions where it starts working right away....there are other times when it takes some time.

[REXman]

Yes hot air is not good for turbo cars trying to achieve optimal power.

Cold air = More oxygen = more boost.

Cold morning's will see (easy if you have a boost gauge) that the car in question will boost considerably higher and quicker than on a hot day.

Once you have driven your new GTI/R/TSI etc on a scalding hot Sydney/Queensland day (SLUG!).. and then you give the car a hit on a crisp, cold morning.. awesome stuff!

I remember my friend and I when we were younger (10 years ago) took his 180SX to the snow.. insane difference. Had to be at least 10 atw kw..

[Corey_R]

mfl's comment about turbo'd cars being slower in hot weather might also be relevant. This was really noticeable in my old Ford XR5 which was very much designed for European conditions: both the engine and the air conditioner were happier when it was below 30 degrees outside. Lots of people on the XR5 forums had fitted larger intercoolers to help make up for that. I'm assuming that the Golf GTI isn't quite so bad because I haven't seen anyone here mentioning doing that - and I'm sure that if it was a problem, a company like APR would step up to provide an aftermarket solution.

*cough* You mean like this? *cough*

[cameronp]

I've had exactly the same thought, and for a while there I was worried that there was something wrong with my GTI. First week or so, my head was repeatedly jerking backwards against the headrest, but now no more. And I miss it.

But I'm sure there's not a change in the actual performance, it's just that I am used to it now, and probably a little more controlled with the right foot as well.

You definitely adjust to driving a fast car and begin to think of it as normal. My 118TSI is slower than my previous car, and it still feels to me like I have to rev it pretty high if I want it moving in a hurry. But every time I drive another (more 'normal') car, I'm reminded that compared to most of what's on the road, even the Golf TSI is pretty quick.

mfl's comment about turbo'd cars being slower in hot weather might also be relevant. This was really noticeable in my old Ford XR5 which was very much designed for European conditions: both the engine and the air conditioner were happier when it was below 30 degrees outside. Lots of people on the XR5 forums had fitted larger intercoolers to help make up for that. I'm assuming that the Golf GTI isn't quite so bad because I haven't seen anyone here mentioning doing that - and I'm sure that if it was a problem, a company like APR would step up to provide an aftermarket solution.

[mfl]

flappa said:

Has anyone else experienced this?

Yes, I have to admit some days it seems that way and also the outside temperature seems to make a difference as well, ie seems more responsive on colder days,than on hotter days but I think that's a normal characteristic for turbos. (yes this is my first turbo).

[Ryan_R]

The "Comfort Indicator" feature can be changed to 5 flashes using VCDS. So if you have your own cable, or know someone who does, ask them nicely...

Oh goodie - are there any instructions somewhere on where to change the value?

[picard2bridge]

Car seems to be getting slower

flappa said:

"Seems to be getting slower, or , maybe its just me. Coming from a 3000 kg 4wd to a Golf GTI , the first week was plain scary. Now, not so much. No increase in anything, temps, fuel etc, so I'm guessing its just me."

I've had exactly the same thought, and for a while there I was worried that there was something wrong with my GTI. First week or so, my head was repeatedly jerking backwards against the headrest, but now no more. And I miss it.

But I'm sure there's not a change in the actual performance, it's just that I am used to it now, and probably a little more controlled with the right foot as well.

Has anyone else experienced this?

[blanch0b]

i have to say i agree with most of the comments here on the good, the bad and the wierd...

One thing that really annoys me though is the small gap/wedge between the windows and the door frame. I have a huge jacaranda above my car which constantly drops incredbily small leaves which obviosuly find there way into this area between the windows and the door..... they get wedged in there i cant even blow them out which, for a new car, is heart breaking

Im also finding lots of little areas where mess/leaves can accumulate pretty quickly, and the back of the car gets dirty very quickly (whilst leaving the front pristine)

easy solved but i wish they designed the car so that the window sat flush at least

[GTI mk6]

A single press unlocks the boot on mine, and a 2s hold unlatches it (not that it moves).

And to clarify, it was the drivers side rear door not the boot/hatch.

Was just after I got my car, whatever I did it was when I was "unlocking the car"
when returning home in it. Thats the beauty of the MFD display, showed me the
error of my ways hehe
Edit, sorry mate, you did say rear door too, my mistake in thinking hatch..mine was the hatch though

[elephino]

How do you accidentally hit the button when it needs to be held down for a few seconds? And it doens't unlatch the hatch, all it does is "unlock" the rear handle to allow you to open the hatch (unless you've made changes in Vagcom/VCDS for the auto hatch pop). Sounds like you didn't close the rear hatch correctly.

A single press unlocks the boot on mine, and a 2s hold unlatches it (not that it moves).

And to clarify, it was the drivers side rear door not the boot/hatch.

[Maverick]

OR....you accidentally hit the hatch unlock button on your key remote when unlocking the doors?
I did this one time, and after a dip in the road my rear door open lit up on the MFD.....oops

How do you accidentally hit the button when it needs to be held down for a few seconds? And it doens't unlatch the hatch, all it does is "unlock" the rear handle to allow you to open the hatch (unless you've made changes in Vagcom/VCDS for the auto hatch pop). Sounds like you didn't close the rear hatch correctly.