GTI Edition 40 / Clubsport Thread

[Brian]

3 Weeks & 1100 Km of thoughts on the CS GTI

I do seriously hope it doesn't sound like that vid and that he's messed with the exhaust like deleting a mid resonator or something. It will be impossible for me to live with so much bad noise. I know that the Clubsport has a slightly deeper growl because of a partially different system (cat-back I suppose) but the sound in that vid is purely annoying and border-line ridiculous.

Relax Ringo, I can assure you it doesn't sound anything like that! I've done 1100ks in mine now and can only re-enforce what I said in my initial thoughts post. Nobody will regret getting the CS in lieu of any other Golf or hot hatch for the same price, unless they want the car for drag or track work, and even then it will satisfy 99% of the drivers. Initially, I was sad to see my Megane RS go, but now I hardly think of it at all.
The things I DON'T miss are:

• Manual gear box - the DSG ensures you're in the correct gear whatever the situation
• Huge doors (in the 2 door) to bang against every pillar, post and obstacle wherever you park
• Kidney dislocation on the mildest of rough roads here in OZ. The RS suspension and chassis is so hard. Give me the adjustable chassis control any day. Handling and steering precision are spot on in the CS.
• Recaro shell seats - too hard for regular commuting. Leave them for those who want to do track work at high G forces. Although I wish we could have even seen the GTI ones here, maybe they were a bit softer.
• Torque Steer! Virtually non-existent in the CS, even with the 212kW and 380NM on kick down in third gear. Doing the 3rd gear overtake in the Megane nearly dislocated my wrists every time, trying to wrench the wheel from my grip.

Things I DO miss, which I think VW haven't improved on since my MK6 Golf:

• Sound system and BT phone and multimedia. VWs systems are no where good enough
• GPS system - not as good as the TomTom unit in the Renault, or the Garmin in my 4WD
• Auto folding mirrors - what a disgrace to leave these off a 55 grand car
• Decent looking light weight wheels. Another disgrace - at least give us the option! And 7 1/2" rims FFS? 8" would have looked and performed better - especially on acceleration. (from a standing start)
• Front parking sensors. Didn't realise how much I used them (in the RS) till I got the CS.
• Key-less and proximity locking and start functions. No where near as good as the Renault.
• The RS Monitor system from the Renault - what a great performance monitoring system. The VW attempt is useless window dressing in comparison.

Stuff in the CS I love:

• Adaptive cruise control, emergency auto brake, blind spot monitor. All of the driver assist stuff which is included in the price here in OZ.
• Alcantara steering wheel feels great, although a little thin for my taste.
• Seats would be the best standard seats in any car I've driven. And that's a lot!
• The e-LS diff. I never thought VW could match the excellence and magic of the RS diff. But they have, and tamed the dreaded torque steer.
• I do like the "piano black" roof and trims (mirrors, spoilers etc) When I change the wheels, I think Ill go for something in gloss black to match the rest of the trim.

But the REAL affection for this car is the balance of performance, handing and comfort, which IMHO, VW has got it right! This car is definitely worthy to be the 40th anniversary SPECIAL Limited Edition

Any one still undecided about this car, get your money down NOW.
Cheers, Brian

[ringo]

Good write-up Brian, and once again very impressing to put it right up there with the Megane RS which is the absolute driver's car. It's amazing how the Clubsport almost reaches similar level of driving performance but at a fraction of the sacrifices you have to make with a Megane in terms of practicality, comfort, spaces, interior design and all-around score. Especially if you think about the 5d version then its appeal is even bigger as it can perfectly serve as the daily driver of the house.

Really disappointed with VWA and their wretched configuration decisions as in fact more than half of your complaints (!) are dealt with in Europe or any other markets that offers access to the full options list

Things I DO miss, which I think VW haven't improved on since my MK6 Golf:

• Sound system and BT phone and multimedia. VWs systems are no where good enough
• GPS system - not as good as the TomTom unit in the Renault, or the Garmin in my 4WD
• Auto folding mirrors - what a disgrace to leave these off a 55 grand car
• Decent looking light weight wheels. Another disgrace - at least give us the option! And 7 1/2" rims FFS? 8" would have looked and performed better - especially on acceleration. (from a standing start)
• Front parking sensors. Didn't realise how much I used them (in the RS) till I got the CS.
• Key-less and proximity locking and start functions. No where near as good as the Renault.
• The RS Monitor system from the Renault - what a great performance monitoring system. The VW attempt is useless window dressing in comparison.

> Sound: I added the Dynaudio Hi-Fi system on my Clubsport over here. Test-heard it at the dealership and it felt like I was in a small studio. Great mids, crystal clear quality, proper hi-fi sound.

> Infotainment: Not sure how different is the 8" Discover Navigation Pro as a whole (Multimedia and navigation wise) to the standard 6.5" system you are getting, but it seemed quite nice and a bit faster than the 6.5 when I tried it out. Thought it was not just about a bigger screen but different/more powerful processor also? Pricey but in the end I added that one as well as I knew it'd come back to me forever thinking I settled for the lesser system.

> Folding mirrors: Not something to die for personally but given that they were offered I was happy to throw them on the spec as well. Such a shame you don't even get to choose.

> Decent wheels: Probably the biggest failure of VWA (alongside the bucket deletion). I know that for years owners had been criticizing VW for not offering proper sport wheels as an option and now that for once, VW fits a car with high quality forged light-weight wheels as stock (and very nice looking ones), VWA decides they should go for the 4kg heavier (and by general consensus less attractive) option...


Front parking sensors, never had them so it won't seem as a problem to me. It's the price you pay for integrated brake ducts on the front mask and on such a car I will happily accept this deal. I will thank me later when I start tracking it. Keyless is one of the few tech stuff that I don't like or want in any of my cars. More worries than solving problems, what's really the problem with pushing a button through your jacket's pocket? and I never find the right place to leave the key if it's not on the starter. Let alone the supposed vulnerability issues with all the Keyless systems and I'm much better without it.

What are your issues with the performance monitoring system? (just out of curiosity, never tried it)

And another one, do you find there's acceptable dampening variation with the DCC? Some said that the Clubsport being tighter, the difference between modes is not so pronounced as in the standard GTI. Do you think it's worth it? Going comfortable over small bumps on Comfort?

[Bassik]

And another one, do you find there's acceptable dampening variation with the DCC? Some said that the Clubsport being tighter, the difference between modes is not so pronounced as in the standard GTI. Do you think it's worth it? Going comfortable over small bumps on Comfort?

I found that with the standard Gti and PP and CS the DCC wasn't to pronouced, however on the R it was a total different story. I could feel it with an instant. I don't know why but driving comfort in the R was like a normal squishy car but Race mode transformed it more so than the GTi's

You know it annoys me you get to choose from all those options... I can only imagine if we actual had them in Oz the CS would cost north of $60k fully loaded.

[Billecartz]

There are plenty of stage 1 and stage 2 manuals out there that are doing just fine on their stock clutches (based on anecdotal evidence on forums like Vortex and Audisport). Unlike a DSG, manual clutch wear is a factor of torque and driving style; if you dump the clutch on launch, and/or do rapid shifts that load torque through the clutch before it's fully engaged, you're going to see accelerated clutch wear. And of course we've seen reports of clutch slip on stock GTIs too, amongst those who are less mechanically sympathetic.

If you want to drive your manual hard, then a clutch upgrade may well be a good idea. That applies to stock and modified cars, although oftentimes drivers who choose to drive that way tend to modify their cars anyway.

People who drive manuals need to learn how to drive them without slipping the clutch. I have a MKIV R32 with 260,000km's on its original clutch, it is getting a bit low but no slippage at all.

[DU30]

Just picked up mine today. White dsg with sunroof.


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[Bassik]

Just picked up mine today. White dsg with sunroof.


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Congrats... And what did you come from previously?

Where you buy from?


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[DU30]

I came from an suv. Got it from five docks, it's more than a month of agony though.


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[Bassik]

I came from an suv. Got it from five docks, it's more than a month of agony though.


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Nice work. Post some pics and welcome to the forum.


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[DU30]

Thanks! Here's mine.


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[AdamD]

People who drive manuals need to learn how to drive them without slipping the clutch. I have a MKIV R32 with 260,000km's on its original clutch, it is getting a bit low but no slippage at all.

Couldn't agree more. It's a dying art unfortunately.

[xssiiv]

GTI Edition 40 / Clubsport Thread





Took mine home today, in good company!


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[Bassik]

Took mine home today, in good company!


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Are you now running them both in comparison, which you like more..lol?

[xssiiv]

Are you now running them both in comparison, which you like more..lol?

Haven't really driven the GTi but the RS has been loads of fun over the past 9 months. Had S3 sedan before the RS and no real comparison lol.

[Bassik]

Haven't really driven the GTi but the RS has been loads of fun over the past 9 months. Had S3 sedan before the RS and no real comparison lol.

Wow fair share of of Audi's over VW. Let us know your thoughts once you've shagged her around... congrats to lol

[urxtream]

Hi everyone, after reading this thread last night I went ahead and ordered a white GTI 40 years with sunroof for $55k driveaway. The car should be here next week. I'm from Sydney btw. Looking forward to sharing my experience with you guys when I take delivery of my CS. Cheers