My New Car

[SJ_GTI]

So we finally got a decent amount of snow on Saturday. I took the Golf out to see how it handled in the snow and I was impressed TBH. I was kind of expecting it to feel mostly FWD (since this is what it is) but it definitely rotates in the snow under acceleration. I was able to drift in a parking lot pretty consistently when the TC was turned off which really surprised me. Overall I would say I still prefer a true mechanical (torsen system like Audi) AWD system but this is not too bad. Power delivery was seamless and if I didn't know that the AWD was situational only and handled via clutch packs I don't think I would be able to tell from driving it.

Snow tires did OK (Pirelli Sottozero's) but I feel like my S4 had better overall traction (stopping/turning in particular) even with wider tires (255 instead of 235).

[GoCougs]

I'm guessing weight - the B8 S4 pushes 4,000 lbs, so some 600-700 lbs more than a MK7 Golf R, which is a factor in lightly-to-moderately snow/ice covered roads.

[CALL_911]

I just put Michelin X-Ices on my GTI. Gotta say, while it's getting me around, it still seriously struggles with hills. Doesn't help that it's extremely hilly and icy in Syracuse.

[BimmerM3]

I also wonder if tire profile makes a difference since a low profile tire has less room for deep treads.

[SJ_GTI]

I also wonder if tire profile makes a difference since a low profile tire has less room for deep treads.

Maybe, but the S4 tires weren't much taller. 255/35r19 versus 235/35r19 on the golf, so roughly 89mm vs 82mm of sidewall height (if I am doing the math right). Gougs is probably right about the extra weight helping in moderate snow.

[MX793]

I also wonder if tire profile makes a difference since a low profile tire has less room for deep treads.

Tread depth generally doesn't change with tire profile.

[SJ_GTI]

So a small update: Last two tanks (winter blend, winter tires) I got 21.9 MPG and 21.7 MPG, so I seem to be hovering right around that 22 MPG area.

I am getting better with the clutch. I think the muscle memory for my left leg is just taking a while getting used to the different (much more abrupt, right at the beginning of the pedal travel) clutch engagement. Still not perfect mind you but much smoother and I don't feel like I have to think about it every time I take off.

[Cookie Monster]

Can't you adjust the engagement point of the clutch pedal? It's normally just a little threaded rod connected to the pedal.

[Soup DeVille]

Can't you adjust the engagement point of the clutch pedal? It's normally just a little threaded rod connected to the pedal.

On a VW this requires a $1000 cable, a laptop, and a 13 sided wrench that needs to be flown in from Germany.

[12,000 RPM]

Fucking Torx wrenches. I will be glad when I see the last of them. Thank God I have never had to do any serious work on wife's car.

[SJ_GTI]

Can't you adjust the engagement point of the clutch pedal? It's normally just a little threaded rod connected to the pedal.

Don't know, never tried.

And at this point I ain't messing with it. 

[Soup DeVille]

According to the VWvortex guys, it's a self adjusting cable, and to be able to move the engagement point you need to swap out the whole works with an aftermarket manual one.

[12,000 RPM]

Self adjusting lol. Fucking VW

[Cookie Monster]

LOL

Fuck German cars.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Fucking Torx wrenches. I will be glad when I see the last of them. Thank God I have never had to do any serious work on wife's car.

Torx wrenches work great on Torx fasteners. What were you using your Torx wrenches on?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Oh BTW, do you know where you can find Torx bolts randomly mixed in where hex bolts would do fine? Under the hood of a Camry. Good luck with your Camry mods.

[cawimmer430]

Should have gotten one of these. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG6HoSaINOs

[cawimmer430]

This one is funny. So much FAIL. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBV0wES60DA






www.youtube.com/watch?v=daExKkQH8_w

[AutobahnSHO]

This one is funny. So much FAIL. 

Better to FAIL in closed parking lot than on public roads.

[Char]

At present the only automaker I'll seriously consider that isn't Japanese is VWAG.

Stop doing drugs.

[SJ_GTI]

Finally went over 3k miles a little after 5 months of ownership.

No mechanical problem...yet.

Still getting ~22 mpg. We are on winter blend gas now of course, but I feel like I normally got better gas mileage during the summer in my previous cars (even with the 10% ethanol).

Assuming no major (catastrophic) issues pop up I will have to make a call on what wheels to get for summer in a couple weeks. I will need to have my dad's shop mount my old tires on to the new wheels and then I will be able to just switch over to the new wheels whenever I feel like winter is "done." Probably early to mid march...?

I know it is a pretty standard style but right now I am leaning toward these (posted earlier as well):



Would cost about $1000 for a set of four wheels. No spacers or hubcentric rings required which I like.

I also kind of like these:



Basically a rip off of the old RS4 wheels. I think they would suit the Golf though? They are a bit cheaper than the ones above, they would be $800 for a set of 4.

VMR also makes a flow formed version of the first wheel style above.. Its a bit more expensive but unfortunately they only seem to offer it in their matte graphite color.  I know some people like a darker wheel but I think silver will look better on a blue car. If I had White/Black/Grey I would probably go with the darker colored wheel. The flow formed wheels are a little more expensive but outside of getting forged wheels they would be the best combo of light and strong. Total price for four wheels would be $1,360.

[CaminoRacer]

I like the second ones

[MX793]

Buy one of each and keep one factory wheel.

[RomanChariot]

Buy one of each and keep one factory wheel.

And put different tires on each one so you will be prepared for all weather conditions.

[Rich]

this board, man

[giant_mtb]

And put different tires on each one so you will be prepared for all weather conditions.

As long as they're all the same OD and have similar treadwear, should be fine!

[GoCougs]

Is the DCC setting saved after turning the car off or does it reset to Normal each time the car is started?

[SJ_GTI]

Is the DCC setting saved after turning the car off or does it reset to Normal each time the car is started?

It is saved. So if I set it to individual it will always stay in individual, and the underlying individual settings will stay at the settings I put them to permanently. So even if you set your individual settings and then drive the car in Comfort for a month when you go back to individual the settings are still the same.

Same thing if you put it in Comfort/Normal/Sport...it will stay in that setting unless/until you switch it.

[GoCougs]

Thanks. That is very good. Some default to "Normal" at each startup (Q50 does this) and it drives me nuts.

[BimmerM3]

Thanks. That is very good. Some default to "Normal" at each startup (Q50 does this) and it drives me nuts.

That would be really annoying for suspension settings (I assume that's basically what the DCC does?), though I've noticed that a lot of my rental cars that have a sport setting do that - it'll remember either normal or "Eco" mode, but it won't remember sport. You'd think that a sports sedan would be different though.

IIRC, almost all cars do that with traction control settings.

The Explorer turns off cruise control automatically, which I find annoying. Instead of just hitting the set button, I have to hit the on button and then the set button. I don't know if that's common or not but both of my Hondas had/have a button that would leave cruise either on or off. Not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things, but if there were an easy way to fix it, I would.