So just got back from the dealership/bank/etc...nothing really to say about the delivery experience. They don't schmooze you as much as an Audi dealership but I am fine with that. They do attempt to show you all the features but I feel like I am going to learn most everything by myself on my own.
The car is obviously very fun to drive, but it is going to take some time before I can get smooth with the clutch. I remember having the same issue when I bought the S4...just takes practise. If I am really paying attention I am fine but habit and muscle memory sometimes cause some jerkiness.
Have only driven it about ~100 miles so far but I am getting used to the powerband. On the test drive I felt like you need to keep it over 2500 RPMS to keep it on boil, but on the drive home I intentionally took the "scenic" route so I could get some non-highway practise with the car. After some more time the boost really does start a bit below 2000, and really I feel like if I want to keep things smooth/comfortable it actually seems to work best if I keep the RPMS between 1800 and 3500 (give or take).
Haven't really gotten in to the features too much yet. I played around with apple carplay and it is kind of "meh" since you can't really do much with it. The on board NAV feels better than the carplay MAP function. It has a nice feature that my S4 did not have in that it displays the road's speed limit right there on the display. Pretty handy when driving through unfamiliar territory. The sound system itself sounds fine, although I will say now that I am older I am playing music with less volume than when I was younger. I actually enjoy the sound of the engine more than the music most of the time. :lol:
The DCC system really works, FWIW. I couldn't really tell much difference on the test drive but after playing around with it comfort really is more comfortable. I mean no matter what it is more stiff than a standard Corolla or something like that, but the difference between comfort and race is pretty big.
Anyway As I get more time in the seat I will post more thoughts on the car. For now here are some pics:
First pic taken at the dealership when I got there this morning:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/92AAAE91-8F8C-4987-BDDA-52ABC9627A93_zpshd2ddhe5.jpg)
These other pictures are from when I got home.
Side profile:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Golf%20R%20-%209_zpsdeqwc81q.jpg)
Front (notice the lack of license bracket! was surprised the dealer was willing to do this):
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Golf%20R%20-%2011_zpse6kqc7py.jpg)
Back:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Golf%20R%20-%205_zpsfiryv0dw.jpg)
Rear Angle:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Golf%20R%20-%203_zps69gpem0f.jpg)
Front Angle:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Golf%20R%20-%2014_zpsxq3q7gc8.jpg)
Wheel closeup (I am liking these wheels the more I see them):
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Golf%20R%20-%2010_zpsvoevidtc.jpg)
Open hatch area (love this):
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Golf%20R%20-%2017_zpsb5luc6xx.jpg)
And last but not least the interior:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Golf%20R%20-%2015_zpskj6vhuny.jpg)
From BMW to Audi to VW; next I suppose you'll buy a Dacia, Lada or some other Eastern European POS. What a downgrade.
(j/k, have fun with the new car)
:vapors:
I kinda like the wheels.
Congrats!!
I love the color. Great choice.
Well done. :clap:
Very sleek looking 4 door! :ohyeah:
POS
:rockon:
Great looking car.
(Only minor criticism is that I think the wheels would look better 1" smaller).
OOOOoooooooooooo, you got an R!
Quote from: BimmerM3 on August 19, 2016, 03:48:59 PM
:rockon:
Great looking car.
(Only minor criticism is that I think the wheels would look better 1" smaller).
Agree on both counts.
Awesome. I like how minimally they badge it.
Very nice bro, damn. Stance is damn near perfect, looks really good. Congrats :clap:
That color is awesome. NA gets absolutely shafted in that regard but at least we get this blue.
congrats! although these were never my cup of tea, I'm sure it's a blast to drive.
Congrats. Seriously, that is a kick ass ride.
The wheels look huge. What are they? 20s?
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on August 19, 2016, 07:23:27 PM
Congrats. Seriously, that is a kick ass ride.
The wheels look huge. What are they? 20s?
19s. But the tires are ultra low profile (235/35, only 3.25" of sidewall), which makes them look larger.
I sincerely hope you got wheel/tire coverage. It's worth every penny.
Nice.
Man the more I see this thread, the more I'd love to replace my GTI with one of these.
Too bad the GTI and I are parting ways in like 10 years
So did so m e driving around town this afternoon and evening. I am getting more comfortable just accelerating at normal (or slightly above normal) speeds, but still cannot make the 1-2 shift smoothly if I am accelerating hard.
I've been playing around with the nav system and it is definitely an upgrade vs the S4's which is nice. The backup camera is an interesting gimmick but I feel like just turning around and using mirrors is still easier. The parking sensors (front and rear) on the other hand are quite handy and useful. One feature I was not keen on and planned to turn off was the "soundaktor" but I actually kind of like it. I know its fake but it does provide good aural feedback on what the engine is doing (especially when the DCC is in race mode).
During night driving I have to also say I like the blue accent lighting. On the practical side it has a feature where when you are turning an auxiliary light illuminates the area where you are turning. This is far more helpful than I expected. The headlights themselves are pretty bright and I can tell from reflections they are a much bluer tint than the S4's headlights.
Looking forward to driving it as much as possible this weekend.
So the S4 is gone or wat.... Carmax? Either way time for new sig boss
Glad you are enjoying it. Still having regrets about not gettin gthe SS? As awesome as that thing is it's a fucking boat man.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on August 19, 2016, 08:35:39 PM
So the S4 is gone or wat.... Carmax? Either way time for new sig boss
Glad you are enjoying it. Still having regrets about not gettin gthe SS? As awesome as that thing is it's a fucking boat man.
S4 was traded in. Dealer offered me 2k more than carmax's offer (incl. the tax savings).
Definitely will be some regrets on the SS. For now I am just trying to enjoy the R, but it is a compromised car in plenty of ways. No V8 obvious lee, but I feel like I will probably miss having a sunroof come the fall. A couple of small issues I think I have found a way to resolve (the lack of spare and the non-opening center console are both on deck to be fixed).
I missed not having a sunroof up north. But the Z and this down south heat ended my love affair with them. I hope that doesn't become a deal breaker down the line
I'm happier that it's you trying to cope with a lack of sunroof than I would be if it were me. :lol:
It's a strange choice. They sell it with a sunroof everywhere else in the world.
Been driving around some today. I started trying to mess with cruise control and discovered all the driving assistance features were turned off. I turned them all on and was playing around with the adaptive cruise control and the lane assistance. It was kind of freaky but these things actually work. :lol: Had never used features like this on a car but it was pretty neat.
Thanks for helping the German economy!!! :thumbsup:
Congrats!
So just finished my first "mod" on the car.
I noted before that in the US VW had to "lock" the center console in the Golf R (forums seem to suspect it has something to do with customs clearance but I could not find anything official). But luckily VW fanboys will spend a ridiculous amount of effort/money to make their cars as "EU" as possible, so some enterprising owners eventually figured out a way to mostly convert the console back to EU specs. The one thing it will still miss unfortunately is the ratcheting mechanism that allows you to set the closed lid at different heights. Still, just being able to open close it is a huge advantage over what is there now. Overall took me about ~15-20 minutes (mainly because I am not real enthusiastic about this type of stuff..don't like removing/replacing parts).
First thing to do is remove the trim behind the trim behind the center console. This step was surprisingly easy. I would have thought you need special tools for something like this but it popped right off.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2001%20-%20Center%20Console/Step%2001%20Trim%20Off_zpsffmgygsf.jpg)
Second step is to remove the hex bolts that stop the ratcheting arms from moving back and forth.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2001%20-%20Center%20Console/Step%2002%20Remove%20Hex%20Screw_zps4pcxqeag.jpg)
Had to use a magnetize rod to keep the washer from falling down in to the trim but so far so good.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2001%20-%20Center%20Console/Step%2003%20Both%20Hex%20Screws%20Out_zpszubnoyay.jpg)
Next step was to put something in between the ratcheting arms and the gears. If you do not do this step the center console still works, but it will only down down to the "highest" setting. Most people prefer it to see at the lowest setting so this is what I went with.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2001%20-%20Center%20Console/Step%2004%20Both%20Zip%20Ties%20Installed_zps8terxxxa.jpg)
Et voila! My center console now opens...
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2001%20-%20Center%20Console/Step%2005%20Open%20Center%20Console_zps939cmuu7.jpg)
...to let me use the center storage...
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2001%20-%20Center%20Console/Step%2006%20Check%20Storage%20Area_zpscarrdu4b.jpg)
...and then closes back up again.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2001%20-%20Center%20Console/Step%2007%20Close%20Center%20Console_zpseznjhhuq.jpg)
Then I just snip off the excess zip tie ends.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2001%20-%20Center%20Console/Step%2008%20Clip%20off%20zip%20tie%20ends_zps6xnqn0ro.jpg)
Replace the trim.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2001%20-%20Center%20Console/Step%2009%20Replace%20Trim_zpssqdyrzp9.jpg)
Check to make sure everything is lined up properly.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2001%20-%20Center%20Console/Step%2010%20Check%20Trim%20Edge%20for%20Eveness_zps76e1vcd0.jpg)
And I am done. Horay for mods. :lol:
Next up is to fit in a spare tire (and accompanying accessories). This requires ordering some parts and spending money unfortunately, but I would like to have a spare tire for emergencies (the car comes with a tire repair/inflator kit). I have ordered the main parts needed, unfortunately this involves a different trim peice than wheat we get in the US so I had to order the part from Europe (latvia of all places). The part itself is actually pretty cheap (30 euro IIRC) but with shipping I am spending a bit over 100 USD to get the trim and the faom surround (that holds the jack/tire iron/etc...). It will be a little more involves than the above but should still be within my very limited capabilities. :lol:
PS while I was uploading pics anyway I adjusted my sig pic for 12,000RPM. :praise:
Is the spare a full size? I'd be really leery of using a mini-spare on an AWD vehicle. Bad for the differentials.
Jesus Christ, you just got a new car and are already taking it apart? That German POS will fall apart soon enough! You don't have to do anything! :evildude: :lol:
Just kidding of course! :ohyeah:
G37x has a space saver spare from the factory. As long as the overall diameter is equivalent to the other tires, it's not a problem to get on down the road to a tire shop (for the drive train - such a spare is to be used for very few miles).
Locked center console to get through customs? Sounds like a load of nonsense
Wait, what? They bolted the center console shut?
Quote from: GoCougs on August 20, 2016, 01:58:19 PM
G37x has a space saver spare from the factory. As long as the overall diameter is equivalent to the other tires, it's not a problem to get on down the road to a tire shop (for the drive train - such a spare is to be used for very few miles).
Many space savers are not the same overall OD as the main tires. Also, the G has open diffs front and rear, which are far more tolerant to a mis-matched wheel diameter than limited slip diffs.
Good luck with the new set of wheels. :cheers:
What is your top speed so far?
Quote from: CaminoRacer on August 20, 2016, 02:02:32 PM
Locked center console to get through customs? Sounds like a load of nonsense
Yeah, that makes no sense. Plenty of imported cars with center consoles that can open and close.
Great looking car, love the color. House is looking good too.
Console thing makes no sense, but no big deal I guess now that it's fixed. Am I understanding correct there was no usable center console space without this workaround? That would suck.
Quote from: MX793 on August 20, 2016, 01:50:12 PM
Is the spare a full size? I'd be really leery of using a mini-spare on an AWD vehicle. Bad for the differentials.
Its the same spare used everywhere else in the world. The outside diameter is about the same as a normal wheel/tire but it is much thinner. Its an 18" wheel also so no issues clearing the brakes.
I hear you guys in not understanding why it comes locked but this is how every Golf R in North America is sold. Outside North America it comes usable from the factory. I have no idea why they do this for NA cars but i doubt its for cost since they aren't saving any money on parts. :huh: the spare tire thing on the other hand seems all about cost cutting.
Quote from: Lebowski on August 20, 2016, 02:22:16 PM
Great looking car, love the color. House is looking good too.
Console thing makes no sense, but no big deal I guess now that it's fixed. Am I understanding correct there was no usable center console space without this workaround? That would suck.
Correct without doing this there is no usable storage between the seats. Doesn't make sense but i found out about the workaround before i bought the car (did a lot of googling and research after test driving but before deciding to buy).
Quote from: dazzleman on August 20, 2016, 02:10:31 PM
Good luck with the new set of wheels. :cheers:
What is your top speed so far?
Only 80ish. Don't want to do anything too crazy until the engine is broken in.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 20, 2016, 02:28:57 PM
Its the same spare used everywhere else in the world. The outside diameter is about the same as a normal wheel/tire but it is much thinner. Its an 18" wheel also so no issues clearing the brakes.
Should work great, then. Except your lap times will be 2 seconds slower with all that extra weight!
Quote from: CaminoRacer on August 20, 2016, 03:41:03 PM
Should work great, then. Except your lap times will be 2 seconds slower with all that extra weight!
Don't forget all that extra weight from all the shit he can put in his center console now that he's unlocked it. :rolleyes:
:devil:
My new car present to you. Older VW but still great:
HTTP://youtu.be/9jOPhmr497I (HTTP://youtu.be/9jOPhmr497I)
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 20, 2016, 02:52:19 PM
Only 80ish. Don't want to do anything too crazy until the engine is broken in.
Understood. Have fun with the new wheels, man!
Congratulations!! Love the color. Love the look of the dash too...it's appearance is very similar to my Beetles. Damn, those are some low profile tires.
Adaptive cruise is the shiznit.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 20, 2016, 02:36:45 PM
I hear you guys in not understanding why it comes locked but this is how every Golf R in North America is sold. Outside North America it comes usable from the factory. I have no idea why they do this for NA cars but i doubt its for cost since they aren't saving any money on parts. :huh: the spare tire thing on the other hand seems all about cost cutting.
But afaik no other imported car with a center console (which is pretty much all cars) does this. Not saying it's cost cutting, but it's very strange.
The scuttlebutt is it's a safety issue. According to the powers that be in the USA, the design of the lid could cause it to flip open in a rollover and apparently take an arm off or something.
Lulz @ them bolting a center console shut, but proudly pumping out carcinogens guaranteed to do people harm. Oh VW
(http://clips4sale.com/10805/luscious-lopez/Cat0-AllCategories/Page1/ClipDate-desc/Limit10)
Quote from: GoCougs on August 21, 2016, 09:03:47 AM
The scuttlebutt is it's a safety issue. According to the powers that be in the USA, the design of the lid could cause it to flip open in a rollover and apparently take an arm off or something.
I wouldn't blame them (VW). The legal liability system is so so very fucked up here.
Quote from: MX793 on August 20, 2016, 01:50:12 PM
Is the spare a full size? I'd be really leery of using a mini-spare on an AWD vehicle. Bad for the differentials.
Quote from: MX793 on August 20, 2016, 02:10:21 PM
Many space savers are not the same overall OD as the main tires. Also, the G has open diffs front and rear, which are far more tolerant to a mis-matched wheel diameter than limited slip diffs.
So which is it ;)
Space-saving spares are not radials and they run at high pressure (like 60 psi), which means they have very little sidewall give. So a spare that has specs that make it seem a bit small is actually equivalent in OD to the factory radial tire since radials have a decent amount of sidewall give. If the space-saving spare came from the factory, and the car has factory-size (OD) tires on it, it will be fine if operated properly (space-saving spares have very limited life and speed, but then again that's not due to OD).
Cars with LSDs and locking transfer cases (WRX STi, Evo) come with space-saving spares from the factory.
Quote from: GoCougs on August 21, 2016, 10:11:24 AM
So which is it ;)
Space-saving spares are not radials and they run at high pressure (like 60 psi), which means they have very little sidewall give. So a spare that has specs that make it seem a bit small is actually equivalent in OD to the factory radial tire since radials have a decent amount of sidewall give. If the space-saving spare came from the factory, and the car has factory-size (OD) tires on it, it will be fine if operated properly (space-saving spares have very limited life and speed, but then again that's not due to OD).
Cars with LSDs and locking transfer cases (WRX STi, Evo) come with space-saving spares from the factory.
The last car I had with a space saver was my Mazda, and that spare was inches smaller in OD than the factory tire. Saw a newer Charger rolling on a spare yesterday and that spare was multiple inches smaller in diameter than the other tires.
A grossly mismatched spare tire will be tough on any drive train, plus if the difference is "inches" you'd run into all sorts of problems from steering to traction to risking breaking the bead. And really, it's no hard for a manufacture to spec an appropriately-sized spare.
Quote from: GoCougs on August 21, 2016, 09:03:47 AM
The scuttlebutt is it's a safety issue. According to the powers that be in the USA, the design of the lid could cause it to flip open in a rollover and apparently take an arm off or something.
My A4 had essentially the same center console arm rest (ratcheting and all) and it wasn't locked.
Quote from: giant_mtb on August 21, 2016, 11:12:15 AM
My A4 had essentially the same center console arm rest (ratcheting and all) and it wasn't locked.
S4 had something similar. The underlying mechanism might be different though.
But again there had to be a reason. Doing what they (VW) did only added cost/complexity. In any event the fix was pretty simple and it feels completely OEM. It has a nice resistance to movement so you can leave it open and it won't close on its own.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 21, 2016, 12:32:59 PM
S4 had something similar. The underlying mechanism might be different though.
But again there had to be a reason. Doing what they (VW) did only added cost/complexity. In any event the fix was pretty simple and it feels completely OEM. It has a nice resistance to movement so you can leave it open and it won't close on its own.
If you ever flip (literally) in your car, make sure you keep your arm out of the way of the center console. On second thought, make sure your arm is in the way so that you can successfully sue VW for a million dollars for having the center console lid bruise your arm. VW should have been aware, as per multiple blogs on VW forums on the subject, that the center console could be easily tampered with to allow it to be opened and thereby subvert their lock out of it. VW should have done a recall to prevent easy tampering of the locked out center console. Poor design followed by an equally poor, easily overcome, lock out remedy.
Fuck our jury system here.
So yesterday (Sunday) I decided to give the car a quick handwash. I had put almost 250 miles on the car in just a couple of days (the drive back from the dealer was about 100 miles FWIW). :lol: The car is so much smaller than the S4 that it only took me a couple minutes. I felt like I should probably give it another wash just to make it feel like I put some effort it.
I also took the car to get its first fill up (the dealer sold it to me with a full tank). For my first tank I averaged 22.1 MPG. Not bad IMHO. I had been averaging around ~19 MPG on my S4 (short commute + AC). Will be curious to see what the Golf R gets during my normal commuting route over a couple of weeks. I am hoping it can do better than me S4, but its such a short drive (<6 miles each way) that I don't think any (fun) car will get good mileage.
Congrats!! (A few days late)
Hatches are teh bomb, and those wheels are cool. (like that blue!)
What color is that? Some kind of grey with a bit of blue in it?
Quote from: Rich on August 22, 2016, 07:58:43 AM
What color is that? Some kind of grey with a bit of blue in it?
Are you talking about my car? :confused:
Its not grey. Its a dark blue color. Sitting next to my S4 it seemed like it had a slight purple tint to it. The official/VW name is Lapiz Blue.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 22, 2016, 08:12:29 AM
Are you talking about my car? :confused:
Its not grey. Its a dark blue color. Sitting next to my S4 it seemed like it had a slight purple tint to it. The official/VW name is Lapiz Blue.
hmmm looks more like a grey/purple mix with a hint of blue to me
Does this really belong in Luxury Talk?
:lol:
Quote from: Lebowski on August 22, 2016, 08:40:50 AM
Does this really belong in Luxury Talk?
:lol:
Probably not now that you mention it. :lol: I am so used to posting in this section because of my S4 (and most of the other cars I was considering as replacement - S3, 2-series, 3-series - would have made sense here) it never occurred to me to post it somewhere else.
If any mods want to move this thread to mainstreamers I am Ok with that. :ohyeah:
I wanted to make the same joke but I thought it was too soon :lol:
It may not belong in Luxury Talk but it makes the cut for The Fast Lane IMO.
Nah, it should be in Jalopies
#Char
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on August 22, 2016, 08:55:32 AM
It may not belong in Luxury Talk but it makes the cut for The Fast Lane IMO.
Eh, I think this is a candidate for mainstreamers. SJ is maturing.
SJ_GTI,
Some well-meant photographic advice below! :cheers:
I hope you will change your new signature photo soon! From a photography POV the car is crammed into the tight frame, the cars in the background are distracting and the direct sunlight messes with the design by hiding detail!
Take a road trip soon (aka "HAVE DRIVING FUN WITH THE CAR") and take some shots in the late afternoon (nice soft light) of your ride in a nice location! Check out the image below (I grabbed it from Google): the car is not crammed into the box and the background and location help the car stand out. Obviously the car in this photo wasn't shot here (it's clearly a studio shot) but you get the idea, hopefully!
Or you can book me and I'll come over and photograph the hell out of your new ride! :lol:
(https://s10.postimg.org/nrifih5h5/3reererere.jpg)
Quote from: Rich on August 22, 2016, 08:25:11 AM
hmmm looks more like a grey/purple mix with a hint of blue to me
The light green metallic flakes really make it pop
Quote from: Rich on August 22, 2016, 08:25:11 AM
hmmm looks more like a grey/purple mix with a hint of blue to me
Is they gray that you're seeing just the reflection of the clouds off of the paint?
Quote from: Rich on August 22, 2016, 08:25:11 AM
hmmm looks more like a grey/purple mix with a hint of blue to me
Same color as Dave's car
Definitely picking up that slate metallic mixed in. Looks great.
Quote from: 68_427 on August 22, 2016, 05:03:34 PM
Same color as Dave's car
And we all know Dave's car is BLACK!!! :rockon: :lol:
Oh to me it looks dark gray
This must be an issue like the blue/black vs white/gold dress issue from a few years back: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/science/white-gold-dress-heres-science-5241292
To me, it's quite obviously blue. The picture in SJ's sig is pretty dark, so I can see where you guys are saying purple, but even in that picture, the car itself is very not-gray, other than the reflection of the clouds, to me.
The rest of the pictures in the OP leave no doubt that the car itself is blue.
Quote from: 2o6 on August 22, 2016, 09:00:05 AM
Nah, it should be in Jalopies
#Char
It's like you're reading my mind.
Those wheels just seem MASSIVE, I agree with the opinion that 18s would fit better. Clean ride though, enjoy.
I agree that 18s would work better; maybe even 17s. NE roads are brutal
But we will see. Hoping for the best obviously
Quote from: BimmerM3 on August 22, 2016, 11:54:34 PM
This must be an issue like the blue/black vs white/gold dress issue from a few years back: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/science/white-gold-dress-heres-science-5241292
To me, it's quite obviously blue. The picture in SJ's sig is pretty dark, so I can see where you guys are saying purple, but even in that picture, the car itself is very not-gray, other than the reflection of the clouds, to me.
The rest of the pictures in the OP leave no doubt that the car itself is blue.
:thatsthejoke:
:ducks:
I don't see going to smaller wheels. Driving in comfort mode is reasonably soft (I actually prefer normal or sport to comfort) as is. Plan right now is to buy winter tires to put on to these stock wheels and then find a set of nice aftermarket wheels for summer tires. I like the BBS (CH) wheels, but oddly enough they don't seem to make wheels with the right offset to fit so I may go with something else (Enkei, Nuespeed, etc...) but I will see what's available after the winter.
Can you feel the AWD system shove power around, esp. to the rear?
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 23, 2016, 08:45:04 AM
I don't see going to smaller wheels. Driving in comfort mode is reasonably soft (I actually prefer normal or sport to comfort) as is. Plan right now is to buy winter tires to put on to these stock wheels and then find a set of nice aftermarket wheels for summer tires. I like the BBS (CH) wheels, but oddly enough they don't seem to make wheels with the right offset to fit so I may go with something else (Enkei, Nuespeed, etc...) but I will see what's available after the winter.
Smaller wheels are less about ride comfort and more about not busting rims on large potholes.
Quote from: GoCougs on August 23, 2016, 10:42:19 AM
Can you feel the AWD system shove power around, esp. to the rear?
Not really, but at the same time I have not felt any wheel spin at all. Until I break it in I don't think I am going to try anything too crazy.
FWIW on my S4, which normally sent 60% of the power to the rear wheels, I couldn't really tell where the power was going except in the snow/ice. It normally would just go where ever I pointed it. In the snow of course the RWD bias became obvious. I doubt I will feel anything like that on the R though. If I understand correctly it can only send a maximum of 50% of the power to the rear so I don't think I would ever "feel" any power going to the rear.
I've seen comments about feeling power sent to the rear. That is one thing Infiniti's ATTESA is fantastic at - I cannot discern power being routed around - not in the dry, wet, snow or gravel - and I've tried plenty of times. I can only "tell" via the flashing traction control light in the dash.
I could never tell on my Legacy where power was going.
ATTESA and Subaru's AWD system put power to all 4 wheels at all times. Haldex doesn't in all cases. IIRC, Haldex in the Golf R will decouple the rear axle under normal cruising. Having power go from zero to something may be more detectable than having it change from something to something.
Quote from: MX793 on August 23, 2016, 12:19:20 PM
ATTESA and Subaru's AWD system put power to all 4 wheels at all times. Haldex doesn't in all cases. IIRC, Haldex in the Golf R will decouple the rear axle under normal cruising. Having power go from zero to something may be more detectable than having it change from something to something.
Interesting. I assume the system is chasing better gas mileage?
Really depends on the car. I could feel it shuffle power around in my Element, but it was really quick. A split second of wheel spin, then boom, power is shifted and it went. My friend's VR6 R32 was so fast it was hard to even tell. I can only imagine the latest haldex is even better.
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on August 23, 2016, 12:26:37 PM
Interesting. I assume the system is chasing better gas mileage?
Yep, that's exactly what it's for.
I don't think SJ will notice. Feeling the power move around = real hamfisted, at the limit stuff.
Quote from: MX793 on August 23, 2016, 12:19:20 PM
ATTESA and Subaru's AWD system put power to all 4 wheels at all times. Haldex doesn't in all cases. IIRC, Haldex in the Golf R will decouple the rear axle under normal cruising. Having power go from zero to something may be more detectable than having it change from something to something.
ATTESA E-TS (higher-po version in the G, Q, etc.) is a not a full-time AWD system - it sends 100% to the rear until needed elsewhere.
The Nissan system uses a traditional transfer case (bolted to the rear of the transmission) with a separate drive shaft running to a separate front diff. AFAIK it is unique for a modern car.
Quote from: GoCougs on August 23, 2016, 02:43:40 PM
ATTESA E-TS (higher-po version in the G, Q, etc.) is a not a full-time AWD system - it sends 100% to the rear until needed elsewhere.
The Nissan system uses a traditional transfer case (bolted to the rear of the transmission) with a separate drive shaft running to a separate front diff. AFAIK it is unique for a modern car.
Not totally unique. There's a few doing similar things. The Panamera comes to mind (the drive shaft going forward is actually at a funky angle and goes through the transmission housing. It's bizarre).
I love the GT-R layout. Engine, to drive shaft, to transaxle in the rear, then another drive shaft going back to the front diff. There are two drive shafts running the length of the car pretty much.
GT-R=
(http://entertainment.ie/images_content/MDQa6iC.png)
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on August 23, 2016, 04:18:27 PM
GT-R=
(http://entertainment.ie/images_content/MDQa6iC.png)
Sweet land of Liberty..... :erjerbs: :erjerbs:
Put a JApanese flag, a bidet and an 80s style control panel loaded with buttons on it and it's accurate. Even looks like the GT-R
Quote from: MrH on August 23, 2016, 02:56:42 PM
I love the GT-R layout. Engine, to drive shaft, to transaxle in the rear, then another drive shaft going back to the front diff. There are two drive shafts running the length of the car pretty much.
Oh great, two things to break and impale myself with.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on August 23, 2016, 09:53:46 PM
Oh great, two things to break and impale myself with.
Does your driveshaft like to routinely pop through the floorboards and impale you from time to time? :confused: :lol:
Better stick to FWD then. :nono:
Quote from: Cookie Monster on August 23, 2016, 10:10:33 PM
Does your driveshaft like to routinely pop through the floorboards and impale you from time to time? :confused: :lol:
Better stick to FWD then. :nono:
:lol:
Quote from: Cookie Monster on August 23, 2016, 10:10:33 PM
Does your driveshaft like to routinely pop through the floorboards and impale you from time to time? :confused: :lol:
Better stick to FWD then. :nono:
Or the Beetle
Quote from: Cookie Monster on August 23, 2016, 10:10:33 PM
Does your driveshaft like to routinely pop through the floorboards and impale you from time to time? :confused: :lol:
Better stick to FWD then. :nono:
Friend of mine busted his back in July while doing a dyno run. New LS motor of some silly HP rating. (Idk how much considering the dyno run was never completed :lol: ) Didn't actually go through the floor, but made a good dent.
Quote from: MrH on August 23, 2016, 02:56:42 PM
Not totally unique. There's a few doing similar things. The Panamera comes to mind (the drive shaft going forward is actually at a funky angle and goes through the transmission housing. It's bizarre).
I love the GT-R layout. Engine, to drive shaft, to transaxle in the rear, then another drive shaft going back to the front diff. There are two drive shafts running the length of the car pretty much.
Panamera though looks to use a clutch pack to engage the rear - ATTESA-ETS uses a traditional transfer case (i.e., rear is permanently engaged (i.e., no clutches or the like) and the front is intermittently engaged):
(http://press.porsche.com/media/gallery2/d/3839-1/Panamera+AWD.jpg)
What part of that disengages the front?
Quote from: CaminoRacer on August 24, 2016, 10:23:39 PM
What part of that disengages the front?
I don't think it does... does that mean the Panamera has a FWD biased system? :mask: :nono: :pullover:
Oh, that's the Panamera. Now it makes sense. :lol:
Quote from: CaminoRacer on August 25, 2016, 06:31:12 AM
Oh, that's the Panamera. Now it makes sense. :lol:
I had to right click and view image to make sure it was the Panamera too. :lol:
Quote from: GoCougs on August 24, 2016, 07:24:05 PM
Panamera though looks to use a clutch pack to engage the rear - ATTESA-ETS uses a traditional transfer case (i.e., rear is permanently engaged (i.e., no clutches or the like) and the front is intermittently engaged):
(http://press.porsche.com/media/gallery2/d/3839-1/Panamera+AWD.jpg)
Looks similar to the setup in my '78 Ford Bronco; except there was a differential instead of a clutch pack and no direct drive to the front axle. Interesting result was that any wheel on a slick surface would spin unless the differential was locked; which was done by a switch activating a locking mechanism.
Congrats on the new ride!
(But 40k USD for a fancy Golf? I didn't know people would pay for such a thing)
Quote from: SVT_Power on August 25, 2016, 09:08:23 PM
Congrats on the new ride!
(But 40k USD for a fancy Golf? I didn't know people would pay for such a thing)
Think of it as an Audi TT with cargo space, and now it's a bargain.
My hunch is they've left something off the diagram. Note that the front drive gear in the t-case is just hanging in space. Maybe they have something on the other side of the front ring gear.
Quote from: GoCougs on August 25, 2016, 10:24:01 PM
My hunch is they've left something off the diagram. Note that the front drive gear in the t-case is just hanging in space. Maybe they have something on the other side of the front ring gear.
I think that the stack of plates in the transfer case is a clutch pack to engage the front axle. ATTESA's transfer case with clutch instead of a traditional center diff is basically what Porsche used on the 959 and 964 and now uses on the Cayenne and Panamera.
Quote from: ifcar on August 25, 2016, 10:16:01 PM
Think of it as an Audi TT with cargo space, and now it's a bargain.
:lol:
Or, you know, an Audi S3 hatchback with a 6-speed manual. :devil:
Quote from: SVT_Power on August 25, 2016, 09:08:23 PM
Congrats on the new ride!
(But 40k USD for a fancy Golf? I didn't know people would pay for such a thing)
Put it like this.... for 40K nobody else makes a car this fast, this refined, and this spacious/practical. Everything else at this price point is compromised in ways that make them worse daily drivers.
yeah, the only only complaint I would have is the non-sunroof. :cry:
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 26, 2016, 05:44:05 AM
:lol:
Or, you know, an Audi S3 hatchback with a 6-speed manual. :devil:
I like to think of it as being like an elephant, only with wheels, an engine, and no trunk. Also, made of metal.
Quote from: MX793 on August 26, 2016, 04:57:47 AM
I think that the stack of plates in the transfer case is a clutch pack to engage the front axle.
Could be, if the gear is attached to the clutch plates and the output shaft just runs through it. Not the most obvious answer, but possible.
Edit: nah but then the output shaft would have to run through the clutches too, which is weird and probably not possible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tugnyd0sBmQ
YT blocked here but I'm guessing it's TST's 340i M-Sport One Take? :lol:
:lol: Yes. I thought the exact same thing when I saw that pop up in my youtube feed this morning.
Farah's One Takes are fantastic.
The Smoking Tire would make a great name for a bar.
I've been meaning to check out his podcast. Apparently it has a good following. Anyone heard it yet?
(https://67.media.tumblr.com/fc9aabbc4714084275e6c070f47542db/tumblr_nnxrh2WXo41tq4of6o1_500.gif)
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 31, 2016, 05:55:06 PM
(https://67.media.tumblr.com/fc9aabbc4714084275e6c070f47542db/tumblr_nnxrh2WXo41tq4of6o1_500.gif)
I knew it. Shoulda got the RS. :huh:
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 31, 2016, 05:55:06 PM
(https://67.media.tumblr.com/fc9aabbc4714084275e6c070f47542db/tumblr_nnxrh2WXo41tq4of6o1_500.gif)
Continuing the 340i joke or is there an actual issue?
Quote from: BimmerM3 on August 31, 2016, 09:50:49 PM
Continuing the 340i joke or is there an actual issue?
Yeah, dude spent $40k on a car that doesn't have a factory opening center console.
340i with the M sport package and adaptive dampers is $50k+.
No it's $49,595
Or about $550/mo
:lol:
Quote from: 68_427 on September 01, 2016, 05:27:33 AM
No it's $49,595
Or about $550/mo
:lol:
Adaptive suspension puts you over $50k. It's not part of the M sport package, but a sub-option within.
Quote from: BimmerM3 on August 31, 2016, 09:50:49 PM
Continuing the 340i joke or is there an actual issue?
Just continuing the joke. Re: the video...no manuel no care. :lol:
Also not sure how serious I take someone's opinion when they are complementing the "feel" of the shift paddles. :devil:
(http://images.ridemonkey.com/index.php?size=full&src=http%3A%2F%2Fimgdonkey.com%2Fbig%2FcTJtWkw%2Fso-my-friend-sent-me-a-picture-of-manuel-transmission.gif)
Quote from: MX793 on September 01, 2016, 05:43:33 AM
Adaptive suspension puts you over $50k. It's not part of the M sport package, but a sub-option within.
It only added $700 when I just used the configurator. Maybe it's broken.
Quote from: 68_427 on September 01, 2016, 05:56:39 AM
It only added $700 when I just used the configurator. Maybe it's broken.
I came up with $50,2xx. Were you using one of the two non-metallic paint color options?
Hmm... did some digging; 340i is overkill. I think the 330i is actually a Golf R competitor. It can be loaded up with track goodies for $45K, and the less powerful 328i was not much slower than the manual Golf R:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2012-bmw-328i-sport-line-manual-long-term-test-wrap-up-review
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2016-volkswagen-golf-r-manual-test-review
The new motor def makes more power too so they are probably matched. Can come in AWD too...... but what's done is done :) I prefer the Golf anyway.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on September 01, 2016, 05:53:14 AM
Just continuing the joke. Re: the video...no manuel no care. :lol:
Also not sure how serious I take someone's opinion when they are complementing the "feel" of the shift paddles. :devil:
(http://images.ridemonkey.com/index.php?size=full&src=http%3A%2F%2Fimgdonkey.com%2Fbig%2FcTJtWkw%2Fso-my-friend-sent-me-a-picture-of-manuel-transmission.gif)
:lol:
Quote from: MX793 on September 01, 2016, 06:09:34 AM
I came up with $50,2xx. Were you using one of the two non-metallic paint color options?
Estoril blue
Quote from: MX793 on September 01, 2016, 04:54:56 AM
340i with the M sport package and adaptive dampers is $50k+.
Nah
Preamble: Mods, all joking aside, if you want to move this thread to mainstreamers please do. I have no illusions of this car being luxury, but I do want to keep using the thread for updates.
Anyways, I had a package waiting for me at the post office today:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%203_zpssvgmu5wf.jpg)
What you see if everything necessary to give my Golf R an OEM spec spare tire. The most important part included is the trim piece at the bottom. As you will see below it is shaped a bit different than the North American Golf R so that it can accomodate the spare tire. What many early buyers did was to actually cut a section out of their existing trim to accomodate the spare (or just squeeze the tire in). However some later buyers figured out that you can just buy the proper trim piece from Europe (latvia, in this case). The part itself is very cheap (~30 euro or thereabouts) but shipping is expensive. So since I was getting that part I also got the foam you see there (designed to hold the jack and other misc. tools in place around the tire and under the hatch floor).
Here is a shot of what is under the hatch floor:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%202_zps2kl8byhj.jpg)
As you can see everything is molded to fit the spare tire (again, except the trim piece, see below). Even the subwoofer is shaped to fit right inside the spare tire itself...which shows how ridiculous it is that VW wouldn't just make the spare tire standard or...worst case...just make it an option or dealer installed accesory. Anyway...all I will need to do is disconnect the subwoofer and remove/replace the one trim piece. Not much actual work involved, which is good because I am not at all mechanically inclined. :lol:
Here is a close up of the existing trim piece that needs to be replaced (and the subwoofer):
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%201_zpskppbhjhk.jpg)
As you can see the straight edge there is what stops the spare tire from being a simple drop in accesory. I don't understand why VW even bothered to make a different trim piece for North America. I can't imagine its any cheaper. :huh: One extra thing I may have to do is try to extend the wiring to the subwoofer a bit, but that should be relatively simple once the trim piece is off.
Anyways I will probably work on this saturday. Too (mentally) tired to work on it tonight and I am guessing I will not be up to messing with it tomorrow night either. Saturdays are usually the day I do yard work or odds and ends aorund the house anyway. Will post pictures once everything is in. :praise:
It's an R...belongs in the Fast Lane. Or compared to my car, it belongs in the Big Guys section.
(Although it might be faster than my car....every car is a monster compared to my honest little Z4)
Quote from: MX793 on September 01, 2016, 03:49:02 PM
(http://i65.tinypic.com/2ew04u1.jpg)
Looks like it wasn't adding the $700 for the paint last night. Not the only issue I had with their configurator. But still it's a $700 difference which when rolled into a lease like 50% of these cars will be it's really nothing.
Quote from: 68_427 on September 01, 2016, 09:48:34 PM
Looks like it wasn't adding the $700 for the paint last night. Not the only issue I had with their configurator. But still it's a $700 difference which when rolled into a lease like 50% of these cars will be it's really nothing.
SJ was buying, not leasing, and when you're buying, ~25% more money is a big deal.
Quote from: MX793 on September 01, 2016, 09:59:30 PM
SJ was buying, not leasing, and when you're buying, ~25% more money is a big deal.
This is Carspin and what we do here is #spendotherpeople'smoneyforthem
Quote from: MX793 on September 01, 2016, 09:59:30 PM
SJ was buying, not leasing, and when you're buying, ~25% more money is a big deal.
Well I didn't spec it as Estoril blue. Kids these days are soft.
Quote from: Char on September 02, 2016, 09:25:46 AM
Well I didn't spec it as Estoril blue. Kids these days are soft.
Still, you're just under $50K vs an MT Golf R which is a little under $40K.
Quote from: MX793 on September 02, 2016, 09:30:50 AM
Still, you're just under $50K vs an MT Golf R which is a little under $40K.
Those aren't really apples to apples though. Spec'ing the two as close as possible just now I came up with a price of 56,445...and that was only because I couldn't have both a manual transmission (which I chose) and Adaptive Cruise Control (which my manual Golf R has, but BMW will not let you have them both apparently).
Now do I need all those options...? No, but they are kind of nice and its apples to apples pricing. You can actually get a Golf R closer to 36k if you don't want any of the options (not on VW's 2017 build site, but dealers are saying it is in their pricing availability).
Quote from: MX793 on September 02, 2016, 09:30:50 AM
Still, you're just under $50K vs an MT Golf R which is a little under $40K.
Just priced it out on Truecar.com and it said OP was soft for not checking one out. It also said that 46K with the M package and Estoril Blue.
Quote from: Char on September 02, 2016, 12:33:36 PM
Just priced it out on Truecar.com and it said OP was soft for not checking one out. It also said that 46K with the M package and Estoril Blue.
And what does True car say for a Golf R? I got 38.6k for one spec'ed like OP's (which has more "must have goodies than a basic 340 m sport) and 35.3k for a comparable, lowest point of entry model. You're still talking at least $10k or ~25% more money.
OP is an accountant. He can cook the books to make it work
Wait, does the spare fit without giving up any functional trunk space?
Quote from: Lebowski on September 02, 2016, 01:01:39 PM
Wait, does the spare fit without giving up any functional trunk space?
Yeah, its an OEM spare tire. What I posted is underneath the floor of the hatch. I'll post a pic with it installed this weekend.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on September 02, 2016, 01:29:41 PM
Yeah, its an OEM spare tire. What I posted is underneath the floor of the hatch. I'll post a pic with it installed this weekend.
If there's room for a spare without giving up any storage space, what's the point of not including a spare?
Quote from: Lebowski on September 02, 2016, 01:38:19 PM
If there's room for a spare without giving up any storage space, what's the point of not including a spare?
I'm still waiting for an answer to that question about the center console.
Quote from: Lebowski on September 02, 2016, 01:38:19 PM
If there's room for a spare without giving up any storage space, what's the point of not including a spare?
They know that people who are looking to buy this car in the U.S. won't be dissuaded because of lack of a spare. So why not save $40. VW needs to get all the money they can get right now.
Quote from: BimmerM3 on September 02, 2016, 01:48:25 PM
I'm still waiting for an answer to that question about the center console.
I was told because the Golf R's parking brake is electronic, the regulations for the center console are different.
Quote from: veeman on September 02, 2016, 01:51:28 PM
They know that people who are looking to buy this car in the U.S. won't be dissuaded because of lack of a spare. So why not save $40. VW needs to get all the money they can get right now.
Plus they can make even more money from intrepid folks who do the Euro conversion
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on September 02, 2016, 02:28:33 PM
Plus they can make even more money from intrepid folks who do the Euro conversion
check out my EDM-tyte spare tire, yo!
Quote from: CaminoRacer on September 02, 2016, 02:29:34 PM
check out my EDM-tyte spare tire, yo!
It seems like it would be expensive to make a spare tire with Electrical Discharge Machining. Much better quality than a 3D printed spare though.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 31, 2016, 05:55:06 PM
(https://67.media.tumblr.com/fc9aabbc4714084275e6c070f47542db/tumblr_nnxrh2WXo41tq4of6o1_500.gif)
"European"
Quote from: MX793 on September 02, 2016, 12:43:30 PM
And what does True car say for a Golf R? I got 38.6k for one spec'ed like OP's (which has more "must have goodies than a basic 340 m sport) and 35.3k for a comparable, lowest point of entry model. You're still talking at least $10k or ~25% more money.
I didn't say it was cheaper - it's a better car with a working center console, it should cost more.
SOFT!
Quote from: Char on September 02, 2016, 04:59:33 PM
I didn't say it was cheaper - it's a better car with a working center console, it should cost more.
SOFT!
LOL
Put the spare tire and stuff in this morning. Went reasonably well...trim was a bit harder to remove than the piece from the center console fix.
And just to clarify from above, everything fits in existing space with no reduction in cargo capacity. Here is before I started this morning:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%201%201_zpsy77su6sf.jpg)
First I remove the cargo net and floor:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%202%201_zpsccgvgtt0.jpg)
Then remove the subwoofer and box (which BTW is conveniently designed to fit inside the spare wheel as you will see later):
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%203%201_zpss8b8bs8u.jpg)
Closeup of the existing trim after subwoofer removal:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%204_zpsldwee5xi.jpg)
Remove the existing trim piece (happily no clips were broken during removal so i can theoretically put it back to stock if need be):
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%206_zpsu69ch8d3.jpg)
Side by side comparison of the two trim pieces:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%205_zpsggcmotrg.jpg)
Picture of the pieces to be installed all laid out (including putting all the tools in to the foam holder...I did test out the jack FWIW and it works fine):
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%207_zpsyor9z0jw.jpg)
Installed the new trim and the foam first:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%208_zpsr5pclqxp.jpg)
Close up of the new foam and trim before putting in the spare:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%209_zpsljigic7a.jpg)
Drop in the spare and reconnect the subwoofer:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%2010_zpssnf54gmy.jpg)
Put the hatch floor back in:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%2011_zpsctjryyqq.jpg)
And everything is back to normal...no sign of any changes:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/Mod%2002%20-%20Spare%20Tire/Spare%20Tire%20Mod%20-%2012_zpsqiydobb2.jpg)
Regarding the comments above...yes its dumb that it doesn't just come like this from the factory. I knew about it though. I mentioned it as an issue in the thread when I first test drove the car, but after some cursory research fixing both the center console and spare tire issues were relatively cheap and required little effort. I will say one bonus is that I now have both a spare tire as well as the "fix a flat" tools (which do come with the car in North America), so I am prepared even if more than one wheel goes flat. :lol:
That's really cool of you, and lame of them....
Did you have to install the engine yourself too?
So, where are you going to put the illegal drugs, the next time you return from Mexico?
I think VW is onto something with this some assembly required stuff. Let's the owners be more involved, you know?
Like a beginner form of kit car.
IT's not a beginner kit car, it's enabling enthusiasts of discerning taste to hand craft and curate their build individually.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on September 05, 2016, 05:26:13 PM
IT's not a beginner kit car, it's enabling enthusiasts of discerning taste to hand craft and curate their build individually.
Oh, You write copy for catalogs in your spare time too, huh? If not you should.
I am a blipster, this kind of nonsense works on me.
"Curate" LOL :lol: Sign of a hipster.
Signal your individuality.
Demonstrate your taste.
Dare to be... you.
The 2017 Volkswagen Golf R.
He bought the kit, so he could remove it again. Now he can put "Spare tire/Kit removed" in the mods list.
:lol:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oklm3mV6ThE
Quote from: Char on September 08, 2016, 07:40:55 AM
He bought the kit, so he could remove it again. Now he can put "Spare tire/Kit removed" in the mods list.
Nah. "Stage 1 Weight Reduction"
Quote from: BimmerM3 on September 16, 2016, 10:59:21 AM
Nah. "Stage 1 Weight Reduction"
"Stage __" parts are one of my biggest pet peeves in the aftermarket industry. So F&F wannabe racer. But it sells.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on September 16, 2016, 11:48:27 AM
"Stage __" parts are one of my biggest pet peeves in the aftermarket industry. So F&F wannabe racer. But it sells.
It's also from the Gran Tourismo games.
Some random updates.
Gas mileage has been inconsistent...but maybe that is just my driving. I have had a tank as low as 19.5 MPG and as high as 23.5 MPG. My last tank (filled up yesterday) was 22.1 MPG. I only have about 1700 miles on it so only have a few fillups (usually about ~250 miles between each). The car says my overall average is 21.8 MPG, which seems reasonable.
I cannot master the clutch, still clunky going 0-1 and 1-2 unless I am really taking my time and being careful. Not sure if it is me or just the nature of the car. I have never been an expert shifter but have always gotten used to whatever car I drive after a trip or two. I simply cannot do quick shifts smoothly. I am not racing the car for the most part but it sucks when I do need to take off in a hurry and I can't do it without jerking the whole car.
On the bright side the faux AWD works really well. I have never felt any wheel spin and the car reacts much better when accelerating around turns (rather than just breaking in to a turn and coasting through). I am really happy I ended up with a small hatchback...I didn't realize how much I missed driving a small car. I thought I would regret not getting the Chevy SS but really I cannot see myself getting a car that big not that I am back in a small car. I cannot even see myself buying a car in the 3-series/A4 range again.
I have purchased snow tires (Pirelli sottozero's, same that I had on my S4). I got 235/35R19's and will have my dad's shop put those tires on my stock wheels. I plan to buy another set of wheels between now and March to put my summer tires on. Haven't figure out exactly what wheel I am going to get, but most likely end up with some wheel that doesn't require any adapters or anything (Nuespeed, VMR, or something along those lines).
Glad you are enjoying the smaller car, I knew you would
Your car shouldn't break in turns. It shouldn't break at all.
If you're accelerating through the turn, your entry speed was too low :devil:
Quote from: MX793 on November 07, 2016, 11:30:38 AM
If you're accelerating through the turn, your entry speed was too low :devil:
:hesaid:
True, accelerating was the wrong word, really just meant applying the throttle. With the Golf R's faux AWD it still feels like applying throttle helps the car rotate through a turn vs with a pure FWD car applying throttle through a turn gives a feeling of plowing right in to a corner.
Your issues with the clutch related at all to the incline-assist feature? That thing really pissed me off but I eventually got used to it.
If you go way back to the test drive thread the first thing I noticed on this car was the rEdiculously light clutch. Now I know why it was so light! So no pictures, but this weekend I removed a spring that is attached to the clutch. The tension from the spring pulls the clutch toward the firewall to reduce the effort.
I have only driven the car about ~50 miles since removing the spring but it immediately felt smoother and more natural. While the clutch is now "heavier" I would still say its lighter than the clutch on my S4 though. Kind of crazy IMHO that they thought they needed to make it even lighter and that the best way to do that was to just attach a stupid spring to the clutch.
All that being said, I still am not getting smooth enough with the clutch for some reason. I assume it is something about the way I drive because I am not seeing any complaints about the clutch on line anywhere. I am hoping that with the spring removed I will get used to the new feel and hopefully I go back to feeling "normal" with a manual transmission.
TBH if for some reason I cannot get smooth with the clutch I am not sure what the next step is. I do not want to just keep driving like this (just too irritating), but I am also not sure if there is a "perfect" car out there for me. While I am not happy with the clutch (or the infotainment system), overall the Golf R has far exceeded my expectations. I think I would have a hard time going back to a sedan (or a coupe), but there are very few options in this market (4 doors + hatch + AWD + manual transmission). Pretty much just the Golf R and the Focus RS as far as I can tell. And based on what I am going through with this clutch there is no way I am buying a car without test driving it first WITH A MANUAL.
I'm assuming it has a dual mass flywheel. Couple that with lightweight of the car (heavier cars mask abrupt engagements), and a small displacement forced induction engine (non linear torque curve making throttle/clutch hard to synronize) and it'll be finnicky.
The clutch assist spring mod is pretty popular with the Mustang GT crowd. Lots of complaints about lack of clutch feel with the spring in place.
Does the R have enough grunt to start in 2nd without abusing the clutch? I've found that the 1-2 shift in the Mustang can be a bit jerky unless I'm really slow and deliberate about it, so I've taken to just taking off in 2nd gear unless I'm on a steep incline.
Quote from: MX793 on November 21, 2016, 06:59:24 AM
The clutch assist spring mod is pretty popular with the Mustang GT crowd. Lots of complaints about lack of clutch feel with the spring in place.
Does the R have enough grunt to start in 2nd without abusing the clutch? I've found that the 1-2 shift in the Mustang can be a bit jerky unless I'm really slow and deliberate about it, so I've taken to just taking off in 2nd gear unless I'm on a steep incline.
Nope, definitely need first gear. I would occasionally just start in 2nd gear in my S4 so I know what you mean though.
I think the 1-2 shift is always the hardest to get smooth consistently but this has been the toughest car for me personally. I think Rich might be right that it is a combination of many factors. I am just going to keep at it for now and hope I get better/smoother over time I think. Might just be that I am getting older and so I am just not adapting to new things as well as I used to. :lol:
Man that would be a rough thing to eat that loss over.... I would definitely give it time
Shifter/clutch were the things I hated most about the Z. If I get a G37 I will probably go auto for that alone. Few things piss me off like crappy shifter/clutch action
When it doubt, shift faster :lol: If you're not chirping in 2nd, you're moving too slow.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on November 21, 2016, 07:44:30 AM
Man that would be a rough thing to eat that loss over.... I would definitely give it time
Shifter/clutch were the things I hated most about the Z. If I get a G37 I will probably go auto for that alone. Few things piss me off like crappy shifter/clutch action
Yeah I am not talking imminently making a decision, but if by next spring/summer things haven't worked themselves out I would probably start looking around again. I don't really want to though, so hoping that removing this spring makes things smoother.
S3 DSG, and call it a day. You're too old to drive stick anymore, just admit defeat.
Quote from: MrH on November 21, 2016, 08:03:28 AM
S3 DSG, and call it a day. You're too old to drive stick anymore, just admit defeat.
:evildude:
FWIW, owning the Golf R has made the notion of an S3 kind of pointless to me. Like I said other than this issue with the clutch the Golf has exceeded my expectations...apples to apples I would take a Golf R over an S3 at this point.
The only Audi that will be sold with a stickshift next year is the Audi A4. I would have a concern about buying that sight unseen though (Audi made a big stink about it being all new so I am fairly confident it isn't the same unit that was in my S4)...it could have the same issue as my Golf R. :huh: And anyway the A4 is so big now that if I was going to go that direction again (which I am about 99% sure I am not...I think I am sticking with small cars from here on out) I would be better off just getting a Chevy SS.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on November 21, 2016, 08:14:59 AM
FWIW, owning the Golf R has made the notion of an S3 kind of pointless to me. Like I said other than this issue with the clutch the Golf has exceeded my expectations...apples to apples I would take a Golf R over an S3 at this point.
The only Audi that will be sold with a stickshift next year is the Audi A4. I would have a concern about buying that sight unseen though (Audi made a big stink about it being all new so I am fairly confident it isn't the same unit that was in my S4)...it could have the same issue as my Golf R. :huh: And anyway the A4 is so big now that if I was going to go that direction again (which I am about 99% sure I am not...I think I am sticking with small cars from here on out) I would be better off just getting a Chevy SS.
I should get to drive an SS in the next 2 months or so. I'll let you know how easy the clutch is to use and how much faster it is than a Golf R :lol:
Yeah VW's clutches are definitely on the lighter side--felt like I was going stomp mine through the floorboard the first week or so I had it.
I don't mind the weight so much as the length; it sits 1-2" higher than the brake pedal and the engagement point is relatively early so that the last half of travel is just useless.
Quote from: Tave on November 21, 2016, 09:51:35 AM
I don't mind the weight so much as the length; it sits 1-2" higher than the brake pedal and the engagement point is relatively early so that the last half of travel is just useless.
That's common in a lot of cars. I don't know why.
Had my snow tires put on last week (black Friday). Since I wasn't working that day I stopped by my dad's shop and mounted the snow tires on my stock wheels. Plan is to keep the snow tires on the stock wheels and buy new wheels for summer tires.
Also got the first oil change done. It wasn't due but since I was going to be there anyway and had the time I had them go ahead and do it. I think removing the summer tires and mounting the winter tires was actually more effort. :lol:
Clutch is still finnicky, but feels smoother and more natural without the spring assist.
Ooooo new wheel time. What are you thinking? I feel like you made the decision already.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on December 01, 2016, 10:34:00 AM
Ooooo new wheel time. What are you thinking? I feel like you made the decision already.
No decision, but I am leaning toward VMR or Nuespeed wheels since they are factory fit right out of the box (no need for spacers or centering rings or anything like that). I like the way BBS wheels look and they have a good rep obviously but you need extra accessories to make them fit.
Here is an example of a Nuespeed wheel I like:
(http://www.vdubwarehouse.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/88_14_03S_400x300.jpg)
19x8 (same as stock), 45 offset (stock is 50), 20.5 lbs. Center bore is same as stock.
VMR makes a similar style:
(http://www.vdubwarehouse.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/V710-HS-02_400x400.jpg)
or
(http://www.vdubwarehouse.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/V718-HS-01_400x400.jpg)
Closest available size is 19x8.5 (stock is 19x8), 45 offset (50 is stock). Center bore available in stock size as well (57.1 FWIW).
I like the first set of VMRs....
I love that style of wheel, but it's...everywhere. like each brand has 72 different models of 7 split-spoke wheels.
Yea I was thinking the same
I would even think about getting a set of Audi 19s. Offset should be the same
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on December 01, 2016, 05:58:55 PM
Yea I was thinking the same
I would even think about getting a set of Audi 19s. Offset should be the same
Wheels from the Audi S3 are the same, but A4/S4 and up use a different size center bore. I think offsets are slightly different across the board. I would have had to use a hubcentric ring to adapt my S4 wheels to the Golf R and the lower offset combined with the wider wheel would have made it a tight fit...but it would have been close.
I am hoping to stay as close to stock as possible. I like the way the car drives so I don't want to mess with it too much.
These are the S3 wheels that would be a pretty direct swap to my car:
(http://www.hubcaphaven.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/audi_s3_wheel_rim_lg.jpg)
(http://file.kbb.com/kbb/vehicleimage/evoxseo/xxl/10851/2016-audi-s3-wheel_10851_042_640x480.jpg)
I dig the second one, but I am hoping to stay with a silver wheel. Most of the Golf R's accents are silver.
Dark gray wheels are my favorite so I am biased. I would just paint/buy dark gray accents. I like those S3 wheels a lot more
Now that you've had this for a while how does the overall Golf R driving experience - not just performance but ride, NHV, ergonomics, steering/brake/shifter feel, usable interior space - compare to the S4?
I just found out the 340i Xdrive's auto rev match feature is automatically enabled and can't be disabled if but in Sport+ (= ESC almost all the way off) so that's out. That leaves the Golf R or B8 S4 as the only M/T AWD 4-door options.
I loved both cars but obviously wasn't able to drive them for any serious length of time. I actually tend toward the Golf R but I'm worried about space as I carry people and their stuff and my night vision has decreased and I'm concerned about the Golf R HIDs not cutting it (IIHS rates then as poor).
Just an FYI, IIHS rates practically every vehicle's headlights as poor.
Have you used the auto rev-match on that car? Most every auto journalist actually uses it and doesn't complain about it.
Yes, I've seen the IIHS report on headlights. Maybe my night vision isn't decreasing - I'm not sure - and all headlights do indeed suck. I don't remember that when younger though. At least part of it is the switch to black asphalt and the switch to cooler headlight color. However, I had a QX50 as a loaner and that had fantastic headlights.
No, I haven't tried the 340i auto rev match feature. I HATE that these new cars default to some setting upon power-off. I'd be okay with it if the car could be set such that it retained the various steering/suspension/tranny/throttle/etc. settings after each time it was turned off. It seems simple enough but it drives me nuts.
Quote from: GoCougs on December 10, 2016, 08:52:12 PM
Now that you've had this for a while how does the overall Golf R driving experience - not just performance but ride, NHV, ergonomics, steering/brake/shifter feel, usable interior space - compare to the S4?
I just found out the 340i Xdrive's auto rev match feature is automatically enabled and can't be disabled if but in Sport+ (= ESC almost all the way off) so that's out. That leaves the Golf R or B8 S4 as the only M/T AWD 4-door options.
I loved both cars but obviously wasn't able to drive them for any serious length of time. I actually tend toward the Golf R but I'm worried about space as I carry people and their stuff and my night vision has decreased and I'm concerned about the Golf R HIDs not cutting it (IIHS rates then as poor).
Overall I like the Golf R more than my S4, but TBH it is mostly because I like smaller cars.
That being said the Golf R is a comfortable car. Its a daily driver not a track car. Even in "Race" mode it is still reasonably compliant (although the soundaktor in race mode is way too loud IMHO) and in comfort mode it makes a good highway cruiser.
As noted above the clutch is kind of finicky (at least for me). I feel like the S4's clutch was smoother...but maybe that was just because the engine itself was smoother, who knows.
Interior space on the Golf R is nice. The back seat feels like it is about the same size as my S4's. With the back seats up the S4 had more trunk space, but with the back seats folded down the hatchback is sooooo nice. I have taken advantage of it several times already.
I am pretty happy with the car overall. At this point I think the only thing that could make me have regrets is if it has reliability issues...but so far so good.
Oh about the headlights...Golf R headlights are definitely brighter than my S4's headlights were. They have a noticeably blue tint though...which I still find kind of odd occasionally. Note that the Golf R does not have driving/fog lights like the S4 had, but IMHO the ones on the S4 never made much of a difference in the fog anyway.
A new S4 might be better than the Golf R though, particularly if you get the LED lights.
Thanks, man. Confirms my initial impressions. FWIW it's easy to unplug the soundaktor if you're interested - see YouTube bids - something I'd probably do.
I'll wait till the new S4 hits the lots but initial reviews say it's good but not great (esp. that no M/T is offered). I read one review that said that it didn't have much on the A4. Faster, sure, but the A4's DSG was preferred.
Quote from: GoCougs on December 12, 2016, 09:25:40 AM
Thanks, man. Confirms my initial impressions. FWIW it's easy to unplug the soundaktor if you're interested - see YouTube bids - something I'd probably do.
I'll wait till the new S4 hits the lots but initial reviews say it's good but not great (esp. that no M/T is offered). I read one review that said that it didn't have much on the A4. Faster, sure, but the A4's DSG was preferred.
What about the new A4 with a manual? Is that too slow?
Quote from: MrH on December 12, 2016, 10:42:42 AM
What about the new A4 with a manual? Is that too slow?
I can't see how; auto version is every bit as fast as the G. A 13 second sedan that "only" makes 252 HP and gets 31 MPG on the highway :confused:
I feel like the Golf R would be way more fun to drive though.
Quote from: GoCougs on December 12, 2016, 09:25:40 AM
Thanks, man. Confirms my initial impressions. FWIW it's easy to unplug the soundaktor if you're interested - see YouTube bids - something I'd probably do.
I'll wait till the new S4 hits the lots but initial reviews say it's good but not great (esp. that no M/T is offered). I read one review that said that it didn't have much on the A4. Faster, sure, but the A4's DSG was preferred.
My dad just got a brand new A4. The DCT is amazing. I didn't think downshifts that quick and smooth were possible.
That said, the S4's transmission has been pretty well reviewed from what I've seen, despite being a traditional torque converter style.
Quote from: BimmerM3 on December 12, 2016, 12:31:00 PM
My dad just got a brand new A4. The DCT is amazing. I didn't think downshifts that quick and smooth were possible.
That said, the S4's transmission has been pretty well reviewed from what I've seen, despite being a traditional torque converter style.
How does he like the whole virtual cockpit? That's the biggest reason to get an Audi these days. The LCD gauges and interior are awesome.
The new A4 is not offered with a manual that I can see from Audi's build website.
The new A4 punches above its weight because of the DSG, particularly launch control. In every day driving such as from a roll or not using LC the G or the rest of the V6 poser class will walk it.
The best of what I see about the B9 S4 slushie is "almost can't tell it's a slushie." Thing is with the new S4 Audi seems to have made it a A4+ and why reviews have been sorta lackluster. The B8 S4 offered a significant experience differentiation over the B8 A4.
Quote from: GoCougs on December 12, 2016, 01:41:01 PM
The new A4 is not offered with a manual that I can see from Audi's build website.
The new A4 punches above its weight because of the DSG, particularly launch control. In every day driving such as from a roll or not using LC the G or the rest of the V6 poser class will walk it.
The best of what I see about the B9 S4 slushie is "almost can't tell it's a slushie." Thing is with the new S4 Audi seems to have made it a A4+ and why reviews have been sorta lackluster. The B8 S4 offered a significant experience differentiation over the B8 A4.
It's not on the build page yet, but it's coming. They have a press release out there talking about it.
Oh, interesting, that is notable.
I'm a bit surprised you are going with a turbo motor.... why the change? Also what about the Q50 3.0T?
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on December 12, 2016, 02:00:26 PM
I'm a bit surprised you are going with a turbo motor.... why the change? Also what about the Q50 3.0T?
Surprising pleased with the 2.0T (EcoBoost) motor in the Discovery Sport. Excellent throttle response and delightful surge at 25k and beyond. It's coupled with a 9 speed ZF transmission which complements it quite nicely.
IMHO I would take a 3-series or ATS over an A4.
That being said if you are accepting an automatic I would take an S3 over all the above.
Would Gougs consider the new Alfa Romeo? Also automatic only unfortunately, but available with AWD and supposedly the chassis is very good.
The Q50 is not a very good car and its slushie AT is awful, and these days pretty much all motors that aren't ancient (Lexus 3.5L) are forced induction.
At present the only automaker I'll seriously consider that isn't Japanese is VWAG.
Quote from: GoCougs on December 12, 2016, 02:18:47 PM
At present the only automaker I'll seriously consider that isn't Japanese is VWAG.
I think I just heard Char's head explode.
Quote from: GoCougs on December 12, 2016, 01:41:01 PM
Thing is with the new S4 Audi seems to have made it a A4+ and why reviews have been sorta lackluster. The B8 S4 offered a significant experience differentiation over the B8 A4.
Part of that might be that they offer two versions of the 2.0T on the A4 now. So there'd be more of a difference between the base A4 (190HP) and the S4 than the old version, but less of a difference between the upgraded A4 (252HP) and the S4.
Quote from: FoMoJo on December 12, 2016, 02:05:19 PM
Surprising pleased with the 2.0T (EcoBoost) motor in the Discovery Sport. Excellent throttle response and delightful surge at 25k and beyond. It's coupled with a 9 speed ZF transmission which complements it quite nicely.
Unless your Disco is used, it's got the Ingenium engine. They stopped using Ford motors after the 2015MY.
Quote from: MrH on December 12, 2016, 01:02:16 PM
How does he like the whole virtual cockpit? That's the biggest reason to get an Audi these days. The LCD gauges and interior are awesome.
Last time I talked to him he hadn't quite figured out how to configure it the way he wants to. In general, he thinks it's kinda cool, but certainly didn't buy the car just for that reason.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on December 12, 2016, 02:06:56 PM
Would Gougs consider the new Alfa Romeo? Also automatic only unfortunately, but available with AWD and supposedly the chassis is very good.
That is a high risk proposition
Quote from: SJ_GTI on December 12, 2016, 02:06:04 PM
IMHO I would take a 3-series or ATS over an A4.
That being said if you are accepting an automatic I would take an S3 over all the above.
3-series and ATS are out - reliability for both and and poor drive train for the latter (esp. slushie transmission).
I love the S3 too but the G is the absolute minimum for interior space for me, and on the stats the S3 is about its match, but it's some ~12" shorter than the G. I'll have to spend more time in it.
Quote from: MrH on December 12, 2016, 01:02:16 PM
How does he like the whole virtual cockpit? That's the biggest reason to get an Audi these days. The LCD gauges and interior are awesome.
Audi has a red light timer as well. It's a countdown showing how long until it turns green
Quote from: 68_427 on December 13, 2016, 06:57:43 AM
Audi has a red light timer as well. It's a countdown showing how long until it turns green
I thought you were trolling, then I googled
Quote from: MX793 on December 12, 2016, 03:56:47 PM
Unless your Disco is used, it's got the Ingenium engine. They stopped using Ford motors after the 2015MY.
I'm not sure they've switched over to the Ingenium line yet in the US. None of the specs changed on the car.
Quote from: 68_427 on December 13, 2016, 06:57:43 AM
Audi has a red light timer as well. It's a countdown showing how long until it turns green
How Sway???
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on December 13, 2016, 10:52:10 AM
How Sway???
http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-audi-red-light-countdown-20160815-snap-story.html
Quote from: 68_427 on December 13, 2016, 02:40:31 PM
http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-audi-red-light-countdown-20160815-snap-story.html
Dope. But full of problems. It's rare in (civilized) Europe that someone gets killed by a red light runner, even though the light adds yellow to red to tell you it's about to go green. Just like a dragstrip. You can get moving right as it turns green.
Here that will mean an uptick in accidents as people start to go as soon as its green, as the idiots are still running reds.
Pretty much all the lights I interact with already have visible timers...
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVkTYdC-Tgw/UWx7uQiR3MI/AAAAAAAADPU/YJC1wGzzsOg/s1600/countdown.jpg)
Yea, timed lights have been in play for a long time now.
Plus you don't have to have a timed light to be able to time your launch. You can just watch the light for the crossing road.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on December 12, 2016, 02:06:04 PM
IMHO I would take a 3-series or ATS over an A4.
That being said if you are accepting an automatic I would take an S3 over all the above.
Not sure you've ever been in an ATS, but it's terrible. Poor quality materials and atrocious build quality. Reliability is also pathetic. Let's take my CTS as an example. The interior driver door handle fell off at 9,000 miles. That's the second front door panel to have been replaced for poor build. The leather was delaminating from the passenger front door around 7,000 miles. It's pathetic and quite a shame since it's a delight to drive.
Quote from: CJ on December 16, 2016, 07:51:48 PM
Not sure you've ever been in an ATS, but it's terrible. Poor quality materials and atrocious build quality. Reliability is also pathetic. Let's take my CTS as an example. The interior driver door handle fell off at 9,000 miles. That's the second front door panel to have been replaced for poor build. The leather was delaminating from the passenger front door around 7,000 miles. It's pathetic and quite a shame since it's a delight to drive.
Had an ATS as a rental a few years ago. I thought the interior was fine for the most part. Main complaint was the capacitive touch controls. Backseat was a bit smaller than the S4 I owned at the time, but the ATS was able to accommodate 4 of us and our luggage.
Quote from: giant_mtb on December 16, 2016, 01:19:24 PM
Pretty much all the lights I interact with already have visible timers...
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVkTYdC-Tgw/UWx7uQiR3MI/AAAAAAAADPU/YJC1wGzzsOg/s1600/countdown.jpg)
How do you know if the left-arrow won't come on??
The German system is foolproof, except for red-light runners.
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).
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/IMG_1610_zpsvplvfzfe.jpg)
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.
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.
I also wonder if tire profile makes a difference since a low profile tire has less room for deep treads.
Quote from: BimmerM3 on January 09, 2017, 04:45:58 PM
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.
Quote from: BimmerM3 on January 09, 2017, 04:45:58 PM
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.
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.
Can't you adjust the engagement point of the clutch pedal? It's normally just a little threaded rod connected to the pedal.
Quote from: Cookie Monster on January 12, 2017, 01:27:16 PM
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.
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.
Quote from: Cookie Monster on January 12, 2017, 01:27:16 PM
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. :lol:
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.
Self adjusting lol. Fucking VW
LOL
Fuck German cars.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on January 12, 2017, 02:06:51 PM
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?
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.
Should have gotten one of these. :devil:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG6HoSaINOs
This one is funny. So much FAIL. :dance:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBV0wES60DA
:praise:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=daExKkQH8_w
Quote from: cawimmer430 on January 12, 2017, 04:32:16 PM
This one is funny. So much FAIL. :dance:
Better to FAIL in closed parking lot than on public roads.
Quote from: GoCougs on December 12, 2016, 02:18:47 PM
At present the only automaker I'll seriously consider that isn't Japanese is VWAG.
Stop doing drugs.
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):
(http://www.vdubwarehouse.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/V710-HS-02.jpg)
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:
(http://www.vdubwarehouse.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/V708_HS_1.jpg)
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. :huh: 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.
(http://www.vdubwarehouse.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/V710FF-GM-01.png)
I like the second ones
Buy one of each and keep one factory wheel.
Quote from: MX793 on February 01, 2017, 09:24:56 AM
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.
this board, man :lol:
Quote from: RomanChariot on February 01, 2017, 09:47:19 AM
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!
Is the DCC setting saved after turning the car off or does it reset to Normal each time the car is started?
Quote from: GoCougs on February 03, 2017, 07:06:09 PM
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.
Thanks. That is very good. Some default to "Normal" at each startup (Q50 does this) and it drives me nuts.
Quote from: GoCougs on February 06, 2017, 08:08:07 AM
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.
Quote from: BimmerM3 on February 06, 2017, 10:20:22 AM
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.
FWIW Traction/Stability control definitely reset on each start up. Also FWIW you also can only turn stability control completely off when in race/sport mode. Otherwise it is just on a reduced setting (which isn't really noticeable unless you are trying to drift :lol: ).
DCC controls a lot of things FWIW. Suspension, steering weight, exhaust noise, interior engine noise, etc...I know on the individual screen there are about a dozen different things you can set.
I think there's some kind of law/regulation that says TCS/ESP settings need to revert back to their "full on" setting after a vehicle is turned off and then restarted.
Quote from: MX793 on February 06, 2017, 11:58:55 AM
I think there's some kind of law/regulation that says TCS/ESP settings need to revert back to their "full on" setting after a vehicle is turned off and then restarted.
Laws like that are why humans are going to become extinct sooner than later.
Quote from: MX793 on February 06, 2017, 11:58:55 AM
I think there's some kind of law/regulation that says TCS/ESP settings need to revert back to their "full on" setting after a vehicle is turned off and then restarted.
I think it's more of a liability concern.
Quote from: BimmerM3 on February 06, 2017, 10:20:22 AM
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.
My Toyotas and Subarus were like the Ford cruise control. Have to manually turn it on. I GREATLY prefer the Honda hard-button which stays on, I use cruise a lot even toodling around base at 35mph.
I haven't had cruise control in over 6 months. Don't really notice anymore.
So those RS4 reps are out of stock and might be out of production. VMR manufactures to order though so the vendor is going to check and see if they are making them again soon. If not I am probably just going to order a set of the first wheel.
Quote from: giant_mtb on February 06, 2017, 03:24:44 PM
I haven't had cruise control in over 6 months. Don't really notice anymore.
I don't use mine because I enjoy pissing off other drivers with my inconsistent cruising speed on the highway.
Quote from: MX793 on February 09, 2017, 11:54:01 AM
I don't use mine because I enjoy pissing off other drivers with my inconsistent cruising speed on the highway.
That certainly can be annoying as the other driver. :lol:
I see it as a sort of challenge...seeing how consistent I can be. Once you get a feel for what your vehicle feels (and mostly sounds) like at a given speed, it's pretty easy to hold it on flattish ground without looking at the speedo very much. Crazy how delicate/precise/still our feet can be on the gas pedal.
Welp got that answer quick.
The RS4 rep isn't technically out of production but demand is so low they very rarely make them (and could very well simply decide to stop).
The other one is, not surprisingly, one of their most popular wheels and is almost always in stock and in production. I know is pretty standard but I think I am just going to go with this one.
(http://www.vdubwarehouse.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/V710-HS-02.jpg)
I like those.
How about black rims?
I like black wheels on dark blue cars. It's a good look.
(http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu137/Frazza01/IMG_0717.jpg)
Is that the same color as your car, Tony?
No the MK6 R was a lighter shade of blue
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20150621/eb4c9b902a0bb98aac4bae7e6de974cc.jpg)
Here's black. I think the bright silver will match better because Lapiz Blue has so much depth to it that black wheels just can't match
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b390/beccr216/FullSizeRender%2015_zpsjy6vg2vg.jpg)
I'm all about matching luminance.... I'd go with something gray or "hyper silver/black"
If I had a white/black/grey car I would probably go with black wheels (and probably black out some of the silver accents). But I generally think silver goes better with blue so I am going to go with silver wheels and keep the various silver accents.
Bronze or gunmetal would look sweet.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on February 10, 2017, 06:19:02 AM
If I had a white/black/grey car I would probably go with black wheels (and probably black out some of the silver accents). But I generally think silver goes better with blue so I am going to go with silver wheels and keep the various silver accents.
Both look good, imo but, for my taste, I'd rather have less of a contrast. The black seems more subdued to me with a darker colour.
I like silver best because of the depth of the paint, like you said
Wheels have been ordered (the silver ones). Probably won't put them on until some time in March though.
New wheels have arrived...
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Wheels%20-%201_zpsmszyztxe.jpg)
Very Much Race
vaporous mechanical roll
they arent on yet?
Velocity More Round Wheels
Vaginal Moisture Reducer
So anybody want to buy a 2016 Golf R with <3500 miles? I'll even throw in an extra set of wheels.
(The Chevy SS is back to a 20% off sale)
Quote from: SJ_GTI on March 02, 2017, 08:30:02 AM
So anybody want to buy a 2016 Golf R with <3500 miles? I'll even throw in an extra set of wheels.
(The Chevy SS is back to a 20% off sale)
I'm looking at trade in values too :cry:
Jeebus. There is so much wrong with the SS (for me):
Too big
No AWD
Less storage
But dat V8 doe.
It doesn't help that we get our 2016 bonus next week. :lol:
Quote from: SJ_GTI on March 02, 2017, 08:30:02 AM
So anybody want to buy a 2016 Golf R with <3500 miles? I'll even throw in an extra set of wheels.
(The Chevy SS is back to a 20% off sale)
PAGIN RAZA :lol:
AND COCOUGS if anyone could actually reach him.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on March 02, 2017, 08:38:09 AM
Jeebus. There is so much wrong with the SS (for me):
Too big
No AWD
Less storage
But dat V8 doe.
It doesn't help that we get our 2016 bonus next week. :lol:
It is massive. Front seat leg room is probably the most I've ever seen. Not even with the seat all the way back, I completely lose contact with the pedals and I'm 6'2"
The more I think about it, the more I am down for trying out the SS.
The one thing that has bugged me from the beginning on the Golf is the engine. Yeah its powerful...but I am just not a fan of the way it makes the power. Not smooth at all, which I think impacts how smooth I am with it.
That being said, everything else about the car is fucking fantastic. Way more suited to me than I even expected. I love the small footprint. The storage with the hatchback is phenomenal. I was able to fit all four wheels, still in the box, plus all four tires in the car all at the same time. With my S4 I struggled just to get the four wheel/tire combs in the car all at once much less get them in as separate parts. The SS has more trunk and rear space than the S4 but I still have to think it won't be able to match the Golf. I was skeptical of the AWD system going in but it has won me over. I mean I would still take a standard torsen style system any day if everything else is apples to apples...but all things considered the overall package of the Golf R is nearly perfect.
But dat V8 doe... :wub:
go drive that blue and see if it's as good as you remember after living with the Golf for a few months now.
Wait you're seriously considering changing cars already? H rubbing off on you?
Quote from: Lebowski on March 02, 2017, 11:10:50 AM
Wait you're seriously considering changing cars already? H rubbing off on you?
Little bit. :lol:
I really don't want to. I like my car.
Dat V8 doe. I feel like this might be the last time I can buy such a car (4-doors, N/A V8, 6MT, RWD).
Quote from: Lebowski on March 02, 2017, 11:10:50 AM
Wait you're seriously considering changing cars already? H rubbing off on you?
:lol: It's such a killer deal, even I thought for a second about it.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on March 02, 2017, 11:40:27 AM
Little bit. :lol:
I really don't want to. I like my car.
Dat V8 doe. I feel like this might be the last time I can buy such a car (4-doors, N/A V8, 6MT, RWD).
Yep. It's pretty much the last of a generation. There will never be another V8, MT, RWD sedan again.
Why not just get a really cheap LSx car or Mustang. I bet you will lose more on the trade than what a C5 costs.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on March 02, 2017, 03:47:00 PM
Why not just get a really cheap LSx car or Mustang. I bet you will lose more on the trade than what a C5 costs.
You think he's going to lose more than $15k? Plus then he has to register and insure two cars
He is an accountant I think, he can work the numbers
So after driving home and parking in my garage I am back to liking my Golf. :lol:
No car is perfect so anything is a compromise...but I don't think I want to go back to a larger car or lose AWD.
But dat V8 doe... :wub:
Edit: yeah I don't want a second car. One car and a pickemup truck is enough.
(http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt294/britishbadass/IMG_1607.jpg)
Quote from: 68_427 on March 02, 2017, 09:46:01 PM
(http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt294/britishbadass/IMG_1607.jpg)
I bet the SS drives like a big cup of pudding. I mean, dat V8, but dat two ton weight doe.
It's pretty damn good actually. Magneride is nice. It's a large vehicle, but dynamically really solid. I only got 20 minutes of seat time or so though.
Road tripping to Iowa in a week in one though. I should get a few hours of seat time then.
Quote from: Raza on March 03, 2017, 07:49:10 AM
I bet the SS drives like a big cup of pudding. I mean, dat V8, but dat two ton weight doe.
I bet a 4 cyl Accord is better
Quote from: CaminoRacer on March 03, 2017, 08:57:50 AM
I bet a 4 cyl Accord is better
It all comes down to the TTBTPP score. (Time To Bluetooth Pair Phone)
Quote from: Raza on March 03, 2017, 07:49:10 AM
I bet the SS drives like a big cup of pudding. I mean, dat V8, but dat two ton weight doe.
What makes you think that considering nobody has ever said that lol
Quote from: 68_427 on March 03, 2017, 12:01:21 PM
What makes you think that considering nobody has ever said that lol
Intuition. Basically every big sedan feels like pudding.
I'd be happy to be proven wrong though.
SJ it is now your duty to purchase a SS to prove its not a pissing mobile
Have an appointment at Carmax this morning to get my Golf appraised. That will give me an idea of how much of a bath I will take if I move forward. If its not too courageously low then I will try and find the closest dealer that will let me test drive a manual SS (only drove an auto last year).
How much do you want for your Golf?
Carmax offer was 32k, not bad (but not great either).
Called the two nearest dealers with manual SS's on their website...both have been sold. Gonna head home and keep poking around.
I think there were 2-3 bought yesterday on TCL. Good luck we all hope you find one.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on March 04, 2017, 09:09:24 AM
Carmax offer was 32k, not bad (but not great either).
Called the two nearest dealers with manual SS's on their website...both have been sold. Gonna head home and keep poking around.
These cars haven't sold as fast as they are selling now their entire run.........
Quote from: Lebowski on March 04, 2017, 08:05:30 AM
How much do you want for your Golf?
Under 30k then I wouldn't even consider selling. 35k I probably would have sold on the spot and rented a car to go find an SS. 32k as a base isnt bad. In theory a dealer could offer more.
That being said the way the dealers reacted when I called about an SS is sounds like they are selling fast so not much incentive for dealers to offer above wholesale.
Oooo yea its getting into tax time/spring so shit's probably picking up
Good job :lol:
So I still catch myself fantasizing about an SS but I have pretty much decided to stick with my Golf for now.
I mean I would love to have that engine...but pretty much everything else about the Golf is more suited to my preferences (smaller, AWD, hatchback). I may change my mind in the future but I mean worst case scenario is that I could sell my Golf and buy an SS used some time down the line.
If it makes you feel any better, I hated the clutch feel on the SS. The take up of the pedal is weird. I like very linear force for clutches. Miata and S2000 are like that. BRZs was kind of funky, but once I adjusted it, it was good.
The SS: The clutch is incredibly light at certain points in travel, and heavier in others. And it changes right at the catch point so it's really awkward to get smooth with it. It feels like a rubber band.
EDIT: I just looked it up. Seems there's actually an assist spring under the dash. Looks like you can remove it and it feels linear. Ok, so the one flaw is a 5 minute fix. Sorry Tony :lol:
Quote from: MrH on March 09, 2017, 09:59:56 AM
If it makes you feel any better, I hated the clutch feel on the SS. The take up of the pedal is weird. I like very linear force for clutches. Miata and S2000 are like that. BRZs was kind of funky, but once I adjusted it, it was good.
The SS: The clutch is incredibly light at certain points in travel, and heavier in others. And it changes right at the catch point so it's really awkward to get smooth with it. It feels like a rubber band.
EDIT: I just looked it up. Seems there's actually an assist spring under the dash. Looks like you can remove it and it feels linear. Ok, so the one flaw is a 5 minute fix. Sorry Tony :lol:
Yeah the Golf has a clutch spring assist as well. I think MX mentioned his mustang has one too. I removed the one in my Golf a while ago. Clutch is still relatively light and smoother now. Spring didn't make any sense IMHO.
Supposed to discourage people from riding the clutch or something. Yeah, it's stupid.
VW 4 bangers haul the mail, but man are they boring. I don't blame you.
How is the steering? I have a JEtta TSI rental now, and the wheel is heavy AF with zero feel. Precise though, the car is easy to place. But the steering feel sucks.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on March 09, 2017, 08:09:00 PM
VW 4 bangers haul the mail, but man are they boring. I don't blame you.
How is the steering? I have a JEtta TSI rental now, and the wheel is heavy AF with zero feel. Precise though, the car is easy to place. But the steering feel sucks.
I think "precise but numb" is the most apt description for my car. That being said the S4 was also numb. When I test drove the BMW's I didn't get much steering feedback either (which was surprising since that used to be BMW's thing).
I just drove 4 hours in the SS this morning. Sitting the back now.
Ride and overall dynamics are really really good. I cruised through Ohio Indiana and into Illinois going 90 most of the way. Engine sounds great too.
It's not all that fast honestly. Hate the clutch feel. Not a big fan of the shifter either. There are a ton of GM touches throughout that bother me. The chrome interior trim is the worst. Keeps blinding me at certain times. Seats suck too. Built for fat old guys.
Quote from: MrH on March 10, 2017, 11:06:05 AM
It's not all that fast honestly. Hate the clutch feel. Not a big fan of the shifter either. There are a ton of GM touches throughout that bother me. The chrome interior trim is the worst. Keeps blinding me at certain times. Seats suck too. Built for fat old guys.
Pretty sure posting this on TCL would get you bant.
Wish I could drive an SS for a weekend. Would like to know if the compromises from owning it would be preferable to the compromises of owning my Golf.
Also don't you have a car full of people and stuff?
Ha yeah. 4 in total plus luggage. But still, the power doesn't blow me away.
well it's a 12.8-13.0s car it is what it is. plus it probably weighed 5000lbs :lol:
4 people and luggage will make any car feel not fast and have a worse clutch feel. lol
Quote from: SJ_GTI on March 10, 2017, 06:14:49 AM
I think "precise but numb" is the most apt description for my car. That being said the S4 was also numb. When I test drove the BMW's I didn't get much steering feedback either (which was surprising since that used to be BMW's thing).
IT's shocking how far BMW steering fell. F30 steering is on the level of current VWs IMO. SAD!
Why is it so surprising? Virtually all the pure-electric racks lack feel...
I'd like to feel a good rack
Quote from: giant_mtb on March 10, 2017, 06:51:17 PM
4 people and luggage will make any car feel not fast and have a worse clutch feel. lol
Even a minivan feels sluggish with that much extra weight.
Quote from: Tave on March 11, 2017, 07:01:00 AM
Why is it so surprising? Virtually all the pure-electric racks lack feel...
Eh, rack in the old Rabbit is ancient but electric. It's not the fastest, but it at least weights up in a normal way. What's most bizarre to me is how some two bit video game companies can build sim racing wheels that weight up perfectly while actual OEMs building actual cars can't. They have the technology..... they can rebuild it.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on March 11, 2017, 08:55:43 AM
Eh, rack in the old Rabbit is ancient but electric. It's not the fastest, but it at least weights up in a normal way. What's most bizarre to me is how some two bit video game companies can build sim racing wheels that weight up perfectly while actual OEMs building actual cars can't. They have the technology..... they can rebuild it.
Rabbit must use a different rack from the Jetta. Steering ratio is slow, yet it's unnaturally high effort and the effort doesn't really feel like it changes as you turn. Basically like my last Mustang, but higher effort.
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 11, 2017, 07:35:07 AM
Even a minivan feels sluggish with that much extra weight.
The only thing that doesn't feel slower with that much weight is a diesel truck or a 6.2L.
FWIW I am reading about the clutch spring removal for the Chevy SS (someone on TCL linked to an SS forum about it). From what I can tell that spring is a bit different than what was in my car. the spring in my car was only pulling in one direction (pulling the clutch pedal toward the firewall). The one in the SS seems to be double sided and both helps move the pedal toward the firewall but also pulls it back up to its resting position.
Might not be a big deal, but sounds like it isn't as simply as the VW and Mustang spring removals.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on March 14, 2017, 07:52:50 AM
FWIW I am reading about the clutch spring removal for the Chevy SS (someone on TCL linked to an SS forum about it). From what I can tell that spring is a bit different than what was in my car. the spring in my car was only pulling in one direction (pulling the clutch pedal toward the firewall). The one in the SS seems to be double sided and both helps move the pedal toward the firewall but also pulls it back up to its resting position.
Might not be a big deal, but sounds like it isn't as simply as the VW and Mustang spring removals.
I'm glad that my clutch concerns have you looking this all up :lol:
Quote from: MrH on March 14, 2017, 08:12:31 AM
I'm glad that my clutch concerns have you looking this all up :lol:
Oddly enough on my next car purchase clutch feel/performance will probably be a much higher priority. Removing the spring assist from my Golf helped but its still relatively poor IMHO. I noted the performance on the test drive but falsely assumed it was just unfamiliarity. Familiarity helped smooth things out a bit but relatively speaking I am nowhere near as comfortable with this clutch as I was with the Audi S4. I don't think I ever gave the clutch (or shifter) even a second thought on that car, everything just felt intuitive like it was second nature. Unfortunately that put the whole notion of having a "good" clutch completely out of my mind since I just assumed any clutch should be fine in the end.
I'm not sure how a double sided spring would work. I would think it's two separate springs. A return spring and a lame helper spring.
I think the spring in my old Mazda was effectively both a return spring and helper spring. It wasn't a double-acting spring so much as the geometry of the pedal and where the spring mounted had an "over center" feature where between points A and B (the upper 2/3s of the stroke) it acted as a return spring and from point B to the firewall wall (lower 1/3 of the stroke) it acted as a helper. When my master cylinder failed, if I pushed the pedal down past a certain point, it would snap into the firewall. Otherwise, it would snap back out to its "normal" position.
FWIW this is a picture someone posted of the SS spring:
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170313/c411334cf7385f19b206e1978c06b6db.jpg)
I'll take a picture of my spring when I get home but it is not like that.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on March 14, 2017, 09:23:33 AM
FWIW this is a picture someone posted of the SS spring:
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170313/c411334cf7385f19b206e1978c06b6db.jpg)
I'll take a picture of my spring when I get home but it is not like that.
I'm guessing yours, like the Mustang's, is an axial spring rather than a torsional.
Quote from: MX793 on March 14, 2017, 09:17:31 AM
I think the spring in my old Mazda was effectively both a return spring and helper spring. It wasn't a double-acting spring so much as the geometry of the pedal and where the spring mounted had an "over center" feature where between points A and B (the upper 2/3s of the stroke) it acted as a return spring and from point B to the firewall wall (lower 1/3 of the stroke) it acted as a helper. When my master cylinder failed, if I pushed the pedal down past a certain point, it would snap into the firewall. Otherwise, it would snap back out to its "normal" position.
That could be it. My motorcycle has a similar setup on the center stand.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on March 14, 2017, 08:19:48 AM
Oddly enough on my next car purchase clutch feel/performance will probably be a much higher priority. Removing the spring assist from my Golf helped but its still relatively poor IMHO. I noted the performance on the test drive but falsely assumed it was just unfamiliarity. Familiarity helped smooth things out a bit but relatively speaking I am nowhere near as comfortable with this clutch as I was with the Audi S4. I don't think I ever gave the clutch (or shifter) even a second thought on that car, everything just felt intuitive like it was second nature. Unfortunately that put the whole notion of having a "good" clutch completely out of my mind since I just assumed any clutch should be fine in the end.
Yeah, I've been spoiled. NC Miata and S2000 have great clutches and shifters. Everything feels like crap in comparison.
This is the spring from my Golf. One end hooked on to the clutch pedal, the other end hooked toward the firewall. There was a constant pull that made it easier to depress the clutch pedal.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/8845EAC5-4744-4FB5-8F19-934F675ACB57_zpsfgemgbz9.jpg)
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on March 11, 2017, 08:55:43 AM
Eh, rack in the old Rabbit is ancient but electric. It's not the fastest, but it at least weights up in a normal way. What's most bizarre to me is how some two bit video game companies can build sim racing wheels that weight up perfectly while actual OEMs building actual cars can't. They have the technology..... they can rebuild it.
Weight is not feel. Weight is the effort it takes to move the wheel. Feel is the transmission of road niggles and naggles and tire performance through the wheel, characterized by a slight back-and-forth "tug" as the car transverses imperfections.
VW's electric rack for the Golf/Jetta is very heavy but just as dead as most of the others.
Quote from: Tave on March 18, 2017, 10:01:30 AM
Weight is not feel. Weight is the effort it takes to move the wheel. Feel is the transmission of road niggles and naggles and tire performance through the wheel, characterized by a slight back-and-forth "tug" as the car transverses imperfections.
VW's electric rack for the Golf/Jetta is very heavy but just as dead as most of the others.
Weighting with load is one aspect of steering feel. I think they changed the racks over time.... steering in the Rabbit feels very different from steering in new VWs. Nowhere near as feelsome as my Civic but much better than the new stuff.
New wheels (with summer tires) are on.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Wheels%20-%2025_zpszqx4be2o.jpg)
The wheels are a tad wider than stock (8.5 inch versus 8.0) and the offset is a little less (45 vs 50). I wasn't sure how it would look but it isn't really noticable I don't think.
Stock/winter:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Wheels%20-%203_zpszrbhfkkc.jpg)
New/summer:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Wheels%20-%206_zpsqd6lbusg.jpg)
Biggest visual difference I can see is the space between the brakes and the wheel. There is very little space between the stock wheels and the brakes but the new tires have a lot of space. Can't imagine it would make a difference in anything though.
A few more pics from different angles:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Wheels%20-%2012_zpsrpcnkjrh.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Wheels%20-%2018_zpsgj8anh2c.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Wheels%20-%2019_zpsmj3kgiry.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Wheels%20-%2032_zpsdyunlvke.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Wheels%20-%2045_zpsdvdrefha.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/New%20Wheels%20-%2038_zpsz1kwrpop.jpg)
Took it for a quick drive and everything felt good. I didn't feel like going on the highway so only got it up to ~85 mph but everything felt good so I am thinking the wheels are good.
It was nice to be back on summer tires...the car feels just a bit sharper and stiffer. All things considered though I it was a reminder how nice the Pirelli sottozeroes are though...decent in the snow but I don't feel like it gives much up in normal (but cold) conditions.
Wheels suit the car much better than the others. Very stylish.
:rockon:
#HerraFrush
THOSE LOOK DAMN GOOD!!!!!
They look good. The offset/width change is noticeable for sure. Much better.
Those look great
Those definitely look much, much better than stock. Nice
I don't normally like aftermarket wheels but those do look good.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2851/33734046476_502460a71b_b.jpg)
Guy on VWV TCL is selling his.
Tempting but I will go new if I do make the switch. After all the hemming and hawing the main drawback is I don't think I want a car that big again.
But dat V8 doe... :wub:
Crossed the 5,000 mile mark on my car this weekend:
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d85/tonylieske/7D44628B-703C-4D86-B5E9-240B74AC9EA6_zpsrswh6yy0.jpg)
10 months in and I have mixed feelings about the car. As an overall package its great: Small, AWD, fun, 4-door, 6MT, good power, refined, a lot of features/tech, and I even like the way it looks. But over time I am not getting better with the clutch. I think the combination of the abrupt clutch engagement and the turbo lag is just too finicky for me. The only way I seem to be able to drive it smoothly is to keep it out of boost as much as possible (<2500 RPMs) which of course is not fun.
Not sure what the long term plan is with this car. I am not going to be selling it or trading it in any time soon...there just aren't any cars out there that have the right mix of attributes that I would like. The simplest solution would be to trade it in for a DSG model but I am not at the point where I think I could live with an automatic day to day. When I had loaners before (usually Audi A3's and A4's) the automatics were fine for what they were but I am too used to rowing my own gears. The other possibility would be finding another fun/practical car with a (reasonably powerful) naturally aspirated engine and a 6MT...but those are unicorns at this point and are usually lacking in other areas (no AWD, too big, etc...).
The M240i coupé has a 6 speed manual dies it not?
Quote from: Galaxy on June 05, 2017, 07:03:11 AM
The M240i coupé has a 6 speed manual dies it not?
I'm not really shopping at this point. When I was test driving the only 2-series (and 3-series) they had on the lots were automatics. The 2-series had other issues though. Overall it feels like a cheaper car despite being more expensive, its 2-door only, and with the turbo-4 it felt slower and less sporty than the S3 I drove back to back with it. If I got a manual I'd have to get RWD instead of AWD (doable, but not ideal). I can spend more money and get the turbo-6 with RWD to fix the speed issue (and possibly the sportiness) but at that point I'd probably just get a Camaro (or Mustang) instead anyway.
The Golf is fine for me for now. I mean I am probably going to be around 6k miles per year...so its not like I am spending that much time in it anyway.
That is kind of a bummer. I wouldn't rule out an auto though. There are brief moments where I kind of want a stick, but for the most part I don't miss it.
The trick I've found is very fast shifting - not giving the engine a chance to spin down.
But in general, turbos are better off with a DSG or hi-po slushie, and the more the boost (and ~150 hp/L is a good deal of boost) the better the match.
Check this Golf R DSG POV drive. Watched this a number of times. That DSG is something else. Also, for MY2018, the Golf R is getting an upgraded 7 sp DSG which is even more responsive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ioa_O5aaEnw
Quote from: GoCougs on June 05, 2017, 09:30:02 AM
Check this Golf R DSG POV drive. Watched this a number of times. That DSG is something else. Also, for MY2018, the Golf R is getting an upgraded 7 sp DSG which is even more responsive.
I'm guessing that's the same 7 speed as the A4? If so, indeed, it's a remarkable transmission. If only the steering wasn't terrible on that car.
Are some of the shifting issues due to rev hang? Seems all newer cars (past 10 years at least) suffer from some small amount of rev hang and turbos seem to be worse than NA (it's done for emissions, BTW).
Can you try flashing the ecu with a different tune from APR or anything? Shifting was a lot easier after getting my ECUtek tune since the gas pedal didn't have a weird tip in delay.
Quote from: BimmerM3 on June 05, 2017, 09:40:04 AM
I'm guessing that's the same 7 speed as the A4? If so, indeed, it's a remarkable transmission. If only the steering wasn't terrible on that car.
I'm guessing not - longitudinal vs. transverse motor.
Quote from: Cookie Monster on June 05, 2017, 01:00:58 PM
Can you try flashing the ecu with a different tune from APR or anything? Shifting was a lot easier after getting my ECUtek tune since the gas pedal didn't have a weird tip in delay.
+1 Or heavier flywheel or different clutch?
Nothing like spending money to re-engineer bad design :pee:
A tune may help things though.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on June 05, 2017, 07:15:17 AM
The Golf is fine for me for now. I mean I am probably going to be around 6k miles per year...so its not like I am spending that much time in it anyway.
I don't know man but this statement seems to really sum up your feelings on the car. You've had the car for a decent amount of time and you're not enjoying it. Maybe take the financial hit, and just get rid of it.
My manual VW Beetle diesel wasn't perfect for me and neither is my current manual Subaru Crosstrek but I always look forward to rowing the gears. I sold my 2006 Toyota RAV4 which had a V6 after A few years with 37,000 miles because I hated driving it. It was too damn bumpy a ride, acceleration from a standstill was very jarring (car could not accelerate smoothly), and I hated the light green color. All of that was cured with the Buick Enclave I had gotten to replace it as the family hauler. I took a financial hit on dumping the RAV4 so early but even in hindsight, I never regretted dumping it. The car just sucked for me.
Yeah I have look at mods to change it...but at the end of the day I am not going to bother with it. For me I think the big turbo is actually more the issue than the clutch. I think the shifter itself is fine as is. The issue I find is that I can either shift fast/hard or smooth, not both. I felt like the S4 (and cars before it) I could do both. The S4 had a supercharger (which I didn't appreciate until it was gone) and the GTI and A4 1.8T I had both had turbos that spooled up almost immediately off idle.
A lot of people are OK with big turbo's. I think most reviews actually give the Golf a lot of credit for how quickly the Golf R spools up (compared to its main competitors). I think my issues with it are just personal preference. I think Gougs is right that it is less of an issue with a good DSG/DCT transmission or even a good traditional auto.
Also based on your responses I think I may have oversold the negatives. :lol: Its a fun car and the overall package is great. Its not perfect and for now I don't see an obvious better solution so I am just going to leave things the way they are for now.
Should'a got the Focus RS :huh:.
:lol:
Quote from: FoMoJo on June 06, 2017, 11:20:35 AM
Should'a got the Focus RS :huh:.
:lol:
They ride horribly stiff even with the suspension in "soft".
Quote from: MX793 on June 06, 2017, 11:32:52 AM
They ride horribly stiff even with the suspension in "soft".
Sounds about right for a hot hatch.
As an aside, there was an aside about launch without throttle in a different thread. I tried it on the Golf and got a surprise...as you release the clutch the car itself applies throttle. When I tried it my car was idling @ ~800 RPMs but as I began releasing the clutch it jumped to ~1100 rpms and stayed there as I went through the motion of releasing the clutch. Not surprisingly engaging 1st gear with no throttle is roughly the same as engaging first gear with normal throttle (I probably hover between 1000-1200 rpms when starting out in normal driving).
I am about 99.9% my previous cars didn't do this (only car I am not 100% certain on is the S4...that car could easily get going without applying throttle but I always assumed it was because it had a larger engine...maybe it was also applying throttle for me and I just didn't notice...?). Anyone else's car do this? I guess it makes sense in this era of computer controlled car inputs.
Boo!
Quote from: SJ_GTI on June 06, 2017, 11:46:58 AM
As an aside, there was an aside about launch without throttle in a different thread. I tried it on the Golf and got a surprise...as you release the clutch the car itself applies throttle. When I tried it my car was idling @ ~800 RPMs but as I began releasing the clutch it jumped to ~1100 rpms and stayed there as I went through the motion of releasing the clutch. Not surprisingly engaging 1st gear with no throttle is roughly the same as engaging first gear with normal throttle (I probably hover between 1000-1200 rpms when starting out in normal driving).
I am about 99.9% my previous cars didn't do this (only car I am not 100% certain on is the S4...that car could easily get going without applying throttle but I always assumed it was because it had a larger engine...maybe it was also applying throttle for me and I just didn't notice...?). Anyone else's car do this? I guess it makes sense in this era of computer controlled car inputs.
Could be just an anti-stall feature.
Seems most newer MT cars will go into fast idle if you ease out the clutch to prevent stalling, provided you do it slowly. I think my old 240SX may have even done that.
JB1
undetectable during inspection and good for another 50hp on 91
I could take off in the A4 with no gas input if I was on flat and did it slowly. Don't recall it seemingly applying throttle itself, but I could be wrong. I figured it just had the torque for it.
Quote from: 68_427 on June 06, 2017, 10:04:39 PM
JB1
undetectable during inspection and good for another 50hp on 91
I would happily give away 50 HP for less (or no) turbo lag.
I drove the Chevy SS into work today if it makes you feel any better :lol:
No...no it doesn't.
:evildude:
Quote from: MrH on June 07, 2017, 07:11:01 AM
I drove the Chevy SS into work today if it makes you feel any better :lol:
How do you like it?
It's kind of a strange car. I've probably got almost 800 miles of seat time in it in total. I'm less enamored with it than when I first drove it.
Pros:
- Sounds great. In performance mode, it cracks and makes all the right noises.
- It's fast.
- In touring mode, the ride comfort is great.
Cons:
- Basically no lower lumbar support. My lower back is shot after a few hours of driving.
- All the interior chrome is the worst. Sun reflects off it all the time at weird angles.
- The inputs are all funky. Clutch feel and uptake are terrible. Shifter feel isn't great. Steering isn't all that great.
- The limits are through the roof high + funky controls + dull feedback = kind of scary on the limit
I was driving last night and attacked some familiar back roads. The thing is so fast, it's very easy to accidental come in 10 mph faster than intended and have to correct mid corner. At 50+ mph high speed sweepers, it's great. Technical, tight sections it's tough to get right.
The SS is a big girl.
But yeah, turbos I am not looking forward to. Such a shame those.
Quote from: GoCougs on June 07, 2017, 10:49:30 AM
The SS is a big girl.
But yeah, turbos I am not looking forward to. Such a shame those.
Yes it is. Great for road trips! You can ride in comfort in the back all day.
Honestly though... I think I would like it better with an automatic :mask: The clutch and shifter aren't particularly good and it doesn't seem to fit the car well.
Nissan showed me how much better a good auto is than a bad manual 3x over.
Quote from: MrH on June 07, 2017, 11:17:48 AM
Yes it is. Great for road trips! You can ride in comfort in the back all day.
Honestly though... I think I would like it better with an automatic :mask: The clutch and shifter aren't particularly good and it doesn't seem to fit the car well.
A muscle car with an automatic is perfectly acceptable to me.
GM 6sp AT isn't that good however.
If the SS had lived on with the LT1, 10 sp AT and downsized say 10-15%, now that really could have been something.
If they made that look good that would be the nail in Cadillac's coffin.
Quote from: GoCougs on June 07, 2017, 11:39:09 AM
GM 6sp AT isn't that good however.
If the SS had lived on with the LT1, 10 sp AT and downsized say 10-15%, now that really could have been something.
True. I have mixed feelings about the whole car. I wouldn't kick it out of bed, but I also am not clamoring to sell all my vehicles to get one either.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on June 07, 2017, 11:33:40 AM
A muscle car with an automatic is perfectly acceptable to me.
:cheers:
Quote from: MrH on June 07, 2017, 11:17:48 AM
Yes it is. Great for road trips! You can ride in comfort in the back all day.
Honestly though... I think I would like it better with an automatic :mask: The clutch and shifter aren't particularly good and it doesn't seem to fit the car well.
I never wished for a manual in my G8. And yes these cars have HUGE rear seats and trunks. I looked at my car as a big tourer that handled great and looked killer! (Not so much the SS)
Maybe I'll post a pic when I pick it up today to make Tony jealous :lol:
I dropped it off to get clear bra'ed today. Larry takes it on a road trip, but when he comes back, it'll get opticoated on non-clear bra areas.
Wait, you have an SS now? I'm confus.
Quote from: MrH on June 07, 2017, 03:04:06 PM
Maybe I'll post a pic when I pick it up today to make Tony jealous :lol:
I dropped it off to get clear bra'ed today. Larry takes it on a road trip, but when he comes back, it'll get opticoated on non-clear bra areas.
We gotta clear bra the Camaro's rocker panels now that it has rock-slinging sticky tires.
Are you just doing the front bumper and hood?
Small update on this car.
Gas mileage has slowly continuously increased over time. My last two tanks I got ~25 MPG. I am curious to see how far back down it goes with the cooler weather coming up soon. Still it has been nice getting the better mileage (versus the ~20 MPG in the S4). I wish the Golf had a bigger tank as well but at least now I am getting ~300 miles between fill ups again.
I have been pleasantly surprised that there have been -0- mechanical issues and -0- electrical issues so far (~14 months, knock on wood).
Having the hatchback has been so nice. I like having a small car on the outside but being able to stuff it full of stuff occasionally. I think technically the S4 had more cargo capacity but I find the Golf more useful. Unless there is some other huge advantage on a particular car I can't see myself ever going back to a sedan again.
I keep expecting to find some fault with the Haldex AWD system but it really does work seamlessly for how I drive. In concept I would prefer a "true" AWD system like the S4 had but for practically all driving situations I encounter this system seems to work just as well (so far, anyway).
Only gripe is really the big turbo on a little engine. Having a clutch that is so on/off doesn't help either, but I have gotten somewhat used to it over time I guess. Its a little irritating but not enough of a bother that I am planning to change cars any time soon. Every car is a compromise to some extent and for now this car still seems like the best set of compromises for me.
Anyway I plan to keep on keeping on with the Golf for the foreseeable future. The S4 last 6 years and hopefully the Golf will last that long too.
Quote from: giant_mtb on June 07, 2017, 03:08:00 PM
Wait, you have an SS now? I'm confus.
Father in law has one.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on June 07, 2017, 03:14:39 PM
We gotta clear bra the Camaro's rocker panels now that it has rock-slinging sticky tires.
Are you just doing the front bumper and hood?
We did the whole hood, front bumper, fenders, leading edge of the roof, mirrors, rocker panels.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on October 23, 2017, 08:28:31 AM
Small update on this car.
Gas mileage has slowly continuously increased over time. My last two tanks I got ~25 MPG. I am curious to see how far back down it goes with the cooler weather coming up soon. Still it has been nice getting the better mileage (versus the ~20 MPG in the S4). I wish the Golf had a bigger tank as well but at least now I am getting ~300 miles between fill ups again.
I have been pleasantly surprised that there have been -0- mechanical issues and -0- electrical issues so far (~14 months, knock on wood).
Having the hatchback has been so nice. I like having a small car on the outside but being able to stuff it stuff occasionally. I think technically the S4 had more cargo capacity but I find the Golf more useful. Unless there is some other huge advantage on a particular car I can't see myself ever going back to a sedan again.
I keep expecting to find some fault with the Haldex AWD system but it really does work seamlessly for how I drive. In concept I would prefer a "true" AWD system like the S4 had but for practically all driving situations I encounter this system seems to work just as well (so far, anyway).
Only gripe is really the big turbo on a little engine. Having a clutch that is so on/off doesn't help either, but I have gotten somewhat used to it over time I guess. Its a little irritating but not enough of a bother that I am planning to change cars any time soon. Every car is a compromise to some extent and for now this car still seems like the best set of compromises for me.
Anyway I plan to keep on keeping on with the Golf for the foreseeable future. The S4 last 6 years and hopefully the Golf will last that long too.
So the itch for an SS is finally gone?
Quote from: MrH on October 23, 2017, 08:31:27 AM
So the itch for an SS is finally gone?
Yeah, I like having a small hatchback too much.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on October 23, 2017, 08:43:19 AM
Yeah, I like having a small hatchback too much.
Is this available in the US?
http://www.audi.com.mx/mx/web/es/models/q3/rsq3.html
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on October 23, 2017, 09:24:28 AM
Is this available in the US?
http://www.audi.com.mx/mx/web/es/models/q3/rsq3.html
No idea, but the S3 and RS3 are both auto only so I would assume that their CUV equivalent would be too. I liked the S3 when I drove it but looking back the Golf was the obviously better choice for me (smaller footprint, manual, and less expensive). An RSQ3 would likely be auto, larger outside (without necessarily being larger inside), and much, much more expensive.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on October 23, 2017, 09:28:55 AM
No idea, but the S3 and RS3 are both auto only so I would assume that their CUV equivalent would be too. I liked the S3 when I drove it but looking back the Golf was the obviously better choice for me (smaller footprint, manual, and less expensive). An RSQ3 would likely be auto, larger outside (without necessarily being larger inside), and much, much more expensive.
Last I checked, you can no longer get an AWD Audi with a stick shift. I think the base, FWD A3 is the only MT Audi available in the US, assuming that's even still available.
You can get a new A4 with a stick.
Does the front seat fold down flat? Wifey's Rabbit was such a beast with its cargo management
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 23, 2017, 10:08:01 AM
Does the front seat fold down flat? Wifey's Rabbit was such a beast with its cargo management
I don't believe so, but have never tried.
FWIW these are not the same seats as in a normal Golf. These are specific to the GTI and R from what i can tell.
This is still sorta relevant to my interests. I'm coming up on ~6 years and ~130k miles in the G, and most new cars remain terrible.
The MY2018 R gets a 7 sp DSG, full LED lights F&R, virtual dash and new wheels. The latter two I'm not a fan of, plus, turbo engines do better with a (good) DSG or slushie.
I can get 350-450 miles/tank on the G (20 gallon tank), and it matters, as I hate with a passion going to the gas station, and I drive a lot.
Quote from: GoCougs on October 23, 2017, 12:19:11 PM
This is still sorta relevant to my interests. I'm coming up on ~6 years and ~130k miles in the G, and most new cars remain terrible.
The MY2018 R gets a 7 sp DSG, full LED lights F&R, virtual dash and new wheels. The latter two I'm not a fan of, plus, turbo engines do better with a (good) DSG or slushie.
I can get 350-450 miles/tank on the G (20 gallon tank), and it matters, as I hate with a passion going to the gas station, and I drive a lot.
I think the Golf R Tank is 14 gallons? Something like that...definitely smaller than the S4 and definitely not 20 gallons. Like you I would love a bigger gas tank. For me right now the main benefit of better MPG's is less stops at the gas station. I couldn't even tell you what it means in $$$'s (although intellectually it is nice to know I am spending less).
I think the engine type probably does work better with a DSG (possibly even a torque converter auto), but I still enjoy rowing my own gears enough that the trade off is still worth it.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on October 23, 2017, 12:32:47 PM
I think the Golf R Tank is 14 gallons? Something like that...definitely smaller than the S4 and definitely not 20 gallons. Like you I would love a bigger gas tank. For me right now the main benefit of better MPG's is less stops at the gas station. I couldn't even tell you what it means in $$$'s (although intellectually it is nice to know I am spending less).
I think the engine type probably does work better with a DSG (possibly even a torque converter auto), but I still enjoy rowing my own gears enough that the trade off is still worth it.
With a small turbo engine, the more gears the better. The 9 or 10 speed autos work just fine at keeping the revs low and just slightly dipping into the boost in most general driving conditions. The best mileage I've gotten with the Discovery Sport (9 spd auto) on a highway trip is 37+ mpg. It's a 2.0 EcoBoost.
Quote from: GoCougs on October 23, 2017, 12:19:11 PM
This is still sorta relevant to my interests. I'm coming up on ~6 years and ~130k miles in the G, and most new cars remain terrible.
The MY2018 R gets a 7 sp DSG, full LED lights F&R, virtual dash and new wheels. The latter two I'm not a fan of, plus, turbo engines do better with a (good) DSG or slushie.
I can get 350-450 miles/tank on the G (20 gallon tank), and it matters, as I hate with a passion going to the gas station, and I drive a lot.
The virtual dash is a hit or miss, really. My mom just bought a Range Rover with one and honestly, it's barely more useful than a typical analogue layout with a small LCD screen in the middle. Just having the ability to configure a speed and engine readout, a nav screen and radio info would be great, but it doesn't even allow for that.
Quote from: FoMoJo on October 23, 2017, 01:02:29 PM
With a small turbo engine, the more gears the better. The 9 or 10 speed autos work just fine at keeping the revs low and just slightly dipping into the boost in most general driving conditions. The best mileage I've gotten with the Discovery Sport (9 spd auto) on a highway trip is 37+ mpg. It's a 2.0 EcoBoost.
FWIW, the issue isn't simply small engine with a turbo...its a small engine with a large turbo. The normal VW 2.0L turbo has a lot less lag than the R. The old MKV GTI I owned was much more responsive simply because it was a smaller turbo that spooled up a lot faster. In an expensive enough car there are other ways to handle the problem (twin turbo with one small and one large, turbo's with variable panes that can spool fast or slow depending on what the computer thinks is best, etc...), but for this application (at this [rice point) that isn't really feasible.
And as far as I know VW's turbo is one of the smoothest and most responsive on the market. Every review I've read that compared it to its competitors (WRX STI, Focus RS, Mitsu EVO, etc...) complimented the VW's responsiveness compared to its peers. My point of comparison, however, is with my last car (Supercharged 3.0L V6).
There's something screwy with modern turbo engines too. They seem a lot less efficient than they should be. Stock Golf R makes about 17psi peak boost. My Civic's 1.8 can make similar power with less boost, less displacement and I'm pretty sure a smaller turbo as well. For whatever reason new turbo engines don't breathe well at all and just rely on ungodly amounts of boost. The new Civic Si's 1.5L peaks at like 20psi or more, it's nuts.
Quote from: FoMoJo on October 23, 2017, 01:02:29 PM
With a small turbo engine, the more gears the better. The 9 or 10 speed autos work just fine at keeping the revs low and just slightly dipping into the boost in most general driving conditions. The best mileage I've gotten with the Discovery Sport (9 spd auto) on a highway trip is 37+ mpg. It's a 2.0 EcoBoost.
IMO manual transmission adds to the perception of lag, particularly between shifts.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 23, 2017, 07:42:37 PM
There's something screwy with modern turbo engines too. They seem a lot less efficient than they should be. Stock Golf R makes about 17psi peak boost. My Civic's 1.8 can make similar power with less boost, less displacement and I'm pretty sure a smaller turbo as well. For whatever reason new turbo engines don't breathe well at all and just rely on ungodly amounts of boost. The new Civic Si's 1.5L peaks at like 20psi or more, it's nuts.
:hmm:
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 23, 2017, 07:42:37 PM
There's something screwy with modern turbo engines too. They seem a lot less efficient than they should be. Stock Golf R makes about 17psi peak boost. My Civic's 1.8 can make similar power with less boost, less displacement and I'm pretty sure a smaller turbo as well. For whatever reason new turbo engines don't breathe well at all and just rely on ungodly amounts of boost. The new Civic Si's 1.5L peaks at like 20psi or more, it's nuts.
Your Civic's 1.8 can make similar power
with no warranty.
Anything that isn't what sporty drives is always somehow lacking.
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on October 23, 2017, 09:32:40 PM
Your Civic's 1.8 can make similar power with no warranty.
That was my first reaction as well. But the warrantied engine having 20 psi of boost is the opposite of what I'd expect.
The Sonic has about the same PSI.
The turbos in these economy-biased engines are usually tiny and designed to spool up quickly. My Sonic makes about 13-16 PSI depending on atmospheric conditions. The Civic, quick search, shows about the same PSI range, maybe 1-2PSI higher.
The Golf R is making 17PSI, but with a much larger turbo.
Also, the R18 has not much in the way in low-end torque. It'll also fall apart when boost is applied.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 23, 2017, 07:42:37 PM
There's something screwy with modern turbo engines too. They seem a lot less efficient than they should be. Stock Golf R makes about 17psi peak boost. My Civic's 1.8 can make similar power with less boost, less displacement and I'm pretty sure a smaller turbo as well. For whatever reason new turbo engines don't breathe well at all and just rely on ungodly amounts of boost. The new Civic Si's 1.5L peaks at like 20psi or more, it's nuts.
It's because they all make big boost at low RPM, which is how they make peak torque down at 2000 RPM or lower and why the power curves sign off at 5K.
Older turbos were for power and sport. Now it's about fuel economy.
I must say, the Golf R is really one of the few cars that interests me that's on the market. I'm bummed it's taking you so long to bond with it.
How is the pedal weight? I did a couple hours in the S4 yesterday, and I still can't stand how light the gas pedal is. My Jetta's was definitely heavier to the touch, and it can't compare with my Z4.
Quote from: GoCougs on October 23, 2017, 08:02:12 PM
IMO manual transmission adds to the perception of lag, particularly between shifts.
I don't think its just perception though...A DSG can shift without any loss of boost and a torque converter probably can do the same.
For me its a "pick your poison" situation and I'd rather shift my own gears and lose some performance.
Quote from: Raza on October 24, 2017, 06:05:52 AM
I must say, the Golf R is really one of the few cars that interests me that's on the market. I'm bummed it's taking you so long to bond with it.
How is the pedal weight? I did a couple hours in the S4 yesterday, and I still can't stand how light the gas pedal is. My Jetta's was definitely heavier to the touch, and it can't compare with my Z4.
The clutch is waaaaaaaaay lighter than my S4 (and less progressive, and the "catch" is much higher...I don't thik I have to even push the pedal halfway down to disengage the clutch). I removed the clutch assist spring (posted earlier in this I believe, though I am sure the pictures are all gone) and that helped a bit, but its still lighter.
I didn't really notice a difference in the gas pedal TBH.
Quote from: MX793 on October 24, 2017, 04:43:10 AM
It's because they all make big boost at low RPM, which is how they make peak torque down at 2000 RPM or lower and why the power curves sign off at 5K.
That's the thing; in real life they really don't, as evidenced by SJ_GTI's impressions and dynos. Stock Golf R power is the dotted line:
(https://www.goapr.com/includes/img/products/dyno/20_tsi_ea888_gen3_mqb_r/20_tsi_gen3_mqb_r_s0_vs_s1_high_91_cw.png)
A far cry from the 1800 RPM peak torque supposedly comes on at... compared to a Ricer Roulette turbo kit Civic:
(http://image.superstreetonline.com/f/30591232+w640+h427+q80+re0+cr1/htup_1010_05_o%2b2006_honda_civic_ex%2bdynographs.jpg)
Again on much lower boost:
(http://image.superstreetonline.com/f/30591229+w640+h427+q80+re0+cr1/htup_1010_04_o%2b2006_honda_civic_ex%2bpressure_graph.jpg)
So there's something else at play. I'd guess the cam specs are basura for fuel economy and emissions tests
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 24, 2017, 07:03:58 AM
That's the thing; in real life they really don't, as evidenced by SJ_GTI's impressions and dynos. Stock Golf R power is the dotted line:
(https://www.goapr.com/includes/img/products/dyno/20_tsi_ea888_gen3_mqb_r/20_tsi_gen3_mqb_r_s0_vs_s1_high_91_cw.png)
A far cry from the 1800 RPM peak torque supposedly comes on at... compared to a Ricer Roulette turbo kit Civic:
(http://image.superstreetonline.com/f/30591232+w640+h427+q80+re0+cr1/htup_1010_05_o%2b2006_honda_civic_ex%2bdynographs.jpg)
Again on much lower boost:
(http://image.superstreetonline.com/f/30591229+w640+h427+q80+re0+cr1/htup_1010_04_o%2b2006_honda_civic_ex%2bpressure_graph.jpg)
So there's something else at play. I'd guess the cam specs are basura for fuel economy and emissions tests
Rolling chassis Dyno versus brake Dyno. On an engine brake Dyno, they make the advertised torque @ RPM. The piece missing from the VW Dyno plot is the boost curve. How many psi is the R actually making on a rolling Dyno at any given RPM?
Sporty, you can't be serious in this thread...
There's so much more to a torque curve than just peak boost level and displacement. You're looking at two variables at an insanely complicated system, and wondering why the outcomes are different.
Quote from: MX793 on October 24, 2017, 04:43:10 AM
It's because they all make big boost at low RPM, which is how they make peak torque down at 2000 RPM or lower and why the power curves sign off at 5K.
I agree with your point down below (way too many variables to make across the board assumptions), so this response to your post is more directly at 12,000 RPM.
There are plenty of turbo engines that make boost just off idle (again, my MKV GTI was very close to this...it was in boost well before 2k RPM) and then run out of air up top. My car is not like this. It can be (and is) irritating sometimes, but the trade off is that while it doesn't get into its real power until its above 3k RPM's, it also doesn't appear to run out of breathe. I can run it right up to redline (>7k RPM's) and it still feels strong (even if it isn't technically at peak HP).
Because the Golf R is my daily driver I think I would prefer a turbo that comes on quicker and then runs out of breathe (like a GTI but with AWD). This would mean less peak HP but probably a smoother daily driver.
Quote from: MrH on October 24, 2017, 07:24:56 AM
Sporty, you can't be serious in this thread...
There's so much more to a torque curve than just peak boost level and displacement. You're looking at two variables at an insanely complicated system, and wondering why the outcomes are different.
OK then, cite some of the factors I'm not considering and how they would come into play. Give me some demonstrable examples.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 24, 2017, 10:45:32 AM
OK then, cite some of the factors I'm not considering and how they would come into play. Give me some demonstrable examples.
What does the R's boost curve look like? Additionally, you're comparing chassis Dyno results, which is poor practice. Different dynos may not return similar results. Extra parasitic losses in the R due to AWD will result in lower readings at the wheels. Differences in rotating mass (wheel and tire sizes, as well as driveline components like extra driveshafts) will alter results.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 24, 2017, 10:45:32 AM
OK then, cite some of the factors I'm not considering and how they would come into play. Give me some demonstrable examples.
Compression ratio.
Quote from: MrH on October 24, 2017, 11:09:40 AM
Compression ratio.
And that's how you settle an argument with Sporty. Two words.
Quote from: MrH on October 24, 2017, 11:09:40 AM
Compression ratio.
Less than 1 point on compression ratio doubles the HP/psi? Come on man
And I mentioned cam specs which play into dynamic compression
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on October 24, 2017, 11:23:05 AM
And that's how you settle an argument with Sporty. Two words.
Do you even know what we are talking about, and why are you still butthurt?
I see today is going to be one of those days. Good thing I have the time and am with the shits
So now you're saying compression ratio doesn't matter, because it doesn't move the needle as much as you'd like on a meaningless ratio you just pulled out of your ass? HP/psi? :wtf:
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 24, 2017, 11:33:33 AM
Do you even know what we are talking about, and why are you still butthurt?
I see today is going to be one of those days. Good thing I have the time and am with the shits
We´re talking about how you think the Golf R's engine is bad because it underperforms some personal benchmark compared to a theoretical modded Civic engine with no warranty, yes. Because it makes too little power per psi.
No butthurt man, it's just that you pull arguments out of nowhere sometimes and I just can't resist calling you on them. It's hilarious.
Quote from: MrH on October 24, 2017, 11:37:01 AM
So now you're saying compression ratio doesn't matter,
No, that's not what I said. Your reading comprehension had taken a recent nosedive, you ok bro?
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 24, 2017, 12:22:11 PM
No, that's not what I said. Your reading comprehension had taken a recent nosedive, you ok bro?
Take the L, go hit the showers, and go try again tomorrow.
Quote from: MrH on October 24, 2017, 11:09:40 AM
Compression ratio.
That's a possibility. I know a few of the new turbo cars are able to run on regular. Are they ensuring better reliability (/less chance of the consumer breaking the car by being an idiot) by lowering the compression and running higher boost?
Personally I'd prefer a slightly higher C/R and less boost for better response. With modern knock sensors, EFI tuning, and electronic ignition, it isn't hard.
Also, this seems relevant. I just wish they did it on pump gas so I'd be able to see what a street engine could do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9pykOaMs5I
Quote from: CaminoRacer on October 24, 2017, 12:29:39 PM
That's a possibility. I know a few of the new turbo cars are able to run on regular.
Not an unfair point, but the R runs on premium.
OEMs are hitting a target HP number sufficient for it's competition... Your Civic example is hitting the max possible HP before it blows up
Quote from: r0tor on October 25, 2017, 09:36:13 AM
OEMs are hitting a target HP number sufficient for it's competition... Your Civic example is hitting the max possible HP before it blows up
AFAIK he's just questioning the boost levels, not the power levels.
Because they are not trying to hit peak power levels, (and for emissions and reliability) they run super safe afr's and ignition tables... So boost is higher to reach a power target then a max tune engine
I think the R18 can take more than 10lb on stock internals.... prob not for too long though :lol:
I'd definitely be curious to see how emissions compare; that's the missing piece of the puzzle most likely.
Gas vs Diesel... But VW is out how many billions do to tuning vs emissions
With HCCI diesel won't matter, at least in the passenger car realm.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 25, 2017, 02:02:10 PM
With HCCI diesel won't matter, at least in the passenger car realm.
It may have some of the same challenges as diesels though because of the high pressure.
Bump...
Passed my 2 year anniversary this weekend with the Golf. I just hit 11,315 miles this morning on my drive to work. Not much to update, but here goes:
No defects or anything so far. It hasn't ever been back to the dealer since I do the maintenance myself.
Gas mileage seems to stay in the 23-24 MPG range. Its not bad considering my daily commute is ~5 miles each way.
Still have not mastered the clutch unfortunately.
Presuming there are no catastrophic mechanical failures I will be keeping the car for at least a few more years.
What could have been...
You could be driving a Chevy SS but wimped out :lol:
In all honesty, the more I drive the SS, the more it confirms you made the right choice.
5K miles a year....
Why would you say the R is better than the SS? I have some ideas of my own but I'm surprised you'd think that.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 20, 2018, 06:11:21 AM
Its not bad considering my daily commute is ~5 miles each way.
I'd get panic attacks because my engine, oil and catalytic converter wouldn't get warm with such a short distance.
And my upcoming car will have a particulate filter (required by the EU for all gas/diesel cars now) which means once that engine has been fired up I should ideally drive 20 km minimum!
It makes no difference how short the trips are if the number of trips is low and he takes it easy.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on August 20, 2018, 01:40:58 PM
I'd get panic attacks because my engine, oil and catalytic converter wouldn't get warm with such a short distance.
And my upcoming car will have a particulate filter (required by the EU for all gas/diesel cars now) which means once that engine has been fired up I should ideally drive 20 km minimum!
Every car is different of course, but in the summer particularly it only takes a couple of miles for the oil to be warmed up (the Golf actually has a digital oil temperature gauge available). In the winter the oil isn't usually warmed up until right when i get to work though.
I do get the occasional longer drive in (visiting family or shopping). My work commute only accounts for about half of my overall mileage.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on August 20, 2018, 01:40:58 PM
And my upcoming car will have a particulate filter (required by the EU for all gas/diesel cars now)
Particulate filters aren't required, it's just how some manufacturers will get some of their cars to meet the more stringent Euro 6_ standards.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 20, 2018, 02:11:31 PM
Every car is different of course, but in the summer particularly it only takes a couple of miles for the oil to be warmed up (the Golf actually has a digital oil temperature gauge available). In the winter the oil isn't usually warmed up until right when i get to work though.
I do get the occasional longer drive in (visiting family or shopping). My work commute only accounts for about half of my overall mileage.
:ohyeah:
Quote from: 93JC on August 20, 2018, 03:05:54 PM
Particulate filters aren't required, it's just how some manufacturers will get some of their cars to meet the more stringent Euro 6_ standards.
They
are required by law since 2018.
Bump...
So the car is officially 3 years old now.
I am somewhat astounded to say that the car has never been back to the dealer. I do my own oil changes and wheel/tire seasonal switching and so far it hasn't needed anything beyond that. There are a couple technical recalls but they were so minor I haven't bothered with taking the trip to the dealer. Mileage is @ ~16,500 miles. Still using the original summer tires that came with the car...tread looks fine so I expect I will get at least one (maybe two) more season(s) out of them.
Not much else to add. It makes a good daily driver...it is reasonably comfortable while still being pretty fun to drive. I am still not a fan of the way the engine makes its power but I still don't see anything else on the market that would be more suited to my tastes. It seems like cars continue to use small engines with bigger/higher pressure turbo's while manual transmissions seem to be getting less available so I don't see any changes to that view on the horizon.
I had my previous car for ~6 years and, as long as nothing major goes wrong, I hope to keep this car just as long. If I can make it closer to 8-10 years this might be the last internal combustion engine (new) car I purchase. :mask:
16,500 miles in 3 years? :wtf:
Quote from: MrH on August 19, 2019, 09:49:05 AM
16,500 miles in 3 years? :wtf:
I live close to work., so about ~50 miles a week for job commuting. Figure about ~2500 miles a year for job (~7500 over 3 years), the rest is just for visiting friends/family, shopping, etc...
Well I'm glad it hasn't gone back to the dealer in 16k miles. :lol:
Quote from: MrH on August 19, 2019, 09:49:05 AM
16,500 miles in 3 years? :wtf:
What's wrong with that?
Just seems like a really small amount of driving. I do that in less than 8 months I think.
Quote from: MrH on August 19, 2019, 10:01:00 AM
Just seems like a really small amount of driving. I do that in less than 8 months I think.
Having a short commute helps.
When i first moved back to NJ I lived closer to Philly and was driving 35 miles to work each way, so 70 miles a day, or ~17,500 miles per year. My total mileage was closer to ~20k miles a year at that time.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on August 19, 2019, 09:56:28 AM
Well I'm glad it hasn't gone back to the dealer in 16k miles. :lol:
Hey you know what I think Wimmer's Bimmmer had all its fuel injectors replaced by about that time. It's not that far fetched.
Quote from: MrH on August 19, 2019, 10:01:00 AM
Just seems like a really small amount of driving. I do that in less than 8 months I think.
My Miata has 7400 miles over 2.5 years.
Quote from: MrH on August 19, 2019, 10:01:00 AM
Just seems like a really small amount of driving. I do that in less than 8 months I think.
My Si has only 42K in about 6.5 years. Living in the city means less reasons to drive.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on August 19, 2019, 09:56:28 AM
Well I'm glad it hasn't gone back to the dealer in 16k miles. :lol:
I think I was mentally prepared for the stereotypical VW experience of routine dealer visits. I would have been fine if it had an issue or two, but was definitely worried about the possibility of having recurring issues.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 19, 2019, 09:50:39 AM
I live close to work., so about ~50 miles a week for job commuting. Figure about ~2500 miles a year for job (~7500 over 3 years), the rest is just for visiting friends/family, shopping, etc...
My Mustang is coming up on 4 years old with about 17K miles on it. Similarly, I have a short commute. I also only drive it about 7 months a year.
Even with my short tenures I still manage to put more miles on my cars than you guys
I drive about 20-22K miles a year. ~85 miles a day with the gym and day care
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on August 19, 2019, 08:17:50 PM
Even with my short tenures I still manage to put more miles on my cars than you guys
I drive about 20-22K miles a year. ~85 miles a day with the gym and day care
22k miles? Gaia wept. Move your ass closer to work.
Quote from: Laconian on August 19, 2019, 09:55:04 PM
22k miles? Gaia wept. Move your ass closer to work.
Well the main issue is wifey's job and my job are about 45 miles apart. But since I drive against traffic both ways it takes me the same amount of time (and probably gas) to cover twice the distance. Plus we like our neighborhood; daycare is like 5 minutes away etc. I just happen to work in the middle of nowhere... if I had a job downtown we'd probably commute together.
I'm well over 20k/year :cry: I'll probably be closer 22k for the Accord, and another 4k for the S2000, something like that.
16,500/year just for work and back every day.
In traffic too? God bless you.
My commute is 35 miles each way, but in the mornings I can usually do that in about 30-32 minutes.
I think my commute is now just 4800 miles/year. So I'm probably driving 8-10k miles a year total
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on August 20, 2019, 09:31:13 AM
In traffic too? God bless you.
My commute is 35 miles each way, but in the mornings I can usually do that in about 30-32 minutes.
Yeah, traffic too. Not too bad though. I'm basically going from the south of one city to the north of another. I'm 33 miles each way, 45-60 minutes. Unless there's an accident. This morning was like 1:25 or so :facepalm:
Gross. Ten minute commute for me, about 4 miles?..
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on August 20, 2019, 12:05:19 PM
Gross. Ten minute commute for me, about 4 miles?..
Bicycle?
Quote from: MrH on August 19, 2019, 09:49:05 AM
16,500 miles in 3 years? :wtf:
That's more than I drive now.
My car has about 38,000 miles after 5 years and 8 months.
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on August 20, 2019, 12:05:19 PM
Gross. Ten minute commute for me, about 4 miles?..
Yeah that sounds terrible. On a bad day, that's like 15-20% of your waking hours.
I used to commute 110 miles around trip every day. Took just under an hour each way unless there was major road construction. There were a few times it took me 2.5-3 hours to get home because of construction . My alternate route to miss the construction added close to half an hour, but that only lasted for a month or so.
I used to have a long commute, like an hour each way minimum, and I just can't do it anymore. Imo, its not worth it. My commute now is anywhere from 15/20 minutes (If I bike/Uber/drive in) to at most 40 minutes (if I take the bus to the train). When I look to buy my next place I will be actively looking for something close to the train so I can cut that down further if I need to take public transit. Long commutes are just so damn depressing and feels like you're draining your life away sitting in traffic and I'm glad I no longer have to deal with them.
Quote from: Xer0 on August 20, 2019, 01:58:19 PM
I used to have a long commute, like an hour each way minimum, and I just can't do it anymore. Imo, its not worth it. My commute now is anywhere from 15/20 minutes (If I bike/Uber/drive in) to at most 40 minutes (if I take the bus to the train). When I look to buy my next place I will be actively looking for something close to the train so I can cut that down further if I need to take public transit. Long commutes are just so damn depressing and feels like you're draining your life away sitting in traffic and I'm glad I no longer have to deal with them.
I've had terrible commutes my whole career. It's pretty much a feature of working in New York. But it's primarily on a commuter train, which is usually reasonable comfortable and allows me to read, sleep, etc. That same commute driving would be unbearable. Getting rid of the commute is one reason I really want to retire. I've had it.
Quote from: Xer0 on August 20, 2019, 01:58:19 PM
I used to have a long commute, like an hour each way minimum, and I just can't do it anymore. Imo, its not worth it. My commute now is anywhere from 15/20 minutes (If I bike/Uber/drive in) to at most 40 minutes (if I take the bus to the train). When I look to buy my next place I will be actively looking for something close to the train so I can cut that down further if I need to take public transit. Long commutes are just so damn depressing and feels like you're draining your life away sitting in traffic and I'm glad I no longer have to deal with them.
Yup. I did a 1 to 1.5 hour each way commute for a year and that was enough for me. Now it's 18-20 minutes each way.
Apartment to the shop is 1.1 miles.
Bed to desk is about 20 feet. :lol:
Quote from: BimmerM3 on August 20, 2019, 03:40:41 PM
Bed to desk is about 20 feet. :lol:
Yeah but my office has a ping pong table, EV chargers, and a gym in the basement. :rockon:
Bed to toilet is about 25 feet
I enjoy my 1 hr commute each way back and forth to work. I haven't read a book outside of my career field in over 20 years but manage about 5 or 6 audiobooks a year only listening when I drive. I also make most of my phone calls to my friends and family outside my wife and kids when I drive. A few NPR shows I also enjoy like "the moth". I usually work the night shift though so my hours are weird (leave at 8 pm and come back home at 8 am) but they're very variable and sometimes I work day shifts as well. I just like to drive though. When driving interstate with my family late at night when everyone in the car but me is asleep, I also get this warm fuzzy feeling of dadhood. I'll turn on some inane sports talk radio show and feel, well, life can't get much better than this. I think I might get that from my own Dad. When he was younger, he used to love to drive. We once drove from Chicago to Dallas in a day.
I also know I would go nuts if I had to work from home. I'm very very unproductive at home. Too many distractions. At work I'm focused at what I have to get done in a certain allotted period. At home, I'll leave my office to get a cup of coffee and one day thing leads to another to another, and I don't enter my office again for another half hour.
Quote from: veeman on August 20, 2019, 10:52:27 PM
I enjoy my 1 hr commute each way back and forth to work. I haven't read a book outside of my career field in over 20 years but manage about 5 or 6 audiobooks a year only listening when I drive. I also make most of my phone calls to my friends and family outside my wife and kids when I drive. A few NPR shows I also enjoy like "the moth". I usually work the night shift though so my hours are weird (leave at 8 pm and come back home at 8 am) but they're very variable and sometimes I work day shifts as well. I just like to drive though. When driving interstate with my family late at night when everyone in the car but me is asleep, I also get this warm fuzzy feeling of dadhood. I'll turn on some inane sports talk radio show and feel, well, life can't get much better than this. I think I might get that from my own Dad. When he was younger, he used to love to drive. We once drove from Chicago to Dallas in a day.
I also know I would go nuts if I had to work from home. I'm very very unproductive at home. Too many distractions. At work I'm focused at what I have to get done in a certain allotted period. At home, I'll leave my office to get a cup of coffee and one day thing leads to another to another, and I don't enter my office again for another half hour.
This is a good way of looking at it. You are fortunate in a way to work non-traditional hours, which probably greatly increases the quality of your drive. I find that a good quality drive (light traffic, ability to drive fast without obstructions) puts me on a natural high, while a fight through bumper-to-bumper traffic on a regular basis is soul crushing.
I mostly agree abut working from home. I like to do it occasionally, but it wouldn't work for me on a regular basis. I need the discipline and personal contact that comes from the office environment and if I worked from home all the time, I doubt I would be very productive. I view my home as a place of refuge and relaxation, and work is anything but that.
How many miles per year do you put on your car?
Quote from: Xer0 on August 20, 2019, 01:58:19 PM
I used to have a long commute, like an hour each way minimum, and I just can't do it anymore. Imo, its not worth it. My commute now is anywhere from 15/20 minutes (If I bike/Uber/drive in) to at most 40 minutes (if I take the bus to the train). When I look to buy my next place I will be actively looking for something close to the train so I can cut that down further if I need to take public transit. Long commutes are just so damn depressing and feels like you're draining your life away sitting in traffic and I'm glad I no longer have to deal with them.
I miss my NYC commute. Bike, motorcycle, or worst case scenario, public transit.
I agree though. My commute used to be a lot shittier and it just wore me down and stressed me out.
Quote from: dazzleman on August 21, 2019, 02:43:29 AM
This is a good way of looking at it. You are fortunate in a way to work non-traditional hours, which probably greatly increases the quality of your drive. I find that a good quality drive (light traffic, ability to drive fast without obstructions) puts me on a natural high, while a fight through bumper-to-bumper traffic on a regular basis is soul crushing.
I mostly agree abut working from home. I like to do it occasionally, but it wouldn't work for me on a regular basis. I need the discipline and personal contact that comes from the office environment and if I worked from home all the time, I doubt I would be very productive. I view my home as a place of refuge and relaxation, and work is anything but that.
How many miles per year do you put on your car?
I put 25,000 miles a year on my commuter car (Crosstrek). We put 20,000 miles a year on my wife's commuter car (Infiniti QX56) which is also our family car. We put 12,000 miles a year on the Camry which the nanny primarily uses to shuttle the kids back and forth to school and afternoon activities.
Ideally my wife wouldn't drive a 3 row barge to work by herself daily and instead get something more efficient, but with the Connecticut town car tax and insurance costs, it's much cheaper than getting a 4th car. I love driving the Infiniti on long trips.
Quote from: veeman on August 21, 2019, 07:53:23 AM
I put 25,000 miles a year on my commuter car (Crosstrek). We put 20,000 miles a year on my wife's commuter car (Infiniti QX56) which is also our family car. We put 12,000 miles a year on the Camry which the nanny primarily uses to shuttle the kids back and forth to school and afternoon activities.
Ideally my wife wouldn't drive a 3 row barge to work by herself daily and instead get something more efficient, but with the Connecticut town car tax and insurance costs, it's much cheaper than getting a 4th car. I love driving the Infiniti on long trips.
A nice long drive at high speed puts me on such a natural high. I get to do that so seldom, but when I do, it's fantastic. My drive back from Boston in early June was the last such time. I did the 160 miles in exactly 2 hours, and the early part of the drive was even better than the average.
I imagine the Infiniti would be very nice on that sort of drive.
I have a 30-mile each way commute, three days per week. The other two days work in my home office (docking station, two monitors, headset & a softphone)
The drive is okay: half of it's on cruise control and the rest is reasonable traffic. I listen to Audible books - which I love to do.
I could easily work from home five days per week - but custom & tradition means putting in face time.
My wife works from home - she has an office too.
(As long as our Internet connection is good, we're good for generating revenue, which is why I obsess about getting everything under my control on the home network is as good as I can get it.)
Quote from: dazzleman on August 21, 2019, 09:16:31 AM
A nice long drive at high speed puts me on such a natural high. I get to do that so seldom, but when I do, it's fantastic. My drive back from Boston in early June was the last such time. I did the 160 miles in exactly 2 hours, and the early part of the drive was even better than the average.
I imagine the Infiniti would be very nice on that sort of drive.
Tomorrow I'm driving from SLC to the Bay Area in the El Camino. 12 hours of desert driving in the middle of nowhere. Feel free to fly out here and drive for me
Quote from: CaminoRacer on August 21, 2019, 09:35:20 AM
Tomorrow I'm driving from SLC to the Bay Area in the El Camino. 12 hours of desert driving in the middle of nowhere. Feel free to fly out here and drive for me
Buy me a ticket and I'll do it. Likely do the trip in 6 to 8 hours. :ohyeah:
Quote from: FoMoJo on August 21, 2019, 09:38:05 AM
Buy me a ticket and I'll do it. Likely do the trip in 6 to 8 hours. :ohyeah:
Well the faster you drive, the more often you have to stop for gas. Not sure what the trade off in time is :lol:
Quote from: dazzleman on August 21, 2019, 09:16:31 AM
A nice long drive at high speed puts me on such a natural high. I get to do that so seldom, but when I do, it's fantastic. My drive back from Boston in early June was the last such time. I did the 160 miles in exactly 2 hours, and the early part of the drive was even better than the average.
I imagine the Infiniti would be very nice on that sort of drive.
Yeah I love long drives with light traffic or no traffic in a big comfy silent car. The scenery from Connecticut to Boston isn't that great but that's OK. From Connecticut to Vermont/New Hampshire or through Pennsylvania is beautiful. Out West it's a whole other level of beauty.
Aggressive driving in a barge isn't like an Audi sedan though plus my wife usually doesn't like it if I speed so I usually keep it under 80 mph.
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on August 20, 2019, 12:05:19 PM
Gross. Ten minute commute for me, about 4 miles?..
Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on August 20, 2019, 12:09:55 PM
Bicycle?
Virginia traffic. It's literally all 35mph speed limit with a light, followed by a spot where a cop has been camping, another light, two more lights, ID check, golf course on both sides, light. The lights here take FOREVER because they're on timers not sensors, they want to push as many people through per cycle as they can. THEN because of that, everyone is on their phone so probably a 20-30% reduction in how many people get through the light because they don't go right away when it turns green...
Quote from: dazzleman on August 21, 2019, 09:16:31 AM
A nice long drive at high speed puts me on such a natural high. I get to do that so seldom, but when I do, it's fantastic. My drive back from Boston in early June was the last such time. I did the 160 miles in exactly 2 hours, and the early part of the drive was even better than the average.
I imagine the Infiniti would be very nice on that sort of drive.
It's just pleasant. Esp in the right car. I've gone up and down the Masspike like 6x over the past few months and it's such an easy road to fly down
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on August 21, 2019, 05:58:51 PM
Virginia traffic. It's literally all 35mph speed limit with a light, followed by a spot where a cop has been camping, another light, two more lights, ID check, golf course on both sides, light. The lights here take FOREVER because they're on timers not sensors, they want to push as many people through per cycle as they can. THEN because of that, everyone is on their phone so probably a 20-30% reduction in how many people get through the light because they don't go right away when it turns green...
/wrists
Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on August 21, 2019, 07:04:00 PM
/wrists
whut
1- own 2 of 3 automatic transmission cars
2- choose to drive the stickshift every day
3- win
Quote from: CaminoRacer on August 21, 2019, 09:35:20 AM
Tomorrow I'm driving from SLC to the Bay Area in the El Camino. 12 hours of desert driving in the middle of nowhere. Feel free to fly out here and drive for me
I would love to drive at least part of it if I could!
Quote from: CALL_911 on August 21, 2019, 06:26:38 PM
It's just pleasant. Esp in the right car. I've gone up and down the Masspike like 6x over the past few months and it's such an easy road to fly down
Driving home from Boston in June, that was the best part of my drive. I left super early so there was almost nobody on the road. I was at 90-95 a decent part of the time and 85-90 most of the rest. I almost got nailed in Charlton just before I got off for I-84 but managed to slip through the net. Had a statie right behind me and thought he would pull me over, but he didn't for some reason. That just made it more fun. .. :evildude:
Quote from: veeman on August 21, 2019, 04:53:14 PM
Yeah I love long drives with light traffic or no traffic in a big comfy silent car. The scenery from Connecticut to Boston isn't that great but that's OK. From Connecticut to Vermont/New Hampshire or through Pennsylvania is beautiful. Out West it's a whole other level of beauty.
Aggressive driving in a barge isn't like an Audi sedan though plus my wife usually doesn't like it if I speed so I usually keep it under 80 mph.
I imagine your wife has saved you a lot of money in speeding fines... :lol: Do you find you drive noticeably faster when she is not in the car?
Quote from: dazzleman on August 22, 2019, 12:33:55 AM
I imagine your wife has saved you a lot of money in speeding fines... :lol: Do you find you drive noticeably faster when she is not in the car?
I'm sure she's saved my ass a few times. Definitely drive more aggressive when she's not in the car. A bit faster but mostly more aggressive in terms of accelerating faster (not top speed) and taking tighter turns. Not so much in the big SUV though.
My last two cars (Current Crosstrek and Diesel Beetle) have been relatively underpowered stick shift cars. Because they're underpowered, I can pedal to the metal but still be legal and the car won't get away from me.
Quote from: veeman on August 22, 2019, 02:40:16 AM
I'm sure she's saved my ass a few times. Definitely drive more aggressive when she's not in the car. A bit faster but mostly more aggressive in terms of accelerating faster (not top speed) and taking tighter turns. Not so much in the big SUV though.
My last two cars (Current Crosstrek and Diesel Beetle) have been relatively underpowered stick shift cars. Because they're underpowered, I can pedal to the metal but still be legal and the car won't get away from me.
I've always noticed that, in general, female passengers usually calm the driving habits of male drivers, while male passengers sometimes do the opposite. I driven faster and more aggressively with certain male friends in the car (others not) and usually do the opposite with most female passengers.
Quote from: dazzleman on August 22, 2019, 03:05:45 AM
I've always noticed that, in general, female passengers usually calm the driving habits of male drivers, while male passengers sometimes do the opposite. I driven faster and more aggressively with certain male friends in the car (others not) and usually do the opposite with most female passengers.
My wife is the opposite, very impatient. She always complains when she sees someone going faster, "Why are you going so slow?" or brags "If I was driving, we'd be there half an hour ago." I'm often tempted to drive like a maniac just to see how she would react, but I like to drive safely unless I'm alone in the car.
Quote from: dazzleman on August 22, 2019, 03:05:45 AM
I've always noticed that, in general, female passengers usually calm the driving habits of male drivers, while male passengers sometimes do the opposite. I driven faster and more aggressively with certain male friends in the car (others not) and usually do the opposite with most female passengers.
Quote from: FoMoJo on August 22, 2019, 08:56:13 AM
My wife is the opposite, very impatient. She always complains when she sees someone going faster, "Why are you going so slow?" or brags "If I was driving, we'd be there half an hour ago." I'm often tempted to drive like a maniac just to see how she would react, but I like to drive safely unless I'm alone in the car.
When I was a teenager and I had some friends in my car I did a few dumbass things which luckily I got away with. I once passed a car over a train track and got a few inches of air. That was such a dumbass thing to do. I spun out a few times in my early twenties because I had mismatched tires, not properly inflated, and was driving to fast on wet roads.
For last twenty years I'm much more cognizant of responsibility/mortality and don't do stupid driving. I think I've found a sweet spot of underpowered shift yourself cars where you can drive a little aggressively but still keep things safe and in legal speeds.
Quote from: FoMoJo on August 22, 2019, 08:56:13 AM
My wife is the opposite, very impatient. She always complains when she sees someone going faster, "Why are you going so slow?" or brags "If I was driving, we'd be there half an hour ago." I'm often tempted to drive like a maniac just to see how she would react, but I like to drive safely unless I'm alone in the car.
Give the maniac driving thing a shot and see how she reacts... :lol:
Quote from: veeman on August 22, 2019, 01:26:02 PM
When I was a teenager and I had some friends in my car I did a few dumbass things which luckily I got away with. I once passed a car over a train track and got a few inches of air. That was such a dumbass thing to do. I spun out a few times in my early twenties because I had mismatched tires, not properly inflated, and was driving to fast on wet roads.
For last twenty years I'm much more cognizant of responsibility/mortality and don't do stupid driving. I think I've found a sweet spot of underpowered shift yourself cars where you can drive a little aggressively but still keep things safe and in legal speeds.
Sounds a bit like my driving history, spin outs, taking a bit of air. The most fun was stoplight races with overpowered and under-handling cars. I did eventually learn, after a few minor accidents, not my fault, that defensive driving was the way to go.
Quote from: dazzleman on August 22, 2019, 04:52:55 PM
Give the maniac driving thing a shot and see how she reacts... :lol:
I'm really tempted. :evildude:
Quote from: veeman on August 22, 2019, 01:26:02 PM
When I was a teenager and I had some friends in my car I did a few dumbass things which luckily I got away with. I once passed a car over a train track and got a few inches of air. That was such a dumbass thing to do. I spun out a few times in my early twenties because I had mismatched tires, not properly inflated, and was driving to fast on wet roads.
For last twenty years I'm much more cognizant of responsibility/mortality and don't do stupid driving. I think I've found a sweet spot of underpowered shift yourself cars where you can drive a little aggressively but still keep things safe and in legal speeds.
But do you drive the same regardless of who is in the car with you? If you have a dude friend with you, do you accelerate a bit faster and take the turns a bit faster than you would with your mother in law in the car? I'm well past the crazy stuff too but my driving does change to a degree depending on who the passenger is.
Quote from: FoMoJo on August 22, 2019, 04:54:38 PM
I'm really tempted. :evildude:
The best way is to simulate danger and defiance of the law without doing anything truly dangerous. Small risks can sometimes bring big rewards in terms of the rush you get from defying rules and courting danger.
Quote from: dazzleman on August 22, 2019, 04:57:24 PM
The best way is to simulate danger and defiance of the law without doing anything truly dangerous. Small risks can sometimes bring big rewards in terms of the rush you get from defying rules and courting danger.
I'll try to think of something. We're due for a new car in a few months. Maybe I'll arrange for a test drive in a gt 350 and and put it through it's paces. Smoke the tires a bit, maybe look for a Camaro to race. :lol:
Quote from: FoMoJo on August 22, 2019, 05:13:48 PM
I'll try to think of something. We're due for a new car in a few months. Maybe I'll arrange for a test drive in a gt 350 and and put it through it's paces. Smoke the tires a bit, maybe look for a Camaro to race. :lol:
:lol:
One thing that has really surprised me is that I have never outgrown my love of defying rules and encountering a little bit of danger. Even as a teenager, I was always pretty small time in this area. I was willing to risk minor to moderate penalties if caught, but not major ones. That holds true today too - I am happy to risk a hefty fine for some fun driving but not handcuffs. :evildude:
I've always been pretty calculating, wanting to know the potential penalty if caught before deciding whether to have some fun by breaking a rule.
Quote from: dazzleman on August 22, 2019, 05:22:02 PM
:lol:
One thing that has really surprised me is that I have never outgrown my love of defying rules and encountering a little bit of danger. Even as a teenager, I was always pretty small time in this area. I was willing to risk minor to moderate penalties if caught, but not major ones. That holds true today too - I am happy to risk a hefty fine for some fun driving but not handcuffs. :evildude:
I've always been pretty calculating, wanting to know the potential penalty if caught before deciding whether to have some fun by breaking a rule.
I'm picturing your idea of breaking the rules as taking the tags off of pillows. :lol:
Unless I know that my passengers are cool with aggressive driving, I tend to tone it down a little for any passenger. That said, I probably know more men who are cool with aggressive driving than women.
Overall though, my driving behavior depends a lot more on Explorer vs S2000 than it does on passengers. :lol:
Quote from: NomisR on August 22, 2019, 05:56:49 PM
I'm picturing your idea of breaking the rules as taking the tags off of pillows. :lol:
Or mattresses. That's even worse. :evildude:
Quote from: BimmerM3 on August 22, 2019, 06:19:12 PM
Unless I know that my passengers are cool with aggressive driving, I tend to tone it down a little for any passenger. That said, I probably know more men who are cool with aggressive driving than women.
Overall though, my driving behavior depends a lot more on Explorer vs S2000 than it does on passengers. :lol:
That makes sense.
Just FYI Dave, this drive through Nevada SUCKS. Not really fun open desert road, just boringness. It'd be fun for an hour, but it takes like 5 hours.
Quote from: CaminoRacer on August 22, 2019, 06:42:05 PM
Just FYI Dave, this drive through Nevada SUCKS. Not really fun open desert road, just boringness. It'd be fun for an hour, but it takes like 5 hours.
It may be too much of a good thing, I guess. Are you able to drive reasonably fast?
Quote from: dazzleman on August 22, 2019, 04:55:14 PM
But do you drive the same regardless of who is in the car with you? If you have a dude friend with you, do you accelerate a bit faster and take the turns a bit faster than you would with your mother in law in the car? I'm well past the crazy stuff too but my driving does change to a degree depending on who the passenger is.
Never thought about it but here goes. 5 point scale, 5 being most aggressive shifting fast, pedal to the metal, fast turns and 1 being least aggressive.
5 - driving solo late night.
4 - driving solo the rest of the time
3 - driving with my kids without my wife, driving with one of my brother in laws, driving with a male cousin, driving with a male friend
2- driving with my wife, her parents, my parents, or any female extended family member.
1 - driving with a work colleague (boss, equal rank, or underling), driving with one of my kid's friends in the car, driving with our nanny.
Yeah you're right, I drive more aggressive with male friends or family members (outside my parents or in laws) than with females in the car.
Quote from: veeman on August 22, 2019, 10:42:49 PM
Never thought about it but here goes. 5 point scale, 5 being most aggressive shifting fast, pedal to the metal, fast turns and 1 being least aggressive.
5 - driving solo late night.
4 - driving solo the rest of the time
3 - driving with my kids without my wife, driving with one of my brother in laws, driving with a male cousin, driving with a male friend
2- driving with my wife, her parents, my parents, or any female extended family member.
1 - driving with a work colleague (boss, equal rank, or underling), driving with one of my kid's friends in the car, driving with our nanny.
Yeah you're right, I drive more aggressive with male friends or family members (outside my parents or in laws) than with females in the car.
I think that's pretty typical. I also drive the fastest/most aggressively when solo in the car, but I have some male friends who inspire me to drive as fast/aggressively as I would when solo (others not). So for me, it depends on the person too and what I know of their own driving styles and preferences.
I drive fastest with my employees in the car :lol:
Quote from: MrH on August 23, 2019, 08:27:45 AM
I drive fastest with my employees in the car :lol:
Why is that?
Quote from: MrH on August 23, 2019, 08:27:45 AM
I drive fastest with my employees in the car :lol:
I can't because most of those times is with a company car.. 65mph is the limit...
Quote from: NomisR on August 23, 2019, 11:35:02 AM
I can't because most of those times is with a company car.. 65mph is the limit...
Is there a governor, or does the car just monitor what you do and report back?
Quote from: dazzleman on August 23, 2019, 04:34:07 PM
Is there a governor, or does the car just monitor what you do and report back?
I would top the car out just to get called into the safety office and find out how fast I went. :devil:
Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on August 23, 2019, 05:11:50 PM
I would top the car out just to get called into the safety office and find out how fast I went. :devil:
:lol: Troublemaker.
That reminds me of when they put warning signs along the road telling you how fast you are going. I usually speed up for them because I want to see the speed shoot up and start blinking.
Quote from: dazzleman on August 24, 2019, 03:07:28 AM
:lol: Troublemaker.
That reminds me of when they put warning signs along the road telling you how fast you are going. I usually speed up for them because I want to see the speed shoot up and start blinking.
I pass one on the way to work every day, but despite my best efforts, it never reads higher than 70. It's like they think nobody would dare go faster than that. :nutty:
Quote from: dazzleman on August 23, 2019, 04:34:07 PM
Is there a governor, or does the car just monitor what you do and report back?
Just because it's a car with city logo and department badging on it and I don't want to get in trouble for people complaining that I was speeding on something. There's nothing as far as I know to actually monitor that stuff.
Quote from: NomisR on August 24, 2019, 10:12:18 AM
Just because it's a car with city logo and department badging on it and I don't want to get in trouble for people complaining that I was speeding on something. There's nothing as far as I know to actually monitor that stuff.
Is there a sticker on the back that says something to the effect...
(https://i.postimg.cc/T11L1xZj/51-Ghk-GIp-GML-SY355.jpg)
Quote from: FoMoJo on August 24, 2019, 10:37:04 AM
Is there a sticker on the back that says something to the effect...
(https://i.postimg.cc/T11L1xZj/51-Ghk-GIp-GML-SY355.jpg)
I want to get one that says, "HOW'S MY DRIVING? TEXT 'DRIVING REPORT FOR UNIT #29A.7710.337-Vjj' TO 1-900-429-5683
Quote from: dazzleman on August 23, 2019, 11:01:39 AM
Why is that?
Manage through fear!
No, I really don't drive any faster with them.
Bump...
Hit the first issue with my Golf this morning. Got in this morning to drive to work, everything came on like normal when I unlocked the car and got in, then when I hit the start button everything died at once. Anyway since I was trying to go to work I just got in to my Z3 and went to work for now.
Car is out of warranty so I am not planning on taking it to the dealer. At lunch I am going to head home and see if I can jump the car (I have one of the portable car jump battery things). I am assuming I will have to get the car towed, but I would at least like to get it in to neutral (electronic parking brake) and/or outside my garage.
I am curious to see if it is a dead battery, bad alternator, or something worse. Car is almost 4 years old so I am hoping to keep it a couple more years before trading it in.
That doesn't sound good. Hopefully, it's just the battery.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on May 19, 2020, 08:59:46 AM
Bump...
Hit the first issue with my Golf this morning. Got in this morning to drive to work, everything came on like normal when I unlocked the car and got in, then when I hit the start button everything died at once. Anyway since I was trying to go to work I just got in to my Z3 and went to work for now.
Car is out of warranty so I am not planning on taking it to the dealer. At lunch I am going to head home and see if I can jump the car (I have one of the portable car jump battery things). I am assuming I will have to get the car towed, but I would at least like to get it in to neutral (electronic parking brake) and/or outside my garage.
I am curious to see if it is a dead battery, bad alternator, or something worse. Car is almost 4 years old so I am hoping to keep it a couple more years before trading it in.
If it's the original battery then it's probably due to be replaced. That's my bet.
Quote from: TBR on May 19, 2020, 12:26:52 PM
If it's the original battery then it's probably due to be replaced. That's my bet.
Possibly. My Mustang gives a low battery warning on the dash if you try to start it and there's not enough juice.
It sounds like a flat battery to me. The current draw from the starter sucks away all the juice when you activate it.
We had a battery scare a few weeks ago with old minivan- it had sat for 3-4+ weeks but after jumping it discovered an overhead light was left on. It seems to be ok now.
Modern cars get really weird when the voltage goes below about 9 volts. Module communication faults, shit goes nuts.
Not like the old cars.
Quote from: TBR on May 19, 2020, 12:26:52 PM
If it's the original battery then it's probably due to be replaced. That's my bet.
You win the bet. :lol:
yeah it was a bad/dead battery. When I went home at lunch I was able to jump start the car no problem and it would run fine, but the battery wasn't holding any charge (when I turned the car off it would do the same thing again...everything went dead as soon as I hit the start button).
I jumped it again and drove it to the shop my dad used to work at (dad's friend is the owner). They checked it and, if I understood correctly, while the car was running everything was charging up right, but as soon as the car was turned off the battery would be dead. Anyway they put in a new battery and it has been fine since.
PS. Mileage hit 19,650 on the drive back from the shop will probably hit 20,000 some time next month, but probably won't get to 21,000 before I hit four years (mid-August).
Bump...
Officially past the 4 year mark. Mileage is 20,520. No nothing gone wrong since the battery replacement.
Still satisfied overall with the car, can't see myself trading it in anytime soon.
I have an extra Optima battery you could use to turn this thing into a real racecar.
Bump...
Officially past 5 years, mileage is at 25,017 as of this morning. No new issues in the last year.
The longest I've ever kept a car was my Audi S4 at 6 years, so based on how things are going I will keep this car as long and probably longer. Right now I don't see an obviously better car for my tastes on the market.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 26, 2021, 12:42:04 PM
Bump...
Officially past 5 years, mileage is at 25,017 as of this morning. No new issues in the last year.
The longest I've ever kept a car was my Audi S4 at 6 years, so based on how things are going I will keep this car as long and probably longer. Right now I don't see an obviously better car for my tastes on the market.
Hold on to that internal combustion engined car for as long as possible!!!
Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 26, 2021, 12:42:04 PM
Bump...
Officially past 5 years, mileage is at 25,017 as of this morning. No new issues in the last year.
The longest I've ever kept a car was my Audi S4 at 6 years, so based on how things are going I will keep this car as long and probably longer. Right now I don't see an obviously better car for my tastes on the market.
Even quite a bit after you bought the car, you indicated you were not happy with the clutch and I think you said you were thinking about dumping the car. So you obviously didn't :lol: Are you happy with it now or do you think if you had to do it all over again, you'd go with the DSG.
Quote from: veeman on August 27, 2021, 09:16:23 AM
Even quite a bit after you bought the car, you indicated you were not happy with the clutch and I think you said you were thinking about dumping the car. So you obviously didn't :lol: Are you happy with it now or do you think if you had to do it all over again, you'd go with the DSG.
Yeah the clutch is still not great. Now that I have the Z3 it feels even worse in comparison. :lol:
I think personally I'd always go with a manual if its available, but I can understand why someone would get the DSG (even if they preferred manual transmissions generally). For me the overall package (small footprint, hatchback, AWD, good power, nice interior, lots of features, etc...) is nice enough to overlook it though. Actually I am not a fan of the engine type either (small displacement/big turbo), but as far as 2.0T engines go it is about as good as you can get in this format (and there isn't something obviously better on the horizon).
Bump...
Car is officially 6 years old. No new issues to report.
The last car I had (Audi S4) was the longest I've owned a car at 6 years, so the Golf is now the oldest. I don't really see anything on the horizon that makes me want to trade it in so I could see it lasting another couple of years.
I have occasionally considered trying to use the crazy car market by selling my car and getting a Subaru WRX. Since I would get the Subaru at an employee price (because my brother works there) I'd wouldn't have to even pay MSRP much less any markups. They also let you take delivery at their head offices, you don't even have to go to a dealer.
But at the end of the day I like having a hatchback (+AWD and +6MT) and don't want a sedan (for now). If/when my car starts to wear down I may not have much choice but I figure I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
Another Bump...
I had to order new tires for summer. Last November one of my tires had a piece of rubber separate from the metal tread underneath. It was already cold out (I think it was the weekend before Thanksgiving) so at the time I just switched over to my winter wheels/tires.
I ended up ordering all-season tires instead of summer tires, although the supposedly "ultra high performance" all seasons. I was planning to go Michelin Pilots but they were out of stock on TireRack so I ended up getting Pirelli P Zero instead so I could get them soon.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=P+Zero+All+Season+Plus&partnum=335YR9P0ASPXL&autoMake=Volkswagen&autoYear=2016&autoModel=Golf+R&autoModClar= (https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=P+Zero+All+Season+Plus&partnum=335YR9P0ASPXL&autoMake=Volkswagen&autoYear=2016&autoModel=Golf+R&autoModClar=)
Part of why I am switching is because for several months a year it seems like it is too warm for my winter tires in the afternoon but too cold for summer tires in the morning (like today it was ~30F this morning but it will be mid 50's by the time I drive home). I am not tracking my Golf so I'll be curious to see if the all-seasons feel like a step down from the dedicated summer tires in my day to day commute.
Sounds like a good idea. I've never regretted any ultra high performance all-season.
Are you going to swap the all seasons to snow tires still? I just run all seasons on
Personally, I think there's a big drop off between Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and all seasons. If it's just your daily commuter car though, and you're mostly taking the Z3 for fun driving in the summer, it's probably not a big deal.
Quote from: MrH on March 16, 2023, 08:39:55 AM
Are you going to swap the all seasons to snow tires still? I just run all seasons on
Personally, I think there's a big drop off between Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and all seasons. If it's just your daily commuter car though, and you're mostly taking the Z3 for fun driving in the summer, it's probably not a big deal.
Since I have a separate set of wheels for the snow tires I'll keep them for now, but I might just keep them in the garage and just switch over if there is a big snowstorm.
And to be fair to the Golf, I am switching from Continetal SportContact summer tires, not the Continental ExtremeContact, to the Pirelli P Zero all seasons. I think the P Zero tires are more akin to the "ExtremeContact" line of tires, so even if there is a downgrade from from summer to all-season its a higher bar for performance. I'll see how it goes.
FWIW I have the ExtremeContact summer tires on my Z3.
I've been thinking about changing to some performance all seasons on my RX8. I could probably use the car another 2-3 months out of the year with them on... So many days like today where temps are in the 20s on my drive into work and 60s coming home.
I had the tires put on the wheels on Saturday and then yesterday I switched them out (was going to do it Sunday but it was so friggin cold). Took them for a spin in >60F weather yesterday. They felt fine, but there was too much traffic to do anything aggressive. It was cold again this morning (~35F) but hopefully the consistently warm weather will be coming soon!
How's the reliability been overall? I've been dead set on getting one of these as a daily driver (I need something more practical than the Z4 as my family situation has changed a lot over the past few years and I can't keep borrowing my brother's car), but I just ran into a guy who said his Golf R has been a nightmare. But he also tuned it, so I'm not sure how much that had to do with it.
It has been fine. I had to replace the battery when it died but otherwise no issues. Keep in mind I am not tracking the car or anything, it really is just my day to day commuter.
If you had to do it again, would you have opted for the DSG over the manual transmission?
No, I prefer a manual transmission. It's not a racecar so I don't mind the performance penalty.
Quote from: Raza on April 04, 2023, 08:42:58 AM
How's the reliability been overall? I've been dead set on getting one of these as a daily driver (I need something more practical than the Z4 as my family situation has changed a lot over the past few years and I can't keep borrowing my brother's car), but I just ran into a guy who said his Golf R has been a nightmare. But he also tuned it, so I'm not sure how much that had to do with it.
Whoa where have you been
Quote from: SJ_GTI on April 04, 2023, 08:48:52 AM
It has been fine. I had to replace the battery when it died but otherwise no issues. Keep in mind I am not tracking the car or anything, it really is just my day to day commuter.
Yeah, it would be a daily for me too. No mods planned or anything like that.