Dynamic / Adaptive chassis control (DCC / ACC)

[WhiteJames]

ACC is an option that relates to the type of driving your into & type of roadway travelled on.

My last MK5 GTI with KW V3 coilovers and small H&R solid sway bars was fantastic on the Pacific Hwy from Sydney to Gold Coast. Nice smooth freeways were the go for the KW variants. On the other hand, the ride in Sydney Metro and along the New England Hwy through inland NSW cities such as Tamworth, Armidale and Warrick was a bit punishing. Esp with aftermarket sway bars. Just too firm, even with the KW V3 compression and rebound rates set on almost full soft.

ACC is going to allow for softer on New England Hwy and harder on Pacific Hwy. The damping rates may only be subtle, but that's all that would be required imo after test drives on the non-ACC Mark 6 GTI on 17" Denver. Firm suspension is a beatch at lower speeds, but the ride improves as speed rises. Like the GTI's fuel economy, even when under the pump, I like to have my cake and eat it too.

I also felt that an innner city drive along New South Head Road twisties had me wanting a greater level of damping, only about 10-15%, nothing copious. This was in the city at the lower city speed limit. That is damping towards the harder sport setting. Very rarely around town did I opt for any more comfort on the stock non ACC 17" wheeled GTI.

The springs and sway bars in the GTI are well sorted for everyday use, its only the damping that I change in certain conditions. In terms of ride height, imo the GTI sits well low enough, esp with occupant(s) on board with the 18" Detriots.

The reason, I think, that the DSG version of the GTI has firmer front springs is to compensate for the added 20kg of the DSG gearbox.

I had ACC as a definite option with a mind towards handling and usability. I later added Bi-Xenons for a similar reason. Helps stringing corners together at night, making for a less taxing drive and a safer drive, depsite costing about 1K to replace.

I also later added park assist, as rear only sensors would cost @$800 + RVC $500 bringing up the price up to @ $1300. Rear only sensors do not offer the auto-dipping mirror on the Mark 6 GTI, as it's a dealer fitted option for the sensors.

Park Assist with front and rear sensors & auto-dipping left mirror was $1400, so park assist it was (dealer manager later told me RVC was only available with SATNAV, which was contrary to what the salesman told me & incorrect) ... it was a no brainer.

I can park a vehicle like I can manually change television channels by getting up off my butt & pushing the buttons. Front & rear sensors & auto-dipping left mirror is bit like your TV remote control ... less effort involved for the same result.

I'd gladly trade Leather Upolstry for ACC and Park Assist.

Cheers.
WJ

[midlifecrisis]

SNIP


I had ACC as a definite option with a mind towards handling and usability. I later added Bi-Xenons for a similar reason. Helps stringing corners together at night, making for a less taxing drive and a safer drive, depsite costing about 1K to replace.

What do you means $1K to replace?

I'd gladly trade Leather Upolstry for ACC and Park Assist.

Cheers.
WJ

Thanks WhiteJames, that was really helpful since I am looking at ACC and ParkAssist, and Xenons, over getting leather.

[WhiteJames]

For that matter, I'd rather have the Bi-Xenons + ACC or Bi-Xennons + Park Assist over the Leather Seats.

I had leather on my MKV GTI. Leather is too plasticy in texture. At least my MKV GTI had full leather seats, not cloth on the inner centre part of the front seats. I think VW got it spot on with the cloth interior on the Golf R ... cloth/alcantara seats with leather centre console and armrests. They are the only two places you'd want leather, unless you have very young kids & eat/drink and drive alot.

The Xenons on the MKV GTI/R32 were not the swivel type. The swivel function on the new Audi like Bi-Xenons cut the deal for me on the Xenons. Makes an easier and safet drive at night, esp when I head out to my folks farm with plenty of roos at night.

Dealer tells me it costs about $1000 per Bi-Xenon light to replace in an event of an unfortunate episode. Xenons are suppose to last up to 4-5 longer than std headlights, but dealer states that they have seen some premature failure on the Xenon, not common though.

Each sensor on the Park Assist costs @ $300. Not that you should run into anything with park assist, but someone may tap your ride in the carpark when vehicle is unattended.

Cheers.
WJ

[Maverick]

Dealer tells me it costs about $1000 per Bi-Xenon light to replace in an event of an unfortunate episode. Xenons are suppose to last up to 4-5 longer than std headlights, but dealer states that they have seen some premature failure on the Xenon, not common though.

The dealer is full of it. You can pick the bulbs up a lot cheaper than that ($100-150) by purchasing from Europe (mainly Germany). It would be worth buying one in advance as the lead time for delivery is a few weeks if the dealer is charging that much.

Beware of the counterfeit product however so steer clear of the cheapest ones, generally anything like this that ships out of China/Hong Kong is a knockoff.

[WhiteJames]

Mav: You'd be in a better position to know about costs of options/accessories/replacement parts on the Golfer. I think my dealer was refering to complete replacement of the Bi-Xenon in the event of accident damage versus the std halogen. I guess you you'd have some sort of electric motor making the lights swivel.

McGraths Volkswagen Sutherland have a demo GTI for sale with ACC. Perhaps those interested in ACC could source a test drive before it sells. Best route would be thorugh Sutherland towards Wollongong and into the RNP down to the boat shed & return. Good variety of roadways from concrete to freeway, B'grade and tight twisties.

http://www.mcgrathvolkswagensutherla...ials/index.htm

Options on my Mark 6 GTI and reasons for chosing them are as follows:

DSG - Manual with electronic throttle sucks. Takes too much way from the driver. Good for preseving mechanics & prevent abuse. Manual is like a semi-DSG with electronic throttle. Why do things by halfs.

Detroits 18" - the price of vanity. The 23-24 pound 17" is the better suited for the GTI: Lighter with less unsprung weight which can be multipled x 4 in weight saving in sprung weight, rides better, adds to performance esp cornering. Problem is that they look ordinary & may offer a tad more wheelspin on initial take-off. Have to keep up with the Jones's of the Hot Hatch world ... 18" Detroits @ 28-29 pounds per wheel it is. Heavy bastards, but they are tough wheels. I had the Huffs on my MKV GTI. It not like I'm racing this GTI re: unsprung weight.

ACC - adds to the versitatlity and tunability of the GTI. Get to have my cake and eat it too. Should be able to fit aftermarket coilover kit much later on with VAGCOM to clear any codes (I hope).

Bi-Xenon - Swivel function & self levelling would be fantastic in addition to extra range.

Park Assist - Front & rear sensors & auto-dipping mirror ... 3 in 1 option. Golf with tinted rear glass can be difficult to see out of at night esp in inclement weather. May save kerbing the Detroits wheels (I hope).

Rear Factory Tint - No drama with tint peeling of the rear demister. Uniform apllication of tint. ADR should cover the fact they are tinted more than legal limit (35%). Downside ... front windows will have to be lighter in shade and may not entirely match rear windows. I went for the Street Wise Blue/Black tint (Solar).

MDI - no brainer.

Euro Plates: It's a white GTI. Need a large white plate to cover that large black plate holder. Not so much an issue on a darker coloured GTI.

Options Disgarded:

Sunroof - suffer from dust allegeries & Australia is a hot climate. Too noisey with wind noise.

SATNAV - aftermarket Pioneer SATNAV unit with CD/radio could be had for a little as 2.5K installed when on special. SATNAV costs this much alone.

Dynaudio - see above ... re Pioneer unit.

Leather - some parts cloth. Plastic feeling. Seat heaters are a waste of time in this country ... better with seat coolers like Merc offer. Cloth more comfortable and supportive. Leather will have me sliding around when ACC is in sport model. If only they offered full Recaro on the GTI, only with side airbags when available. On the other hand, if you have young kids ...

Possible Option:

Extended Warranty for @ 1.5-2.0K if keeping the GTI 3-6 years. Have until original warranty runs out (3 years) to make a decision.

Cheers
WJ

[G-rig]

I don't think it's necessay and wouldn't get ACC personally, just another thing to blow money on ( and these days we are easily convinced you need everything).

It just softens the ride doesn't it, not improves performance?

I'd rather spend on aftermarket suspension for performance and looks but depends where you drive and your tollerance.

[Escell]

G Rig - ACC in sport mode tightens up the steering as well as the suspension. It's a clear difference in my car. How it compares to GTIs without ACC I can't say.

As other people have said, you can have your cake and eat it too. Silky steering and no shuddering bumps when you are in comfort mode, solid handling in sport when you're on good quality winding roads.

[WhiteJames]

Having test driven the Mark 6 GTI many times over and having one for half a day, I'd be more inclined to use the 'Sport' button to sharpen the steering and ride/handling. Comfort may be in order for the outback drives, hard to say until my MK6 GTI arrives with 18" wheels. Early criticisims of the Mark 6 GTI was that the steering felt a bit wooden. It's common issue with many makers going from hydraulic to electric steering systems. Drive and steer by wire ... like a dodgem car. Can anyone confirm if ACC sharpens up the throttle senstivity?

On a slight tangent:

Tint - aftermarket tint does offer UV blockage, unlike the factory tint of the rear 3 windows. Not a big concern for me as my ride is not parked outside all day every day. The Street Wise tint going on the two front windows of my ride will offer UV protection, which is where I require it most ... for the driver and front passenger. Only two windows that could peel down the track, rather than 5 windows.

Park Assist - Park assist shows a silhouette on the radio display. With the optional rear camera, you have a choice of seeing the park assist silhouette or the rear camera view ... not both. This was a deciding factor in not choosing the RVC with park assist as the $500 when towards Bi-Xenons.

DSG - the DSG in the Mark 6 offers creep function like a std auto gearbox. The vehicle moves forward when the brake is let off, rather than rolling rearwards on hills as was the case in the previous MK5 GTI. It also feels a little less jerky at car park speeds than the previous MK5 GTI.

Tartan Seats - In respect to dissing the leather option, I'd have to say that the Tartan seats in the Mark 6 GTI look they too have been a victim of cost cutting over the fantastic cloth seats in the previous Mark 5 GTI. Although the Tartan in the Mark 6 look like they could cope better with a food/drink spill.

Value for Money - When purchasing this GTI and my last MK5 GTI, I was aiming for @ 45K driveway. Always end up spec'ing another 3-5K worth of options ... just can't help myself. Resale on options is a terrible investment; but it does make it easier to sell or trade in a few years time (so does not having any aftermarket ECU retune). All in all, most options are just are marginal improvement on an already fine vehicle. This time around I went for the driver focussed options, rather than the luxury options.

Cheers.
WJ

[G-rig]

G Rig - ACC in sport mode tightens up the steering as well as the suspension. It's a clear difference in my car. How it compares to GTIs without ACC I can't say.

As other people have said, you can have your cake and eat it too. Silky steering and no shuddering bumps when you are in comfort mode, solid handling in sport when you're on good quality winding roads.

Cheers, there wasn't much info about it in the brochure and though that the hardest setting was same as standard, then a softer one for those who want softer ride (or are used to sitting in an armchair).

As WJ said options dont equate to much come time to sell or trade it so the main thing is to enjoy them while you have the car (i just dont want to go overboard as it's a bit of a waste, but so are mods but would leave you more to spend on them ).

Tint - aftermarket tint does offer UV blockage, unlike the factory tint of the rear 3 windows. Not a big concern for me as my ride is not parked outside all day every day. The Street Wise tint going on the two front windows of my ride will offer UV protection, which is where I require it most ... for the driver and front passenger. Only two windows that could peel down the track, rather than 5 windows.

I like to think tint protects your interior as well from the sun.

Tint should last well over 10 years and not peel unless you got a crappy tint/job. I try and get metallic tints which wont fade like dye tints (think the dealer is dye)..

Never a fan of non-matching tints as privacy glass is always darker than legal.

[Corey_R]

Tint - aftermarket tint does offer UV blockage, unlike the factory tint of the rear 3 windows. Not a big concern for me as my ride is not parked outside all day every day. The Street Wise tint going on the two front windows of my ride will offer UV protection, which is where I require it most ... for the driver and front passenger. Only two windows that could peel down the track, rather than 5 windows.

Modern tints, installed properly, don't tint. Not even after 10 years of use. They don't offer lifetime warranties on them without having confidence in the product. Also - the thing about that VW factory tint not having UV blockage... if it doesnt have that, then how good would the rest of its solar properties be? Like, the TSER (Total Solar Energy Rejection)? Without a high TSER rating you'll use more fuel during the summer days by requiring more Aircon to keep the car cool.