Golf R Observations and Questions

[Candyman]

Wait, I thought he knew and was being sarcastic (as was my reply)

Oh bugger, I thought that was the speed camera/lidar detector ....

[Ryan_R]

Someone's been playing too much NFS

[zbeasty]

I know this has sort of been answered in a round-about way in other threads, but I am keen to get a turbo-back exhaust made up but understand that it's no good unless you get a tune. The issue is I enjoy the warranty too much to want to go getting an aggressive stage 2, yet the thing is just too quiet standard. Has anyone got themselves a TBE and then tuned it merely to do whatever is needed to tell the ECU that it has better flow/different cat etc without actually going for maximum power? Hopefully that makes some sense to someone.

I don't think anyone has done that yet. I think anyone who has wanted more sound has just gone to a cat back. That said whilst in development my car was dynoed with the stock set up and with an APR DP but without a tune. It made no difference to power overall but the curve isn't as smooth as the wastegate duty cycles need changing due to the much better exhaust flow. If you don't want the warranty hassles of the extra performance you'll need a custom tune. Ultimately though if you have a DP fitted and get a tune just to remove the CEL it is still a non factory tune. If there is a warranty issue it will still be up to the dealer whether they will help you or not so may as well enjoy the extra performance you can gain with a proper tune.

[PTW]

This has probably been posted before but found this bit interesting - On 4motion or quattro-equipped vehicles this may be partially offset by the drivetrain maintaining full-time engagement of the rear differential in 'S' mode, so power distribution under loss of front-wheel traction may be marginally improved

From here, which is a good technical read - Direct-Shift Gearbox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[sillywet]

I think anyone who has wanted more sound has just gone to a cat back.

That's a fair point mate, thanks for that. The questions I have as a result:

1) If you were to get a highflow cat, remove the middle muffler and replace the rest of the pipework and rear muffler , you'd still need a remap/tune wouldn't you as there's a sensor after the cat that would be picking up new readings that would be confusing it? (i've had exhaust work done on the last 3 cars i've owned, but none have been slaves to an ECU like the R so i'm a bit out of my depth here)

2) Has anyone heard an R with just a catback and does it sound any good? If I get it done I would likely go to an exhaust shop in Bris and get them to make one up as I prefer to pay tradesman who've been making these things for 50 years moreso than ordering something overpriced from a place like Miltek/Supersprint that just mass-produce. But 4 cylinder cars tend to have an ability to sound pretty horrible with a catback, so i'd be curious to know what people think.

Many thanks for your help guys

[Candyman]

After a few thousand km's on our interstate trip I have to say this is the best car we have driven.

No rattles, remarkably good intake and exhaust note, DSG faultless with quick shifts, ample torque for our freeway legs (kick down to 4th is perfect for overtaking) and ride quality spot on. Well planted for QLD uturns

Not that it matters but all that from a vehicle returning 8.5 l/100 km and only 2,000km on the clock.

The wife fights to get in the drivers seat, she loves it.

[Rob_R]

After a few thousand km's on our interstate trip I have to say this is the best car we have driven.

No rattles, remarkably good intake and exhaust note, DSG faultless with quick shifts, ample torque for our freeway legs (kick down to 4th is perfect for overtaking) and ride quality spot on. Well planted for QLD uturns

Not that it matters but all that from a vehicle returning 8.5 l/100 km and only 2,000km on the clock.

The wife fights to get in the drivers seat, she loves it.

Sounds like you gave it a good run. I'm lovin' mine. My biggest surprise about the car is how stable it is on the road. By that I mean it feels very sure footed like a larger car. I have a colourbond moment with her just about every night when I walk into the garage. hehe.

[Candyman]

My biggest surprise about the car is how stable it is on the road. By that I mean it feels very sure footed like a larger car.

My thought as well. Feels much better on the road than our MKV GTI. Unshakeable - AWD ? Improved geometry/suspension ? Extra bit of weight ?

Whatever it is, lovin it ....

I have a colourbond moment with her just about every night when I walk into the garage. hehe.

Hahaha

I have made a few trips to the hotel carpark just to have that colourbond moment

[Rob_R]

haha, wife says it's not normal to have that sort of relationship with a car.

Usually tell her to keep her voice down the car might hear her. hehe!

[zbeasty]

1) You could get away with the 42DD? adapter that places the sensor further from the exhaust flow and fools it. I think a couple of people have used them as a stop gap after fitting a DP but waiting for a tune.

2) Haven't heard one on an R myself but yes a cat back can sound terrible if not done right.