Two days in a Golf GTI

[Swallowtail]

Nice feedback - I'd give my options, but with my level of experience it wouldn't be worth much. So you tried the launch control.... I've been a little cautious to do so thus far, and I wasn't even sure if mine had it. Do all DSG's have it?

Was it simple enough to use and was wheelspin apparent, or is it quite unobtrusive? Is it possible to engage launch control from stop without others noticing?

Not all DSGs have it, no. Sport mode, ESP off, left foot brake, right foot throttle, it goes to 3000 and won't go any higher. Take left foot off brake and hold on. wheelspin, but not too much. Loud though LOL... it's not unobtrusive...

I phrased that badly, meant to say 'isn't black'
I was standing next to one at the Perth launch and thought it was black pearl until I saw a black one across the showroom.
It is a subtle hue that works well with the red accents.


And Murphy, unless it is significantly different in the mk6, there's nothing subtle about an aggressive launch control takeoff

It's a good colour, I like it. You are right about working well with the red accents.

thanks for the write up and photos. How many times have you done the nebo glorious drive. I did it in my cc after reading this article on Australian Car Advice
awesome drive went all the way up to somerset dam, really scenic drive.

here is that article its worth a read

http://www.caradvice.com.au/20067/mi...-the-mountain/

I live at the bottom of Nebo... Today we went up to Glorious and then right and back down through Samford. Coming down Glorious on the new bitumen we pushed it quite hard - lots and lots of fun...

[MurphyTheElf]

And Murphy, unless it is significantly different in the mk6, there's nothing subtle about an aggressive launch control takeoff

Yeah it seems like a silly question, but I thought there might have been rev range in which it was effective, negating the "pause" at launch. But I guess the only objective of launch control is to maximise acceleration - to hell with noise, traction, etc.

[maca]

Took it for a punt up Nebo / Glorious this morning with Shaneth in the passenger seat...

Surprised we didn't see you Simon, was up there with 2 other Mk5s today

thanks for the write up and photos. How many times have you done the nebo glorious drive. I did it in my cc after reading this article on Australian Car Advice
awesome drive went all the way up to somerset dam, really scenic drive.

here is that article its worth a read

http://www.caradvice.com.au/20067/mi...-the-mountain/

That article is wrong! We got stuck behind an old V70 today

[Swallowtail]

I was pleasantly surprised how good the car felt through the twisties. It just felt planted. No understeer to speak of, minimal torque steer (and that only coming hard out of very slow corners). It just felt 'safe', if you know what I mean. And we weren't going slow either.

We had some traffic going up Nebo, but it cleared by the time we hit Glorious.

Took the GTI back today... I could get used to being in a car that size again. Might have to look at a Golf R next time...

[johng]

Any thoughts on the changes such as bluetooth, usb connectivity and sound system that are new to the mk 6?

Any other threads on these issues?

[Swallowtail]

The interior looks nice, better than the MkV - more classy - although there are a couple of bits that look a bit cheap (e.g. the little flip up cover in the center console that covers the 12V socket).
Bluetooth - don't buy from VW, go aftermarket. See my posts on Bluetooth in the Car Audio section. USB connectivity - MDI is well worth the $ in my opinion. The car had it fitted, it sits in the center console armrest on the Golf, great location, and it works very well. Sound system - it was an RCD510 in the car - sound is OK, nothing to write home about though.

[Corey_R]

Yeah it seems like a silly question, but I thought there might have been rev range in which it was effective, negating the "pause" at launch. But I guess the only objective of launch control is to maximise acceleration - to hell with noise, traction, etc.

The 'launch control' was introduced specifically to address that criticism from the press and owners - the 'pause' at launch. There is still a tiny pause when you remove your foot from the brake, but nowhere near as much as a regular acceleration from standstill.

Note that this is NOT "launch control" like you see on a Ferrari F430 etc. It does not regulate the revs to the optimal speed, nor does it give you the optimal amount of wheel spin. In fact, since you've just disabled the ESP to engage the launch control, if you have bad tyres and a wet road you can sit there mostly spinning and not moving! (so your traction control is off etc).

So because it's not a real launch control, you need to regulate the throttle yourself. I found with my stock MKV GTI that about 2400rpm on a dry grippy road was optimal. You get a bit of wheel spin but not too much, and when you feel/hear the wheels have gained max grip you can then push the accelerator all the way in.

After I had the APR ECU flash and full 3" quad tip exhaust done, this figure came down to around 1800-2000 rpm!

It also works in manual mode rather than the automatic 'sport' mode.

[MurphyTheElf]

The 'launch control' was introduced specifically to address that criticism from the press and owners - the 'pause' at launch. There is still a tiny pause when you remove your foot from the brake, but nowhere near as much as a regular acceleration from standstill.

Note that this is NOT "launch control" like you see on a Ferrari F430 etc. It does not regulate the revs to the optimal speed, nor does it give you the optimal amount of wheel spin. In fact, since you've just disabled the ESP to engage the launch control, if you have bad tyres and a wet road you can sit there mostly spinning and not moving! (so your traction control is off etc).

So because it's not a real launch control, you need to regulate the throttle yourself. I found with my stock MKV GTI that about 2400rpm on a dry grippy road was optimal. You get a bit of wheel spin but not too much, and when you feel/hear the wheels have gained max grip you can then push the accelerator all the way in.

After I had the APR ECU flash and full 3" quad tip exhaust done, this figure came down to around 1800-2000 rpm!

It also works in manual mode rather than the automatic 'sport' mode.

I just looked it up in the manual and it says "approximately 3200rpm". It does mention it only applies to cars with the launch control program installed. Wouldn't this method of acceleration still launch the car without a specific program if you're simply applying the brake, revving the engine, then releasing - assuming the brakes are good? If so, what does the program actually do?

Although I'm happy enough with the car, I'm a manual boy through and through* and the hesitation on acceleration is getting on my nerves. I'm considering the APR flash, but concerned about a shortage of testing on the MarkVI GTI. APR is a US-based company and that market has only had the GTI for a few weeks. Looking at their website, the flash for the MarkVI doesn't seem to be specific to that model, and although the engine is pretty much the same as the MarkV, there are subtle differences. Hey, I'm sure the company has done their homework, but in this case, I don't want to be the first.


* Reasons for buying DSG:
1. Wife
2. Commuting
3. Flappy paddles are fun

[Swallowtail]

You can't hold the car on the brakes and rev with the DSG (except if launch control is engaged). Try it... does nothing. There is no torque converter to torque up against the engine. All the launch control does is a programmed high(ish) revs clutch dump. It's tweaked for each model - the GTI I did wouldn't rev higher than 3000, my Passat's launch control will rev to 4000ish. More grip...

[MurphyTheElf]

I tried a couple of things this afternoon around the block from my house. I was in a bit of a rush, but curiosity got the better of me. First with ESP on, and in manual mode, I held the brake and revved the engine. The brakes held fine but the car was being held back - it was like the rev limiter was being hit continuously and I couldn't even hit 2000rpm. I then did the same thing with ESP off and manual mode again - the revs were getting up towards 2500rpm but then a crotchety old bloke walked into his front yard and put his hands on his hips. I drove off sensibly and sheepishly.

I was tempted to try again 5 minutes later while I was sitting at the lights next to the Google camera car.

I'll try again in sport mode later. Again, I don't even know if I have the program.... you say not all DSGs have it, and it wasn't listed as an option.