Harding Performance DSG Software & Hardware program

**Candyman** · 24-08-2012, 05:59 PM

Sounds like what the DSG is like after a reset

**Brendan_A** · 24-08-2012, 06:08 PM

Yeah right! Mechatronic was replaced less then 2000kms ago and it would have been done then and it had the latest VW DSG software loaded

**Candyman** · 24-08-2012, 06:12 PM

I find it interesting that your feedback is at odds with the other feedback re D mode

Adaptive take up point has an impact after a few tanks of gas as well, enjoy.

**Brendan_A** · 24-08-2012, 06:15 PM

Maybe because mine is a diesel? All other feedback is for petrol engine. I will enjoy it thanks

**sbowden** · 11-09-2012, 08:19 PM

I invested in the DQ200 upgrade from Guy Harding's joint in Coorparoo. And truly, it is an investment. Worth every cent, wish VW had programmed the 'box this way from the outset, the improvement is so noticeable. Love driving the car in city traffic again, and roundabouts no longer cause me to reach for the Xanax... The car is simply in the right gear going in, through, and out...didn't used to be this way, sadly. If you have a 7sp DSG that gives you the #@%!!s, then get into this upgrade.

**Ryan_R** · 11-09-2012, 08:34 PM

Would love to if it was a few hundred cheaper, I've just invested in 2 years genuine VW warranty and I didn't really want to spend that much either

Thanks for the review though

**Brendan_A** · 11-09-2012, 08:56 PM

Just do it Ryan! You'll get 10% off because your an APR ecu customer.

**Ryan_R** · 21-09-2012, 04:20 PM

Got my DSG upgrade and have been running it for a couple of days now, and to put it mildly, I'm pretty confident it's the solution to all my problems (in conjunction with the replaced mechatronics).

Guy's description of the upgrade, while accurate, undersells the product, but here are my more specific observations in random order:

* When coasting at a constant speed the revs now tend to sit at 1650-2150RPM, (max torque range starts from 1750rpm).

* When requesting more acceleration, instead of labouring in 7th, the box shifts down quicker (was about 1/4 of a second of labouring on one occasion which I can live with), and depending on how far you push on the pedal, shifts down further, i.e. 7th jumps to 4th.

* When pulling away 1st gear is held for longer, changes at ~17kph. In rare circumstances it can be annoying when you can't accelerate enough for it to change up (following someone in a car park).

* Holding 1st helps with smoothness IF you're crawling at a constant speed. If the car in front is moving unpredictably then you'll either have to wait longer before starting move (like you might do in a proper manual), otherwise you may experience slight kangaroo-hopping effects (emphasis on slight).

* Shifting back down into 1st takes a little getting used to as it affects how much brakes to apply when stopping, parking.

* Cruising at 40kph = 3rd, 60kph = 5th, 70kph = 6th, 80+kph = 7th in D mode. In theory sounds ok but maybe not a big enough change, however see later point about S mode. In general driving in Auto (D or S) means I'm much more often in the same gear as I would be if driving in M.

So, an all-round improvement for D mode, but the big surprise came when I tried out Sport mode.

* Coasting with minimal pedal travel on the freeway it'll shift to S7 (cruise control not turned on) above ~94kph and maintain something around 2300RPM instead of over-revving for no reason. On roads with a speed limit of 70 or 80kph+ you could comfortably drive in S all day. Small modulations to the pedal to keep up with traffic also keep the same gear which is good. As soon as you indicate you want more power by pushing further/faster it quickly shifts down to a low gear.

All testing performed so far has been with APR Stage 1 enabled and my SprintBooster turned off. A lot of the DSG changes make it a lot easier to live without the SB if necessary. (SB probably makes it even better (or more fun) again but for now I'll leave it off).

All in all my car now feels like it's just rolled off the production line in comparison to how it was behaving a few weeks ago, so thankyou very much Guy. Just need to look at my engine mounts now.

I also got the 10% off being an existing APR customer, still think it's priced a little high but the results speak for themselves and I doubt I'll be getting any more DSG warranty work carried out any time soon. The only downside now is that I can't justify upgrading to a Golf R next year (shouldn't have spent so much on extended warranty).