johnnysenna Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 OK fellas. A question......is the mk5 GTI's ride too hard? Now, don't spit out your tea, let me explain. My GTI (56 plate 5 door manual on 18 inch Monzas) is my daily runabout. I have a Porsche 993 RS with rock hard Manthey Racing suspension for the weekends, so I know what a hard ride can be. But the thing is, the ride quality of the GTI isn't much better than the Porsche. Fact. We drove from Newcastle to Bath in the GTI recently. The GTI's ride was fine on the motorways, but on country roads/in town/on B roads the ride is fairly uncomfortable. The reasons are obvious I suppose. There is great front end grip, almost no body roll and good resistance to understeer, which is great. More touring-orientated suspension would damage this. And suspension settings are all about compromise, unless you have an active system....I understand all of this. But I think for a daily driver the GTI's ride quality is too harsh. Maybe it is the 18" Monzas? But I love them, wouldn't change them for 17s. Now I am not ignorant when it comes to cars. I used to have a couple of BMW E30 M3s, and here's the thing......on my standard E30 M3, the handling was as good/better than the GTI, yet it rode better. Down country lanes the E30 M3 felt ligter on its toes, it soaked up the bumps, it seemed to "dance" down the twisty lanes. The GTI doesn't do this as well as the old Beemer, it simply grips and charges down those lanes, which is OK, but not a revelation or anything. There isn't much I would change on my GTI. Slightly straighter seat back on the driver's seat, better ride quality......that's it really. So come on...what does everyone think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxfordlad Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 It is a fairly hard ride indeed, however, I quite like that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 I live in the Southwest and have never felt the ride was too hard. I've covered 30k miles and started on Monza 17" then Monza 18". I would describe my ride as very firm with plenty of feedback but never harsh. My suspension is modded: KoniFSD+Eibach springs and Eibach Anti-roll bars - All perfect for the road imo. I rode in a Stage2 2.0T FSI Octavia VRS the other day - No suspension mods and the ride was way too soft for my liking. The KoniFSDs are firm when they need to be and softer when they need to be - They are mechanically Smart. They just take the hard edge off but don't compromise stiffness or road holding. The ARBs complete the suspension package - Well, not quite! The AP brakes do that. I avoid the harder bumps and holes by adjusting my speed. KoniFSD Info Hope This Helps (HTH) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 like RR has indicated above, the koni fsds will improve you ride quality and soak up the bumps better than the standard shocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalex Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 You should drive the last Civic Type-R. Now THAT has a hard ride. The GTI rides beautifully in comparison. I'm not sure you can expect the GTI to do anything as well as the M3 (past or present). Like you say, the M3 handles better, but rides better too. I would say the same about the GTI when compared to the Type-R. The tradeoff between ride quality and handling isn't always so straightforward. The fact is, the M3 is a benchmark and always has been, and no GTI can compare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnysenna Posted April 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Thanks very much for your thoughts lads. Mind you, although the ride is hard, I can live with it. I think there has a been a move towards hard suspension over the years. This is why back in 1992 the rags all said the 964 RS was comedy hard on the road. By today's standards it isn't really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robe Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 johnnysenna your comments reflect exactly my own thoughts. The GTI is a great car and i'm very happy with it, however I ordered mine without a test drive (i've had 4 golf gti's in the past, earlier models) based on the reviews in the various mags who praised the ride/handling compromise but was surprise how hard the ride actually is. To put this into context, I'm comparing with previous gti's, focus RS, the three lotus I've owned, etc. I suppose also it depends how you use your car and how much time you spend behind the wheel. I've had mine 2 months and done 6k miles.. one day last week was 400-ish miles and a 10 hr day in the office - that's the sort of day when you really think that a little more ride comfort would be appreciated.. If you only use the car for shorter trips and "fun" rather than "getting somewhere" then the handling is more important i suppose. Regarding your comparisons with E30 M3, maybe that car's superior handling/ride is related to the lighter weight compared to a mk5 gti? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 I agree it is a hard ride - coupled with the fact I usually run my tyres a couple of PSI higher too. That said, it doesn't bother me as I quite it this way. IMO too many so called 'hot hatches' in the late 90's went too soft in the name of comfort. Providing my contact lenses don't fall out then it's not too hard for me I also suspect that new / old tyres or different makes of tyres will also be a big contributor to the firmness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 The GTI couldn't be expected to compare to something like a M3 imo. Our individual comfort levels and expectations are just that - Individual. The longest stint I've ever done was an unplanned 762 miles, coming back home from Europe - I felt so comfortable, I just kept on going. The GTI seats are excellent - Supportive but not too tight-sided like a race seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemod Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 I did 1500 miles round the Highlands of Scotland last year and never had any problems. I found the ride to be much better than my MKIV GTI and it was a bit rolly on the bends. The roads here in NI are bad as well, even the Motorways are full of potholes. How many miles are on your car. Maybe it will settle down with a few miles (I have 26000 now) My wife drives a Lupo GTI, now that is hard and like a Kart. Great fun though I find the ride improves with speed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I find the ride improves with speed [/ QUOTE ] ....Very true until you go above about 135 mph and she feels a bit 'light' at 140 [tested on unrestricted German autobahns with GPS, not speedo]. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMC950 Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 This is why I chose the 17 wheels. I tested both. Money was never the issue. I felt that the 18's gave a more 'jolty' ride, particulalry inner city (I live in london) and more road noice (on a motorway). To me the difference was pretty big and the car is better balanced and suited to the 17's on an every day car. If you know this but have chosen the 18's because they 'look better' then I think you have made the wrong call, frankly. If you can't tell the difference, then fair enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnysenna Posted April 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] johnnysenna your comments reflect exactly my own thoughts. The GTI is a great car and i'm very happy with it, however I ordered mine without a test drive (i've had 4 golf gti's in the past, earlier models) based on the reviews in the various mags who praised the ride/handling compromise but was surprise how hard the ride actually is. To put this into context, I'm comparing with previous gti's, focus RS, the three lotus I've owned, etc. I suppose also it depends how you use your car and how much time you spend behind the wheel. I've had mine 2 months and done 6k miles.. one day last week was 400-ish miles and a 10 hr day in the office - that's the sort of day when you really think that a little more ride comfort would be appreciated.. If you only use the car for shorter trips and "fun" rather than "getting somewhere" then the handling is more important i suppose. Regarding your comparisons with E30 M3, maybe that car's superior handling/ride is related to the lighter weight compared to a mk5 gti? [/ QUOTE ] Weight could be the issue I suppose,but I also think the E30 M3 was more softly sprung than the GTI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutkins Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 I came from a Mini Cooper S and the GTI is a much softer ride, and handles almost as good. Great trade off IMO. I've never thought the ride was hard (I'm on the 18"s) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djjuk Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Regularly do 2-300 miles a day around the South West in mine & have had no concerns as yet. Am on the standard 17s though. This is coming from a wallowing Vectra as well!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chungster Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 I too think it is a hard'ish ride... but coming from a Scooby STI the GTI is like a limo!! I like it tho...makes me wanna throw it round every corner I come across hehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 M3 is a far bigger car so its much easier to get a good handling/ride ratio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnysenna Posted April 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 [ QUOTE ] M3 is a far bigger car so its much easier to get a good handling/ride ratio. [/ QUOTE ] Nah, the E30 M3 isn't bigger than the mk5 GTI. No way, sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted April 14, 2007 Report Share Posted April 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] M3 is a far bigger car so its much easier to get a good handling/ride ratio. [/ QUOTE ] Nah, the E30 M3 isn't bigger than the mk5 GTI. No way, sir. [/ QUOTE ] I got the my E numbers mixed up. Length BWM 4346 golf 4204 width BMW 1679 golf 1759 Height BMW 1369.1 golf 1485 Wheelbase BMW 2565.4 golf 2578 The small sidewall of the tyres will not help low speed ride on newer cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yousif Posted April 14, 2007 Report Share Posted April 14, 2007 Hi all, How much harder does the 18s ride comparde to 17s? can you tell the diffrence? is there a diffrence in handeling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 14, 2007 Report Share Posted April 14, 2007 Difference between 17s and 18s is very subtle. I guess the 18" is a wee bit firmer and more felt when hard cornering. I haven't found the 18s noticeably harsher in everyday road use. They are just as easy to kerb as each other!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted April 14, 2007 Report Share Posted April 14, 2007 I have to go down a concrete ribbed road into an industrial esate each day that has broken up in a couple places it then turns to cobbles at the bottom you feel a big difference between the 17s and the 18s at such low speeds on such a ruff road. Mainly due to the 18s not really having any sidewall flex to them to help absorb the small bumps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 14, 2007 Report Share Posted April 14, 2007 That relative lack of sidewall flex is what gives good handling on fast taken roundabouts. I has so much fun today on my 280 mile TSN meet round trip - So many roundabouts . They say that the best performance tyres are the ones which are the most difficult to put on due to their stiffness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyGTi Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Hi all, How much harder does the 18s ride comparde to 17s? can you tell the diffrence? is there a diffrence in handeling? [/ QUOTE ] I had 17"s for 5000 miles before switching to 18"s and doing 6000 miles in them. Both had Conti Sport tyres on, so should be a fair comparison. IMHO the difference is very subtle as RR says above. I was very pleased with the ride on the 18"s and was expecting a much bigger difference. Some of the roads around here in Leeds have a pretty poor surface and that put me off getting the 18"s for quite a while. Glad I made the switch now though . I would'nt describe the GTI ride as hard myself, perhaps "jiggly" at low speeds on poor surfaces is how I'd call it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzGTI Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 I've also moved from the 17's (at 11,000km) to the 18's (now 22,000km). Swapped the 17" Conti's for Goodyear GS3D Eagles. Australia roads are pretty rough- generally way worse than your A roads in the UK. What's more the bitumen is coarser than the in the UK. The truth is I think the 18's ride a little more harshly - not badly but with a little less flexibility than the 17's. I guess that has to be expected with the stiffer sidewall. As I don't do a huge amount of driving I don't find the extra 'edge' of the 18's tiresome at all. The GTI/18" package is still way more commfortable than my previous A3 1.8T with its jittery Audi ride. The Goodyears are also quiter than the Conti's in my opinion. When I changed over to the Goodyears it wasn't the improved cornering I first noticed but the fact that I could hear more of the exhaust! Very happy to be driving on the Monza 18's and Goodyear GS3D's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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