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Rubbish brakes and feels slow

Agnes.Surrey

Active Member
Nov 6, 2020
772
420
Surrey
Yes, there's Front Assist system in a car. I braked hard couple of times myself, on blind bends on narrow country lanes. No issues with the brakes in my opinion.
 

manracer

Active Member
Mar 15, 2021
52
25
I'm glad from reading this that I'm not the only one who thinks the car is sluggish to pick up and doesn't feel as fast as it actually is.
 
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Peyton

Active Member
Jan 20, 2021
497
243
I'm glad from reading this that I'm not the only one who thinks the car is sluggish to pick up and doesn't feel as fast as it actually is.
In Drive the car is quite sluggish on acceleration, especially if you are in middle of the throttle range. For obvious fuel mileage reasons, gearbox shifts into higher gears very happily and you cruise along at 1500rpm, well below the proper rpm range for acceleration.

When I drove it in S, it would keep revs much better, it would sit 2000-2500 and respond to throttle input much better.

Like two cars in one, one comfortable "safe" car and another quick and snappy one. I quite like the possibilities.
 
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manracer

Active Member
Mar 15, 2021
52
25
In Drive the car is quite sluggish on acceleration, especially if you are in middle of the throttle range. For obvious fuel mileage reasons, gearbox shifts into higher gears very happily and you cruise along at 1500rpm, well below the proper rpm range for acceleration.

When I drove it in S, it would keep revs much better, it would sit 2000-2500 and respond to throttle input much better.

Like two cars in one, one comfortable "safe" car and another quick and snappy one. I quite like the possibilities.
Every DSG car I've owned has had the same setup but none have behaved like this. MK5 golf GTi edition 30 and 2017 S3. I'm not new to these engines or gearboxes but this is the worst in my opinion.
 

Zephyr

Just send it!
Dec 28, 2020
105
62
51
Madrid (SPAIN)
The slugginess you're feeling is rooting on the big turbo that sports the engine. Those ones coming from TDi engines will feel it way worse, just because those engines have >90% of times VGT Turbos that alleviates the turbo lag and they pull harder from lower revs.

For the past 15 years, I've been driving DSG equipped cars, found the 'S' program quite unsatisfactory (doesn't matter if were Petrol or Diesel). Got accustomed to being in 'D' or being in sequential position and moving the gear selector or paddles.
 
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manracer

Active Member
Mar 15, 2021
52
25
The slugginess you're feeling is rooting on the big turbo that sports the engine. Those ones coming from TDi engines will feel it way worse, just because those engines have >90% of times VGT Turbos that alleviates the turbo lag and they pull harder from lower revs.

For the past 15 years, I've been driving DSG equipped cars, found the 'S' program quite unsatisfactory (doesn't matter if were Petrol or Diesel). Got accustomed to being in 'D' or being in sequential position and moving the gear selector or paddles.
I'd say it's something more likely to do with throttle delay, hence why throttle boxes exist, to alleviate this.

I agree S historically has been naff. Seems a little better in this.
 

Peyton

Active Member
Jan 20, 2021
497
243
So you guys prefer D to S? I felt D goes to very low revs and takes a second or two to downshift. S seemed to stay above 2000.
 

Agnes.Surrey

Active Member
Nov 6, 2020
772
420
Surrey
I switch to S, when I want to drive dynamically. So let say, before roundabout within 70mph zone, I will switch to S, so I can leave roundabout quickly and accelerate aggressively. Then I will go back to D for leisure driving. I use Individual driving mode as standard and just switch between D and S, instead of playing with pre-programmed modes. Individual mode eliminates fake sound and you can actually hear engine and exhaust in S.
 
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Mike the_cupra

Active Member
May 29, 2020
158
81
I quite often find myself going round a roundabout at 25mph in 4th gear in D, it takes a pretty big stomp to get the right kick down. S is obviously much better. I understand the DSG learns from your driving style, and so a "reset" may help:
(apologies for sending another car forum). I haven't done it, and there may be a slightly different process for newer cars, but google/youtube should reveal all.
 

Volt

Active Member
May 2, 2021
49
17
I switch to S, when I want to drive dynamically. So let say, before roundabout within 70mph zone, I will switch to S, so I can leave roundabout quickly and accelerate aggressively. Then I will go back to D for leisure driving. I use Individual driving mode as standard and just switch between D and S, instead of playing with pre-programmed modes. Individual mode eliminates fake sound and you can actually hear engine and exhaust in S.
What settings have you got your individual profile set to? This is what I want to do. Just two options, D or S but unsure about the right settings.

Also which settings allow it be quick in S and not have the fake sound? I’m sure I read that putting it in S activates the Soundaktor noise. 🤷🏻‍♂️
 

AndyCupra93

Active Member
Apr 21, 2021
296
127
Engine sound (i.e. soundaktor volume) is a separately configurable option within “Individual”, it is independent of D/S.

S does keep idle revs at about 1100 (vs bout 800 in D), in any drive mode.
 

Volt

Active Member
May 2, 2021
49
17
Engine sound (i.e. soundaktor volume) is a separately configurable option within “Individual”, it is independent of D/S.

S does keep idle revs at about 1100 (vs bout 800 in D), in any drive mode.
Oh right. I didn’t realise that. Makes me wonder why folk disconnect the Soundaktor if they can just amend the settings in individual.
 

Peyton

Active Member
Jan 20, 2021
497
243
Oh right. I didn’t realise that. Makes me wonder why folk disconnect the Soundaktor if they can just amend the settings in individual.
I think there is debate about this, but I think that if you put Engine sound to Comfort (turning off your Soundaktor) that you turn off the "pops and bangs" as well as the valve on the exhaust closes. One other forum member claimed it is not connected but my testing seems to point otherwise.

Other reason for me personally is that I prefer to have all the modes without the fake sound, I know I could use individual but since I don't like the fake sound I just pulled the plug on it.
 

Ricknffc

Active Member
Feb 20, 2021
464
302
Does anyone not mind the fake noise? I'm not too bothered to be honest definitely don't hate it enough to pull the plug and although fake it still adds a bit of drama when gunning it that you unfortunately don't get from the engine itself. Would be good however if you could opt in and out through the touch of a button ( and still have the valves open like you have suggested). I guess with it being my 2nd car and coming from a 1.2 manual Leon I'm more inclined to enjoy the drama of the fake noise.
 
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Agnes.Surrey

Active Member
Nov 6, 2020
772
420
Surrey
After driving cars with real engine and exhaust noise, I can't drive something that pretends it.

Regarding changing settings in individual, I decided that disconnecting fake noise device is the easiest solution.
 

Volt

Active Member
May 2, 2021
49
17
After driving cars with real engine and exhaust noise, I can't drive something that pretends it.

Regarding changing settings in individual, I decided that disconnecting fake noise device is the easiest solution.
I might just take this advice. Does the connector need taped up when pulled out?
 

Agnes.Surrey

Active Member
Nov 6, 2020
772
420
Surrey
No, it's a normal plug. See manual with photos.

 

Volt

Active Member
May 2, 2021
49
17
No, it's a normal plug. See manual with photos.

Thanks!
 

Volt

Active Member
May 2, 2021
49
17
So I managed to disconnect it. I can’t believe how quiet and normal car sounding it now is.

Bearing in mind I have the stock car with now modifications. I might actually want the sound now! I can’t decide!

I’ll maybe plug it back in tomorrow and have another listen (if I can reach the plug again!)
 

Peyton

Active Member
Jan 20, 2021
497
243
So I managed to disconnect it. I can’t believe how quiet and normal car sounding it now is.

Bearing in mind I have the stock car with now modifications. I might actually want the sound now! I can’t decide!

I’ll maybe plug it back in tomorrow and have another listen (if I can reach the plug again!)
Haha, yeah the car is quiet. It is a bit louder in Cupra/S but nothing crazy. I found sound actuator to be too loud, especially in Cupra.