Review : ECS Tuning Dogbone mount insert (
http://www.ecstuning.com/News/Volks...2007_2008_2009_2010_2011_2012_2013/ES2193007/)
Originally I was going to install the Autotech insert, but seeing the ECS Tuning mount so cheap, i decided to get it.
Install was pretty straight forward, but definitely harder than it looks... Its not that easy to get it in (much easier with the car on a lift). Make sure to grease it real good.
Starting the car I noticed a huge difference right off the bat. It SOUNDED much better than before, similar to the 2.5 mk6 i used to own (which is a good thing). I also noticed a huge increase in vibration in the cabin. You can definitely feel it with your legs on the pedals. Sound? maybe a slight increase in volume, not very noticeble.
Driving the car defintely feels different, different in a good way. It FEELS as if the clutch grabs harder, the car vibrates more at friction point. I persoanlly like how it feels, for me, its easier to engage and shifts more smoothly. The smoothness i feel is not the slippery feeling i get before i installed it (not clutch slipping, just how it engage). The incerase in vibration at friction point made the friction point much easier to feel and with that in mind, i was able to shift much smoother. Before the install, I sometimes have trouble shifting smoothly from 1st to 2nd, but now, even with different thickness shoes, I am able to shift very seamlessly.
I must note that I am extremely sensitive to NVH and the initial drive with the mount insert was borderline unbareable. Actual driving was fine, but at the red light, the pedals would vibrate like crazy which drove me nuts. Other than the vibration, there is no other downside.
Going into reverse the engine vibrates even more and because its reverse, I don't mind it that much. In fact, I sort of like the vibration going into reverse.
A/C on and off doesn't seem to affect NVH at all.
After 250km
Vibration definitely went down. It is much more bareable and the clutch still FEEL really solid. I never had wheel hop, so I can't tell you if the mount eliminated wheel hop or not, but the drive definitely feels much nicer. As I have mentioned earlier, I am very sensitive to NVH, and the mount is acceptabe to me. For people who are similar to me, this would be a very cheap and effective way to test your limit. I now know that I would not be able to stand the NVH from the engine mounts since this is just acceptable for me and swaping the engine mounts would increase NVH significantly.
Overall, this is a very cheap and effective mod for most people. For those who are borderline on this, I say go for it. Its cheap and it really changes how the car feel. Its 40 bucks and free shipping, what could go wrong... For those who are unsure about NVH, try it out. If you can't even stand this, I wouldn't change the engine mounts. Keep in mind that the more we mod our cars, the more noise and vibration is added to the car. It is purely subjective to what is acceptable or not, but this is a great start (and end for some people).
