I was wondering if those who've driven their GTI's in the wet or light snow, what your thoughts are on the XDS (especially as it compares to the MKV if you've previously owned or driven on) as to how it puts the power down coming out of turns. Do you feel a noticeable difference in the handling? And I am not sure if anyone has any tuning done yet, but how well it copes with the added power/torque going to the wheels, especially in the wet.
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XDS
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StreetSpeed2000
Passed Driver's Ed
Oh boy! We got about an inch and a half last night, so I'll report back later when I get to work!
I haven't played with it in the wet either (just got it Saturday) but I have gotten it on some cold, dusty, salty, twisty roads and think that there is some merit to the XDS. IMO, the MKV was underivable in the snow with the ESP on. That's because the stupid traction control system on that car wants to actually apply brakes to the sipping wheel in order to regain traction. That seems counter-intuitive to me. As I've read, the XDS simply cuts power to the slipping wheel, managing acceleration to the point where the wheels are juuuuust not spinning anymore. This makes a lot more sense than applying brakes in an effort to make a car go forward. Anyway, so far I think it's cool. Looking forward to getting it on the track. And I'll update this thread when I go through some snow this morning.
I haven't played with it in the wet either (just got it Saturday) but I have gotten it on some cold, dusty, salty, twisty roads and think that there is some merit to the XDS. IMO, the MKV was underivable in the snow with the ESP on. That's because the stupid traction control system on that car wants to actually apply brakes to the sipping wheel in order to regain traction. That seems counter-intuitive to me. As I've read, the XDS simply cuts power to the slipping wheel, managing acceleration to the point where the wheels are juuuuust not spinning anymore. This makes a lot more sense than applying brakes in an effort to make a car go forward. Anyway, so far I think it's cool. Looking forward to getting it on the track. And I'll update this thread when I go through some snow this morning.
toady
Passed Driver's Ed
Already driven in snow in Colorado
I'm extremely happy with the system on both wet and dry roads. I'm used to AWD Audis and this doesn't feel like a typical front wheel drive car to me. Car did great in the snow with the high performance all seasons on the 18", when I get on it in the dry, I don't feel the car pulling too hard to the left or right, and accerlating out of corners has been great. So all thumbs up from me. :w00t:
I'm extremely happy with the system on both wet and dry roads. I'm used to AWD Audis and this doesn't feel like a typical front wheel drive car to me. Car did great in the snow with the high performance all seasons on the 18", when I get on it in the dry, I don't feel the car pulling too hard to the left or right, and accerlating out of corners has been great. So all thumbs up from me. :w00t:
StreetSpeed2000
Passed Driver's Ed
Kay the roads were plowed and just wet by the time I got in. But, I played around in my parking lot. The XDS does do as advertised, and just modulates the throttle, so to speak in low traction situations. So where as the ESP on the MKV would be constantly grinding the ABS to try and keep you moving forward, this thing just keeps right at the slip point and moves you a long. SOUNDS a hell of a lot better for sure. I also tried some e-brake shenanigans with the ESP on and for whatever reason it doesn't shut down your fun until your tail is waaaay out. On the MKV it would do no such thing. If you wanted to play around in the snow you had to turn off ESP, doesn't seem to be the case with this car.
Anyway, haven't done any real driving in the snow yet. But my initial impression, is that in light snow (I'm talking less than 2 inches on the road) I will probably drive with ESP on, where as with the MKV that would be stupid. If it's a damn blizzard out however, and the front of the car is acting as a snow plow, I tend to favor no ESP, so I can feel the tires spinning, the car sliding, and react accordingly without any electronic interference. My 2 cents.
Anyway, haven't done any real driving in the snow yet. But my initial impression, is that in light snow (I'm talking less than 2 inches on the road) I will probably drive with ESP on, where as with the MKV that would be stupid. If it's a damn blizzard out however, and the front of the car is acting as a snow plow, I tend to favor no ESP, so I can feel the tires spinning, the car sliding, and react accordingly without any electronic interference. My 2 cents.
Streetspeed, sounds like you have a good plan with regards to driving with the ESP. My understanding of the XDS is that it doesn't cut power (via the engine) but lightly brakes the inside wheel when it is slipping, which also directs power to the outside wheel through the open mechanical differential. Much better than simply activating ABS as you say.
Also great to hear that e-brake fun in the snow is still possible, even with the ESP on. That should be quoted everywhere!
Also great to hear that e-brake fun in the snow is still possible, even with the ESP on. That should be quoted everywhere!
StreetSpeed2000
Passed Driver's Ed
Something like that. Here's a link to a brief write up on how it works. I guess there is some braking involved, but it's completely transparent on the MKVI as opposed to the MKV where wheel slippage with ESP sounded like your car was gonna fall apart, and it didn't work in snow anyway.
http://www.integrityvw.com/2009/10/what-is-xds-on-mkvi-gti.html
I didn't know the MKVI is lower stock than the MKV. Couldn't tell from the pics.
StreetSpeed2000
Passed Driver's Ed
For sure. I believe the MKV was at it's highest for the 2006 year, where it looked like an off road vehicle. I dropped mine with SuperSports, and honestly they weren't THAT much lower than the new GTI from the factory. Very happy about that, since I don't need to mess with the already fantastic suspension just for aesthetics.
roastpuff
Go Kart Champion
I autocrossed the car this past Sunday, and I have to say that I'm not sure whether it was the suspension set-up or because of XDS, but I had absolutely no understeer in the soaking wet conditions. The car behaved beautifully, and even if I was absolutely feckless in corner entry methods, it would respond without hesitation.
It definitely doesn't feel like a front-drive car at all.
It definitely doesn't feel like a front-drive car at all.
I imagine you're too busy on the track to stare at the dashboard but doesn't a light come on when XDS is activated?
roastpuff
Go Kart Champion
A light comes on when traction control is activated, but not for XDS.
But I de-activated traction anyways, so the light was blinking the entire time.
