Strange Mud
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Small Town CT
- Car(s)
- Assorted
GT21......why get rid of civic? explain plz many of us are car guys and the civic seems nice (although the looks are not what I like)
Excellent review here discussing the pros and cons of the GTI's non-mechanical LSD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYjEHQjEzMw
Personally I went with the base S model. I wanted the lightest weight possible with no sunroof and cloth interior. I don't plan to track the car, that's what my Miata is for, so I saw no real benefit to paying the extra to move up to the SE for a daily driver. It's a personal decision only you can make but honestly unless you're driving like you really shouldn't be on public roads then you'll hardly ever see a benefit from the LSD. If you plan to autocross or run DE then sure you will likely want to step up.
It can make a huge difference. It's not so much a traditional LSD as it is an electronic Front Differential Locker. It has multiple advantages as well as disadvantages compared to a traditional LSD. That being said you can still put a traditional LSD into a GTI with the FDL. Most people who don't have it will tell you it isn't needed and doesn't do anything, but that's simply because they haven't actually driven a GTI with it. Those nay-sayers that have driven a car with it, complain it doesn't do anything, because they drive the car like it's a Prius but claim they are the next Ken Block.
Once you change the FDL to traction mode, it's night and day difference (similar from going from a punch card computer, to a modern day one, and when compared to a non-PP GTI, it's like the change from fighting with sticks and stones, to weapon of mass destruction). There is a reason the car is light years faster than the non-PP (from my point of view, 6-9 seconds a lap faster means the cars aren't even in the same class...even though obviously they are and in Motorsports you see lead times like that a lot).
Another tip is to not listen to anything anyone says if they don't have the 2.0T. The other engines are completely different and the same rules and upgrades don't apply. Displacement is king unless you care about MPG.
GT21......why get rid of civic? explain plz many of us are car guys and the civic seems nice (although the looks are not what I like)
You might be talking about me...
I however have been purely trying to get the exact facts about the VAQ unit out there due to VW marketing dept (& only this dept) calling it a mechanical dif...which has lead to huge confusion..which is why I did that huge post on the VAQ unit...
I have always stated that for the money the "PP" option is a no brainer....however if you want racecar/track car & don't mind spending the money then don't get the "PP" & fit lighter & better aftermarket brakes & LSD...
horses for courses..
Hahaha, for once I wasn't actually talking about you . I know you aren't a fan of what VW did with the "PP", but you have always said it's good.
Excellent review here discussing the pros and cons of the GTI's non-mechanical LSD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYjEHQjEzMw
Personally I went with the base S model. I wanted the lightest weight possible with no sunroof and cloth interior. I don't plan to track the car, that's what my Miata is for, so I saw no real benefit to paying the extra to move up to the SE for a daily driver. It's a personal decision only you can make but honestly unless you're driving like you really shouldn't be on public roads then you'll hardly ever see a benefit from the LSD. If you plan to autocross or run DE then sure you will likely want to step up.