GTI ride firmness procrastination

[AlexTZA]

Hi all – hoped I could pick your brains on the rather subjective subject of ride quality to help me quash my procrastination.

I’m in the market for a new car and, originally had my eye on a T-Roc 2.0TSI but I couldn’t get over spending that amount on a car, especially one with a disappointing hard plastic dash, so eventually began leaning toward a Polo GTI. However, I can’t quite get a handle on how the GTI rides, specifically on 17” wheels as I have only managed to find one dealer that happened to have a car available for test driving, and that had the 18” Bescia wheels (which are practically standard equipment on local GTIs).

I am admittedly not a hot-hatch racer. I've always liked small, nimble cars and the GTI is appealing to me due to the value-for-money proposition, torquey engine, availability of safety tech generally not available at this price point locally and because 95% of the time I'm the only one in the car so there is no need for a larger vehicle.

Currently, I drive a 2012 Mk6 Golf 1.4 TSI (118KW – Highline spec) that has 225/45/17’s Contis on it and find the ride firm, but reasonably comfortable in my opinion. I normally keep the tyres around 2.5 bar all round (36 psi) but recently dropped the pressures to 2.2 bar all around for comparison and noticed a very slight improvement in ride comfort but nothing I would consider particularly relevant. For comparison, I have also driven a new Polo 85KW R-Line on 215/45/17’s and found that ride very similar to my Golf, although somehow slightly and pleasantly more compliant, perhaps due to the chassis stiffness – so was fine with the ride on that one.

I’ve managed to organize a test drive of the GTI only once, although it was a decent 20 minute drive in a mixture of highway and crappy South African road surfaces. Personally I found the ride overly firm on poor/choppy surfaces and this is my main concern relating to the GTI. Currently, based on the opinions expressed on this forum I’ve aware of the following issues that could potentially soften the ride to some extent:

- The 18” Bridgestone tyres are hard and unyielding – other tyres such as Michelin PS4’s help
- 17” wheels with decent rubber (looks like the 215/45/17’s currently used on the SA-made Polos are Continental SportContact 4s which are as what I have on my Golf). Some owners and reviewers say it makes a noticeable difference, other say not - aaarg!
- Slightly Lower tyre pressures - not sure this will make too much noticeable difference unless we are talking 0.5 bar or more change in pressure

It’s just all rather difficult to quantify the above and chances of test driving a Polo with 17” wheels locally looks all but impossible. So it’s going to be a leap of faith on 17” wheels or I’m going to have to accept driving a GTI is probably not for me and look for something else. If anyone has some insights into the difference in the ride quality between a Mk6 Golf on 17’s or larger or a Polo R-Line on 17’s and the GTI, it would be much appreciated.

[monkeyhanger]

Not sure about SA spec, but in the UK, we get 2 stage selectable dampers, Normal and Sport. I've kept the suspension in Normal (softer) since day 1.

Its all what you're used to though- I was fine on a Golf R with 19" wheels and 235/35 R19 tyres. My A4 is also on 19" wheels.

[SRGTD]

I had a previous generation Polo GTI on 17” wheels before my current model Polo GTI+ (on 18” wheels). I’d say the current Polo GTI definitely has a less firm, more compliant ride than my previous generation Polo GTI did. Prior to the two Polos, I owned a mk6 Golf GTD on 18” wheels. Although the ride was quite firm, it was much less firm and more compliant than the previous generation Polo GTI - probably quite similar in many respects to the current Polo GTI as far as I can recall. The ride of all three cars have been fine for me in terms of firmness / compliance, and I’ve not had any complaints from passengers over ride quality / firmness - and some of my passengers have been ‘very mature’ in terms of age.

As @monkeyhanger has said, what you’re used to is a big factor in determining whether or not the ride quality of a potential replacement car will be acceptable to you.

[Andy Beats]

I don't find the ride hugely uncomfortable, although the wife says the hard seats combined with the ride are just unacceptable to her and she avoids my car like the plague.
But she's used to an Evoque with balloon tyres that floats along like a boat, so it's all relative.
I recently switched to Goodyear all-season tyres on my 18" wheels, I can't say I notice any improvement in ride compared with the standard Bridgestones.
I've not bothered with the sport setting either, can't see what it adds to the party at all.

[OomStu_ZA]

@AlexTZA Are you not in CPT any any chance?

I've owned a number of Polo's since 2006 and can say without hesitation this model (AW) is by far the best of the bunch. My vehicle is also fitted with Sport Select and have the option to change the ride when engaged in sport mode (but seldom use it because its so firm). As for general ride quality I cant complain. Also fitted Michelin PS4 225/40/18 once the terrible factory fitted Bridgestones reached the end of life and confirm the road noise is reduced drastically making for a more peacefull drive.

[lancslad1985]

I have a gti on the 17” wheels with the standard Michelin tyres. My wife had the previous gti on 17” wheels and it’s like night and day. My car is comfy for a sporty car. Compared to the fiesta st I drove at the same time it’s like a Bentley...

It all comes down to your own personal tolerance as others have said. I’ve never found sporty VWs to ride particularly firm but friends do.

[AlexTZA]

Thanks for the replies - much appreciated.

I agree, it's definitely a subjective personal preference thing - the main challenge right now is for me to exercise and experience my personal preference and find a car to test drive! Despite the apparently terrible state of new vehicle sales, the new vehicles sales interactions I have had with VW with 6 dealerships are one of total disinterest as soon as I don't want to purchase whatever model they have in stock - seems to be a local industry thing - stone age thinking that is not too surprising.

@OomStu_ZA - JHB, "unfortunately"

[Rosinfield]

GTI on 17 inch wheels. Remarkably stable and comfy. Also suspension always in normal. Even at 245 km/h it's stability is unexpectedly good for a car in this class

[green justin]

Hi,

I would go with the 17inch wheels and tyre option on the Polo GTI.Deflated to your tyre pressure levels will absorb bumps well.Upgrading from 215/45r17 to 225/45r17 will add more rubber. Most of the GTI users have gone from 215/40r18 to 225/40r18 as the extra rubber makes the ride quality better.

I have 18 inch Brescia with Eibach Pro-Kit with Bridgestone T001...2.6bar front and 2.4 rear. Ride is reasonably comfortable except on parts where the road has cracks and bumps. I dont think any car can feel soft when hitting bumps except a Rolls Royce.

Most Manufacturers which offer sports package- S-line /M Sport/ AMG Line i have read complaints on forums about ride quality.

Regards

[Andy Beats]

Hi,

I would go with the 17inch wheels and tyre option on the Polo GTI.Deflated to your tyre pressure levels will absorb bumps well.Upgrading from 215/45r17 to 225/45r17 will add more rubber. Most of the GTI users have gone from 215/40r18 to 225/40r18 as the extra rubber makes the ride quality better.

I have 18 inch Brescia with Eibach Pro-Kit with Bridgestone T001...2.6bar front and 2.4 rear. Ride is reasonably comfortable except on parts where the road has cracks and bumps. I dont think any car can feel soft when hitting bumps except a Rolls Royce.

Most Manufacturers which offer sports package- S-line /M Sport/ AMG Line i have read complaints on forums about ride quality.

Regards

I wouldn't (and didn't) as the 17 inch wheels look a bit crap and, let's face it, if you're worried about ride why bother with the Gti at all
With regard to ride quality improving when going to 225/40, I doubt many/any are changing tyres like for like, so you can't really say improvement in ride quality is down to that alone.
It's more likely down to the different characteristics of the new brand they've fitted and chances are they'd notice the same improvement swapping to the new brand on 215 as well.
I suppose the extra 4mm sidewall of the 225/40 might make a difference, combined with the new brand characteristics.

[monkeyhanger]

The reason most people here change to 225/40 R18s is that almost everyone here agrees that the ride, traction, grip and noise of the Bridgestones are very poor, so they pick another brand and realise that 215/40 R18 tyres are about 60% dearer than 225/40s because the 215s are such a niche size tyre.

No issues running 225s so why pay the extra?

[Andy Beats]

The reason most people here change to 225/40 R18s is that almost everyone here agrees that the ride, traction, grip and noise of the Bridgestones are very poor, so they pick another brand and realise that 215/40 R18 tyres are about 60% dearer than 225/40s because the 215s are such a niche size tyre.

No issues running 225s so why pay the extra?

No issue with that at all, why have you taken it that there is?
The issue is the improvement in ride quality was being attributed to 'more rubber on the road', which isn't the case.
If there's an improvement in ride it's down to change of brand and/or the extra 4mm sidewall, sod all to with the increased width.
I do feel sorry for those with earlier Gtis and the crap Bridgestones, thank god mine are nowhere near that bad at all.

[monkeyhanger]

I think you've misinterpreted that "issues" comment.

Just saying that there are no issues with 225 vs 215 (clearances etc) so anyone changing has no good reason to stick with 215 for replacement and suffer the much higher cost...but didn't want to get that wordy.

[Andy Beats]

Just saying that there are no issues with 225 vs 215 (clearances etc) so anyone changing has no good reason to stick with 215 for replacement and suffer the much higher cost...but didn't want to get that wordy.

Again, no argument there.
But it was suggested changing to 225 will improve ride quality.
A bold and baseless claim, it can't be measured and (dare I suggest) they might be imagining it to make themselves feel better?
The OP would be foolish to change from 215 to 225 just to seek out a better ride.
By all means try 225 when they're done though, I'd do the same (but guaranteed I won't have the car long enough to bother).

[green justin]

Just saying that there are no issues with 225 vs 215 (clearances etc) so anyone changing has no good reason to stick with 215 for replacement and suffer the much higher cost...but didn't want to get that wordy.

Again, no argument there.
But it was suggested changing to 225 will improve ride quality.
A bold and baseless claim, it can't be measured and (dare I suggest) they might be imagining it to make themselves feel better?
The OP would be foolish to change from 215 to 225 just to seek out a better ride.
By all means try 225 when they're done though, I'd do the same (but guaranteed I won't have the car long enough to bother).

A user called Fazzy,

215/40r18 rear and 225/40r18 front. Front looks quite abit bigger. Notice the sidewall difference.