- Messages
- 1
- Reactions
- 0
- City
- Edmonds
- State
- WA
- Country
- United States
- What I Drive
- 2017 VW Golf Alltrack SEL
What a sweet car, my ride since Feb 2018 when I found the last of the 17s on the dealer lot and got a fantastic deal. I owned 5 Audis before this, all manuals, averaging 150K miles.
My only AllTrack reservation so far is wind noise at speed - moderate but still a little intrusive (on the Audis, I could take my Yakima racks off the top; also, I think a long roof car must let more exterior noise inside). My only problem has been a leaking roof, fixed by dealer and the VW leaky roof touring specialist. No recurrence. Apparently a wide problem - hence the availability of a specialist.
My only unmet desire has been for more power. Its stock power is minimally acceptable to me (although comparable to my prior NA Audi V6; most will find it entirely acceptable). Yesterday, I finally went for an APR stage 1 91 (R+M)/2; the power train warranty is down to its last months, so minimal risk of an 'aw sh*t' moment ruining my day.
I decided against TCU tune since only mild ECU tune and I use the DSG paddles exclusively, this being my first non-manual car in my past 55 years of driving. I also am leaving the stock plugs, since I do not drive much any more. Maintenance intervals are not much on my mind given limited miles, but will pay more attention with occasional OBD code checks. I had been using Premium 92 even in the stock version, so no change there either.
I sensed something was different on first few seconds with the tuned car. Idle sounded smoother and even effortless like running with a magic oil (of course the engine was still warm). Amazing how a preconceived image of reality can actually affect one's reality.
The car felt more competent on the drive home, some freeway and some suburban traffic. I am all smiles even though my careful driving did not begin to test the new potential. My concerns regarding lessened city drivability were vaporized in a few minutes.
I was torn between APR and UM tunes, and the UM guys were closer to me. So called them first, but no answer and a mailbox full message on a Thurs, morning. I like to think they took the day off to go racing, but being unable to leave a message screamed 'run away'. So called the APR guys, who said to bring it in and plan to spend an hour. Couldn't have been easier; they were friendly and behaved like real pros. The told me the shop's new customization is putting Audi 5-pots into Vdubs, since a train wreck involving RS3s freed up some engines. They said the engine fits, but electronics takes some work to get right.
Much as an '22 RS3 has been on my radar, my tuned Alltrack is all the car I will ever need. So, no, they didn't succeed in selling me a train-wreck engine swap.
My only AllTrack reservation so far is wind noise at speed - moderate but still a little intrusive (on the Audis, I could take my Yakima racks off the top; also, I think a long roof car must let more exterior noise inside). My only problem has been a leaking roof, fixed by dealer and the VW leaky roof touring specialist. No recurrence. Apparently a wide problem - hence the availability of a specialist.
My only unmet desire has been for more power. Its stock power is minimally acceptable to me (although comparable to my prior NA Audi V6; most will find it entirely acceptable). Yesterday, I finally went for an APR stage 1 91 (R+M)/2; the power train warranty is down to its last months, so minimal risk of an 'aw sh*t' moment ruining my day.
I decided against TCU tune since only mild ECU tune and I use the DSG paddles exclusively, this being my first non-manual car in my past 55 years of driving. I also am leaving the stock plugs, since I do not drive much any more. Maintenance intervals are not much on my mind given limited miles, but will pay more attention with occasional OBD code checks. I had been using Premium 92 even in the stock version, so no change there either.
I sensed something was different on first few seconds with the tuned car. Idle sounded smoother and even effortless like running with a magic oil (of course the engine was still warm). Amazing how a preconceived image of reality can actually affect one's reality.
The car felt more competent on the drive home, some freeway and some suburban traffic. I am all smiles even though my careful driving did not begin to test the new potential. My concerns regarding lessened city drivability were vaporized in a few minutes.
I was torn between APR and UM tunes, and the UM guys were closer to me. So called them first, but no answer and a mailbox full message on a Thurs, morning. I like to think they took the day off to go racing, but being unable to leave a message screamed 'run away'. So called the APR guys, who said to bring it in and plan to spend an hour. Couldn't have been easier; they were friendly and behaved like real pros. The told me the shop's new customization is putting Audi 5-pots into Vdubs, since a train wreck involving RS3s freed up some engines. They said the engine fits, but electronics takes some work to get right.
Much as an '22 RS3 has been on my radar, my tuned Alltrack is all the car I will ever need. So, no, they didn't succeed in selling me a train-wreck engine swap.
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