Pros and Cons of new 1.4 tsi Jetta

[tgn9y]

Bouncy best describes how the ride feels. I dunno. Any ideas as to where I could have this checked out?

Did u install lowering springs? What brand? I'm looking at H&R sport

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

Do you mean bouncy on rough roads?

Hit a bump at speed and car twitches?

[tgn9y]

Seems bouncy and unstable even when driving on smooth highway

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

You mean it feels very different to your test drive?

Have you driven anyone else's jetta?

Shouldn't feel bouncy on highway...unless your version of bouncy and mine don't coincide.

You checked underneath to see if they removed the shipping blocks from your springs? :p

What does BA say?

I used VW Driver Gear lowering springs on mine. I've seen a lot of posts on vwvortex about H&R lowering springs and it seems it they just about are the same interms of drop. Others use Volkswagen Racing lowering springs an year two are very similar to the Driver Gear springs.

Will post up my FTG in a bit so you can compare against your stock FTG.

[tgn9y]

I mean its feels simply bouncy/unstable. I'm comparing it to a friend's same Jetta except with the 16 inch rims as well as older vehicles I've driven recently such as an SX4, corolla and even a B14!

I would hate to believe that a car of this caliber would drive like this.

I looked to see if the spacers were removed but saw nothing.

How is the ride quality with your springs? I'm trying to maintain the quality but just eliminate the roll and instability. Who did your install?

Thanks for the reply!

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

The only difference between yours and your friend's jetta of the same model would be the profile of your tyres. 16s will give a less harsh ride vs 17s and the same would apply when moving from 17s to 18s.

All the other cars you mention to me would have softer rides. More for comfort.

Not trying to doubt what you saying but just looking for clarification: do you find your ride "stiff" or "harsh" even? You mean you feel every pot and bump on the road? Is that what you mean by bouncy?

I had my lowering springs installed by a guy named Paul in Pleasantville who works on euros a lot.

Current ride quality I would say is firm. Rough roads I tend to go a tad slower. At high speeds handling is predictable and very little body roll. These springs are shorter and stiffer than the stock ones. I have no spacers installed yet and I am not sure that would solve your issue. Maybe you should see if you can test drive a jetta on 17s just to see how it feels?

My current FTG in front is 24 3/4 inches.
Rear FTG is 25 1/2 inches.

[tgn9y]

Sorry I didn't answer the previous question. BA says they can't find anything wrong with the car.

The ride is firm and I understand it's a sportier car than the others. But still unstable in terms of a side to side swaying motion even when driving down a straight highway. I don't know if thats the body roll just being aggravated.

At times the car seems as of it doesn't sit well on the road. The tires have great grip so I never feel like
I'm out control but just doesn't sit well.

It's normally issues associated with bad camber or toe but I had everything checked out and was ok :s

The springs u described sound a bit too harsh for me so I might go with the H&R which is said to only have a small change in ride quality.

You're right- I should go test drive a similar model in the firm.

Did the installation of springs affect your warranty? You have a contact for this guy?

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

Ok I never experienced a swaying motion. The most I've felt was body roll on swift lane change at speed and then nothing.

I know you said BA can't find anything wrong with the car but they just said "We can't find anything wrong even though it's swaying"? Or was it more like, "We can't feel any swaying whatsoever and your car is 'fine'"?


Guy's name is Paul - 398 9540. Alternatively you could check the firm itself. BA has techs who do installations of things if you ask.

Lowering springs probably will affect your warranty if something goes wrong related to the suspension yes. There are no official lowering springs from VW. The most you can get are the sport springs VW sells on the Jetta in some countries like the UK. Even though my springs are from VW technically they are for a Golf and not the Jetta.

[2WNBoost]

Sorry I didn't answer the previous question. BA says they can't find anything wrong with the car.

The ride is firm and I understand it's a sportier car than the others. But still unstable in terms of a side to side swaying motion even when driving down a straight highway. I don't know if thats the body roll just being aggravated.

At times the car seems as of it doesn't sit well on the road. The tires have great grip so I never feel like
I'm out control but just doesn't sit well.

It's normally issues associated with bad camber or toe but I had everything checked out and was ok :s

The springs u described sound a bit too harsh for me so I might go with the H&R which is said to only have a small change in ride quality.

You're right- I should go test drive a similar model in the firm.

Did the installation of springs affect your warranty? You have a contact for this guy?

I'm having a similar issue with a 1 year old Jetta.

The problem arose only after I requested that BA rotate the tyres and balance the wheels (It's ridiculous that a dealer has to be told to rotate tyres).
Anyway BA advised they don't do alignment in-house so the car will be sent to MasterServe (They also mentioned I could take it myself whenever I want this type of work done).
The car came back feeling unstable in corners, at speed and under braking.
I took the car to the south branch of MasterServe where the techs weren't even sure which profile to select for the vehicle (I think there were 3 options).
They eventually settled on a profile, made the adjustments and although the car felt better, it still doesn't ride like it used to prior to going to BA.

I think not enough negative camber is being applied, maybe because MasterServe is using an incorrect profile.
I've looked at the wheels on other Jettas and I'm able to see the camber on the rear wheels.
I haven't had the time recently, but I will be taking up the issue with BA again.

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

I haven't had an alignment yet...yeah I know I sticking.
BA told me they would get it aligned for me but that they didn't rotate tyres. This was strange to me as I would think rotating was easy to do. Anyways didn't let them align it at MasterServ and was advised to do it myself by them too. I was thinking maybe to go Mileage Mack.

[Mr. Fixables]

Hi Folks,

Just chiming in with some input on the TSI Jetta.

I race for Best Auto at the Drag and Wind events. We are now in the 2nd year, and the car has performed admirably. As far as performance, coming from a JDM world, I am definitely impressed with how the car handles and drives.

We use the Eibach spring kit on stock shocks and the car rides well, a bit firmer from stock, but only slightly. Unless you want to go a bit more hardcore, this is a good spring kit for DD uses.

I read a few of your posts on alignment, and I do use a "different" alignment setting, with good results. The car is a Courtesy Car, so many people drive regularly, so this is not a race only set-up.

We only change the toe settings: Front: 0.20 -ve each side (total toe -0.40). and we zero out the rear toe. This, coupled with a tire pressure change makes the car ride, turn in and handle great, with no wandering or weird ride characteristics. We use very aggressive tire pressures, so I won't get into that. Try to add about 4psi of pressure to what you normally use in the front (eg) 30F 34R. The car will turn in amazingly. Try it!

The next event is on the 14th April at the ARC complex in Arima, and it would be great to see some more VW owners up at the event. We are the car to beat in the class, so come support the team. We are also doing an exhaust mod for this event, so I am excited to see what that does on the track. we have a tent and a Demo car on display as well, I am the one in the Black race suit

Feel free to ask me to take you along during a race as a passenger. Once I do not have any commitments to take someone in particular, it's all good!!

Kirk

[Mr. Fixables]

Another possible option to the Golf GTI is the Polo GTI. same engine as the Jetta TSI but with 10 more hp, and the car weighs in about 400-500 lbs lighter than the Golf. It is supposed to run with the Golf GTI.

I have been trying to convince BA to bring in the Polo GTI. I Guess time will tell. It should be around the same price point as the Jetta TSI, maybe a few dollars more.

Kirk

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

Nice info there! Might pass through the event this Sunday.

A few questions though. At the event do you bother using it in tiptronic mode or just stick it in sport? Have you found a way to disable traction control, stability control etc when you are racing? Ever had any issues with the car (however big or small)?

[Mr. Fixables]

Hey,

Definitely try to be at the event, it should be fun, always is

I do run the car in Tiptronic mode, it allows me to stay in the gear I want for longer. Fortunately, the model I race does allow me to turn off the TCS, but your model does not. The only issue we have encountered so far, is a break in the wire for the MAP sensor, but that was easily fixed.

See you there.

Kirk

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

Seeing that it has a Jetta in it I'll just drop your video here.

[drchaos]

Is that ice that you guys packing in the air intake?

[Allergic2BunnyEars]

For cooler airflow to the engine during a race.

[cdx2k1]

Maybe I would go as far as to say that,the suspension in the jetta is not really all that stiff.At the end of the day this is a sub 200hp vehicle.The suspension wont he near as beefy as a car with 300hp Im guessing.Better shocks will illimnate the excessive up and down bounce,while better springs will help in the sideways manuevers.

[drchaos]

I agree but it is stiffer than your average japanese car. I have driven family and friend's honda's, nissans, subaru's and toyota's and the jetta does give you a ruffer ride on the really messed up stretches of our roads.

[mango_chow]

Hello folks,

A quick question. For a jetta 1.4, new model with sunroof, can someone please tell me at what price do these go for vat inclusive? Also, can the jetta take super gas or only premium? Thanks!

[neexis]

the sunroof model now costs about 243k

premium only!

[mango_chow]

the sunroof model now costs about 243k

premium only!

Thanks!

Does any jetta model take super? Like the non-super charged 1.6 one?

[drchaos]

the sunroof model now costs about 243k

premium only!

Thanks!

Does any jetta model take super? Like the non-super charged 1.6 one?

Sorry man but even the last gen model with the 1.6 non turbo engine asks for 95 RON (premium)
I drove the old model for a month before I got my car and the Gas tank lid said 95 RON.

Didnt the price of the sunroof ad 17 inch wheels go up to 252 or something?

[cdx2k1]

Anyone ever used super in the 1.4 tsi? Been using super since last year

[cdx2k1]

I hear u drchaos..I haven't driven much fast cars

[neexis]

the previous model jetta came with a few engines no?

I know they came with the 1.4 tsi, and the 2.0 FSI. Never heard of the 1.6 though.

the non sunroof model went from 230 to 232.5, sunroof from 240 t0 242.5. leather interior is 267k... thats according to the dealer when i asked in feb. prices supposedly increase by 1% each year.

cdx2k1.... u brave man. you notice any difference in performance between premium and super?

[Mr. Fixables]

The Jetta, if used with Super will still run, however, it will either ping or lose a bit of power, it will not just grenade itself.

HP has nothing to do with the spring rate, it is to work with the purpose of the car. There are some American cars with over 300hp which are sprung like a wallowing pig. However, that car is meant to be a soft riding vehicle. Same can be said with a 130hp Peugeot 106 s16. That is a stiffer ride, because it is meant to be a hot hatch.

You guys missed a really good day at the Drag and Wind event today. The Jetta fought, scraped and clawed it's way to a very close first place. Beating the 2nd place finisher by less that 0.1 second.

I'll see if I can get a few pics up soon on the event.

Kirk

[drchaos]

Yeah had to work again ... hopefully will be off for the next one. Anyone else went? How was it?

Interested to know what does Kirk drive as his personal car.

[Mr. Fixables]

Hmm ....

I drive a 1998 2 door, 2WD Toyota RAV4.

However, it does have:

3sge MR2 engine
Jasma 4-1 long tube headers
2.5" exhaust
HKS cam gears
Aftermarket cams
10lb flywheel
LSD gearbox
Caldina GT front suspension
etc.

It looks like total crap, but surprises a ton of people. LOL.

Sorry to disappoint.

Kirk

[cqk4]

Wow thats the same year/model/color of the Jetta I drive in Kirks vid.

I can turn tcs off as well.

I was down at the event on Sunday, I did not see most of the event where the cars went up and down against each other (not sure what the term for that is drag and wind?) as I reached late however the drifting was awesome. And I will definitely go next year..

Ice in the intake - cool literally but I wont try it.. have you guys seen a set up where mist shoot over the intercooler ? I sometimes feel loss in power when driving on a hot day.

Also, I would not put super in the jetta I remember a guy on the forums trying it and ran into problems - its in the new car thread.