Initial Impressions
So initial impressions are awesome. The power is immense and the car pulls like a train right through the range right to the red (although it never feels like it needs to get near the red line to keep the power pushing you into your seat). I'll try to go through some of my observations/impressions.
Driving around "normally" is sweet. The resonated Milltek is perfect for me and my motorway commute. If this was purely a fun/weekend car then I would have gone non-resonated but I didn't want any drone. The intake makes a massive suck type sound on initial pull away and gives of just a hint of hiss as you make progress.
It's got a Stage 2 DGS Revo map on. I was a little concerned about some of the "features" of the stage 1/2 DSG maps. I stupidly thought the full manual override meant the car wouldn't auto shift down as coming to a stop or out of the useful power range. I was also a tad worried about the extra rev limit etc but all my fears are totally gone and unwarranted. The car feels so much more alive and responsive. I guess without the map on the box the extra power/torque from the map wouldn't be matched or even realised. If you've got an s-tronic and are getting a stage 2/2+ I'd highly recommend the stage 2 on the box too.
When you floor it....it fu@king goes!!! Put your foot down, even in "D", (when in drive the box shifts like lightening) there's a huge whoosh from the intake/exhaust etc that sounds like the cars swallowing more air than an industrial furnace needs. You get thrown back in the seat and stay there until you realise things are going past very, very quickly. I took it down an open stretch of road a few times when first picked the car up and the car gets to silly speeds very quickly. It's going to require some discipline to make sure I keep hold of my licence and life!
The intake makes an initial deeper noise on pulling off, but on application of the loud pedal it gives off some lovely chirps and even flutters every now and then. Best way I can describe it is like a pigeon being raped by a horny owl.
The car's also on 25mm H&R springs with ET45 8.5" wheels (225 rubber) and there's been no rub at all even with four old wheels and tyres in the boot. Not on full lock, not on speed bumps. I'd say the ride feels as comfy as before, I've not given it a run on some proper corners to evaluate any difference in grip etc. I'd say you can hear the dampers working a little more so maybe they're going to wear out and I'll be looking at some coilovers, but for now very happy and impressed.
Driving day to day not a lot has changed. Other than on standard roads it's very very easy to get to illegal speeds before you realise it (especially with the s-tronic). Pulling away from lights, even in "D" is so effortless and is accompanied by the initial intake noise (which some people might not like it's quite a solid whoosh, like a ton of water shooting down a pipe almost). I've pulled out of junctions a few times only to have to be careful not to go in the **** of the car that pulled out before me.
Motorway driving is just as civilised, if not more due to the quieter tyres. Although I think I can hear some sort of bearing/mechanical drive noise/drone/whine. I'm sure it's totally unrelated to work but I'll keep an ear on it. There's no drone from the exhaust at all. If anything it sounds the same as stock until you proper boot it. I'm very happy with the sound.
MPG seems to have dropped a couple of percent like for like driving on the motorway. Overall I'll get a lot less in the tank but only because it's so easy and fun to go fast.
Martin and the guys at Unit 20 were the perfectionists I've come to expect and love over the years. Their work has been flawless and I'm made up with the quality and levels of service I get from them. They checked the DSG map with Revo (they were expecting the stage 1 map but got the stage 2, we were happy to go with the stage 2 on Revo's recommendation). The only thing I'm annoyed at, which is nothing to do with Unit 20, is I had to put £15 of 95RON fuel in a few days before going in for the work. Even though the usual Nitro+ went in after Martin still had to ****** the timing a little bit. The good news is, I'll take it back in a few weeks and squeeze a little more out of her.
No dyno/charts to show.
Future work....maybe prostitution after the cost of all this ha.
I think bigger brakes would be good but I don't think I can get bigger discs in on the 18's so maybe some performance pads. Might look at some ARB/suspension work. The car's going in for a full Hunter alignment/tracking. Some final finishing touches (black or red wheel nuts/covers, maybe tint the rear lights a little etc).
If you're considering it....save up and go for it. The car is immense. I took a mate out in it, launch controlled (4000rpm) off some lights and he **** himself! Fun times.
I'll update in a week or so.
