UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi guys, new member here. I'm thinking about buying one of the last of the Polo GTI's, and am looking for some feedback and opinion on the adaptive suspension option.

Basically, I'd like to know if anyone (preferably someone who's owned both or extensively tried both) can comment on how that option compares to the standard suspension. I drove two *standard* cars recently and to be frank I'm not sure that I'd want it any more 'bobbly' along the road. It was ever-so-slightly more stiff than I was expecting as it was, although to be fair I haven't been driving sporty cars lately.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't uncomfortable or too much for me, but I must say that the very reason I'm considering buying a Polo GTI and not the rock-hard Fiesta ST is because I'm not likely to be driving at ten/tenths very often, so would rather have a nicer ride the majority of the time. I'm 20-years-too-old for the ST I think, even though I've always been a fast Ford fan.

So, does the DCC start with the same level of damping as the standard car and add a stiffer ride at the touch of a button, or is the starting point with DCC less stiff than the non-optioned car? For the money I can see why people would go for it on a factory order, and am somewhat surprised that more dealers haven't specced it on their new-order stock cars. But on reflection I'm not sure that I need it; I think I'm prepared to forego some sporting prowess for a nicer ride.

It's tricky because all I've read about DCC is that the suspension is 'noticably stiffer' with the button pressed, but not many people comment on whether the overall handling or traction is noticeably better. I guess what I'd like to know is: are there any negatives to DCC if I buy a car with it on, and would you miss it if you have it now but your next car didn't have it?

Thanks in advance.

I have the sports performance kit option on my GTI.

I pretty much leave it in the standard (softer, non-sport) setting most of the time as I do find it a bit too firm for everyday use in the sport mode and quite 'bobbly' (to use your description) on poor road surfaces. I also don't really like the fake 'sporty' (louder) engine noise that you get in sport mode, but do like the sharper steering and throttle response. I tend to use sport mode when I don't have any passengers in the car and on smooth roads but in general, I leave the sport mode switched off. I think if you take your car on track days, or regularly drive on good 'drivers' B roads, then the sports performance kit in sport mode comes into its own.

The Polo GTI I test drove before I got my car didn't have the sports suspension kit option and I didn't find the ride too firm, although I've driven 'warm' / hot cars with firming suspension for much of the past 35 years so i'm used to cars with a firmer suspension bias. I have read that if you have the sport suspension kit option, the normal (non-sport) mode is a little less firm than than the standard suspension set up on a car without the option.

I've heard it said that sport mode is similar to the current Fiesta ST suspension in terms of firmness. Do I regret speccing it on my car? Not at all. I do use it albeit occasionally, and for the cost (I think it's now just over £250) it was an inexpensive option that younger, prospective second owners might look for when the time comes to sell my car.

What are the roads like where you live/commute?

I have a late 2012 Polo GTI and although I am used to it, passengers and other ppl that drive my car feel that it is a bit too stiff for London roads and also many of our A roads/roads where you have the growing problem of speed humps and potholes. Other drivers do get frustrated behind you when you have to slow down to ride over road obstacles smoothly . It is one of my main gripes with the car tbh and think it would have been solved by a more aggressive looking rear end (exhaust in middle, larger spoiler etc) ; many drivers think you are just a learner driver in a small polo going slow due to inexperience

On a more positive note the car is the perfect balance of performance/price, easy to park and dont regret my purchase

I am not too sure with the new Polo GTI that came out a year or 2 ago. However if I was in the market for a small hot hatch type car I would prob wait for the next gen to come out tbh

I have the sport option on mine. Like SRGTD I only use it occasionally and usually when on my own and it can get 'bubbly' on poor roads. The standard suspension is sufficiently firm for most occasions but for about £250 decided to go for it. If you are buying a car that has already been 'specced' without it then I do not think you are missing much TBH unless you do track days. I liked the adaptive suspension on my Scirocco but that was truly adaptive - three settings and in each setting would 'adapt' slightly for the road surface conditions. Not sure the Polo adapts? and only has the two settings.

Watch this: https://youtu.be/zM9RN4LJLjA

Admittedly I made the video just after a nightshift so wasn't quite in form lol but I go over my thoughts on it.

From what you've said it doesn't sound to me like you need the sports pack at all but then when it's so cheap I can't do anything but recommend it.

If anything I'm slightly disappointed that it doesn't make the car even more hardcore to be honest!

The extra noise is a bit of a bonus although I would have preferred for it to have opened a flap in the exhaust or something a little better

Throttle response is much sharper and if I'm going to be playing with anyone on the road the sports mode goes straight on for that reason alone!

Ride wise it's not so much firmer it just kind of makes the car a lot bouncier unless the road is reasonably smooth. If you are on a smooth road you can go quite a bit faster with more confidence with sports mode on than when it's off. It's almost ridiculous levels of grip that most drivers would never breach on the road.

Steering I'm still a bit unsure on. I like the standard steering feel and the sports steering feels so heavy at times that I feel like I'm going to fall out the seat turning the wheel imo it's a bit too heavy and you don't get that much extra feel in my opinion.

For trackdays I always have sports mode switched on by the way. Watching the car from other cars on film you can see it has hardly any body roll and looks stable as hell!

It's very much your choice though!
It's best to have it and rarely use it than not have it and then decide you want to do some trackdays etc