A big reason I'm not in love with my GLI...

"Tristan" (casselts)
02/16/2019 at 01:10 • Filed to: None

The steering feel... It has none. It’s easily the most numb, disconnected steering I’ve ever had in a car, especially one with sporting pretentions.

I know the electronic steering assist can be adjusted with a VAGCOM- does anyone know if it’ll help make it less rubbery and disconnected? Is my problem that it’s just overboosted in stock configuration? It has nice Michelin Pilot all season tires, so it's not cheap floppy tires to blame. This is supposed to be a non-boring commuter car and most things about it are great, but the steering is a total let down.

DISCUSSION (22)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Tristan
02/16/2019 at 01:28

This surprises me to hear since I’ve heard a lot of praise for the MkV steering feel. Maybe new tires will help? I know that my STs have both had electric racks yet have been very well balanced and apparently quite communicative by electric steering terms. The rental altima I drove had the exact opposite and I could tell by the way the car responded just how little connect there was between the wheel and the steering rack.

To put it simply - the STs felt like there was still a massive steel shaft from the wheel to the rack. The altima felt like I was playing a racing game on a mobile phone.

If your GLI is giving you feel like it’s not even connected, there is a chance some bushings or some piece of hardware has gone bad in the suspension. WIth no hydraulic pump and connecting hardware, lag due to old bushings or the like will not be physically felt, just perceived as some disconnect.

Steve in Manhattan > Tristan
02/16/2019 at 01:32

So this is steer by wire as opposed to a real steering rack? Or does the wire just go to a rack? I should know this - I litigated a case on steering rack price fixing ...

Nick Has an Exocet > Steve in Manhattan
02/16/2019 at 01:49

I think it’s an electric motor assist instead of a pump.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Tristan
02/16/2019 at 02:17

This is how I feel about the current BMW 3-Series. I get much more feedback from the steering in my Honda Fit!

Tristan > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
02/16/2019 at 02:35

I doubt it's worn components. There's zero wander and it reacts instantly to steering inputs. The only MK5s aside from this one that I've driven were lower trim Jettas and I don't much remember the experience as it's been a long time, but I'd sure think it would be better considering the praise the MK5 GTI received when it debuted.

Tristan > Steve in Manhattan
02/16/2019 at 02:36

What Nick has an Exocet said.

Tristan > Svart Smart, traded in his Smart
02/16/2019 at 02:38

The most recent fun cars I’ve owned were an NA and an NC Miata, so maybe I’ve just been ruined? My mother in law has an ‘05 TSX, though, and I love driving it because of how perfect the steering is- just the right weighting and so communicative!

gettingoldercarguy > Tristan
02/16/2019 at 03:38

What year is it? Bushings may be shot t which really affects that.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Tristan
02/16/2019 at 06:45

can a dealer reprogram it?

any VW/Audi independents nearby to you?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Tristan
02/16/2019 at 07:17

I think my friend’s Hellcat is the only modern car I’ve driven that has decent steering feel. His 2012 M5 he had prior would be a close 2nd.

Seems anything else I jump in is numb/lifeless/over assisted/disconnected. I think a lot of it has to do with the switch to electric steering, but even more that the average person just doesn’t care.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
02/16/2019 at 09:03

Huh, glad I’m not the only one. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the ST’a steering feel. It’s not quite as good in my girlfriends SEL, but it still seems better than a lot of other cars I’ve been in.

arl > Tristan
02/16/2019 at 10:29

I’ve never driven a car w ith electronic steering that even comes close to the great steering feel of hydraulic steering (in a good hydraulic system). You could probably add spr ings/shocks/sways, but electric steering is what it is.

and 100 more > Tristan
02/16/2019 at 10:44

This is one thing that seriously bothers me. But my Grand Cherokee does electric steering the right way, it seems: it’s a typical hydraulic steering rack, powered by an electric motor instead of a pulley. Still a little numb at times, but world’s better than pure electric assist systems I’ve tried.

I really wish you could plug -and-play a system like that into other modern cars.

Tristan > gettingoldercarguy
02/16/2019 at 11:15

2009, but it's been very well maintained and has lived in very mild climates in California and Oregon.

Tristan > pip bip - choose Corrour
02/16/2019 at 11:18

Anyone with a VAGCOM can reprogram and there are a couple of local folks who will do it on the cheap.

gettingoldercarguy > Tristan
02/16/2019 at 11:37

https://whitelineperformance.com/collections/all/2009-volkswagen-jetta-gli-esi2493927

Even on a well maintained car they’ll make a difference. I had all of the metal pieces wpc treated, then coated with almasol in addition to the supplied grease to minimize squeaking.

Tristan > gettingoldercarguy
02/16/2019 at 12:00

Oof... That’s a lot of coin for my commuter car that’s supposed to save me gas money. :(

gettingoldercarguy > Tristan
02/16/2019 at 12:32

The steering rack bushings are what I'd start with. And you can just wrap the rack in Teflon tape to eliminate squeaking. Looks like 26 bucks online.

Tristan > gettingoldercarguy
02/16/2019 at 14:20

I may give that a go!

Steve in Manhattan > Nick Has an Exocet
02/16/2019 at 17:34

Now I recall - no steering fluid, so many enthusiasts claim the feel is gone. I haven’t driven anything sporty enough with EPS to make a judgment.

Nick Has an Exocet > Steve in Manhattan
02/16/2019 at 22:04

My dad had a 2012 Optima Turbo. It was kind of weird. On long sweeping highway turns, you could feel yourself fighting the electric motor like an old school arcade game. Not. Good. At. All.

Steve in Manhattan > Nick Has an Exocet
02/16/2019 at 22:35

Next time I Turo, maybe a Porsche w/ EPS. We shall see.