Alltrack Update/Pre-APR+ Review

"Tripper" (tripe46)
05/21/2020 at 12:00 • Filed to: None

It has been slightly less than one year since I purchased a new 3 pedal VW Golf Alltrack SE in “Platinum Grey” . !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Tomorrow, I’m headed to Smith Performance VW in Delaware to have them upload 65 horsies and 70 lb-ft of uggaduggas.

This is my first (chip, tune, piggy back, danger to manifold laptop) experience with one of my own cars. Furthermore, the car I’m tuning is my DD, Dadcar, and only car with a warranty. So I did spring for the “+” portion of this tune. Which is nothing but a $400 warranty.

Quick Update Review

I’ve just ticked over 8500 miles and I really like this car. I briefly considered ditching in for Golf R (because I’m not using the extra space), but it seems as if everyone is “holding” through all of this virus noise. There are “great” financing options, but no actual deals. “Hey yeah if you just pay sticker, we’ll finance you for 8.5 years at 0%...” No thanks.

I like most of the things about the Alltrack, so I’m just going to mention the two bits I don’t

The seats: TRAAAAAAASH! I don’t know if I hate them enough to replace them though...It’s a new car and there are airbags everywhere and all that shit...Maybe if I can find a nice set out of an Altrack SEL/GTI/R.

Rear end suspension: It’s great! Then all of the sudden it’s jello. I got a real case “ohfucks” turning hard into a highway on ramp, hit a tiny bump in the road and really had to wrangle it to keep it on the road. After that, piece by piece I ordered all of the suspension components from Europe’s Golf R Estate and some bushings that another owner swears improve handling without NVH (willing to bet there is NVH). Now that I have it all, I’m loathing the install. I don’t have a garage or even a level driveway, so that stuff is on the back burner for now. Maybe just go for the rear sway to see if that makes a difference.

Under any normal driving the car is just fantastic. When I’m putt putting around with my little girl, it’s quiet, safe, and enjoyable to drive. It’s got a great sound system and a gigantic sun roof. We’ve got a brand new car wash near us that goes crazy with the lights and everything if you go for the “fancy” wash. She loves to go through it and bump our car wash song:

News since last review

This car is now my DD. I was DDing a 1975 BMW 1502, but now that I am working from home and almost 100% of the very little driving that I’m doing is with my wife and kiddo so the Alltrack has been moved to active duty. I still take the 02 for any solo outings.

I’ve added a BFI shift knob, roof bars which are racked for two bikes currently.

The wheel spacers were supposed to be a temporary fit, so that I could choose aftermarket wheels. I did that, but I’m not buying the wheels until I need tires and that’s going to be a while.I took the spacers off...and put them right back on, haha. It looks a lot nicer with the wheels flushed up.

Drake Meme Top:

Drake Meme Bottom:

However, I have had to replace both rear wheel arches. Before installing the new arches I had to trim the back of them down with a razor. The wheels + spacers stick out just far enough for the very edge of the tire to hit the plastic when you really compress the rear suspension. eg., making a sharp turn up or down a hill in either direction. I have not had the problem since, but that was a $260 learning experience...

Next I’m looking to do a short shifter, wheels/tires, something for the suspension...However internet rumor has it that this tune will put WORK on my factory clutch. So just in case I’m going to put aside some cash before I keep going on mods for a “whoops I need a new clutch” mistake.

I’ll prolly bust a post from the dealer tomorrow morning because it’s an hour away and their waiting room obviously isn’t open. Anyway, AMA, or hello, and thanks for stopping by!

DISCUSSION (6)

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > Tripper
05/21/2020 at 12:34

flush kit babyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

very interested to hear how the APR+ tune goes, I have a three-pedal MK7 GTI as my DD and have thought about the APR tune myself. A little scared by the upgraded power on the stock clutch, any input?

Tripper > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series
05/21/2020 at 12:47

IMHO it’s all in how you drive it. If you’re giving it the beans in 2nd all over the place (or if you’re not so quick with the clutch), then yes I can see a significant wear increase on the clutch. Otherwise I won’t be using those extra 60 ponies often enough to wear it out much quicker. Even if it does happen early, to me it’s a forced upgrade. I love the feel of a single mass flywheel, however they’re noisy. I would probably take the recommendation of the shop and let them do the work on this car.

Lucky for you, I will get direct access to a tuned 19 GTI SE also! We’re getting a group rate. Alltrack, GTI, SQ5 all getting tuned. The SQ5 (my fathers) has to have the ECU removed and shipped to APR, so his takes a little while. The other two take 1.5 hours. I’m expecting to be most impressed by the tune on the GTI it’s already the lightest and the most fun to drive.

BeaterGT > Tripper
05/21/2020 at 12:51

Flamingosis has been the best for quarantine jams

Ssfancyfresh > Tripper
05/21/2020 at 14:16

I had an APR Stage 2+ tune on my TT. That was fun. Never had an issue.

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > Tripper
05/21/2020 at 14:50

very well said, and I completely agree; all in your driving style. I wouldn’t consider myself a total Hoonigan (usually averaging 28-30 mpg/tank, even with most driving being done in the city), but I did spring for some phenomenal Michelin PS4s a few weeks back so let’s say my driving has become a bit more “spirited” since then. Don’t have much experience in terms of aftermarket clutches, hence my initial hesitation to tune.

wow, would certainly be interested in hearing your GTI review post-tune if possible! In the meantime, best of luck with the AllTrack and keep the updates coming.

Jb boin > Tripper
05/21/2020 at 15:32

What you describe sound like too soft suspensions and rear swaybar.

I don’ t know about the Alltrack but a proper stage 1 (with a clean pr ogressive curv e) on a petrol engine is usually not requiring a str o nger clutch as long as you drive it correctly .

A short shifter is very nice but as a daily its better if its just shorter front/back but not left/right and feeling also depend on which part you change (linkage on the gearbox or the part on the cabin) as changing one side might make the slack on the other more obvious .