Driving with ESP off... discuss

[mattchaps]

Decided I needed some fresh air for lunch, so went for a drive... Immediately got frustrated with the ongoing hesitation but that's another story (thread!). Anyhow, after about 15 minutes when she was nice and warm I thought I'd see what driving with the ESP off is like. I know this was a hot topic when I owned the R32 as a lot of owners swore it drove completely different. Still getting used to the GTI after 20 days ownership, and this is one area I wanted to test!

So, I turn ESP off and head up towards a bypass that I've driven twice a day for more than I can remember, round the roundabout 2nd gear, into the outside lane and floor it.... wow.... 3rd.... 4th.... "better slow down"!.

Now whether it's because of the hesitation when cold that made this feel completely different to me, or does it transform the car?! I don't know, but I'm going to try it again on the way home with ESP on and see how it feels.

What are other owners' experiences/thoughts?!

[griff439]

Would love to know what everyone else thinks? I've not tried it yet! Make much of a difference?

[Saint Steve]

Oh yes, my remapped Ed30 goes like a scolded cat when you turn off the ESP, proberly best not to do it on the twisties incase you get "outa shape" exiting the bends etc, but control the wheel hop, you will be rewarded 

Big difference as the ESP wont interfere with the way the power is sent to the wheels.

[RENNTAG]

I have a standard GTI and agree with the ESP off it is so much better to drive. with the esp on it feels like the car is being held back a bit even if there is plenty of grip.

Some people say they feel it can be dangerous to turn it off but i think it gives you much better control over the car with it turned off.

[stealthwolf]

Press and hold ESP to deactivate more of it but it's never fully "off". A quick press to turn off some features helps if you're wheel hopping off the start line.

[griff439]

So guys... im going to drive home tonight with it off, round town, couple of dual carrage ways all urban... Will i be safe?! lol 

[mattchaps]

Press and hold ESP to deactivate more of it but it's never fully "off". A quick press to turn off some features helps if you're wheel hopping off the start line.

Are there any audible/visual indications that show more ESP has been switched off if you hold the button down, or do you just count to 10 then assume it's done?!!

[Leonard]

Quite an interesting one this.

I guess you could say that if you arent happy driving with the ESP off then you shouldnt really be allowed to drive this sort of car. Be a lot better to scrap ESP and enable driving tests based on ability and thus bhp available to you, aka Grand Turismo LOL

Slightly back on topic, every car I have had has driven better with ESP off. You simply dont get the correct (honest) feedback. Ironically if my car has had ESP I always find myself feeling guilty and slight wary of turning it off no matter what where as in my 211bhp Corrado VR6 without ESP, you just get in and get on with driving the nuts off it LOL

I also find that if you do have a major tank slapper it always feels more natural pulling yourself out of it with ESP off*

Matt

*Personal opinion and cannot be held responsible for loss of car control  

[Tfsi_Mike]

 

[edd666999]

since germany i have been turning off esp more and more and im beginning to prefer it not saying my out of corners and teaching me to control the car. Plus it just feels quicker

[Jussa]

 

[Saint Steve]

Press and hold ESP to deactivate more of it but it's never fully "off". A quick press to turn off some features helps if you're wheel hopping off the start line.

It's either on or off Jaz? There isn't a gradual ESP setting 

[h4rdy]

Not that I would but can it be disabled in VCDS?

I had a Mini Cooper S once and it was horrific with it on, it went like this, get in car check, start engine check, turn ESP off check.

You could literally pull out and it would stop, took it into BMW and all they said was yes thats how should work

[stealthwolf]

It's either on or off Jaz? There isn't a gradual ESP setting  

There's something which happens if you press and hold the ESP button. I've been told it deactivates more stuff related to ESP and that's from this forum!

[Saint Steve]

It's either on or off Jaz? There isn't a gradual ESP setting 

There's something which happens if you press and hold the ESP button. I've been told it deactivates more stuff related to ESP and that's from this forum!

Really??