Mmm a whole thread on turning off ESP that cannot actually be turned off??
....I think it's been established that switching the ESP button to Off doesn't switch absolutely everything off. So we are discussing the pros and cons of using the 'ESP Off' setting as provided by VAG in our platform cars.
Presumably if you modify you are improving the handling of the car so the ESP which works on the monitoring the wheel sensors rotational speeds will come on less and less anyway?
....Good point. The ESP sensors work 'SMART-ly' (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) and so will only react and instruct according to what they are subjected to. In my direct experience I have found that since installing the Quaife ATB diff, instances of the flashing yellow ESP icon have been significantly reduced. Of course, such behaviour is dependent on having sufficient tyre grip.
Mentioned again because it was a very good test, we (an instructor and myself) found that the only times we induced the ESP light in the wet at Spa in a 15-lap session of hard driving was when on the white lines after La Source hairpin when laying down the power. In other words, my very modified suspension and brakes etc as a whole, greatly influence and reduce the ESP intrusion.
I seem to remember some video laps of OEM MkV GTI on the now departed Driver's Republic where the inablity to completely shut down the ESP was unfavourably commented on - OEM Honda Civic VTEC (the one with the hard suspension) did very similar lap times with the same driver - similar power cars but the intrusiveness of the Golf GTI ESP interferred with the driver input limiting absolute performance.
....I'm undecided whether it's a good thing or a bad thing not to be able to switch off the ESP entirely on the Golf platform. I think the latest VW ESP system (on the Golf R) is reported to be even more 'trackday-friendly'.
As Chris (WhiteGTI) says, I have also heard of the 10-second trick from Mark at VWR.
According to Keith at APR,
"the Mk5 ESP retards timing as its main weapon" and is far better than the Mk4.
I think it's fairly well proven that ESP generally improves road safety and reduces accidents and so its sensible for most drivers to keep it on for most ordinary road use.