MK7Fanatic
Ready to race!
- Location
- Canada
- Car(s)
- Mk7.5 GTI
Hey guys, just wanted to give a quick feedback on my current experience with all 3 TCU tunes. Keep in mind this is personal preference and varies from driving style. This review is keeping more of a focus on daily driving/intown characteristics and less backroad driving.
First EQT
Shift points are pretty spot on, shifts at around 2200 rpm under light throttle and a bit higher around 2500-3000 when you input about 20-30% throttle. Coming to almost a complete stop (Ex: stop sign) the transmission would drop into first vs stock where it would stay in second gear, this mean you will need to be lighter on foot when you reapply that gas pedal, otherwise it will be jerky like a manual car. One very apparent issue i have, it downshifts way too easily (10% throttle input and it'll drop a gear or 2) Followed by an almost immediate upshift if you release the throttle. To me, this is a very big con and not how I would drive a manual car. The constant downshifts with light throttle input followed by an upshift when I let go makes it seem like the transmission doesn't know what it's doing. I think if eqt corrected this issue it would be near perfect.
Second is Cobb OEM+
Not much to say, feels like stock but pairs decently well with EQT stage 2. However, under partial throttle (40%-50%) I find 4th, 5th, and 6th would lug instead of downshifting 1 gear. With that much boost from stage 2 you really feel it lugging through the cabin at times. Major downfall with luging otherwise this would make a very OEM feel with stage 2 power.
Lastly Cobb Sport
Currently my favourite out of the 3 but not perfect. Also downshifts to 1st when almost at a complete stop just like EQT so it can be jerky, have to be light on the pedal when reapplying throttle. Gear shifts seem to be more dependent on speed and will downshift when I slow down past certain speeds which I think is a major downfall. For example: it will shift to 6th at 90kph and if you drop down to 88kph it will downshift to 5th when it's not needed (it does so very smoothly though). However, it doesn't drop down 1 or 2 gears with just 10% throttle. You need to apply about 20%-30% throttle for it to downshift, which in my personal opinion is about right (gives you room to modulate and do medium speed passes without always needing to downshift). It also doesn't upshift right away as soon as you release the throttle. Throttle isn't as sensitive as EQT and easier to modulate without tiring your foot out. I also haven't noticed gear hunting as others have mentioned.
That's my current overview and experience with the 3 TCU tunes so far. Keep in mind I did the dsg relearn in each of these maps. EQT TCU is a no go for me just because of the throttle sensitivity and the way it downshifts too easily with throttle input. The almost instantaneous upshifts when you release the throttle as well gets me. Not sure if others have noticed the same feedback as me but I haven't seen any. Both EQT and Cobb sport tcu tunes do make the car feel lighter on its foot and more eager.
Their stage 2 ECU however is absolutely fantastic. Very smooth just as others have mentioned and there is a HUGE improvement over the entire RPM range. 3rd gear is where the money is, pulls like an absolutely freight train. Feels like I can take on almost any car on my daily drives. Overall, Cobb Accessport + EQT is a big win with all its adjustability, monitoring,l capabilities, and resale value.
First EQT
Shift points are pretty spot on, shifts at around 2200 rpm under light throttle and a bit higher around 2500-3000 when you input about 20-30% throttle. Coming to almost a complete stop (Ex: stop sign) the transmission would drop into first vs stock where it would stay in second gear, this mean you will need to be lighter on foot when you reapply that gas pedal, otherwise it will be jerky like a manual car. One very apparent issue i have, it downshifts way too easily (10% throttle input and it'll drop a gear or 2) Followed by an almost immediate upshift if you release the throttle. To me, this is a very big con and not how I would drive a manual car. The constant downshifts with light throttle input followed by an upshift when I let go makes it seem like the transmission doesn't know what it's doing. I think if eqt corrected this issue it would be near perfect.
Second is Cobb OEM+
Not much to say, feels like stock but pairs decently well with EQT stage 2. However, under partial throttle (40%-50%) I find 4th, 5th, and 6th would lug instead of downshifting 1 gear. With that much boost from stage 2 you really feel it lugging through the cabin at times. Major downfall with luging otherwise this would make a very OEM feel with stage 2 power.
Lastly Cobb Sport
Currently my favourite out of the 3 but not perfect. Also downshifts to 1st when almost at a complete stop just like EQT so it can be jerky, have to be light on the pedal when reapplying throttle. Gear shifts seem to be more dependent on speed and will downshift when I slow down past certain speeds which I think is a major downfall. For example: it will shift to 6th at 90kph and if you drop down to 88kph it will downshift to 5th when it's not needed (it does so very smoothly though). However, it doesn't drop down 1 or 2 gears with just 10% throttle. You need to apply about 20%-30% throttle for it to downshift, which in my personal opinion is about right (gives you room to modulate and do medium speed passes without always needing to downshift). It also doesn't upshift right away as soon as you release the throttle. Throttle isn't as sensitive as EQT and easier to modulate without tiring your foot out. I also haven't noticed gear hunting as others have mentioned.
That's my current overview and experience with the 3 TCU tunes so far. Keep in mind I did the dsg relearn in each of these maps. EQT TCU is a no go for me just because of the throttle sensitivity and the way it downshifts too easily with throttle input. The almost instantaneous upshifts when you release the throttle as well gets me. Not sure if others have noticed the same feedback as me but I haven't seen any. Both EQT and Cobb sport tcu tunes do make the car feel lighter on its foot and more eager.
Their stage 2 ECU however is absolutely fantastic. Very smooth just as others have mentioned and there is a HUGE improvement over the entire RPM range. 3rd gear is where the money is, pulls like an absolutely freight train. Feels like I can take on almost any car on my daily drives. Overall, Cobb Accessport + EQT is a big win with all its adjustability, monitoring,l capabilities, and resale value.
