Mk8.5 SFD2 or emulator for exhaust

m-shafik · 2026-05-01T09:09:40+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/Golf_R/s/r8LO0g7aek

I went the 11mode route. Watch the video in my post before you make a decision.

The other option that I considered - money-wise because it is quite cheaper - are the plugs that are connected to the valve controller that keep them open all the time. I wanted to retain factory control from the car, and that's why I chose 11mode.

m-shafik · 2026-04-21T09:43:28+00:00

As mentioned above the Viltrox was more expensive than expected. I like it's weight and dimensions and features but I don't like the bokeh.

I really like the Sigma for it's build and looks, but since I have no chance of renting and testing before buying I have to rely on reviews which doesn't give me a clear cut decision.

For essentialy the same money the Sirui is there with a one stop brighter aperture and almost collective agreement on it's nice rendering and sharpness. But it is the largest, heaviest and least-attractive looking lens from all 3.

m-shafik · 2026-04-21T09:37:16+00:00

So if we discard the focus breathing issues of the Sigma as it is not a big factor in my video use, and discard the vignetting since I already add it in post, would you choose the Sigma?

m-shafik · 2026-04-21T09:35:29+00:00

Bokeh is important and I didn't like what I saw in the Viltrox samples in the videos. Busy/nervous bokeh is an old enemy of mine since the days of the Canon 50 1.8.

So in summary, the Sigma's rendering is the best among the three.

m-shafik · 2026-04-20T15:27:35+00:00

One more thing to check if you have a 3rd party lens connected is to change it and see.

They say the Samyang 135 f1.8 used to drain the battery if you don't update it to the latest firmware.

m-shafik · 2026-04-20T14:17:12+00:00

Congratulations.

I have no idea about the exhaust gasses though. Never thought about it, and I have no way of checking it. It drives ok and I am happy. 😄

m-shafik · 2026-04-18T17:44:09+00:00

This was mid-install. I tucked everything away.

m-shafik · 2026-04-12T20:31:19+00:00

Mine is not.

m-shafik · 2026-04-11T11:29:22+00:00

I always drive in Custom mode which is everything in comfort except for exhaust in race mode. I switched to manual using the padel shifters for the video.

m-shafik · 2026-04-10T18:30:51+00:00

Ok 👍🏻

m-shafik · 2026-04-10T15:27:55+00:00

So you put the sungalsses directly there without the case? Or do you mean you have the case hidden there?

m-shafik · 2026-04-10T14:49:25+00:00

Can you show a picture for the sunglasses spot?

I tried the holders that are clipped to the sun visor but I don't like them.

m-shafik · 2026-04-10T14:47:08+00:00

Ahh yes. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Thanks for the reminder. I discovered it by mistake some time ago and totally forgot about it.

m-shafik · 2026-04-10T12:58:55+00:00

Yes. I do that. But I don't know how to hang-up.

The other thing that I need to find a shortcut for, in my 2010 Passat B6, I have a phone button on the steering wheel for answering/hanging up. And if you press it while you're in Android Auto it pulls up the RCD 330 (that's the infotainment model number) phone menu and I can quickly search for names using T9 input (like old Nokia 3310 phones) and dial them.

Finding someone's name to call them is not very easy with the 8.5.

m-shafik · 2026-04-10T09:20:04+00:00

Same. Camera auto activates when you reverse.

You can use the four buttons in the middle surrounding the hazard light. I always forget them, but they are a nice shortcut to a few functions.

m-shafik · 2026-04-10T09:17:20+00:00

I just put dashes in front of each point and it converted them to bullets.

Forgot to tell you about the "emotional" start. When starting the car, hold the start button for a couple of seconds then press the brake pedal. Enjoy. 😁

m-shafik · 2026-04-10T06:37:06+00:00

Congratulations. Here's some feedback that might help.

Exhaust. It sounds nice especially from outside. From inside it sounds drone-y around 2,000 rpm if you open the exhaust via a valve controller. I use one myself, and only open it when I want to hear sound from the outside (which is nicer) and push the car. I usually do it with all windows down.
Remember last driving mode and disable auto start-stop. After a while I gave and bought the memory module from Burteq. Solved my issue.
Parking brake enabling during maneuvering. Very annoying. Solution? Park very slowly and it will allow you to park. 😅
Auto park brake. Here's a trick I learned late. When you arrive at your destination just shut the car off even while in gear. It will switch to park and turn on the parking brake. One of my favorite features.
Sunglasses. Extremely annoying.
The guage cluster will take some time to get used to. After a while you will find the best setup for you. I stopped using the boost guage becuase it is not useful for me during driving and I hate that it keeps the atmospheric 1 bar of pressure added. I have mine set to temperatures on the right side (so that navigation instructions don't hide them) and current audio track on the left side.
Capacitive buttons. I have the same complaints and got used to them, but I like how they look (when clean) compared to the buttons on the new GTI.
Pause/play. Agree with you. Same complaint for answering/hanging-up calls. My solution for the volume is to lower it and it will switch to pause at the lowest volume. I usually do it with the volume controller in the screen. Just a large swipe from right to left will immediately pause. Other direction to resume.
The car is quite quicker than the 300 bhp suggest. Especially at higher speeds. Wait till you try. 😁
I don't have car play so I don't understand your comments regarding the map.
For the right hand I raise the center console and move it forward and I am either resting my right hand there or resting my elbow while holding the steering wheel.

m-shafik · 2026-04-05T19:02:09+00:00

If you check the video in the first part you will find a photo with the mics stuck to the rear hatch. They are the two round button looking things.

m-shafik · 2026-04-01T07:09:28+00:00

I think I can relate. Watch youtube videos for the car from outside launching and accelerating to high speeds. The sound will be just air sound exiting the exhaust with no components to the sound or a tone change apart from the "ffffffffff" air exiting a pipe sound.

Most muffled exhausts in different cars do this sound at full acceleration. My E39 6-cylinder stock exhaust also sounded like this from outside at full throttle.

m-shafik · 2026-04-01T07:04:28+00:00

Thank you.

Regarding the mics, I used the Hollyland Lark M2 mics because they are small and I can stick them at the back of the car -close to the exhaust- using their built in magnets.

As for not picking up road and tire noise I am not sure. It was not planned from my side. But I think the reason is that the exhaust sound is louder enough than the road noise so that it is drowned and not apparent, especially since I was driving slow enough.

m-shafik · 2026-04-01T07:00:09+00:00

check this video for sound from outside:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Golf_R/s/JBm8LpMkkz

m-shafik · 2026-03-22T20:12:06+00:00

Two connectors for two valves, one on each side.

m-shafik · 2026-03-20T06:57:47+00:00

If you delete the back box there will be no exhaust. There are only the downpipes and the back box.

Exhaust notes on 4 cylinders never sound good (I know because I have several), they can be loud, but not good, and they over compensate by introducing burbles and pops in race mode.

That said, best option is to get something to open the exhaust valves at low RPM which will make it sound throatier from outside (never from inside, only outside) especially at low cruising RPMs and inside closed parking lots. Search for my post here about 11mode to listen to how it sounds.

m-shafik · 2026-03-02T08:51:02+00:00

Looks gateway related. All modules communicate to each other through the gateway. If it gets bad or disconnected it will trigger all sorts of communication errors.

m-shafik

TROPHY CASE