Golf GTI Mk7 - essential options?

[Basil Hume]

I've had some good quotes on a privately-funded new Mk7 GTI, to replace my current R32.

As always, there are loads of options but it's quite well kitted anyway (auto wipers, xenons, DAB, parking sensors all round - all important to me). But unless you can convince me otherwise, I've so far been leaning towards a lightly spec'd version:

In

- Metallic paint: just a personal thing;
- Dynaudio: ditto...and quite a low cost upgrade.

Maybe?

- Leather: I have 2 young kids and I like the wipe-clean nature, but it's just so expensive;
- Discover nav / £750 option (i.e. not Pro): I'm going away on holiday in France later this year and it could be handy, but I could still get a portable unit for so much less.

Out

- Performance pack: sounds great, until I realise that the whole reason I'm looking at a GTI rather than an R is because I don't need heaps of performance at this stage in my life;
- DSG: liked it on my 8P S3, but not essential.

Thoughts valued.

[Basil Hume]

Thanks acme.

I'm doing between 7-9k miles a year and, although a lot of our driving is around town, I'm not sure DSG is worth it (having had it on our old S3).

The nav is the one option that I'm tempted by, but it's poor value.

[Basil Hume]

Thanks for the guidance chaps.

I'm now pretty convinced about the leather, having been reminded in recent weeks just what a pasting my kids can give the interior (seat backs especially)! It's massive relief being able to just wipe-clean - although it comes as the single greatest cost.

DSG is definitely out, mainly on cost grounds.

The Performance Pack is back in contention though, mainly because of the bigger brakes. I've had the PP-spec brakes on my S3, R32 and (I think) Volvo V60. It looks like the rear callipers on the R32 & S3 are spec'd as the front ones on the standard GTI. Is this worth thinking about?

I'm also inclined to go for nav, as - on balance - it would be more useful than not; and retain some value, unlike all the other options.

I don't have a record of keeping cars for long (max. 2 years), but I'm looking at a GTI with a view to it breaking that tenure mark - mainly because I like the R32 format so much, but recognise that it's approaching 7 years old.