Which options on a Golf GTI?
Discussion
From personal experience Xenons are nice to have, but don't expect to much back on your investment at resale time. I have learnt some very expensive lessons recently with German cars and their option lists and unless the car came with them as standard I wouldn't specify them as an option.
Neither of those options will retain much, if any, value come resale.
However the Xenons are superb (one of the best in any car I have had) and the std stereo is pretty poor really. The options that add real value (and cost !!) are;
Leather
18'' alloys
The chosen colour
Pick of the spec/range for me is a Candy white 5dr manual with Inerlagos cloth, 18'' monza alloys and CD/armrest.
That's all you really neeed...
However the Xenons are superb (one of the best in any car I have had) and the std stereo is pretty poor really. The options that add real value (and cost !!) are;
Leather
18'' alloys
The chosen colour
Pick of the spec/range for me is a Candy white 5dr manual with Inerlagos cloth, 18'' monza alloys and CD/armrest.
That's all you really neeed...
Xenons are worth the money, regardless of whether they add to the residual value, Stereo - well that's up to you but if you want the best sound then no factory fit option is going to cut it, my opinion is have the standard kit and if you want better then get some quality aftermarket equipment, particularly speakers.
Otherwise Leather is always nice and will probably be worth something come resale time, it is also much better if you've got kids (
cleans up better and the smell doesn't linger as much as on fabric)
Otherwise Leather is always nice and will probably be worth something come resale time, it is also much better if you've got kids (
cleans up better and the smell doesn't linger as much as on fabric) 
Ok thanks for the tips.
The spec I was thinking of is: 5 Door DSG, Interlagos cloth, centre armrest and winter pack (I get up early on cold winter mornings).
Not so sure about the 18" alloys - they look good, but the 17's don't look bad either. Is there any real difference in ride/handling?
I think cloth seats are more comfortable than leather - although with kids pottentially on the way, the cleaning aspect is something to bear in mind
On the other hand, they're not cheap!
Colour wise I am undecided. Not such a fan of white cars personally. I like the black but it's always an arse to keep clean. :s
I'm not really one to trade my cars in the whole time - this will have to last about 7 or 8 years so the upgrades need to be worth it on their own. I'm not too worried about getting my money back on them as the car will have done about 140,000 miles by the time I change it.
Speaking of stereo equipment - does anyone know when VW will offer a built in iPod connector? Also, when you have aftermarket stereo upgrades done, do they spoil the look of the dash, or can they be integrated neatly?
Thanks
Gav
The spec I was thinking of is: 5 Door DSG, Interlagos cloth, centre armrest and winter pack (I get up early on cold winter mornings).
Not so sure about the 18" alloys - they look good, but the 17's don't look bad either. Is there any real difference in ride/handling?
I think cloth seats are more comfortable than leather - although with kids pottentially on the way, the cleaning aspect is something to bear in mind
On the other hand, they're not cheap! Colour wise I am undecided. Not such a fan of white cars personally. I like the black but it's always an arse to keep clean. :s
I'm not really one to trade my cars in the whole time - this will have to last about 7 or 8 years so the upgrades need to be worth it on their own. I'm not too worried about getting my money back on them as the car will have done about 140,000 miles by the time I change it.
Speaking of stereo equipment - does anyone know when VW will offer a built in iPod connector? Also, when you have aftermarket stereo upgrades done, do they spoil the look of the dash, or can they be integrated neatly?
Thanks
Gav
Sounds good. The 18's do look a lot better than the standard 17s.. worth it I would say.
The cloth seats put me off really doesn't look as nice as the leather seats and I can't say I noticed much difference between the cloth in the demo car and leather. Even though being a bit overpriced I think it is probably worth it.
DSG can't comment, but if I were you don't remove that from your specs but Centre Armrest and Winter Pack are quite reasonable alright, can't beat the heated seats on a cold day!
Colour-wise:
I would say Black or Red are your main options. Black looks the best (when clean) but it's the cleaning that is the problem as you say. Red looks good too and hides the muck a bit better.. and as for White I think that will be just as bad as Black, or worse? It's one of those love it or hate it colours, I have to say it has grown on me..
Dave.
The cloth seats put me off really doesn't look as nice as the leather seats and I can't say I noticed much difference between the cloth in the demo car and leather. Even though being a bit overpriced I think it is probably worth it.
DSG can't comment, but if I were you don't remove that from your specs
but Centre Armrest and Winter Pack are quite reasonable alright, can't beat the heated seats on a cold day! Colour-wise:
I would say Black or Red are your main options. Black looks the best (when clean) but it's the cleaning that is the problem as you say. Red looks good too and hides the muck a bit better.. and as for White I think that will be just as bad as Black, or worse? It's one of those love it or hate it colours, I have to say it has grown on me..
Dave.
I drove a DSG GTi, was fantastic. Was very tempted. Options I'd go for: 5dr, DSG (+ multi-function wheel), Diamond Black, Winter Pack, 6CD, Xenons, Rear Side Airbags, Highline Multi-function Computer, Cruise Control.
Personally, I'd buy a 12-18 month old one in Spring as I think they will hit £15k then, there are simply too many about to sustain current residuals. £24k new on a Golf makes little financial sense, especially when £22k puts one in reach of a early E46 M3 (debadge it) from a BMW dealer with cast-iron warranty or a well specc'd newer E46 04 330i Sport.
>> Edited by baz1985 on Thursday 22 December 20:56
Personally, I'd buy a 12-18 month old one in Spring as I think they will hit £15k then, there are simply too many about to sustain current residuals. £24k new on a Golf makes little financial sense, especially when £22k puts one in reach of a early E46 M3 (debadge it) from a BMW dealer with cast-iron warranty or a well specc'd newer E46 04 330i Sport.
>> Edited by baz1985 on Thursday 22 December 20:56
I would go for the 18" wheels, think they make the car look much better, and they're not that expensive.
Would also go leather and winter pack, centre armrest, in dash 6 CD.
Drove the DSG, no doubt it is clever, but it is basically a fancy automatic, much preferrred the manual. Also thought having buttons on steernig wheel instead of mounted on column was crap, gets confusing when you turn the wheel, so you end up using the gearshift, why not just use the manual, which has a erally nice shift, and I still feel it gives you more control? But who knows, in resale market it may become a sought after option.
Would not choose white, think it is a bit of a trend colour at moment, and everyone will hate it again soon.
Agree that red really suits the car.
Would also go leather and winter pack, centre armrest, in dash 6 CD.
Drove the DSG, no doubt it is clever, but it is basically a fancy automatic, much preferrred the manual. Also thought having buttons on steernig wheel instead of mounted on column was crap, gets confusing when you turn the wheel, so you end up using the gearshift, why not just use the manual, which has a erally nice shift, and I still feel it gives you more control? But who knows, in resale market it may become a sought after option.
Would not choose white, think it is a bit of a trend colour at moment, and everyone will hate it again soon.
Agree that red really suits the car.
that's what I'd do, but I'd be happy with any spec TBH! hello everybody. im karim, just got exited over wht u guys are talking about. i just bought a gti like a week ago, the 2008 model, it arrives in like 40 days, DSG, 18 monza, fabric, ipod, and ten speakers, 2 doors, well i live in dubai so no need for a winter pack, and ofcourse the multi steering wheel, but one problem, that i only got to get it in silver, so its a reflex silver color, so wht do u guys have to say about the color,,,
regards
regards
alloypearltam said:
From personal experience Xenons are nice to have, but don't expect to much back on your investment at resale time. I have learnt some very expensive lessons recently with German cars and their option lists and unless the car came with them as standard I wouldn't specify them as an option.
I'd agree with that - my Boxster has about 8k of options which add a sum total of feck all to the value according to the stealer. Xenons add nothing and the bulbs are £250 as someone else pointed out.Anyway I just ordered a GTi in poverty spec with no options which should be here in 2 weeks (imported £18k). It was that or wait 16 weeks for a build slot with options. I actually want the 17's for ride comfort as it's mostly going to be used in town. I don't do many miles, but if the OP is going to do 140,000 miles in his, maybe worth factoring in the cost of 10 or so sets of tyres for 18's vs 17's.
It was actually quite refreshing to not "worry" about the options list / residual thing. It's got climate and a cd player, the cloth interior looks great so don't need leather and therefore don't need heated seats. Result!
I've got quite a fully loaded golf (bought it like that - didn't spec it) and I would personally go for Xenons, winter pack and sat nav, xenon lights make night time driving much easier and safer and sat nav is ver useful (plus it includes the sound upgrade i believe?) and adds to resale value...
We have a 2006 GTi 5 door. In red (our favourite) with Winter Pack, armrest, Xenons and RCD 500 upgrade. The Xenons are most definitely worth the cost - esp if you're doing a lot of night/bad weather driving.
Leather costs too much and will wear on the drivers' side bolster and look scraggy in a few years.
Sat Nav can be added later for much less than VAG want (ask on tyresmoke - simple upgrade).
Leather costs too much and will wear on the drivers' side bolster and look scraggy in a few years.
Sat Nav can be added later for much less than VAG want (ask on tyresmoke - simple upgrade).
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