RE: 380-mile VW Golf GTI Clubsport S for sale

RE: 380-mile VW Golf GTI Clubsport S for sale

Tuesday 2nd July

380-mile VW Golf GTI Clubsport S for sale

Who knows if we'll get a Mk8.5 Clubsport S. But if we do, it'll need to go some to beat this


So there’s a new Volkswagen GTI Clubsport on the way and, so far, it’s only being offered with a seven-speed DSG. This was inevitable, given that the standard GTI can only be had as an auto, and while the company recently announced the Golf-based Jetta GLI saloon will retain a do-it-yourself cog swapper in the US it’s ruled out bringing the manual back for the hatch. It’s all down to a lack of demand, says VW - although surely with the right car and the right market, the big wigs in Wolfsburg could be goaded into bringing the manual back. Say for, I dunno, a new Clubsport S?

As unlikely as it sounds, there’s a nice gap in the Golf lineup for it to fall into. Interestingly, the new GTI comes with a 20hp uplift while the Clubsport remains level pegged with its predecessor at 300hp. Probably that was done to create a bit of distance between it and the Golf R, which has also been brought up to Mk8.5 spec with a slight power boost up to 333hp, but that in turn leaves a big enough gap for a Clubsport S, doesn’t it? After all, it’s still the fastest and most powerful front-wheel-drive Golf eight years on from its record-setting run around the Nurburgring. Obviously, there’s no sign of one on the horizon, but with the Golf approaching the end of combustion-only status, VW still has time to work on a track-focused treat to mark the occasion.

Mind you, the German car giant would need to work its backside off to match the brilliance of the original, let alone exceed it. To this day, the Mk7 is considered by many to be the best Golf GTI, mixing strong performance with genuine everyday usability. Predictably, a peppier and more aggressive Clubsport arrived in 2016, following in a long line of sportier GTIs launched to celebrate the hot hatch’s birthday. Less predictable was the arrival of the Clubsport S, which dialled the GTI up to a level never seen before.

Though almost identical in looks to the Clubsport, the S had been subjected to the sort of treatment typically reserved for 911 GT3s. Out went the rear seats for a 30kg saving over the Clubsport 40 and you could delete air con too (if you dared). Meanwhile, the suspension was extensively reworked with new a subframe allowing for more negative camber to be added, and the brakes were upgraded with lighter aluminium pistons and pads that could better regulate heat. Couple all of that with a 310hp power bump and Michelin Cup 2 tyres, and it’s little wonder that VW pinched the front-drive Nordschleife record from the Honda Civic Type-R.

Equally as unsurprising is the Clubsport GTI’s effect on hot hatch loves, particularly those with deep pockets. VW built 400 of them and only 150 found their way to Britain, which gives you a decent number to choose from, but they always command a premium. Savvy buyers knew from the start that the Clubsport S would be a hit with collectors, which is why you won’t find many with moon miles and bumpers sand-blasted by track day stone chips.

That said, the two previous owners of this car went to such great lengths to preserve its condition (and resale value) that they only drove it when conditions were dry. Which explains why only 380 miles have been accumulated, making this Clubsport S one of - if not the - best-preserved example in the country. That does come at a considerable price, though the £47,950 sticker isn’t as big a premium over higher mileage cars as you may think. Conversely, if it’s a rear bench and five doors you’re seeking, there’s always this near-identical-looking Clubsport 40 (albeit with an auto box) for less than half the price. Besides, if VW does defy the odds and build another Clubsport S, you can bet it’ll set you back way more than what this delivery-mile car is going for...


See the original advert here

Author
Discussion

Liberator65

Original Poster:

30 posts

75 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
Not a chance.

Maccmike8

1,183 posts

62 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
Il take the Club40 please.

Neil1323bolts

1,178 posts

114 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
The lack of rear seats is always a bit weird to me in a hot hatch, I do like this though ,but it needs to be enjoyed which means putting some miles on it! Proper waste sat in a garage

Misanthroper

204 posts

40 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
The two seat configuration would be enough to put me off, and the price of course, but it seems massively compromised for marginal benefit, I’d be looking at a used M4 at that money, comes with 4 seats too.

sean ie3

2,412 posts

144 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
Yep, there are a fair few better cars to be had at that price and with 2 seats. So no.

WonkeyDonkey

2,422 posts

111 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
£48k for an 8 year old golf wobble

BFallon

28 posts

54 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
A proper hot hatch. 3 doors, no rear seats.

GreatScott2016

1,515 posts

96 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
WonkeyDonkey said:
£48k for an 8 year old golf wobble
Yep, bonkers price!

Leins

9,669 posts

156 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
Neil1323bolts said:
The lack of rear seats is always a bit weird to me in a hot hatch, I do like this though ,but it needs to be enjoyed which means putting some miles on it! Proper waste sat in a garage
I agree on it needing to be driven, but the 2-seat hot hatch has benefits. Leaving asides a small decrease in weight, you do get a really good load area for roadtrips

Actually both of my fun cars came from the factory with the rear seats removed, and I’ve never once wished to have them in place

la grange

44 posts

155 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
Agree with all above, but what would seriously tempt me is the the 2 doors, have always preferred coupes especially with the GTI where 4 doors to me appear on the clumsy side

Mr Tidy

24,529 posts

135 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
It's probably unique but with that mileage you couldn't use it without killing it's value!

I'd rather buy a cheaper one, possibly with back seats and/or a couple more doors. laugh

Terminator X

16,454 posts

212 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
Wouldn't pay that but at close to original £33k I'd have one. Those seats love

TX.

Augustus Windsock

3,479 posts

163 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
I wonder, if you took the Clubsport 40 at less than half the price, (and it would suit me due to being a DSG gearbox) and spent a few grand on adjustable suspension and a proper remap / exhaust, and bearing in mind it has the same seats, how close you could get to an S and still be at least £10-15 under the price of this?
Ok, it will never be a Clubsport S but you do have the option of taking your mates out in it or even removing the rear seat and belts for more of a stripped-out approach if you want those extra 1/10ths on a track day.

FourRingedDonuts

116 posts

132 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
Ad says 2 owners. So bought by a collector new in 2016. Sold to another collector with delivery miles, probably soon after and making a few £K. clap

Collector/fool 2, parks it up for 8 years to then sell to collector/fool number 3 who will probably do the same.

So 3 owners and no drivers/enthusiasts among them. banghead

I get the quick flip first time around, he/she/they maybe owned it for a week and put 375 of the 380 miles on it, then trousered £5-10k for the pleasure.
It's possible literally every collector in the future will just park it up to have a Golf to look at in their collection. nononuts

J4CKO

42,962 posts

208 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
Leins said:
Neil1323bolts said:
The lack of rear seats is always a bit weird to me in a hot hatch, I do like this though ,but it needs to be enjoyed which means putting some miles on it! Proper waste sat in a garage
I agree on it needing to be driven, but the 2-seat hot hatch has benefits. Leaving asides a small decrease in weight, you do get a really good load area for roadtrips

Actually both of my fun cars came from the factory with the rear seats removed, and I’ve never once wished to have them in place
My car has them in place, it’s a ten minute job and six bolts to remove them if I need a bit more space.

There is a small difference in performance with them removed but think it’s possibly down to being a bit noisier, they are about 40 kilos so maybe 3 ish percent weight reduction.

Some cats like say a TT or something else with utterly useless rear seats I can see why removing them is worthwhile but a Golf ?

Just can’t imagine explaining to someone that I can’t give them a lift in a Golf because my one only has two seats, because it’s like a racing car…

Water Fairy

5,799 posts

163 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
So are those tyres 8 years old? Guess it doesn't matter as it won't be driven by the next Herbert, sorry, owner.

Leins

9,669 posts

156 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
J4CKO said:
My car has them in place, it’s a ten minute job and six bolts to remove them if I need a bit more space.

There is a small difference in performance with them removed but think it’s possibly down to being a bit noisier, they are about 40 kilos so maybe 3 ish percent weight reduction.

Some cats like say a TT or something else with utterly useless rear seats I can see why removing them is worthwhile but a Golf ?

Just can’t imagine explaining to someone that I can’t give them a lift in a Golf because my one only has two seats, because it’s like a racing car…
Fair point on the Golf. My two are an R53 MINI and a 968, so there would be no-one getting in behind me anyway as I’m a bit on the tall side

loskie

5,735 posts

128 months

Tuesday 2nd July
quotequote all
Misanthroper said:
The two seat configuration would be enough to put me off, and the price of course, but it seems massively compromised for marginal benefit, I’d be looking at a used M4 at that money, comes with 4 seats too.
This makes it a Golf van which for tax reasons were popular in Ireland in the 90's. I saw many a Mk2 and MK3 van. Nowt wrong wi them.

CG2020UK

2,092 posts

48 months

Wednesday 3rd July
quotequote all
Love the car.

Price is stupid.

IMI A

9,703 posts

209 months

Wednesday 3rd July
quotequote all
I had one. At £31,995 what it cost me a bargain. Quietly took the £10k overs. Its good but not that good. Very very quick car a to b. Would have kept if it had rear seats.