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That was the same for me when I got my last car, saw red, had to have it!

As first Golfs go that one looks rather tasty 
Red suits a GTI so well, and matches your name too!!

Welcome redross 

From a personal point of view I’d say any extras would be “nice to have” but none are essential enough to narrow your search down to a specific spec unless you find them high on your personal priority list.

The really good stuff is standard, particularly the IQ lights which are fantastic, and the heated steering wheel which I’ve fallen in love with.

A rear view camera would be quite useful but not essential. I’ve had a succession of cars both with and without and it’s not something I miss. However it is one of few options that could likely be retrofitted. The parking sensors on their own do a pretty good job though.

With the scarcity of GTI’s in general coupled with the high prices they currently fetch then compromises will probably have to be made as regards to spec, colour, gearbox choice etc.

Even 18 month to two year old cars can have had paint and bodywork damaged by now so personally I’d try and find one with 100% original paintwork (that also hasn’t seen commercial car washes), is reasonably priced and being sold by someone that doesn’t make your skin crawl (even some main dealers can fall into that category). At that point I’d take any optional extras as a bonus.

 

 Having recently made purchases from a VW dealer, I'm beginning to feel that the prices of late are so high that we must be being ripped off. A few examples from my own experience, A top  timing chain cover gasket £30,
A MAFF sensor £173, an inlet manifold £480, has anyone else had any wide eyed moments while trying to keep their GTI up to date. or is it just me being out of step with prices. 

I think what the configurator is showing in the picture in terms of the 45 decals on the sides and 45 on the steering wheel is an error. However you can definitely as noted get a pack to add Akra and Scottsdale alloys and separately two tone paint with a black roof so in effect a normal Clubsport can be made the same as a 45 just without the 45 on it, bit odd really. It does take away from the uniqueness of owning a 45.

If you look at the German configurator that seems to be set up correctly.

I suspect something similar will end up happening with the R 20 extras in due course.

On the configurator it even calls it Edition 45 trim