New member researching

[Greggs]

Hi everyone

New member here, been a massive GTI fan for years and am looking to purchase one later this year.

I’ve had golf’s in the past with my favourite being the Mk5 GTI which was sadly stolen after I’d only had it 8 months.

Currently driving a T-Roc R with the Akra exhaust but fancy a change

Question is, do I go for the Clubsport in Kings Red or stretch for a tornado ED50? (If still available)


Drive the deal are offering pretty decent discounts on the Clubsport, the one I speccd came out at just under 40k with area view, upgraded alloys and HK.

I’m not sure if my local dealer would match that but it’s worth asking.

Thanks in advance

Greggs..

[Watts]

Hi Greggs, welcome to the forum

I'm a big Tornado Red fan (despite my current and previous cars being white but that's partially VWs fault) and would always want to go with that however, not at any price. The CS is a great car, very pleased with mine but I can see the attraction of the Ed50 with the performance pack. But only you can decide if the extra is worth it. I'm sure on a track or during spirited driving it'll be better but how often would that be? The CS is hardly a slouch and it handles really well.

Still, the fact that you are in the enviable position of being able to choose is great! One other point though, if you did go CS but could've gone Ed50, would you be happy?

[Exonian]

Welcome Greggs 

You’ll pay significantly more for an Ed50 but would hope that it would always command a premium over a regular Clubsport a few years down the line so its swings and roundabouts in the grand scheme of things. You’d probably need to spec the Performamce Pack to maintain full value of the Ed50 which means you’ll keep the Akra exhaust.
My personal choice? Golf R Black Edition and put up with not having red paint 

[Greggs]

Thanks Watts & Exonian

The issue is a money one, I could get the clubsport without having to borrow, no chance I can afford the Ed50 without a loan or PCP deal.

Good point about resale although if I get an Ed50 I’d hope it would be a keeper (always say that but the longest I’ve owned a car is 2.5 years.

As for the Golf R, I did consider one but thought the drive would be too similar to my T-Roc R

I haven’t driven an R since the mk7 and I haven’t driven a GTI since my mk5 was stolen in 2010.

The sensible thing would be to try both

[Exonian]

If you’re not planning to keep the car over the longer term you’d be unlikely to recoup the £10k - £15k difference between a regular discounted Clubsport and a full price Ed50 (but I might be proven wrong!)

Only you will know whether the extra outlay is worth it as it’s a very personal thing.
If you’re into track days and Evo Triangle weekends, car shows and Caffeine and machine meets then maybe the kudos and handling tweaks of the Ed50 would be non negotiable must haves.


Oh, and as for the 8.5R, having owned quite a mix of GTI’s, Clubsports and R’s over the decades I can vouch that an 8.5R’s dynamics are noticeably improved over the mk7(.5)R.
The suspension particularly so. The rear diff and VDM are a very impressive combo.

Trying to get a few test drives before commiting would be a worthwhile use of your time.