GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: Exonian on 11 August 2026, 17:07
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Ooops, I did it again
(https://i.postimg.cc/9XDqgW3v/IMG-4542.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RqzFNxZR)
(https://i.postimg.cc/mhx483xS/IMG-4543.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/q6GW73vt)
Rather than clutter up the other thread I’ll move it into here.
Summary: impulse purchase Ed50
(Hopefully) my last Golf some 39 years after I bought my first VW GTI and 36 years since I bought my first Golf GTI.
My least favoured colour/shade with possibly my least favoured option (sunroof), viewed on a whim.
It won’t meet the approval of the die hard fans, no exclusive colour, no Performance Pack, no Warmenaus etc but that’s half the reason I went for it. I’ve always been more rescue shelter than pedigree.
I literally dread owning black cars having had a few previously and numerous ones with factory black roofs so there’s been a lot of “whatever was I thinking??” going on.
The colour scheme ties in being all black and red both outside and in, it’s a bit more racy looking than my previous R Black Edition but toned down enough for someone in their late 50’s to get away with running red wheels (just about, or am I kidding myself?)
It’s certainly not a spec I’d have picked off the configurator but then again I’d never have ordered one that way.
I’ll bring in some quotes off the other thread to tidy up:
Congratulations on your Ed 50!
You have been a source of amusement and interest to me, (and no doubt many other regulars), for years.
I am delighted to see you have something new to enlighten us on. So we really do need thoughts/ comparisons given the depth of experience on all things Golf.
First impressions and longer term experience posts would be very welcome.
Given the black paint and the inevitable dreaded “swirls”, would it be worth getting some professional paint protection from the start? Might spare some angst, especially if we are to exist in a state of permanent sunshine…….just a thought.
Lifeshine was thrown in and not the greatest of jobs. I’ll be relying on dust to cover sins!
Thank you for your kind words and rest assured my initial likes and dislikes will be following as soon as I get a quiet bit of time to gather my thoughts :smiley:
Black looks really well on them I must say. I've seen a couple in the metal. Obviously you lose the contrast with the black elements on the car (black roof, mirror caps, etc), but still, it looks very stealthy. And the red bits work well with black.
For the reasons outlined however, I don't think I'd deliberately choose a black car (again!) though.
It’s going to be a nightmare. Already a few fingerprints on it which wouldn’t have shown in white/moonstone/crystal ice
Yes, the black elements are lost but it tones it down enough for my advancing age! 😁
Thanks Watts :grin:
Mine’s always the one parked a quarter of a mile from the riff raff, in an end spot. People think it’s because I’m averse to door dingers but it’s really because I can never remember what car I actually own on any given week.
And thanks Joe
Yep, it’s black (the last colour I’d ever pick)
With a sunroof (the last option I’d ever tick)
Area view (novelty thing, I can view the junk in my garage as I’m trying to squeeze through in a seagull eye view now)
Total impulse buy.
Stock car, had just arrived at the dealership covered in summer dust - a great way to view a black car!
Timed to perfection as it was collected just as the hosepipe ban came in 🙄
Why? I can’t quite fathom why yet. I had no interest other than light curiosity in the Ed50.
I was 100% dead set on getting a full electric car next as I’m totally converted to one pedal driving and instant torque blasts out of corners, love it! I’d become totally disengaged with the whole Golf thing of late but still really enjoying the R and had hoped to keep it another year or so. I’d not managed to find that ‘Goldilocks’ EV that would drag me away from nearly 4 decades of Golf ownership either.
I was offered one of the very first Cupra Raval VZ Extreme cars in the country a couple weeks ago and was sorely tempted, but the initial batch are in matte paint finish and that’s too much for me to cope with! Fab looking thing though. So on the rebound from that I stumbled accross this Golf and thought ‘why not, one last one, let’s go out with a special edition’ and so that was that.
A bit like going into an animal shelter to look at some fluffy white kittens then coming out with a black panther, here I am, and already totally paranoid about the paint.
I did pull into a lay-by to take some photos but in the bright sunshine they all turned out crap and I have no idea about photo composition either. I’d even written out a load of first thoughts for a standalone thread but decided I’d just dump it in here instead in heavily summarised form.
Did you manage to get any discount?
Car looks great better than the R?
Yes, a little bit of discount, not huge
And “different” to the R. Better? Hmmm, just different! Really loved that R
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Well, if you are going to have an 'oops', that seems like a good one to have! Will be interesting to see how you find it compared with your R. I was tempted by an R at my last change but didn't think the extra go was worth the extra fuel/tyre wear. Also to see if you think it's worth the premium over a CS. I still really fancy one but I can't see it being worth dropping another £20k on what is effectively a fancy runabout!
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It looks really good Mr Ex :cool:. The red accents do work well with black and IMHO black is the only colour that works with the red tinted diamond cut alloys (on a Tornado Red car, red alloys would just be too much red. Again, just my opinion).
I’m sure you’ll stay on top of keeping it looking good, although drought conditions and a hosepipe ban are far from ideal when you’ve got a shiny black car to keep clean and swirl free. Maybe worth doing some reasearch into rinseless car washing products which are meant to be effective and seemingly don’t inflict swirls if the manufacturers instructions on their use are followed.
Enjoy your new ‘beast’ and I look forward to reading any further updates you might add to this discussion topic.
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Thanks SR, I’ve still got my multiple watering cans and buckets from last time we had a hosepipe ban!
This one wasn’t bought for daily driving duties though. A bit like my Ed40 it’ll be used for limited journeys and holidays.
Watts, unless you’re absolutely desperate for Tornado Red I’d not think the extra outlay was remotely worthwhile. The only exception I can think of is you buy an in stock car at a discount when VW punt the remaining unallocated cars into VW dealers (as has already begun) then wait it out until they’re told to pre-reg them when they’ll be relative value so long as you plan keeping it long term.
Feel? Mine doesn’t have PP so probably drives exactly like a regular Clubby. Lighter on its toes than an R (VW dial in a planted feel to the R and a lighter more nimble feel to the GTI in order to give them identity. The difference is more apparent than the slight weight difference between the models would otherwise give rise to.
My non DCC 8R could be brutal on the spine and kidneys on some roads, the DCC 8.5R less so, the Ed50 initially feels a bit less jarring.
Economy? The Clubsport is definitely more economical than an R particularly in wet weather where the R seems to generate a lot of drag from both axles. But it’s only a small percentage between the two cars in real world driving. Hardly something someone spending £35k - £50+k would lose sleep over.
Initial likes: it’s very peppy at lower speeds which is what you need in a road car where you want a bit of stimulation even though the roads are crowded with holiday traffic. The interior looks a bit pants in photos but is quite nice in person. Steering wheel buttons, yay!
Initial dislikes: the dash and door decorative trim is plain silver plastic which looks more temu than £50k special edition. I used to consider people who spent £800 for the carbon fibre dash trims a bit daft, but in this instance they’d be excused.
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Congrats. :cool:
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Thanks Snoopy :smiley:
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Thanks Exonian, that's as I thought. Having been busy on the configurator, £54k seems to come up a lot :rolleyes: I certainly will keep an eye on available cars (actually there is one TR with sunroof but I'm not keen on the shiny warmenaus plus it's missing a few other treats I'd like).
Hope you settle in to it and enjoy the drive. I'm very impressed with my CS.
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Cheers Watts :smiley:
You’ve got the right attitude and time on your side.
See what crops up, track it and wait for the moment. If someone else snaps a car up before you do you’ve not lost anything, you’ve got a perfectly good one as is.
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OMG, you have done it again and the entertaining write ups continue, excellent. :smiley: Congratulations and I actually really like the Ed50 in black (and the sunroof, I wouldn't be without one), but as you say it's the maintenance of black that can be a little wearing, especially for an old gadgie like me. I'm still tempted, but I love my Lapiz BE 8.5R and I worry I might regret it if I make the jump? I wonder if the green would be just as bad to maintain? Really looking forward to your updates and your comparisons with your R.
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OMG, you have done it again and the entertaining write ups continue, excellent. :smiley: Congratulations and I actually really like the Ed50 in black (and the sunroof, I wouldn't be without one), but as you say it's the maintenance of black that can be a little wearing, especially for an old gadgie like me. I'm still tempted, but I love my Lapiz BE 8.5R and I worry I might regret it if I make the jump? I wonder if the green would be just as bad to maintain? Really looking forward to your updates and your comparisons with your R.
I think that most dark paint colours require more careful - and more frequent - maintenance than light paint colours if you want to minimise the risk of paint swirls (free dealership service washes are a definite no-no!) and to get rid of that annoying layer of dust that is very visible on dark coloured cars. With this in mind, I’d say Moss Green would be very similar to black in terms of the level of maintenance required to keep it looking good.
I’ve had my fair share of dark coloured cars over the years, and IMHO they do look really good when clean, but it’s a labour of love keeping them looking that way.
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^^Yes, SRGTD, agreed. I think green will be exactly the same as looking after my lapiz R.
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Looks great-enjoy
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OMG, you have done it again and the entertaining write ups continue, excellent. :smiley: Congratulations and I actually really like the Ed50 in black (and the sunroof, I wouldn't be without one), but as you say it's the maintenance of black that can be a little wearing, especially for an old gadgie like me. I'm still tempted, but I love my Lapiz BE 8.5R and I worry I might regret it if I make the jump? I wonder if the green would be just as bad to maintain? Really looking forward to your updates and your comparisons with your R.
Thanks Trev, we’ve been waiting for you to make an announcement before the order books close!
I’ve physically seen a Dark Moss and would think it very similar in terms of maintenance to Lapiz.
Financially the jump from a recent R BE to an Ed50 would never make the slightest bit of sense as you’ll well know. The Ed50 is squarely aimed at the enthusiast buyer, that we can all see, but the question would be how many enthusiasts are still in the game? As hot hatches go there are very few ICE choices left outside of the VW group and we have to be thankful that VW are still piling the effort in.
The Ed50 is only going to mean anything to a small band of people and, just like 10 years ago, there’s a very popular, very very good and similarly priced Golf R sat along side of the anniversary GTI in the price list.
As a long term keeper, in the right spec, the Ed50 will be the sought after car by die hard enthusiasts maybe? But the R BE is such a staggeringly good car and looks so darned good I’d struggle to recommend the GTI over one, or vice versa. However, these things are an emotive purchase and life is short…
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Looks great-enjoy
Thanks valentino :smiley:
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Brilliant Mr.Ex. Looks the dogs.
You'll know as well as me having done the GTi to R and back dance that the GTi is far more fun it feels much more "connected" it obviously doesn't have the away from the traffic lights experience but a bit like like yourself I'm of a similar vintage being a 70's child I stopped caring about that years ago and with the influx in the past few years of traffic light heroes in a whole manner of cheap EVs even the R will struggle to match them now.
I never expected to keep my 45 for this long but it really suits my needs and can get a shift on if the shops are close to closing their doors or I'm late to picking up the kids from school. I also think it looks better than the R.
I also had the fear when I ordered my 45 with red wheel trims but it's grown on me and I don't think they look out of place with a fifty something behind the wheel.
Sorry for babbling on and enjoy the new machine in good health.
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life is short…
Exactly. It's just that balance between enjoying yourself while you can but leaving enough in case you need it :grin: Plus not getting in trouble over spending with 'er in doors...
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life is short…
Exactly. It's just that balance between enjoying yourself while you can but leaving enough in case you need it :grin: Plus not getting in trouble over spending with 'er in doors...
Indeed! Ok, “life is short but keep it sensible-ish”
Brilliant Mr.Ex. Looks the dogs.
You'll know as well as me having done the GTi to R and back dance that the GTi is far more fun it feels much more "connected" it obviously doesn't have the away from the traffic lights experience but a bit like like yourself I'm of a similar vintage being a 70's child I stopped caring about that years ago and with the influx in the past few years of traffic light heroes in a whole manner of cheap EVs even the R will struggle to match them now.
I never expected to keep my 45 for this long but it really suits my needs and can get a shift on if the shops are close to closing their doors or I'm late to picking up the kids from school. I also think it looks better than the R.
I also had the fear when I ordered my 45 with red wheel trims but it's grown on me and I don't think they look out of place with a fifty something behind the wheel.
Sorry for babbling on and enjoy the new machine in good health.
Thanks Dave :smiley:
Talking of traffic light Grand Prix, I had a brief look at a Volvo EX30, dull as dishwater inside and out but would absolutely destroy an R away from the lights, right up until it had to take a corner. Some of these Chinese SUV EV’s are ballistic but that’s about it. The R does at least have character even if they’re a little bland themselves unless Black Edition spec.
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OMG, you have done it again and the entertaining write ups continue, excellent. :smiley: Congratulations and I actually really like the Ed50 in black (and the sunroof, I wouldn't be without one), but as you say it's the maintenance of black that can be a little wearing, especially for an old gadgie like me. I'm still tempted, but I love my Lapiz BE 8.5R and I worry I might regret it if I make the jump? I wonder if the green would be just as bad to maintain? Really looking forward to your updates and your comparisons with your R.
Thanks Trev, we’ve been waiting for you to make an announcement before the order books close!
I’ve physically seen a Dark Moss and would think it very similar in terms of maintenance to Lapiz.
Financially the jump from a recent R BE to an Ed50 would never make the slightest bit of sense as you’ll well know. The Ed50 is squarely aimed at the enthusiast buyer, that we can all see, but the question would be how many enthusiasts are still in the game? As hot hatches go there are very few ICE choices left outside of the VW group and we have to be thankful that VW are still piling the effort in.
The Ed50 is only going to mean anything to a small band of people and, just like 10 years ago, there’s a very popular, very very good and similarly priced Golf R sat along side of the anniversary GTI in the price list.
As a long term keeper, in the right spec, the Ed50 will be the sought after car by die hard enthusiasts maybe? But the R BE is such a staggeringly good car and looks so darned good I’d struggle to recommend the GTI over one, or vice versa. However, these things are an emotive purchase and life is short…
I'm sure I've mentioned it before (probably more than once!), but I've had all the golf editions but one - 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, but not the 45, which is really annoying. :angry: If I'd had the 45 there would have been no choice but to get the 50. :grin: I think I need to try and buy a 45, keep it for a week, then sell it. :laugh:
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Looks lovely, enjoy
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Thanks Adam :smiley:
Trev, just borrow a 45 for a few days, snap a couple photos and job done!
Better still, stay away from 45’s, resist 50’s and by next year it’ll be old news and you’ll have a 5 cyl 8.5R(S) dangled in front of you 😁
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Congrats, looks fantastic.
One of my neighbours has one in red and I’m itching to catch him when he’s out washing it for a closer look!
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Thanks gfmr :smiley:
You’ll have to camp outside your neighbour’s on wash day!
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Congratulations Exonian and welcome the ED50 club!
Love the car and look forward to your future posts. I really like my ED50, but I've not fallen for it, and I'm tempted back into RS3 ownership. I miss that 5 cylinder burble
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Thanks Paul :smiley:
Maybe soon there’ll be a Golf with that 5 cylinder if reports are true.
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Congrats Exo. You said not your daily driver so what is?
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Thanks Al :smiley:
(https://i.postimg.cc/DZ7kWkKf/IMG-4576.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zL2PMQB4)
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Surely there's an explanation due?? Scratching of two itches?
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I’m going for colour coordinated just like curtains.
Was itching to get one of those since launch, ended up buying one second hand but not really using it despite a free to use charger about five minutes walk away from my front door.
Then Donald woke up in a bad mood with Iran one day and it got harder to get super unleaded locally, so I started commuting in that and now I use it all the time. My R got parked up in March/April and aside from a few longer trips it didn’t move for a few months. I was planning on getting another EV to share the miles more evenly possibly next year or the year after, then the black thing appeared and I thought “now there’s a car more suited to doing zero miles”
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I take it then the Mini is satisfactory? Presumably range is an issue hence the need for an ice car occasionally?
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Thanks Al :smiley:
(https://i.postimg.cc/DZ7kWkKf/IMG-4576.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zL2PMQB4)
I like! :cool:. Red and black is a good combination and I prefer your model of Mini to the current Chinese built one. IMHO the interior of yours is definitely nicer.
I had an inkling that you might have got an electric Mini as it’s one of the cars in the ‘hidden’ (difficult to read, white typeface) list at the foot of your posts.
I’ll probably be going electric with my next car………… :smiley:
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Be intresting to see how this compares to the R you had as atm I am very stuck as to which way to go for my next change looking at R Clubsport and ED50.
R and Clubsports new can be had for at least 6k less in equivalent specs to the ED50 but as this would be my only car, not sure if I could daily the ED50🤔
Also S3 vorspung is few K cheaper.
Also notice a few ED50's recently been sold after only a few K miles as if people just dont quite bond with them.
Be intresting to hear others opinions??
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I've changed to an GTI Edition 50 with Performance pack as my daily coming from years of family SUV's, the other vehicle in the household is a ID3 GTX, do I miss the room of the jeeps yes esp. for sporting events with the kids, but the Edition 50 really does put a smile on my face and I find it very comfortable in Comfort mode. I know what you saying re pricing as R's and S3's can be had for a cheaper price so it really is a heart over head decision. I know in the Irish market a couple of pre regs are floating, but I believe the order book is closed.
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I take it then the Mini is satisfactory? Presumably range is an issue hence the need for an ice car occasionally?
The Mini is great, I’ve had a couple of ICE Minis in the past and the electric motor is so well suited to the car.
Downside is a tiddly battery if you view it that way, but it’s quick to charge so not necessarily the handicap you’d think on a longer trip. By the time you’ve had a pee and a pasty the battery would be pretty full on a fast-ish charger. The upside of the small battery is its light(er) weight.
It’s zippy, charismatic and costs peanuts to run.
The ICE car does make longer trips mentally easier, as a recent EV convert I’m not au fait with charging apps and all that jazz. Small steps and all that.
The main reason for keeping a Golf is the extra space and capability for occasional use although I do and nearly did go to solely EV ownership.
It’s nice to have the option of both.
I like! :cool:. Red and black is a good combination and I prefer your model of Mini to the current Chinese built one. IMHO the interior of yours is definitely nicer.
I had an inkling that you might have got an electric Mini as it’s one of the cars in the ‘hidden’ (difficult to read, white typeface) list at the foot of your posts.
I’ll probably be going electric with my next car………… :smiley:
The later R56 LCI cars are the Mini equivalent of the mk7 Golf. Not perfect but “better” than the later cars in certain respects.
The white typeface is dual reason, I had white Golfs for 12-13 years and it’s also not a visual assault being almost invisible at the bottom of my posts. Nobody wants my list of cars hitting their eyeballs every time I post up some crap on here.
Are you swaying toward a particular EV next or just considering options?
The one I thought I would end up with was dismissed as an example, and the one I nearly ended up with was also dismissed. 🙄
Be intresting to see how this compares to the R you had as atm I am very stuck as to which way to go for my next change looking at R Clubsport and ED50.
R and Clubsports new can be had for at least 6k less in equivalent specs to the ED50 but as this would be my only car, not sure if I could daily the ED50🤔
Also S3 vorspung is few K cheaper.
Also notice a few ED50's recently been sold after only a few K miles as if people just dont quite bond with them.
Be intresting to hear others opinions??
I’d be interested to hear others opinions too.
Too early to comment on my own comparison yet. I’ve not touched the car for a week. Maybe I’ll get some fuel and take it for a spin later before the rains arrive later in the week..
I've changed to an GTI Edition 50 with Performance pack as my daily coming from years of family SUV's, the other vehicle in the household is a ID3 GTX, do I miss the room of the jeeps yes esp. for sporting events with the kids, but the Edition 50 really does put a smile on my face and I find it very comfortable in Comfort mode. I know what you saying re pricing as R's and S3's can be had for a cheaper price so it really is a heart over head decision. I know in the Irish market a couple of pre regs are floating, but I believe the order book is closed.
How does the Ed50 drive compared to the GTX?
I considered an ID.3 GTX before getting the R and still wonder at times whether it would have been a wiser move.
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The GTX is great car i have to admit, has all the bells and whistles as standard and can be run for approx 30/40 euro per month charging at home and work which is subsidized. 0/60 practically same as Edition 50 but the Edition 50 is just a bit special I think esp in a world where all cars are just the same, individuality is gone, but the limited numbers on the edition 50 do make it that bit unique esp here in Ireland, not too many have been sold esp with the premium we have to pay even compared to UK units.
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I like! :cool:. Red and black is a good combination and I prefer your model of Mini to the current Chinese built one. IMHO the interior of yours is definitely nicer.
I had an inkling that you might have got an electric Mini as it’s one of the cars in the ‘hidden’ (difficult to read, white typeface) list at the foot of your posts.
I’ll probably be going electric with my next car………… :smiley:
The later R56 LCI cars are the Mini equivalent of the mk7 Golf. Not perfect but “better” than the later cars in certain respects.
The white typeface is dual reason, I had white Golfs for 12-13 years and it’s also not a visual assault being almost invisible at the bottom of my posts. Nobody wants my list of cars hitting their eyeballs every time I post up some crap on here.
Are you swaying toward a particular EV next or just considering options?
The one I thought I would end up with was dismissed as an example, and the one I nearly ended up with was also dismissed. 🙄
I’m thinking of changing sometime next year so at the moment I’m really just beginning to weigh up options (I like to do my research :grin:). I’d be looking at something in the B segment and I dare say in the next 6-12 months there’ll be other new B segment EV’s models to consider by the time I’m ready to make the change.
If I were to change now, I’d be looking at a Renault R5. I know, piece of French rubbish with dodgy electrics and all that, but IMHO Renault’s reputation of building cars with dodgy electrics is a thing of the past when the Government had a larger stake in the company than they do now and could influence who Renault sourced their parts from. I’ve looked at an R5 and sat in one, although not driven one. It felt very well screwed together and equally as well built - if not better - than the VW’s I’ve owned; tight, even panel gaps (more than could be said for most of my VW’s) and doors that shut with a nice solid sounding noise. I would need to drive one to see if it’d be a serious contender nearer the time. It might be dismissed in the same way that you dismissed the EV you thought you’d end up buying.
Whoever the manufacturer, I’m not certain I’d keep any EV outside the warranty period though. I also don’t think I’d buy a new one outright (it’d be either PCP or lease).
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The GTX is great car i have to admit, has all the bells and whistles as standard and can be run for approx 30/40 euro per month charging at home and work which is subsidized. 0/60 practically same as Edition 50 but the Edition 50 is just a bit special I think esp in a world where all cars are just the same, individuality is gone, but the limited numbers on the edition 50 do make it that bit unique esp here in Ireland, not too many have been sold esp with the premium we have to pay even compared to UK units.
There are about a zillion identikit SUV’s on the market now and hardly any ‘traditional’ hatches left. The Golf stands out now instead of blending into the crowd like it once did.
The APP550(?) motor in the GTX is an impressive bit of kit and I’d imagine it absolutely blasts out of corners.
Hopefully VW reintroduce it on the Neo and don’t decide to market the RWD EV as a GTI as that’s sacrilege!
I’m thinking of changing sometime next year so at the moment I’m really just beginning to weigh up options (I like to do my research :grin:). I’d be looking at something in the B segment and I dare say in the next 6-12 months there’ll be other new B segment EV’s models to consider by the time I’m ready to make the change.
If I were to change now, I’d be looking at a Renault R5. I know, piece of French rubbish with dodgy electrics and all that, but IMHO Renault’s reputation of building cars with dodgy electrics is a thing of the past when the Government had a larger stake in the company than they do now and could influence who Renault sourced their parts from. I’ve looked at an R5 and sat in one, although not driven one. It felt very well screwed together and equally as well built - if not better - than the VW’s I’ve owned; tight, even panel gaps (more than could be said for most of my VW’s) and doors that shut with a nice solid sounding noise. I would need to drive one to see if it’d be a serious contender nearer the time. It might be dismissed in the same way that you dismissed the EV you thought you’d end up buying.
Whoever the manufacturer, I’m not certain I’d keep any EV outside the warranty period though. I also don’t think I’d buy a new one outright (it’d be either PCP or lease).
I had a quick chat with a chap trying unsuccessfully to get my local free charger to work on his R5. He was very impressed with it, he was an older guy and had owned quite a few different cars over the years rather than a youngster with a salary sacrifice lease car.
The A290 was an EV that (in my head at least) I would have liked to own but having spoken briefly to a couple of people that have had one they were unimpressed with the torque steer (which is an occasional problem with the Mini too). However the main problem for me would be the nearest main dealer is nearly two hours away and that would be a huge issue if anything went wrong with it.
The Raval impressed on so many levels and has a five year warranty but… matte paint! Maybe a PPF wrap would help with that but it’s a significant extra cost.
e208GTI and Corsa GSE could be interesting propositions, and these cars all cost similar money.
And next year the ID. Polo GTI might pull at the heartstrings… (might feel a bit underpowered though)
To be honest, in modern traffic and with cameras everywhere a Renault 5 would provide more than adequate performance, handling and ride quality, plus is one of those cars that you walk up to and smile. And that last thing is rare nowadays with the choices available.
Right, enough EV talk on a Golf forum, and going back to davo’s post:
I’ve been out and filled the car with £85 of super (ouch! I’m used to £9 a week of electric!) and taken it for a gentle drive on the tourist clogged roads of South Devon.
The engine and gearbox feel identical to the R’s. The engine mapping in particular is very keen to ‘up and at em’ just like the 8.5 R (which was more peppy than the 8R). It’s very different to the 7R and Ed40 which needed a PedalBox to add some life to the throttle at lower speeds.
The non Perf Pack suspension feels fine so far. The brakes are still bedding in. The car definitely feels a little lighter on its toes than an R.
I’d be the last person to offer advice on which is preferable as each car, be it R, Clubsport or Ed50, will have a different appeal yet all feel similar to a lesser or greater degree.
It’s still a bit odd lifting the garage door and instead of being greeted by a white car bonnet (after so many years of them), I see what looks like the black shadow of a Golf in the gloom. Almost like in a science fiction/horror movie!
Today was the first time I’ve had an unhurried look around the car out in the fresh air and I’m coming to terms with running a black car again. The red side decals and red wheels certainly give the car an identity, and the wheels are quite striking in person as one approaches the car. Whether or not that’s good is open to debate! It’s growing on me.
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Like the MINI cooper SE too. You have good taste :smiley:
I like that generation as its basically the BMW i3 proven running gear.
I keep thinking of one too as a runabout as most my trips are short local town visit shop trips nowadays so the short range would not be an issue for us. But I also keep thinking of an UP GTI.
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Both those cars were firm favourites of mine right from their conception as many longer term members on here will be aware, and both were on my radar still even though I was determined never to go back to running more than one car.
The Mini edged it for a variety of reasons but I still look wistfully at up! GTIs every time I see one or whenever I see a tidy one advertised for sale.
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A “not quite a month” running report.
After not using the car for a couple of weeks I took the box fresh Ed50 down to Cornwall for a couple days under the premise of visiting my father. Instead of blasting down the dual carriageway I took the longer backroad route which I tend to prefer these days. It takes forever but is more interesting from a driving point of view. It’s also a decent route for running an engine and brakes in as it varies speed and gears constantly without putting undue strain on anything.
A lovely drive down and back, the suspension comfy enough, mid thirties mpg and I love the low speed eagerness of the engine.
Fresh out of the oven pasty at 11am from Philps in Hayle and a Chinese takeaway for supper.
The red seatbelts are still a novelty, the black paint is dulled down with a nice layer of grime and the car has been parked up and ignored for the rest of the week as I returned to work.
Can’t be bothered to clean it with the hosepipe ban in place.
I still can’t believe I sold a wonderful R Black Edition for yet another Golf but that’s life! I never did display any sign of sense despite being the world’s most boring person.
Great car though, the Ed50, even minus the de rigeur Performance Pack (which is actually quite good value for money all things considered). Plenty comfy enough to use daily sans PP (although I’m sure the optional pack isn’t much choppier) and feels really alive to drive. Mind you so is the regular Clubby and R
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I still can’t believe I sold a wonderful R Black Edition for yet another Golf but that’s life!
I'm still wrestling with whether to buy an Ed50, so l'm always eager to read your feedback! Yesterday, I went to see both a red and a green Ed50. I'm not a big fan of red, it was always going to be the green for me, but the problem is, I really love my Lapiz Blue R black edition. Having viewed the green, I was left a tad underwhelmed by it. It was a dull day and the green looked, well, really dull. The decision was not helped by the lad I was talking to at the dealership saying he preferred mine to the Ed50! Before the viewings, I'd almost decided to go for it, but I'm now back to square one. I wonder if VW will let me order a lapiz blue one!
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A “not quite a month” running report.
After not using the car for a couple of weeks I took the box fresh Ed50 down to Cornwall for a couple days under the premise of visiting my father. Instead of blasting down the dual carriageway I took the longer backroad route which I tend to prefer these days. It takes forever but is more interesting from a driving point of view. It’s also a decent route for running an engine and brakes in as it varies speed and gears constantly without putting undue strain on anything.
A lovely drive down and back, the suspension comfy enough, mid thirties mpg and I love the low speed eagerness of the engine.
Fresh out of the oven pasty at 11am from Philps in Hayle and a Chinese takeaway for supper.
The red seatbelts are still a novelty, the black paint is dulled down with a nice layer of grime and the car has been parked up and ignored for the rest of the week as I returned to work.
Can’t be bothered to clean it with the hosepipe ban in place.
I still can’t believe I sold a wonderful R Black Edition for yet another Golf but that’s life! I never did display any sign of sense despite being the world’s most boring person.
Great car though, the Ed50, even minus the de rigeur Performance Pack (which is actually quite good value for money all things considered). Plenty comfy enough to use daily sans PP (although I’m sure the optional pack isn’t much choppier) and feels really alive to drive. Mind you so is the regular Clubby and R
Seems that even though the ED50 isn’t getting that much use, you’re enjoying it. I also enjoy using the back roads rather than the main roads these days; maybe it’s an age thing, plus I have plenty of time on my hands, so rarely in a hurry to get to my destination (retired = time rich :smiley:). Did you manage to get your five a day from the pasty and Chinese takeaway? :grin:
We also have a hosepipe ban. I did give my car a wash last weekend after letting it accumulate nearly 8 weeks of dirt (mainly a thick layer of dust due to lack of rain, plus a generous splattering of bugs). I bought myself a rinseless car washing product and was a bit nervous about using it but I was pleasantly surprised with the results. It does require a different approach to car washing and I’m not sure I’d want to wash a black car though without being able to use the hosepipe to pre-soak and thoroughly rinse after washing.
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I still can’t believe I sold a wonderful R Black Edition for yet another Golf but that’s life!
I'm still wrestling with whether to buy an Ed50, so l'm always eager to read your feedback! Yesterday, I went to see both a red and a green Ed50. I'm not a big fan of red, it was always going to be the green for me, but the problem is, I really love my Lapiz Blue R black edition. Having viewed the green, I was left a tad underwhelmed by it. It was a dull day and the green looked, well, really dull. The decision was not helped by the lad I was talking to at the dealership saying he preferred mine to the Ed50! Before the viewings, I'd almost decided to go for it, but I'm now back to square one. I wonder if VW will let me order a lapiz blue one!
It was a Lapiz Black Edition that left the biggest impression on me when I first saw one at my local dealership. Fabulous looking thing.
The Ed50 is more about the driving dynamics and to some owners it seems the hoped for retained values.
The Dark Moss seems to be popular but it didn’t blow me away when I saw one in the showroom. I preferred the red.
I think you’d feel similar to me if you changed. No regrets as such but always the question of “why did I?”
I’m not wishing to take anything away from the Ed50 here, it’s just that the R Black Edition is bloody brilliant! Well, as a daily driver in soggy Britain at least, where as the Ed50 PP makes a perfect car for occasional use and turning up at car meets.
I have massive commitment issues but still went for a car in a colour and spec I’d never have chosen. I don’t regret it, but I’d not recommend anyone else to follow suit, I do odd things when it comes to cars.
I’d say if you have doubts then don’t do it. But then again in a few years time you might regret passing up on the opportunity…
A tough one isn’t it.
@SRGTD, my retired neighbour has a dark grey Kia EV that he uses a waterless cleaner of some sort on literally every time he gets home in it.
Not so much hose ban, I think he’s too tight to use any water as he does it all year round!!
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Oh, yes, the five a day - swede, potato, a few black eyed peas, rice and onion, bingo!!
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I see, I don't visit this forum for a while, leaving you unsupervised and you go and buy another golf!
Looks lovely though!
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Thanks fredgroves :smiley:
I still can’t fathom why I actually got the thing.