Should I chop in my A3 TFSi for a GTi and what about my options ?

[TFSiLover]

Hi GTi boys and girls. I am not running a GTi yet but the 2006 A3 TFSi 2L is as close as it gets really. Have loved the A3 but its time for a change and the current A3 is showing its age, Audi have cheaped out and not done enough to update the A3, they are not even putting the new engine in which the mk6 GTi uses. So after months of trying to decide what to get I finally test drove a MK6 GTi and loved it, they really have moved this car on, it ticks so many boxes.

So pending a good deal from the Garage (what discount should I get?), I should be getting a GTi. Have looked at the spec and trying to decide on the options (can get expensive), maybe you guys could comment on what I am thinking about ordering and answer some questions.

5 Door GTi MK6 (poss 3 door for coolness but 5 door holds value better.)
1.Colour = Carbon Grey (white and red to showy, got black now)
2.RCD510 + Dyn sound pack
3.Cruise
4.ACC ? is it worth it, managed till now with out it. Like driving hard most of the time.
5.Storage Pack.
6.Leather or Cloth (want heated seat what ever happens)
7.Phone Pre? is it worth fitting after market kit, what are the options?
8.Ipod Connection - If I get the RCD510, do you still get a connections plug that charges the Ipod and gives you control of it.
9. NO to DSG, manual is the only way to have fun.
10. Can you swtich the ESP of on the MK6
11. Having the 18" Monza's, they are a must have on this car.
12. Would love Xenon's but its that or the leather really.

What do you think? Also, any one know the difference between the old engine and the MK6 version.

Cheers

Tom - TFSiLover

[Steve30]

hello mate & wellcome!! Its an Audi anyway isnt it??? Just get one you wont regret it!! Enjoy Edition30 steve

[p3eps]

Alright mate... welcome to the forum.
Here are MY opinions on your options (other opinions will follow and not necessarily be the same  )

5 Door GTi MK6 (poss 3 door for coolness but 5 door holds value better.)
3 is cooler, 5 is more practical.  I've never heard of 5 holding its value better - but this may be the case?
If you have passengers, get 5 - otherwise get 3 if you're never going to use them!

1.Colour = Carbon Grey (white and red to showy, got black now)
Carbon Grey is one of the best colours around.  If I was having a GTI I'd probably take it!

2.RCD510 + Dyn sound pack
Good choice.  Dynaudio is excellent - and if you don't need the SatNav, then the RCD510 is a great stereo.  I would take the reverse cam too - for an extra £150 it seems rude not to!  Maybe thats just me?

3.Cruise
Useful if you're doing a lot of miles.  Bear in mind that most dealers will fit cruise for about £150 which is about £100 cheaper than the factory option.

4.ACC
I took this because I'm scared that I'll regret not having it.  There is a noticable difference between the settings and the guys who actually have it rate it highly.

5.Storage Pack.
I have no need for this - but I'd be dubious of it as it restricts the foot room in the rear seats.

6.Leather or Cloth
If I'd ordered a GTI I'd take the cloth and the Winter Pack.  The only reason I took leather is because the R cloth seats have white bits on them which will get ruined quickly!  £1730 for seats is a total rip off... and the cloth seats in the GTI look great.

7.Phone Prep
I have ordered an aftermarket Fiscon kit - which is available for £300 in the group buy section.  It means fitting it yourself (or going to one of their fitting days), but it offers much more compatibility than the factory kit.

8.Ipod Connection
You'll get a USB connector in the armrest that you can connect a USB stick into or your iPod.  Both will display on your RCD510 and allow you to navigate through them very well. 

9. NO to DSG
I took it as I regretted not having it on my ED30.  I loved the test drives and thought I'd give it a go.  I may love it, I may hate it... time will tell!

10. Can you swtich the ESP of on the MK6
Hold the ESP button for about 5 seconds and it will go off.  When you restart the car, it will come back on.  Handy to be able to turn it off for snow!

11. Having the 18" Monza's
I'm not a fan of Monza's and never really liked them on the MK5 either.  The majority of owners love them.  18" are a must for Monzas - or eBay them and buy a nice set of BBS 19s!

12. Would love Xenon's but its that or the leather really.
Given the choice I would take xenons.  They are a must for me.  A very expensive option, but well worth it!

What do you think? Also, any one know the difference between the old engine and the MK6 version.
There are a couple of very detailed threads on this if you search!

Once again... add the reverse cam!  Its cheaper than parking sensors and a quality gimmik to show your mates!

[keelaw]

5 Door GTi MK6 (poss 3 door for coolness but 5 door holds value better.) - Agree 5 door is more practical, but costs more, so any "holding value better" has to be viewed in light of higher up front cost.


1.Colour = Carbon Grey (white and red to showy, got black now) - nice


2.RCD510 + Dyn sound pack - excellent choice.  Sat Nav too pricey from factory imo, can get later as an aftermarket, many threads here on this topic.


3.Cruise - i personally don't need.  see below for link to another thread with many many comments on options.


4.ACC ? is it worth it, managed till now with out it. Like driving hard most of the time. - worth it for sport setting and comfort.  good for speed bumps and motorways.



5.Storage Pack. - no real interest - see link below


6.Leather or Cloth (want heated seat what ever happens) - leather nice, but the cloth is unique amongst other cars.


7.Phone Pre? is it worth fitting after market kit, what are the options?  seems that fiscon is best.  if you like nokia then the factory kit is very good, but limited connectivity due to need for remote sim access.


8.Ipod Connection - If I get the RCD510, do you still get a connections plug that charges the Ipod and gives you control of it.  - yes.


9. NO to DSG, manual is the only way to have fun. - agreed


10. Can you swtich the ESP of on the MK6.  - yes


11. Having the 18" Monza's, they are a must have on this car. - agreed


12. Would love Xenon's but its that or the leather really. - xenon's really enhance the frontal looks.  work really well at night of course.  personally i would choose over leather any day since leather is often too cold/ hot/ sticky/ slidey


http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=137268.0

[TFSiLover]

Thanks, your views really help. Still undecided on 5 door or 3 door. Have a 3 door now and like the fact the visibility is a bit better but the added practical side of 5 doors is appealing more, am I turning into an old fart?

Comments regarding having rear camera sounds like a good idea, I am not one for spending out on parking sensors but the camera is a sweet alternative.

Point taken on Leather, have it on the Audi and it has lasted well but not sure the quality is there on the more recent VW group cars, maybe cloth is the way to go.

Looks like a yes on the ACC and maybe the Xenon's, but pricy option.

Cheers for the help.