Hard choice...

[Fanters]

I think I'm going to get my confirmation on the build week soon and it'll be too late to change my spec. There are still 3 options I'm considering changing.

White, Deep Pearl Black, Reflex Silver, Carbon Grey.   
Leather or Cloth
5 or 3 door

I really do not need the rear doors. I'm currently driving a 3 serie sedan and the last time someone used the rear doors is half a year ago. The only thing that really pushed me to choose 5-door is the fact that the 3-door cost exactly the same and It'll probably be easier to sell the 5-door. I do like the look of the 3-door better though.

I've already read every single post about these options and I know in the end it's up to me but a friendly comment or shove is welcomed. Hell I'll even take a rugby shove to finalize my choices. haha

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that has gone through this "waiting and wondering about options"-phase. I keep changing my mind while drooling at pics.

Right now I'm actually liking reflex silver. It wasn't one of my top colors when I ordered. Front looks very nice. The contrast you get when picking the lighter colors shows the details more. Since I'm getting Xenon and LED rear lights as default silver may not be too boring.

So at this very moment Reflex Silver 3 door looks nice to me. I may even trade sunroof for leather.

Here's the pic that made me like Reflex Silver btw

I'd go for white although it's getting a popular it looks stunning and doesn't cost extra (or carbon grey rather than Silver)
I'd get a 3 door if you don't need the five door as it just looks a bit nicer (i'm getting a 5-dr as i have kids)
Ditch the sunroof their rubbish, never liked them ! Leather is nice if you have the cash i suppose but the standard seats are also very nice and saves you £1800.
Xenons look great definately get those.
 

[ErikGTI]

I truly wonder why you find the sunroof rubbish...

I reckon myself to be a sunroof-expert by now ...simply because I had them all...meaning Webasto and Hollandia and all the standard factory ones...on BMW/Audi/Alfa/Chrysler you name it...and guess what...

I find the roof on the GTI the best so far...not the widest to get open but definitely the one making the less noise even at 120 km an hour very comfortable...

[Fanters]

I truly wonder why you find the sunroof rubbish...

I reckon myself to be a sunroof-expert by now ...simply because I had them all...meaning Webasto and Hollandia and all the standard factory ones...on BMW/Audi/Alfa/Chrysler you name it...and guess what...

I find the roof on the GTI the best so far...not the widest to get open but definitely the one making the less noise even at 120 km an hour very comfortable...

I think it's maybe just me ! I've never liked them i always close them and then pull the blind over as i just prefer it without the glare of the sun comming in.

[ErikGTI]

That is certainly a valid preference...

[am1w]

[quote author=Awry link=topic=137586.msg1244800#msg1244800 date=1260662325

Hi Awry.

Some late help.

Colour:
I like your choice of Reflex Silver. Very sedate.
Black a default choice. Hence part of the pack.
White is now getting too common. Wonderful when clean which is not too often.
I have ordered mine in Tornado Red. Love the brightness which makes our grey English days more acceptable. Also, needs much less washing.

Sunroof: Don't bother. Always noisy at speed, reduces chassis rigidity, slight weight increase (possibly), really affects the acoustics of your sound system due to too much reverberation so you will always have to pull the blind.

Leather: Looks old and worn in a month, not as comfortable as cloth, Tartan cloth pattern so GTi, black leather so depressing, does not cosset one as much as cloth.

DSG: Don't waste money on a 6 speeder now as a 7 speeder will be out in 6-9 months. Also, the manual provides a better driving experience on the GTi at least, but not on the R.

ACC: a must.

Wheels: 18 inch Monza Shadow wheels a must for the genuine GTi look.

Don't waste money on options you don't need or use.

That is it.

Enjoy!

[keelaw]

This is an easy one.


You like silver - therefore buy silver.  I agree silver looks pretty cool 

You like the look of 3 dr and don't need 5 drs - therefore buy a 3 dr

You've not expressed a preference between cloth or leather, but you were worried about residuals - therefore choose cloth to save over a grand.


On the whole though, get what you want, and forget residuals.  Why buy something that doesn't make you happy?! 

[Awry]

An update...

We'll as you have read previously in this thread I decided to change my order. The changes were 5 to 3-door, reflex silver and I added a spare tire and bluetooth. In Norway the 3 and 5-door cost the same which is stupid to begin with. The local private dealer just steals more money if you get the 3-door over here. Anyway you would think that they only added the extras to the original price.

Two weeks later after I changed my order I receive a mail with the new contract. £1500 more expensive then my original contract. Now that's a damn expensive spare tire and bluetooth. Those two extras should only cost £550. VAT had increased in Norway over new years eve. As if my £57k golf wasn't expensive enough...haha. Anyway...my original contract stated the dealer would pay for the VAT increase. I can't understand why they can't do it with the updated contract. I sent them a "nice" email back.

I got an answer the day after which is quite funny as it usually takes a week or two. "You will OF COURSE only pay for the added extras". That was a relief but the dealer used the same "OF COURSE" in the first mail when they added the VAT increase that I was guaranteed not to pay for. This makes me NOT trust my dealer as it seems they try to squeeze you for more money in every possible way and hope you won't care to answer to them. My good old trustworthy BMW dealer was so much better and helpful. I'll definitely take that into account for my next car purchase. This is the first time I've bought anything other than a BMW so it's a new experience not having the same level of service. The BMW dealer is owned by BMW so there's no middle man and it shows. It's way better then the privately owned dealer that sells VW/Audi/Skoda. Is it the same in the UK?

I'm sure I'll be happy with my GTI when I finally get it but servicing it at the VW dealer might be a bad experience. I hope I'm wrong.