New GTI is already in UK. Would you wait?

[jojo13]

I put an order for a new GTI at the end of October and I have been waiting for a build week since. This forum and you guys have kept me going. Yesterday I rang the dealership to ask about it and today I was told that my car is in a UK port and will be with them in 3-4 weeks! And was asked if I wanted the car earlier!
What would you do? I was thinking delivery late March, now it seems I can have it 2 months earlier. I guess I should really wait for a new plate, shouldn't I?
I have also started worrying why it's so early. I mean, when was it built? Will it have the LED backlights and daytime running LEDs like the other 2011 GTI's? Can I object if it doesn't?

[p3asa]

All companies have disclaimers stating that spec is liable to change. If something drastic changed like they no longer offered manual cars and all were now DSG then you would be able to reject it but I doubt you would have any comeback for small changes not unless you specifically stated at time of ordering.

I'd imagine you will have the rear LED lights but I'm not sure if the front LED lights are actually out on production cars yet?

If I was in that situation I certainly wouldn't want the car just sitting in a compound for ages or hang about waiting on a new plate. If it was only a few days away or a couple of weeks for the new registrations I'd hang off but not months.

Why is it taking 3 - 4 weeks to get to your garage if it is already in the UK? Now that would intrigue me!!

[The Doc]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

You should be led on the rear as mine is two months old and has them, but I think you have to order xenons to get them on the front?

I'd get it asap and start enjoying it and again 3-4 weeks seems a very long time from port to dealer.

[AGB]

Welcome to the forum.

Personally, I wouldn't wait but it shouldn't take 3-4 weeks, mine took 4 days to complete import and registration formalities from port. I'd give the dealer a firm nudge on that.

According to my dealer, all stock they've received from late October has been fitted with rear LEDs so it would be unlikely that yours would come fitted with the previous style light cluster.

Regarding getting a new reg, I've never really understood the enthusiasm for getting the latest plate (I'm not from the UK). Having a new plate draws attention from vindictive and jealous sorts, the type who run keys down the side of cars but yes, I get the valuation argument but just let the car do the talking! 

[Steve30]

Just take the car dont do bother about reg plate, cars these days look old anyway with new style plates.Wellcome to the forum 

[mustard]

Heart would say get the car as soon as possible and enjoy it, but with regard to the registration, it depends how long you are planning to keep it, when I traded my car in the dealer told me that September to March registrations i.e. 60 are less desirable than the March to September registrations i.e. 10.
You could always go for a personalised number plate

[Rhyso]

MY2011 cars were being produced from around July onwards so yours will have the latest spec like the Doc's 

I certainly wouldn't wait 3-4 weeks just for a new plate!! Not after spending out 25K plus on a new motor!

[JamesR27]

I got rear LED's on my golf when it was delivered in september so do not think that will be an issue. I am not sure about the front LED's with xenons though.

On the delivery front I had the same thing with my mk 5 when it was due to arrive 2nd week of feb and turned up 2nd week of jan and I could not leave it sitting there till March to get it on a new plate.

[am1w]

jojo: Get that car ASAP and forget about the plates.

Congratulations and hope to see the piccys soon.

[Snoopy]

Unlike others i would wait.
This is why
WEATHER!
Most the bad weather is over by March and you say they offered it 4-5 weeks time so thats end of Jan beginning of feb anyway. So its only 4 weeks later than they have offered and you get an 11 plate.

As for LEDs. It will have rear LEDs for certain.
If you ordered the front Xenons it depends on its build week if it has the LED DRL ones or not. IIRC its build week 47 on that get these lights. So yours is close.

People have asked why the wait for delivery if its in the UK. I know the port of tyne were some come in have a huge backlog due to the weather and im sure the other two ports they come in at Grimsby and the one down south do as well. Beginning of the year dealers often have backlog of cars to get out so its probably been pushed to the back of the que because it was not suppose to be here yet.