Performance Pack or Not? Have you?

[AAddict]

I'm close to pulling the trigger on a new GTI the Performance Pack is tempting me, I get the feeling I will always regret it if I don't tick that box

[matchboy]

I'm close to pulling the trigger on a new GTI the Performance Pack is tempting me, I get the feeling I will always regret it if I don't tick that box

Every single review has said this is the must have option.  Plus you'll be 0.1 seconds quicker than the non PP crew 

[Gung-Ho]

My motto has always been..."Don't Think.... Just DO!!!" 

[Bill_the_Bear]

If you think you're gonna regret it otherwise then I say do it.  I hate regretting things.  I really really hate it.

However, for me I think I'd regret the -£1k bank balance more.  I remain unconvinced I'd notice the slightest difference between the PP and non PP versions.

The reviewers are all pro PP, but have any of them driven anything else?

[JonnyG]

I'm close to pulling the trigger on a new GTI the Performance Pack is tempting me, I get the feeling I will always regret it if I don't tick that box

LoL ... just keep replaying this video from 1:30 to 2:35 

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/volkswagen-golf-gti-mk7-video-review

[Bill_the_Bear]

Well Autocar think I'm a fool for not specing the PP.  Specifically their editor says:

"The £980 Performance pack transforms the car"

This would actually make me rethink my decision except he has only driven the PP GTI and so I can't understand how he can say it transforms the car if he hasn't got anything to compare it with. 

Its as if VW have somehow convinced all the reviewers to talk it up without actually offering any objective reasoning.  This is actually pretty annoying.  I'd be happier if he had driven both and then categorically endorsed the PP as it would then help me decide.  As it is I'm just left thinking all the logic says its not worth it, while all the mags say otherwise. 

[Jimble]

Who says they haven't driven them?

[Bill_the_Bear]

Who says they haven't driven them?

Ok, you are right, they don't explicitly rule out having seent he non PP version.  But they do imply only having seen the PP: "The model we tried was the slightly more expensive, but actually rather good value, GTI Performance edition."

Odd phrasing if they had tried two versions.  In that case why not say they had done so and make direct comparisons.  The statement is saying they tried just one model and it had the PP, otherwise they wouldn't say the model, it would be one of the or a model.

Well, lets turn it around.  Anyone see a review where they specifically state they've tried both versions?  Thats what we really want to see isn't it?

EDIT:
Maybe VW told them they can review them both but have to hold off on posting the non PP review for a while?  Isn't helping me decide if I should add it though 

[Gryzor]

Well I've been thinking the same thing - transforms the car relative to what? We have no evidence to suggest that they have tried the non-PP equipped version.

[Exonian]

In one of the reviews posted up on here there was a mention that there were two types of GTI on offer to test, one colour was with PP and one colour was without.
I guess VW call the shots on these launch days up to a point as all of the road tests were online within about 24 hours of each other so VW obviously lifted the embargo on Monday.
The reason they'd review the PP GTIs I guess is that those are the ones with truly new technology rather than it being 'just another GTI' launch followed by the usual group tests where the GTI gets beaten in all the performance tests but still wins because the tester says it has the best balance of features for a road car. Then two years later it has mysteriously 'lost its crown' to something else... been the same for 30 odd years!!!