Pure White Free in Germany and Ireland and another question

[Sootchucker]

I know we seem to get more kit on our GTI's and GTD's here in the UK than some other markets, but I've just been browsing the German and Irish VW websites, and it seems that Pure White is a no cost option in both markets. Why then are VW UK charging us £250 for it (after the price increase) ?

When I purchased my current Scirocco,  2 and a bit years ago, one of the reasons I went with White was that I thought the Rocco's looked really good in either Candy White or Rising Blue, but the Candy was free whereas the Rising Blue was £500. The cynical side of me would say that due to the recent popularity of white within the VW brands, that the VW Milton Keynes are just cashing in - or am I being unfair ?

Also, I noticed on the German website, that if you select the "Sport and Sound" package, you get:

4 alloy wheels "Nogaro" 7.5J x 18 in anthracite sheen finish
Driving profile selection
Wheel locks with extended anti-theft protection
225/40 R 18
Front disc brakes, brake calipers in red
Rear disc brakes, brake calipers in red
Sound actuator in the exhaust system

Now we certainly seem to get the wheels, driver profile selection, and locking wheel nuts, so I'm wondering if we will also get the Red Callipers and the Sound actuator in the exhaust ?

[monkeyhanger]

Cash-in! The price of Titanium Dioxide hasn't gone up that much in the last few years. The yanks get free metallic paint!

[Gryzor]

Now we certainly seem to get the wheels, driver profile selection, and locking wheel nuts, so I'm wondering if we will also get the Red Callipers and the Sound actuator in the exhaust ?

Yes, we get all of that as standard, including red callipers and sound actuator I believe.  As for the paint, it's simple economics.  Back when I was buying white cars all those years back, it wasn't a popular colour.  Now it is, so they slap a premium on it to make more money for zero extra outlay for themselves.  To be fair to VW, I've heard they are not as bad as some makes who have put white up as much as their metallics.

[JoeGTI]

Yep, white is "free" here in Ireland, amazing in itself, considering VW Ireland are so miserable with just about everything else.

Actually I noticed that we also get heated washers too (winter pack?) as standard. The Irish specs have always been a bit mish mash and cobbled together. For example, in the MK6, we got folding mirrors/puddle lights and cruise control as standard! But climate control was (and still is in the MK7) a very costly option.

And we have the option of spec'ing the alcantara / half-leather... but we have to pay well for that too of course!

[Sootchucker]

Really Gryzor ? I know the brochure is riddled with errors, but it does say under GTD - Grey painted callipers ? Do you have some additional information from a dealer or otherwise to suggest that we will get the red painted callipers ?

[Jimble]

Really Gryzor ? I know the brochure is riddled with errors, but it does say under GTD - Grey painted callipers ? Do you have some additional information from a dealer or otherwise to suggest that we will get the red painted callipers ?

He's getting a GTI mate which gets red calipers.

[Gryzor]

Yeah, sorry for any confusion - as per the brochures, GTI gets red and GTD gets grey.  I guess the only unknown yet is whether the grey ones are painted.  From what I've seen, it looks like they are, otherwise why give it a specific mention as they would technically be grey anyway if left unpainted.

[Exonian]

They give to you with one hand and take it away with the other (just like the taxman).

We get the better spec in the UK as standard but if you load with options you get bent over and buggered.
Now I'd much rather this personally as loading the GTI with options takes it too close to better cars when it's already more expensive then arguably 'as good' cars.
The better standard spec will be reflected in the resale cost as extras are just money down the drain. So I'm 100% with this.

It's just a shame that white paint is at a premium and an even bigger shame that we pay about an extra £300 for 19" wheels than you would on a different model if you were upgrading (Scirocco, CC etc). For about £600 as an option I'd have specced them but at nearly a grand they can whistle.

The mk5 was a good car and needed no options when bought new (ok you could argue the Monza IIs), but by 2009 electronics had leapt forward and the mk6 was poor value as standard unless you were taking advantage of the scrappage scheme or had a massive discount. My current mk6 would have retailed at £32k with all its extras and would barely be worth £18k now at just two years old and 15k miles. At £25k new and worth £18k I would swallow, but £32k? So very glad I didn't buy it new!!!!
My previous mk6 cost £22k and was sold after two years for £18k.

[Fabio Bignose]

This is an option on the GTD here in Ireland and i have been trying to find a more detailed description of what exactly it consists of. The dealer came back to me today with the description below:

Sport and Sound pack....
 
 
18” ‘Nogaro’ alloy wheels
                Front shock absorption (reservoir tube 55mm)

                Rear sports shock absorption

ECO function

                GTD ‘outside sound’ (sound adapted to be specific for the GTD, unlike other vehicle)

                Rear stabilizer (tube 21.7 x 3.0)

                Front and rear disc brakes, 16” Tornado Red

                Driving profile selection



 

[JoeGTI]

Interesting. Sounds like getting red callipers is an option on the GTD.

"Outside sound"? Sounds like that sound accutator gimmick that's on the mk6 gtd.

This is an option on the GTD here in Ireland and i have been trying to find a more detailed description of what exactly it consists of. The dealer came back to me today with the description below:

Sport and Sound pack....
 
 
18” ‘Nogaro’ alloy wheels
                Front shock absorption (reservoir tube 55mm)

                Rear sports shock absorption

ECO function

                GTD ‘outside sound’ (sound adapted to be specific for the GTD, unlike other vehicle)

                Rear stabilizer (tube 21.7 x 3.0)

                Front and rear disc brakes, 16” Tornado Red

                Driving profile selection