GTI 'No brainer' options.

[Exonian]

Slightly different from OP but I was thinking today if I could only have one of the options I ordered, which would it be? (Aside from the extra airbags of course).

It would have to be keyless entry. So useful especially with such cossetting seats and parking spacing being so tiny these days.

I second that, Keyless entry!

Wouldn't surprise me in the least if that becomes standard during the mk7 lifespan

[JellyB]

I hope so, if nothing it would help people understand that its just keyless lock that I am trying to do when it looks like I'm  tickling the door handle

Actually I would hope that the additional rear side airbags would be standard first.

[domrees]

Agreed that Keyless is the only no brainer really.

Nav - yeah maybe but you can always add it later on, once you have the car.

PP - depends on how you drive

Dynaudio - depends on how well you can tell the difference.  std setup is great.


The kids love Keyless too, they get to lock the car themselves, such a gimmick for them.

[V5Ade]

Agreed that Keyless is the only no brainer really.

Nav - yeah maybe but you can always add it later on, once you have the car.

PP - depends on how you drive

Dynaudio - depends on how well you can tell the difference.  std setup is great.


The kids love Keyless too, they get to lock the car themselves, such a gimmick for them.

How do you add NAV later?

[jivemonkey]

Was just thinking that..very intrigued. My guess is by the use of TomTom and a windscreen sucker 

[corgi]

Dynaudio - depends on how well you can tell the difference.  std setup is great.

So, if you think the standard setup is great (which it isn't), then, don't buy Dynaudio... that's what options are about

As for keyless, the only difference is that you don't have to press the button on the remote, right? £355 seems a substantial for little gain, to me... But you like it and invested in it

In the end, no options are a no-brainer when you look at it from a financial perspective - when you come to sell the car you will get little or no return from having specified them.

The only no-brainer for me was "premium paint" - because I didn't want flat black or red, I could probably have lived without the Dynaudio and the Advanced Telephone Prep (which is not worth the money) but chose not to...

In simple terms, with options, get what you can justify, if you do that and expect no return come resale then you will not be disappointed...

[Ivor Mk4 Turbo]

PP is the only no-brainer for me.
The car comes with a perfectly good standard spec and the nav is extortionate in either guise. If you're paying for the nav monthly via a contract I guess the payments suddenly seem small when broken down but as an upfront cost it's very high (an no doubt similar to any other marque out there ££ for ££ on the options lists).

No, for me it's GTD (car bought with head not heart) or GTI PP as the diff and bigger brakes are well worth the extra outlay if you're going to up the power of the car at any point. If you're not going to up the power then the GTD is a better all rounder as a normal family hatchback road car with a bit of performance bearing in mind we have a 70 mph speed limit in the UK and very congested roads.

You've got to bear in mind that if you don't do many miles then that effectively rules out the GTD as you will bugger the engine due to the DPF. So really that only leaves you with one option

High mileage doesn't necessary safeguard against DPF problems.  I'd say it's more down to your driving style & the temperature you get the engine/exhaust upto.  A bit of hard accelerating at regular intervals should sort the DPF regeneration out.  Doing lots of miles in 6th gear at 1,400 rpm, won't help THAT much, IMO.

[Ivor Mk4 Turbo]

ps.  Has anybody specced the climate windscreen, & would you say its worth it?

[peterdoherty]

ps.  Has anybody specced the climate windscreen, & would you say its worth it?

Yes and Yes if you count it as costing £700 and forget about the phone prep farce

[mjh_056]

No Brainers now had for 3 months and would seek to spec again if not standard.

DSG + Auto Hold
DCC - A revelation making quality of UK roads far less an issue, my #1 issue to resolve moving to GTD
Heated Seats - Thought be a nicety only but even in a less than harsh winter been something love
5 Door - #2 to resolve from previous 3 door, no more moans and struggles from passengers!! but this as much as styling too given retains lines so well
SAT NAV - Never had integrated NAV and satisfies my OCD greatly and used more than would thought and no journey been an issue yet and has saved me time on rerouting me due to traffic on Manchester journeys that got announced on radio ages later. 
Xenon - Again standard but would specify as makes a huge difference
Parking Sensors and dipping mirrors and mirrors folding when lock car.

All above taken any previous hassle out of driving experience and make pleasurable.

Would not specify or not miss that have now.

The ADC is standard and as much as do use and it works would not specify
Standard Stereo sound is more than fine unless a true audiophile, on par with my previous BOSE with nice clarity and easily heard stereo separation. so no Dynaudio for me


Things would still like to complete the car -

4WD as just be nice to have opposed to being essential for that tramp do sometimes get. 
Heated screen as part of winter pack and not bundled with functionality would never use.
Do think the whole media system interaction with devices and GUI could be alot better still.


Basically a Golf GTD - R in R Blue