New to the forum and looking for buying advice

[Martinmason1982]

Hi currently looking to purchase a mk6 golf gti. Couple of things I'm struggling with are 1. Manual or dsg 2. Do I need adaptive chassis control and 3. Must it have sat nav (I just think it looks nicer)

Any opinions would be welcome.

Hello and thanks!!

[dubber36]

Welcome along.

Manual or DSG is a purely subjective thing. Only you can decide that one based on past experience, or an extensive test drive.

The standard suspension rides very well on 17" wheels, but on 19's some say it's pretty harsh. 18" wheels are just about the right compromise between comfort, performance and looks. but if you can find a car with chassis control, it will be nice to have, but no deal breaker.

Sat Nav is very simple to retro fit. Ebay and forum classifieds are full of RNS510. If it's just the looks of the touchscreen that you want and aren't bothered about nav, £200 buys you an RCD510.

[Starfox]

I have a MK6 GTD with DCC and Sat Nav.  I wouldn't purchase a car without build in Sat Nav - I love having it and use it quite a lot.  As already said it is fairly easy to retrofit but worth getting it from the start to save the hassle if possible.

On the adaptive chassis control - it is something I don't use too much however I like that it is there.  I tend to stick it on comfort and just drive away.  The very odd time I will flick it up to normal or even sport but the state of the roads here means I need all the comfort I can get!  I have 18" wheels on it.

Also worth noting the rear shocks I had to replace a few weeks ago and they were a bit more expensive which I am guessing is because of this feature.

[Booth11]

I have a MK6 GTD with DCC and Sat Nav.  I wouldn't purchase a car without build in Sat Nav - I love having it and use it quite a lot.  As already said it is fairly easy to retrofit but worth getting it from the start to save the hassle if possible.

On the adaptive chassis control - it is something I don't use too much however I like that it is there.  I tend to stick it on comfort and just drive away.  The very odd time I will flick it up to normal or even sport but the state of the roads here means I need all the comfort I can get!  I have 18" wheels on it.

Also worth noting the rear shocks I had to replace a few weeks ago and they were a bit more expensive which I am guessing is because of this feature.

I've got ACC (called DCC on mk7) on mine but opposite to you as I have it on Normal most of the time with a bit of Sport now and then.  I find comfort too 'floaty' but do use it occasionally if I've got my elderly parents, or someone of a fragile disposition in the car.  Otherwise everybody else has to suffer the bone shaking ride.  But that's on 19" wheels.  If I was buying a Mk6 with 18" wheels I'm not sure I would bother.  I have, however specced DCC my mk7 R which will be on 19".

Satnav - never had a car with built-in nav and can't say I've been that bothered as just used a TomTom when needed, but I think it looks much better built-in and many people expect nav these days.  Have specced on next car.

[Starfox]

Booth - the spec of your R you have ordered looks excellent!  Pretty much exactly what I would go for apart from the leather - I have a GTD with Dynaudio and I am a fan of it.  Can't think of much else I wouldn't spec on it - nice colour as well.  Was there anything you really wanted to spec but couldn't justify it??

[Booth11]

Booth - the spec of your R you have ordered looks excellent!  Pretty much exactly what I would go for apart from the leather - I have a GTD with Dynaudio and I am a fan of it.  Can't think of much else I wouldn't spec on it - nice colour as well.  Was there anything you really wanted to spec but couldn't justify it??

Hi Starfox - no, not really. 

Dynaudio was the one thing that I held out for.  I specifically waited to until it became available in the R before placing an order.  I originally specced the standard nav, but when they bundled Dynaudio and Pro nav together (as Tech Pack) at a cheaper price, it was a no brainier to add it on.   Never interested in Panoramic roof at all, not my scene, prefer a cosy cabin.  Added some cheap and cheerful options like Rear Cam and High Beam Assist.   Was always going to go for the 19" Pretorias, although if Prets had been available in 18s I would have had them, but they're not.  So with the 19s wheels, and knowing our abysmal UK roads, DCC was then a must for me.  Leather is marmite but have a child so it's wipe clean.    Looked at the Nappa Leather option in the flesh and did not like it at all, looked tacky IMO, and very overpriced.  I think the vienna eather looks much classier and I think the standard cloth looks pretty good too.

Happy with the spec I chose 

[Starfox]

Sounds good - look forward to seeing a few pictures of it when you finally get it and hearing your thoughts on it!  With my annual mileage I couldn't justify it 

Interesting the Dynaudio wasn't available on the R model originally - you would think it would be available from the start!

[Booth11]

Sounds good - look forward to seeing a few pictures of it when you finally get it and hearing your thoughts on it!  With my annual mileage I couldn't justify it 

Interesting the Dynaudio wasn't available on the R model originally - you would think it would be available from the start!

Will defintely post up lots of pics and give some feedback.

Dynaudio wasn't available initially on the R because they couldn't fit it in the spare wheel well (where it usually goes) due to the Haldex 4WD system, so it took some time for them to figure it out.  Thankkfully they did.