Have you ordered an 8.5 ?

[Carlosfandango]

I put in an order today for a new CS! I hummed over it for a while, as I already have a really mint low mileage 2021 CS, so it's difficult enough to justify upgrading. But I feel I'm getting an OK trade in figure and the little subtle changes in the 8.5 are really tempting me, so why not !

I'm going for:
- moonstone grey
- 19" Queenstown wheels
- adaptive chassis
- pano roof
- harmon kardon

The "black pack" is currently priced at 1700 euro (Irish configurator), but I asked my dealer to query this with VW and I've had it confirmed that this is a mistake! It should be 245 euro! I know it has some crazy price on the UK. configurator too, so if anyone here is spec'ing it I'd strongly suggest querying it. That said, I think I'd prefer to keep the red grill stripe, so I prob won't bother with the black pack.

Nice spec, sounds like it’ll be a beauty .good info about the black pack too, it’s quite obvious that the price in both the UK and Ireland is incorrect given that matrix headlights are standard, if they adjust the price at some point, I wonder if they’ll reimburse those who overpaid already??

[DrivenToDistraction]

I put in an order today for a new CS! I hummed over it for a while, as I already have a really mint low mileage 2021 CS, so it's difficult enough to justify upgrading. But I feel I'm getting an OK trade in figure and the little subtle changes in the 8.5 are really tempting me, so why not !

I'm going for:
- moonstone grey
- 19" Queenstown wheels
- adaptive chassis
- pano roof
- harmon kardon

The "black pack" is currently priced at 1700 euro (Irish configurator), but I asked my dealer to query this with VW and I've had it confirmed that this is a mistake! It should be 245 euro! I know it has some crazy price on the UK. configurator too, so if anyone here is spec'ing it I'd strongly suggest querying it. That said, I think I'd prefer to keep the red grill stripe, so I prob won't bother with the black pack.

On the UK config the CS option is called "Exterior styling package Black Style with matrix LED headlights", priced at £1285. And yes, it includes two items that are on the standard equipment list ('LED rear tail lights with dynamic turn signal', and 'Matrix LED headlights with automatic headlight control, poor weather light and entry lighting')! Seems like the configurator is full of bugs!

[Carlosfandango]

Loving this thing! Still only in double digit mileage so far, But my first impressions are VERY positive, feels more premium than the Mk8 somehow, it’s hard to put into words as to why, but it feels different compared to the Mk8 GTI I traded in. I’ll post more as I get a bit more time behind the wheel.

[Sharpe]

Looks great! I haven’t had a Mk8 to compare with, but very happy with mine.

[JoeGTI]

That's stunning Carlos 

[Carlosfandango]

@Sharpe @JoeGTI , Thanks. I’m very pleased! It really is a huge improvement over the Mk8, so glad I chose Dolphin Grey too.

[JoeGTI]

@Sharpe @JoeGTI , Thanks. I’m very pleased! It really is huge improvement over the Mk8, so glad I chose Dolphin Grey too.

Can't wait to get mine now! I also have a MK8, so I'm keen to see if I notice much difference. I really think they've sorted out some of the iffy aspects of the looks from the MK8. The 8.5 is a much sharper better looking car. Amazing what a few subtle tweaks can do.

[MaggotsRus]

I have to say that GTi does look stunning. You’ve got to get it with the extras to take it look as this one does. I know the car tax is a problem but when your forking out such money in the first instance adding the queenstown alloys and panroof plus other niceties finishes the motor off and makes it kore of a pleasure to drive. It also makes it more desirable when selling it again. So good call Carlosfango.

[Exonian]

Lovely shot there Carlosfandango, car, backdrop, lighting etc.

The Queenstown wheels suit the body colour well (and they’re not too wide to fit through the gate!), looking forward to hearing more of your comparison thoughts between the GTIs.

[Carlosfandango]

I have to say that GTi does look stunning. You’ve got to get it with the extras to take it look as this one does. I know the car tax is a problem but when your forking out such money in the first instance adding the queenstown alloys and panroof plus other niceties finishes the motor off and makes it kore of a pleasure to drive. It also makes it more desirable when selling it again. So good call Carlosfango.

Thanks, totally agree with you about the options, making the car your own is the way to go in my opinion, a base GTI is probably going to hit the 40k mark soon anyway so may as well load it up to your own preference, this car gives me the same feeling my Mk7 did, it may well be a keeper!

A couple of things to note so far.

The car no longer does the ‘eco’ freewheeling in Comfort, it only now does that in eco mode.

The infotainment functionality is night and day compared to the Mk8 pre facelift, the shortcut buttons at the top and bottom of the screen are fully customisable and have everything that you’d need available with a single press.

To those who already have a WeConnect account and will be getting an 8.5, Add the new car before you delete the old one, if not then you’ll not be able to become primary user and will need to re register with a different email in order to do so.