GTI Edition 50 first press release

[CookieMonsterGTi]

Boys and girls, the alcantara steering wheel is on the UK menu now...

I would like to think I had a significantly contribution on this decision by VW UK by repeatedly contacting VW customer service and telling them to log a formal request to the VW UK Product Team. Repeatedly

Many thanks to all the posters, your insight and knowledge is very useful

Noticed this is also available on the R now, was this always the case?

[Garwen]

Just off the phone once again and they have admitted they were wrong semi slick tyres come as standard  in the performance pack but I can’t opt out of not having them
 Not a problem as I’ll be taking the maintenance plus package and tyres out so you will be paying for them anyway
 Irish man why don’t you just buy one over here be allot cheaper for you
 

[Exonian]

Noticed this is also available on the R now, was this always the case?

Went live on the UK configurator just before the addition to the Ed50 spec, maybe a few days or a week or so before I think.

[JoeGTI]

Irish man why don’t you just buy one over here be allot cheaper for you

If it were that simple we’d all do it. Unfortunately it isn’t.

[Legally Binding]

So an update. Over the last week I’ve been playing 4D chess with a neighbouring dealer, a smaller town VW, a nature competitor to my local city VW. Once the alcantara steering wheel option was added to the Edition 50 ( CookieMonsterGTI - added for the Golf R in blue stitching as a new option for Mk8.5 at the same time as Edition 50 going live) and the 1k VW contribution I had already decided I was going to place an order, but I didn’t want to tell them that. Yes, it’s expensive but I don’t swap cars every 3 years. I will own this car likely for next 8-10 years.

I had been trying hard to get a discount on the RPP using my leverage of having a having a long established history with my existing dealer and the benefits for the new dealer if I swapped my business to them. They did try hard, from the sales exec, the sales manager and the head manager all chipped in and have been in communication with me. They did tell me early last week they have confirmation from VW UK it will only be 1000 units imported, which I think VW UK Press still haven’t acknowledged publicly.

So there I was on the weekend with my wallet out seconds away from paying the deposit. The chap had gone to get the card reader and confirm everything with his manager. Whilst waiting I was on the VW website I noticed the 1k contribution was taken away, and I knew then the sale exec would come back to tell me the bad news, and dually he did. It seems VW has pulled the offer nationwide. I didn’t have a leg to stand on as I was ordering, rather than ordered. Those who did order over the 5 days I would like to think VW must honour the deal signed. Seems a bit silly, I still doubt VW UK will sell all 1000 units given the price tag, but taking order have temporarily stopped in a few countries including Germany, so maybe they’re capitalising on that.

1k on a 55k car is loose change in the grand scheme of things, but I felt I needed something as an incentive. To the dealer’s credit they agreed on giving me a dealer fitted option for free that cost about half the 1k, something is better than nothing for my custom.

Dealer order had been generated and I now waiting for the VW order confirmation from them.

The VW plaques are cool, it will make the car defo feel more special. Great share, Paul! Would be cool if they said 5000 units from factory worldwide with plaques too.

The PP comes with the Potenza race tyres, they are mandatory, and free as part of the bundle. Ask them to check again or change dealer, no shortage of availability in the UK at least.

[CookieMonsterGTi]

Noticed this is also available on the R now, was this always the case?

Went live on the UK configurator just before the addition to the Ed50 spec, maybe a few days or a week or so before I think.

Good spot!

[Exonian]

Good spot!

Err, thanks! I think I must’ve got swept away with the mystique of it all - periodically checking the configurator and finance deals ever since the model was announced with UK pricing. Been looking forward to the Ed50 as a lifelong GTI fan but actually have zero interest in getting one myself.

[JoeGTI]

Thanks for the info, I think your correct re the numbers in Ireland the price is a big deterrent alright esp when no discounts were offered,indeed the R was a cheaper option as discounts available.
I’m based in Cork City but always deal with Blackwater Motors Fermoy (Jamie O’Callaghan). I have bought numerous cars off him over the last two decades, he’s extremely knowledgeable and professional, he’s also a Vage Enthusiast which definitely helps with knowing the product. I would have no issues in recommending him.

I have my 8.5 CS in for its first service today and I got talking to my salesman for 5 minutes. He told me he can't get his hands on any production slots for this car and all (Irish) dealers are the same! VW apparently being extremely tight with build slots for them. He has 2 guys interested in one but no order gone through yet.

I'm curious how you managed to get your order in, did the dealer mention any potentially very long lead times? (not that I'm ordering of course... purely for research purposes!)

[Donster]

Thanks for the info, I think your correct re the numbers in Ireland the price is a big deterrent alright esp when no discounts were offered,indeed the R was a cheaper option as discounts available.
I’m based in Cork City but always deal with Blackwater Motors Fermoy (Jamie O’Callaghan). I have bought numerous cars off him over the last two decades, he’s extremely knowledgeable and professional, he’s also a Vage Enthusiast which definitely helps with knowing the product. I would have no issues in recommending him.

I have my 8.5 CS in for its first service today and I got talking to my salesman for 5 minutes. He told me he can't get his hands on any production slots for this car and all (Irish) dealers are the same! VW apparently being extremely tight with build slots for them. He has 2 guys interested in one but no order gone through yet.

I'm curious how you managed to get your order in, did the dealer mention any potentially very long lead times? (not that I'm ordering of course... purely for research purposes!)

Hi Joe, you have me worried now, previous to submitting my order I did ring a large Dublin based dealer who in deed couldn’t guarantee me a car, what they wanted me to do was build it, submit order and deposit and VW built it well and good ie no guarantee of build slot. Refundable deposit obviously. I started this to my own dealer but was assured all was ok, I even added the art velours and area view after that irder was gone in. He did say no build week was showing but that this was standard as it takes a couple of weeks to come on. I have a trade in value agreed so I’m hoping it won’t drag on but you never know with VW. I will enquire to see can I get any further clarity on the matter.

[Hertsman]

So an update. Over the last week I’ve been playing 4D chess with a neighbouring dealer, a smaller town VW, a nature competitor to my local city VW. Once the alcantara steering wheel option was added to the Edition 50 ( CookieMonsterGTI - added for the Golf R in blue stitching as a new option for Mk8.5 at the same time as Edition 50 going live) and the 1k VW contribution I had already decided I was going to place an order, but I didn’t want to tell them that. Yes, it’s expensive but I don’t swap cars every 3 years. I will own this car likely for next 8-10 years.

I had been trying hard to get a discount on the RPP using my leverage of having a having a long established history with my existing dealer and the benefits for the new dealer if I swapped my business to them. They did try hard, from the sales exec, the sales manager and the head manager all chipped in and have been in communication with me. They did tell me early last week they have confirmation from VW UK it will only be 1000 units imported, which I think VW UK Press still haven’t acknowledged publicly.

So there I was on the weekend with my wallet out seconds away from paying the deposit. The chap had gone to get the card reader and confirm everything with his manager. Whilst waiting I was on the VW website I noticed the 1k contribution was taken away, and I knew then the sale exec would come back to tell me the bad news, and dually he did. It seems VW has pulled the offer nationwide. I didn’t have a leg to stand on as I was ordering, rather than ordered. Those who did order over the 5 days I would like to think VW must honour the deal signed. Seems a bit silly, I still doubt VW UK will sell all 1000 units given the price tag, but taking order have temporarily stopped in a few countries including Germany, so maybe they’re capitalising on that.

1k on a 55k car is loose change in the grand scheme of things, but I felt I needed something as an incentive. To the dealer’s credit they agreed on giving me a dealer fitted option for free that cost about half the 1k, something is better than nothing for my custom.

Dealer order had been generated and I now waiting for the VW order confirmation from them.

The VW plaques are cool, it will make the car defo feel more special. Great share, Paul! Would be cool if they said 5000 units from factory worldwide with plaques too.

The PP comes with the Potenza race tyres, they are mandatory, and free as part of the bundle. Ask them to check again or change dealer, no shortage of availability in the UK at least.

If you look at the history of special editions, they take an extremely long time to depreciate in comparison to standard models, there is a point in time where the price will start to moderate but definitely not in first 5 years. My TCR was worth £27500 when it was let go, 3 years later there was still VW approved TCR at that price, though they are falling sub £25k now as going into their 7th year of existence.

Also, clean performance Golfs hold value regardless, the Golf R we bought 2 years ago for £25k from VW Derby would still be going for £25k today with similar spec and mileage, so as much as any car is not an investment, you can feel pretty comforted that your assett will depreciate relatively slowly and the smiles for miles will readily compensate.

Know £55k is a lot of money, seems crazy when that TCR was just £37k in 2019 but I really really like the ED50 and when i am shopping down the line for a Golf R Black Edition, I will just have a glance at any ED 50 available. (think easily be £7k difference though for same age)