Total NOOBIE please help, Mk5 GTI/ED30/R32

[commonlight]

Hi guys, i am seriously looking into selling my old car, 06 smart roadster coupe. and going for a less sensible ride.

i love the mk 5 golfs, and want something a bit special as this will be my 1st brand new purchase.

im looking at spending around £20k - £25k on this, and have seen some steals from gti's with delivery miles for 18k
and edt 30s for 20k

what i need to know is::

what are the differences, between all 3

are there extras i need to ask for?

and how easy is it to add them later, for example leather seats, arm rests?

sorry for being a goon, but u guys seem knowlageable

thnx

[182_blue]

i had same choice and chose the edition 30, best of both worlds imo, and after a remap there very very rapid :-)

[182_blue]

also check this thread http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=81578.0

[TagnuT]

Check the VW website you can compare models.

ED30 only comes with half leather seats. GTI now has leather as standard. R32 its extra.

Its cheaper to buy a car with the armrest fitted as the parts to do it yourself are more expensive.

[commonlight]

i read that topic, but was a little lost as to the differences, i guess i know the deal with the r32, more power, nicer interior better bodywork.

but is the ed30 just a ltd version of a standard gti?

or is it the car inbetween the gti and r32?

once again thnx for the patience

[Phil mcavity]

to be honest , you will have to try as many as you can to come to your own conclusion.For fun GTi for me is a better prospect, more nippy, costs alot less to run, the R will be quite a costly unit if you can live with what the goverment want out of your pocket just to use it on the road.
Try both manual and DSG to see which you prefer. Dsg is not a auto box, so you must try before slamming it for being an auto.See as many dealers as you can to drive home and play one off against each other to get the best deal.

[JonnyG]

but is the ed30 just a ltd version of a standard gti?
or is it the car inbetween the gti and r32?

R32 - Four wheel drive, V6 Engine (Sounds Great), Superb traction in all weather, 250bhp, car feels well planted,  expensive to mod for greater bhp, 22-24mpg, high car tax band (soon to be £400 and more ?)

GTI - Front Wheel Drive, 2.0FSI Turbio Engine, 214bhp ish on 99RON Petrol !,  cheap to remap to 250bhp ish (£450-£700),  29-33mpg, new cars now with leather as standard, lighter and more nimble than R32, great chassis and handling

Optional Extras (bold are deffo worth it  -  all prices very approximate)

Armrest -£150
Highline Computer - £60 
18" Monza Wheels - £500

Xenon Headlights - £700
Cruise Control - £150
Tinted Rear Glass
Winter Pack (heated this & that)
Multi Function Steering Wheel -
Sunroof
Rear Parking sensors

Edition 30 - as GTI above but :

Higher tuned FSI engine (based on Audi S3 engine) with bigger turbo putting out 244bhp on 99RON petrol
Easily remapped to 300bhp for £450 - £700
18" Pescara Alloys as standard
Rear Smoked Light Lenses
Half Leather Seats (front seats heated)
Colour coded Sills, front chin and rear apron   

There's quite a few Euro imports about - 2 years warranty only on these.  Check before buying. 

After deciding which car you want you then need to decide the gearbox - Manual or DSG 

[topher]

Like Phil says, get your butt in is many of them as you can, both DSG and manual. I don't think everyone will ever agree which is the best, its really down to personal opinion. I was very close to getting a DSG ED30, but I'd already had a powerful front wheel drive, and fell in love with the noise. Still happy with my choice, even if a little miffed at the tax news in the budget.

[R32UK]

Get an R32

Standard V6 sound, 4WD, heat reflective glass, Xenons, 18" wheels, Blue dash, and a rear end to make you cream yourself

[Phil mcavity]

agree on the sound r32uk, but not much else has much more going for it, having tried both today.