MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: animal on January 10, 2010, 01:35:01 pm

Title: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: animal on January 10, 2010, 01:35:01 pm
Unfortunately, I dont have the budget to just be able to go out and buy the MkV I'd really like. So given my modest budget, my options have been limited somewhat and I'm struggling to make my mind up. So I thought I'd throw it out to you guys to see what your thoughts were.

Basic spec is as follows:

Must be 3dr
Must be DSG
Will consider more or less any colour, except black (unless the offer is too good to refuse)
Would rather it didn't have full leather - it sags too quickly and I'm just not a fan of full leather seats.
Up to 30k miles

I want to avoid retro-fitting as much as possible and I'd especially like to have factory fitted Xenons, for obvious reasons. 18" Monzas, Highline, MFSW are all toys I'd really like to have. On top of this, the chassis is the same. Do I really need more than what can be extracted from the standard engine (without spending loads e.g. K04/BT conversion). The car will be my daily drive and I'm lucky if I hit 50mph on the way to work.

But(!) at the same time, I want something fun and quick(er) for the weekend and the odd track day with friends. The power and added tuning potential of the ED30's engine plus the half leather seats, body kit and wheels et al are so tempting I might be prepared to let all the above options go if the right car came along... The idea of a Boxter chasing Golf really appeals, and I just can't get 300bhp from a remap out of my head (even though I know that it'll put my in serious license loosing territoty and I wont be able to make use of the power that often)!

I've also checked out insurance and there is less than £100 in it, which really doesn't help!

I welcome your thoughts and input.
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: Rich on January 10, 2010, 01:42:55 pm
A lower mileage and/or slightly newer, well spec'ed GTI (i.e. Xenons, Sat Nav etc.)?
A slightly older and/or higher mileage, more basic Ed30?


Do you have that the wrong way round... shouldnt it be

A lower mileage and/or slightly newer, more basic ED30  ( because lower milage/newer will cost more )
A slightly older and/or higher mileage, better spec   ( older/higher mileage cheaper but better spec )


or im a wrong  :signLOL:
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: Rich on January 10, 2010, 01:45:06 pm
For me i'd go for lower milage & basic spec... i'd be worried higher milage/older mileage have been ragged a lot and would cause me problems further down the line
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: pitsirikas on January 10, 2010, 01:47:28 pm
A lower mileage and/or slightly newer, well spec'ed GTI (i.e. Xenons, Sat Nav etc.) for me... :happy2:
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: WhiteGTI on January 10, 2010, 01:53:34 pm
If you find an example of an ED30 within your budget and your desire is to tune the car then an Edition 30 is going to give you so much more bang for your buck than a regular GTI!
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: animal on January 10, 2010, 01:58:39 pm
I appreciate that Chris, but what I'm trying to weigh up is options/toys/comfort over out-and-out power. I'm interested to know how other people feel.

Rich - I've not got it wrong, ED30s are worth more than equivilent age/spec GTI for obvious reasons.
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: RedRobin on January 10, 2010, 02:00:00 pm

i'd be worried higher milage/older mileage have been ragged a lot and would cause me problems further down the line


....Not necessarily ragged or poorly maintained. I'm coming up to 80k miles and you should see the paperwork evidence of my service history etc plus it's garaged.
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: RedRobin on January 10, 2010, 02:04:04 pm
....

It's really your choice, animal - No-one else's.

There are things to like about the Ed30 and things not to like. I'd be inclined to look at both which are available on the market and decide on an individual car basis. Otherwise it's a bit like deciding only to consider blondes as a girlfriend/wifey etc and missing out all brunettes (and gingers!).
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: DanoGTI on January 10, 2010, 02:07:50 pm
I got lucky - 3dr MY05, 22k FVWSH, minimal toys + 17".

Don't give a sh1t about the Xenons, got cloth interior and regular steering wheel.

I'm changing the ICE anyway to aftermarket, so most of it won't work with a MFSW. Plus for BT phone, voice control is the way forward :wink:

OH and mine's a lowly GTI.

I will be lightly modding, but nothing mad.

Got it cheap too from a VW dealer :wink:

DAn
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: animal on January 10, 2010, 02:20:06 pm
....

It's really your choice, animal - No-one else's.

There are things to like about the Ed30 and things not to like. I'd be inclined to look at both which are available on the market and decide on an individual car basis. Otherwise it's a bit like deciding only to consider blondes as a girlfriend/wifey etc and missing out all brunettes (and gingers!).

I know it is Robin, and I'm not looking for forum members to make the decision for me - I'm just interested to know other people's take on the situation might be.

I wasnt looking to creat a huge debate on the subject, just a poll to see what the general view on the forum was.
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: VC on January 10, 2010, 03:02:19 pm
For me i would go for what you would experience most on a daily basis..or rather interact with the most. I personally dont get many opportunities to open the car up as there are more twisty roads where i am than straight ones so it was about equipments spec and handling for me (waits for the heavy .:R32 jokes (https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mysmiley.net%2Fimgs%2Fsmile%2Findifferent%2Findifferent0001.gif&hash=ae2835dd3cd335b6cc576c70dea6e0faeaf57a93))

I spend alot of time under 50mph so i interact with the cabin more so than the speed, Xenons on the Cornish lanes are simply epicly better than standard, heated leather for the cold days, sunroof for the warm ones etc.

A basic car that carrys the 'right' badge vs a specced car that doesn't? and by your own admission your not going to be in a position to open it up all the time either?

A well specced GTI would be my choice  :innocent:

Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: Phil Mcavity on January 10, 2010, 03:39:53 pm
Ed30 for me, this is my third Mk5 GTi and there is just something

Special the Edition30 has. I couldnt imagine selling it. Didnt have

those feelings when i had 2 High spec GTi's prior to my lower spec current Ed30. As long as you have Highline comp, you can retro fit all other goodies laters.
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: Poverty on January 10, 2010, 03:47:24 pm
whats more important to you? Speed, or having your balls massaged and heated? Once you have answered that question you will know which one you want.

Although there is another option avaiable to you in which you could have both.
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: animal on January 10, 2010, 04:56:26 pm
whats more important to you? Speed, or having your balls massaged and heated? Once you have answered that question you will know which one you want.

Although there is another option avaiable to you in which you could have both.

Really? What's that then?
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: Poverty on January 10, 2010, 05:01:55 pm
whats more important to you? Speed, or having your balls massaged and heated? Once you have answered that question you will know which one you want.

Although there is another option avaiable to you in which you could have both.

Really? What's that then?

Fully loaded cupra for the price of the GTI, with the ed30 engines, and the bigger brakes. The interior might you off though.
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: animal on January 10, 2010, 05:16:54 pm
The Cupra is not for me. I'm not a fan of the styling and too many doors.
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: john_o on January 10, 2010, 05:31:19 pm
how long do you intend to keep it? resale on ED30 is better.

depends how far you want to take the 'modding' and track days thing.
K03 GTI with most mods is 300 bhp max
K04 GTI with same mods is 360bhp+

but the lower price for a K03 could be spent on LSD , suspension etc

I have been in a few modded KO3 DSG GTI's now and they are easily comparable to stg1 K04

both would be great cars  :happy2:

Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: candy turbo on January 10, 2010, 05:50:03 pm
if your after an ed30 might be worth hanging on a couple of months till the R  is out and about vw dealers are expecting quite a few ed 30 in px for the R so prices may take a hit  :wink:
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: Janner_Sy on January 10, 2010, 05:53:16 pm
im with poverty on that. fully specced cupra would e there better starting point for tuning. cheaper, same k04 engine, better brakes, better looking but let down by the interior
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: Top Cat on January 10, 2010, 05:55:19 pm
I would go for the ED 30 if i was you. As sure as eggs are eggs you will start to mod it at sometime in the future once the buying cost to you has settled.
You spend a fair bit of time hanging around here, which tells me resisting modding would be futile.  :rolleye:
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: VC on January 10, 2010, 06:30:22 pm
if your after an ed30 might be worth hanging on a couple of months till the R  is out and about vw dealers are expecting quite a few ed 30 in px for the R so prices may take a hit  :wink:

with the price of the .:R as it stands, even at entry level i cant see that being the case in the current climate imho
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: animal on January 10, 2010, 06:33:23 pm
The Cupra is definitely out - you may as well suggest a VXR Astra! :happy2: I'm not trying to go fast on a shoe string, I'm trying to decide which is the best GTI for my money. Thanks for the input all the same though.

I would go for the ED 30 if i was you. As sure as eggs are eggs you will start to mod it at sometime in the future once the buying cost to you has settled.
You spend a fair bit of time hanging around here, which tells me resisting modding would be futile.  :rolleye:

The car will be modded, there's no question of that. Coming from a string of Focus's, I love a car that car handle - so chassis mods are top of my list.

Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: vRStu on January 10, 2010, 07:34:53 pm
I'd go for the ED30 if you can afford it.

I think you'll do well to find even a GTi with Xenons as the price of the option was so high not so many people ordered them.

Regardless of future tuning potential the K04 engine car with DSg is a lovely drive.

I also share your thoughts on the Cupra, not for me at all.  Yeah ok so it's cheaper but for a good reason.  We have a Leon TDi and it really doesn't do it for me.

Some I picked out for a friend earlier today from a trade website are -

Quote
VOLKSWAGEN Golf Hatchback Petrol - 2.0 GTi 5dr     Auto (Tiptronic)
0707    MILEAGE: 32,000 Miles    1 owner   Black
Distance: UNKNOWN
Full franchise service history   Parallel Import   
Additional comments: Reg/Chassis No: YX07 JZE / WVWZZZ1KZ6W042346. Number of keys available not stated by dealer
PRICE:   Buy it now for £13000

Quote
VOLKSWAGEN Golf Hatchback Petrol - 2.0T FSi GTi Edition 30 5dr     Manual 6 Speed
0707    MILEAGE: 38,000 Miles    2 owners   Silver
Distance: UNKNOWN
Full franchise service history   UK Car   ABS, Air conditioning, Alarm, Alloy wheels, Central locking, Electric windows, Front & Rear parking sensors, Half leather heated seats, Metallic paint, Power steering
Additional comments: Reg/Chassis No: WVWZZZ1KZ7W267183. Silver/Half Leather/Tartan Interior Limited 30 Edition, Allow £150 - £200 Prep.. -- Number of keys available not stated by dealer
PRICE:   Â£13,750

Quote
VOLKSWAGEN Golf Hatchback Petrol - 2.0T FSi GTi 5dr     Manual
0656    MILEAGE: 43,000 Miles    1 owner   Metallic Grey
Distance: UNKNOWN
Full franchise service history   UK Car   ABS, Alarm, Alloy wheels, Central locking, Climate control, Electric windows, Metallic paint, Single CD player
Additional comments: Nice car 3 wheel edges need refurb -- 2 keys available
PRICE:   Â£12000

Quote
VOLKSWAGEN Golf Hatchback Petrol - 2.0T FSi GTi 3dr     Manual 6 Speed
0656    MILEAGE: 44,000 Miles    2 owners   Black
Distance: UNKNOWN
Full franchise service history   UK Car   ABS, Alloy wheels, Central locking, Climate control, Cruise control, Electric windows, Factory fitted phone, Front & Rear parking sensors, Full leather heated seats, Power steering, Xenon headlights
Additional comments: Reg/Chassis No: MJ56 CZG / WVWZZZ1KZ7W086702. full leather 18" monza -- 2 keys available
PRICE:   Â£11800

Sadly only one DSG and I have no idea how the prices compare to current retail, I've not checked.
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: candy turbo on January 10, 2010, 08:05:08 pm
if your after an ed30 might be worth hanging on a couple of months till the R  is out and about vw dealers are expecting quite a few ed 30 in px for the R so prices may take a hit  :wink:

with the price of the .:R as it stands, even at entry level i cant see that being the case in the current climate imho
my mates the manager of my local vw dealer and that was his comment , he has a few Rs on order and i know 2 have ed 30 s coming in against them   
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: Edition30 on January 10, 2010, 08:11:11 pm
I cant really see you finding an ED30 with a ton of miles on anyway. Majority are lowish.


I'd say the ED30 but then again im biased as I've had one. Just for me they're finished off alot better out of the box.
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: Oli on January 10, 2010, 08:12:34 pm
if your after an ed30 might be worth hanging on a couple of months till the R  is out and about vw dealers are expecting quite a few ed 30 in px for the R so prices may take a hit  :wink:

I think its a different market, as with the right spec, the R is nearly double the price of a S/H ED30.  With more coming in part exchange it will help with the current shortage of this limited run of only 1500 Edition 30 GTI's..........haha

In seriousness I believe it is the S3 that will take the slight hit, as it is like for like.

Or both will remain strong when all the R customers realised they have paid mid 30's for a Golf.

Who knows....you decide :happy2:
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: VC on January 10, 2010, 08:16:36 pm
if your after an ed30 might be worth hanging on a couple of months till the R  is out and about vw dealers are expecting quite a few ed 30 in px for the R so prices may take a hit  :wink:

with the price of the .:R as it stands, even at entry level i cant see that being the case in the current climate imho
my mates the manager of my local vw dealer and that was his comment , he has a few Rs on order and i know 2 have ed 30 s coming in against them   

i stand corrected  :drinking:
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: Poverty on January 10, 2010, 10:11:22 pm
if your after an ed30 might be worth hanging on a couple of months till the R  is out and about vw dealers are expecting quite a few ed 30 in px for the R so prices may take a hit  :wink:

with the price of the .:R as it stands, even at entry level i cant see that being the case in the current climate imho

dunno mate, id imagine a good percentage of GTI's and ED30's are on a pcp scheme so alot of leases will be running out around now anyway, and with pcp schemes alot of people upgrade as soon as the latest model is out.
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: animal on January 11, 2010, 09:29:03 am
Thanks for all the input guys.

I think it may well come down to what is availible when we finally sort out the cash and how far I'm allowed to stretch the budget. My Fiancee prefers the Ed30 interior, so if the price is right I don't think she'll take too much convincing to spend the extra. However, on the flip-side of that, we won't be keeping the car that long as once we are married (in October) and she qualifies in 2011, we'll be in an even better position financially - I've already got my eye on a Golf R or an S3. So I'm also thinking that perhaps if I get a standard GTI now, I can sit tight and have the more powerful engine in the next car which isn't too far off...  :laugh:

I was hoping to get the new car this month, but the cold has killed both our cars so I'm having to shell out on those just to get them back on the road to sell them. Fix Or Repair Daily has never been more true. Damn things...
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: animal on January 11, 2010, 03:56:06 pm
I thought this would be a closely run thing but I didnt expect it to be as close as this. I suppose I shouldn't really be suprised that it's a dead heat even after 20 odd votes!

My ideal car has popped up and is very local too. Just got to see if I've got enough cash to move around to try and secure it - I doubt it'll be around for long!
Title: Re: Help! What would you rather have?
Post by: candy turbo on January 11, 2010, 08:06:42 pm
as long as your not after a candy white ed 30 there is loads about , my local dealer has a grey one and black and red one coming soon   :happy2: