Adding options later?

[Dubya]

RVC isn't necessary and can be retrofitted apparently.

A factory fitted reversing camera for $500 is a no-brainer unlike most other GTI options.

You'd use it every time you reversed the car and it could save hitting something or, worse, someone.

I woud urge everyone to specify an RVC at this very reasonable cost.

As for retrofitting, the parts cost alone is likely to exceed $500 and you could budget a lot more than that to fit it, based on what Maverick went through to add one to his Mark V, so possibly not much change out of $1,500, and not factory fitted etc etc.

[alebonau]

The real problem with a whole stack of factory options is your going to be stuck with a very long wait for a car to be scheduled, built and shipped.

At the end of it your choice.

Personally rather than a ridiculous wait. I searched around and picked a car closest to what was looking for .

A lot of options did wonder about and didn't get. And some options that wasn't really keen on got. Guess what love the car as it is.

I didn't get the 18" wheels, driving cars with 17" and 18" I really think the difference a lot more subtle than imagined. The 18 a slightly more jiggly ride but with less compliance and stiffer ride. Got the 17s as more of an everyday car and the golf still handles great. I doubt adding the 18s later a viable option.

Acc dealer told me after a bit of a fiddle with, probably would rarely use. And it's not a factory option. Took his word for it.

Sat nave yes could fit later but Jews at what a cost, then have to put up with the vw interface and huge cost for maps and the like. Grabbed Tom Tom for $250 on friends suggestion and guess what it had blu tooth handsfree as well !

The media interface is worth getting the factory one, yeah sure could get it dealer fitted but will cost more and and they put it in the glove box which is small enough as it is !

Park assist reverse cameras yeesh can't you park a car sorry just having a jibe !

Bi xenon...gee I'll tell you the standard lights are pretty good ! :p

Dynaudio even the dealer said is a complete waste of money. The stock stereo is not too bad if want to improve on it probably better more cost effective ways.

The sun roof I will say is a beaut option. Love it lightens up the very dark interior. And a bit of wind in your hair is very welcome on a warm evening.

The leather seats I didn't necessarily want. But they're great. Very glad I got them. With our kids and for everyday use.

Some points with options. The overall price will soon shoot through the roof. Keep in mind you will never get your money back for them when time comes to sell. So choose wisely and only pay for stuff you really will get your moneys worth for.

Ps a nice dealer option is a tow bar. They do great job fitting. Doesn't f'up the back of the car and adds to it's versatility for daily use. And guess what not an option if you got the R hehe

[Corey_R]

Wow - lots of "interesting" takes on things there.

Adding lots of options doesn't necessarily add any delay to your car over another factory order... it just all depends on what is at the factory and about to come in... you might not pick any options, and then the factory could be out of the Jacky seats, so your car will be delayed whilst someone with leather comes out first!

As for 17 vs 18", it's for looks, not handling. The 17" is the better handling option, but the Detroits make the car look way better. You could take your 17" wheels to a paint shop and have them painted to look like the Detroits - a few peeps on the forums have done this (<=$600) and it looks great.

It's impossible to NOT use your ACC, if you're driving the car, you're using it constantly... 1000 times per second as it is ACC set to normal IS NOT like not having ACC. You've missed the point if you think it is.

Rear View Camera has nothing to do with whether you can park or not. For all of those who have X-ray vision and can see through the back of the car, you don't need RVC, but for everyone with human eyes, the RVC is invaluable since the Golf does have one of the worst rearward visions of any non-4WD.

The Dynaudio is anything but a waste of money. You'd be hard pressed to spend less on aftermarket parts to get similar quality to the Dynaudio. However, many people don't care about quality, so for those that just listen to "songs" rather than "music", they can still with the regular audio. For those who do listen to music and care about quality, considering the Dynaudio is a wise mood (unless you would normally spend much more on your car audio...)

[Prodigy]

Well I have just come out of a Golf R with 19" and no ACC and gone into a GTI with 18" and no ACC.

The R with 19" is 10 times more comfortable. Not as bouncy! The GTI feels like a go cart while the R handles like one.

That's what i like to hear..

[REXman]

I tested a car with stock audio and dynaudio about 2 weeks ago.

Dynaudio really does sound heaps better. The quality on the dynaudio system is obvious to even the humblest of audio ears. Mids stay a lot cleaner/ clearer at volume, bass is more pronounced and doesn't sound flat, and the tweets sound beautiful for a stock stereo. Like a warm set of focals or Sort of like the Harman Kardon audio in BMW.

If you can afford it, and enjoy your music, it is a great option.

Also the xenons are a non-negotiable to me, but again I can appreciate the idea of going without if you have a holiday or something your saving for instead.

Yeah as for delays with the car, I don't think the options affect anything other than your wallet!!

[dave_r]

At the end of the day, they have options because they're just that!

We're never going to agree on which ones are good, worthless or otherwise.

[alebonau]

Absolutely, everyone will place their own values on things, they can certainly add some enjoyment to the standard car and make it that extra special. So yeah well worth considering and sure lot will likely disagree with justification either way for any...

[elisiX]

Well I have just come out of a Golf R with 19" and no ACC and gone into a GTI with 18" and no ACC.

The R with 19" is 10 times more comfortable. Not as bouncy! The GTI feels like a go cart while the R handles like one.

This comment confused me - if someone could please clarify..

If both cars have no ACC, and the R is running larger wheels, would it not then ride very similar if not harsher than the GTI on 18's?

Do they not run similar / same stock suspensions?

[Corey_R]

Actually - the R's suspension (and roll bars?) are reportedly 20% stiffer than the GTI's... so yes, the comment confuses me a bit too

[Corey_R]

lol... it's all good

[AdamD]

One would think so, but the R is certainly alot more comfortable. I can’t explain why.....

Tyre pressures could be the major contributing factor.

AFAIK the basic geometry of the suspension is shared between the two, and it's just percentages of adjustment that separate them. Remember also that the R weighs ove 100KG more than the GTI, and this may contribute to settling the car over small undulations.

I've driven GTIs on 17s without ACC, and an R on 19s with ACC. Obviously these can't be compared, but the R still rode better overall.

I'm about to put 18s on my non-ACC GTI, with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric tyres... hope it's not too firm!

[Tux]

Just my observations on the two cars! So much so that I doubt I will ever go back to a GTI with 18" again!

I respect your view but I find the GTI 'soft' compared to my previous car (05 Cooper S). I regret not getting the Detroits for looks but am happy enough with the ride of the 17s. Also with regards to 'looks' I would never buy an ' R' on looks alone. They are ugly! IMHO

[dave_r]

but no doubt some of the technical junkies will jump in here to tell me I’m wrong, and that due the forging process of the specific steel used in the springs and the precise off set angle of the shocks its not possible blaa blaa blaa.....

Hahaha so true!

[swayman]

Dealer Fit or New Build? Golf R

Hey Guys,

Just wondering if somebody could point me in the right direction. As I'm looking at an R, I want to know what options can be installed by the dealer and what has to be installed at the initial build?

Thanks!

[7R]

I just got my GTI last week - I ordered it with MDI and BT factory installed and it turned up with neither. The dealer says he can install the genuine articles at its first service so I guess there are two. Add bigger rims (19s).

What I know cannot be installed...

ACC
RVC
Leather
Electric seats
Sunroof
Dynaudio
Park assist

...?