Not sure if I should go ED30 or standard?

[Misschief]

Looking for a Mk. 5 GTI at the moment and I've even secured £9k finance for an ED30 but it just seems like an awful lot of extra cash for a few bits of trim, 30 more HP and, no doubt, some unique bits double price of the standard car because they're 'special'.

Then there's the issue of rarity. Because there are so few ED's around the one I'm after is nearly 300 miles away and not being able to get any holidays either means using one of my few days off a week to go and get it (and potentially not liking what I see as I've never seen it other than in pictures), spending +£100 on a train ticket or getting them to transport it to me for £180.

Basically I'm really moving away from the ED and considering just getting a standard GTI as it will be a lot less of a ball ache to actually get one. In short, convince me the ED is worth the considerable extra PITA'ness to get it.

Oh, and Hi guys, new here. Nice place and seems friendly!

[xs2man]

An extra £350 on a remap gets you to 300 BHP instead of 240 BHP. 

/thread

[Skilgannon]

An extra £350 on a remap gets you to 300 BHP instead of 240 BHP. 

/thread

Well not that simple. 300BHP on a FWD is pointless unless he spends a lot more on other mods harnessing that power.

[AJP]

If you think you'll be chasing power then definitely get the ed30. Elaborating a bit on the remap figures above, as well as having the larger k04 turbo the ed30 has a stronger engine and can handle well beyond 400lb/ft whereas the GTI (AXX or BWA engine code) is weaker, and can only safely be tuned to around a 380-400lb/ft limit, and that must be with a good map that is sympathetic to the engine internals.

If you got a normal GTI you could tune it to a limit of around 285bhp and 360lb/ft, at which point you're limited by the k03. If you wanted more it'd become costly, but you could achieve 370bhp and 370-400lb/ft with a k04 conversion or k03 hybrid. At that point you're at the limit of your engine internals.

If you got an ed30 you could get that 370bhp without touching the turbo, just bolt on 2+ mods. If you wanted more there are all sorts of options, from a hybrid k04 like a TTE420 (TTE480 has just emerged) all the way up to a big Garrett GTX.

You could argue that beyond ~350bhp any more power in a front drive car is pointless, but it doesn't stop people trying, and having lots of fun in the process.

If I could go back and pick up an ed30 instead of my GTI I would. I've got the tuning bug and I'm working towards a k04 conversion. Also consider the fact that an ed30 should hold its value better than a normal GTI.

Get the Edition 30.

[bonelorry]

An extra £350 on a remap gets you to 300 BHP instead of 240 BHP. 

/thread

Well not that simple. 300BHP on a FWD is pointless unless he spends a lot more on other mods harnessing that power.

Sorry, Nonsense.

The right software such as an R-Tech Stage 1 is perfectly tractable and usable without any other upgrades!

Yes it can be improved on when carrying out other upgrades such as Chassis/Brakes etc but its not essential.

[Misschief]

Sorry I should have said, I have no interest in modifying the car at all. I didn't even get a remap on my last car, a Leon Cupra 180. This will be staying at stock.

[horsemeat]

I had the same dilemma when I bought my regular GTI. I couldn't find anything even halfway decent with an edition 30 badge, even a nice regular GTI was hard to find.

Whether the extra money and hassle is worth it is something only you can answer, but do I regret not getting an Ed 30?

Yeah I do...

[Talidan]

I'm in the same position not going to be buying till after Christmas got a holiday to go on and bit more money to save up but I'm looking at a 8k budget and there's no edition 30s that are appealing to me but I could have a top spec GTI with money to stick back in savings account, I'd rather have the best GTI over a leggy ED30 but if I could find a decent ED30 in my budget it's a no contest.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Juliand]

A difficult one....The stnd GTI does look a bit dated with the black plastic lower trim, so the ED 30 is better looking, and has the other techie benefits, but you pay the price, and as you have said, it will be difficult to source one locally, so be prepared to travel further and really quiz the seller on the accuracy of the description, etc before you travel

I did a lot of questioning of a dealer selling a car 200 miles away from my son, in the Midlands, and the dealer assured me it was 9/10 bodywise........Was an pile of shyte when he got there. Time wasters.

 

[Misschief]

A difficult one....The stnd GTI does look a bit dated with the black plastic lower trim, so the ED 30 is better looking, and has the other techie benefits, but you pay the price, and as you have said, it will be difficult to source one locally, so be prepared to travel further and really quiz the seller on the accuracy of the description, etc before you travel

I did a lot of questioning of a dealer selling a car 200 miles away from my son, in the Midlands, and the dealer assured me it was 9/10 bodywise........Was an pile of shyte when he got there. Time wasters.

 

May I ask which dealer?

[Juliand]

Sorry, can't recall now - it was a couple of years ago, so it was more of an observation to do your homework on the car you're looking at buying, and really interrogate the seller before travelling more than, say, 50 miles....

Good luck

[AJP]

Sorry, can't recall now - it was a couple of years ago, so it was more of an observation to do your homework on the car you're looking at buying, and really interrogate the seller before travelling more than, say, 50 miles....

Good luck

True. I always ask "is there anything you haven't mentioned in the ad that I should know about before I come and see it?". That way they either spill the beans on the phone or you pull them right up on it when you find a fault during your inspection. Handy for bargaining, and gauging the integrity of the seller.

[pudding]

If there is no interest in modifying it, then it really does just boil down to styling preferences and resale value.  The Edition 30 is better than the GTI on both counts, imo.

You need to drive both because there will be a difference in ride quality between 17s and 18s.  The power delivery is different too.  GTI boosts a bit sooner but runs out of steam sooner.  Edition is a little laggy but feels much brawnier throughout the rev range.

As per AJP's post, the Edition 30's engine is mechanically stronger and they seem to use less oil than the GTI.  I check mine every 1000 miles and it's dropped maybe 2-3mm from max.

I don't really understand British mentality when it comes to travelling for a car.  People are becoming incredibly lazy and needy of a million opinions (I've seen the same questions asked on Pistonheads) before committing themselves to anything. Be brave. Buying a car should be an exciting experience, not a chore.

[Skilgannon]

Sorry I should have said, I have no interest in modifying the car at all. I didn't even get a remap on my last car, a Leon Cupra 180. This will be staying at stock.

In that case, Ssave your money and get the standard GTI. The extra 30 BHP wont blow your socks off. Also, the styling on ED30 IMHO does not warrant the extra grand you will put towards it. But, if you are like me and gets bored and need something new (hence why i don't be married for long!) then the resale value on the ED30 would make things a lot easier when you want close to what you paid for it.

But in the end this is all down to you and your specific requirements.

[Skilgannon]

Sorry I should have said, I have no interest in modifying the car at all. I didn't even get a remap on my last car, a Leon Cupra 180. This will be staying at stock.

In that case, Ssave your money and get the standard GTI. The extra 30 BHP wont blow your socks off. Also, the styling on ED30 IMHO does not warrant the extra grand you will put towards it. But, if you are like me and gets bored and needs a new model (hence why i don't be married for long!) then the resale value on the ED30 would make things a lot easier when you want close to what you paid for it.

But in the end this is all down to you and your specific requirements.