Is the Golf Tech Package worth it?

[PC Dave]

I'm looking for a manual transmission Golf TDI, I'd strongly prefer 2 dr over 4 dr. I would be okay with sunroof and nav, but I'd like the tech package. I just spent a couple of hours looking through the websites of every dealer in California, and there's currently only one 2dr 6MT Golf TDI in the state, in Gray. There are plenty of sunroof and nav 2dr 6mt's available (none in blue graphite, unfortunately), and plenty of 4 dr 6mt with tech package.

The choice seems to be going 4 door, or going 2 door and giving up the tech package. I have other 4 door vehicles already, and this one won't be the first choice on the rare occasions I have someone in the back seat; I've thought of it as essentially a GTD for sport mixed with fuel economy, and the 2 dr fits that theme better.

I don't care much one way or the other about keyless entry, but I'd like the HID and Dynaudio if I can get them. Are they a big enough difference to get a 4dr over a 2dr?

 

[Just Adam]

I hope it's worth it! (We've got one on the way for my wife). She was reluctant to spend the money on the loaded one, but she's come to enjoy the xenon headlights on her Mini Cooper. I finally put my foot down and said, "we're getting the tech package- you're driving it at night, it's about safety, and you're my wife."

She's also been known to enjoy loud tunes, so the upgraded stereo won't bother her either.

 

[xeno555]

Kinda pricey for 2/4 HB, however the US market sells them with least amount of profit.
Unfortunately some of the options only come on the Tech Pkg.
Here is a list of my favorite options (in order), since owning the vehicle for four months.

Bi-Xenon/Led headlights.
KESSY.
Cold WX pkg.(winter in Colorado?).
6 spd manual.
RNS315 (boo for dropping dvd playback yet having a dvd unit?).
Sunroof (winter in Colorado?).


Is it worth it? Only you can say.

Mine was.

 

[amstel78]

I wanted xenons and Dynaudio. Unfortunately, only way to get them was with a tech package. To me, it was worth it. Mine's a 4 door 6MT in shark blue.

 

[Renurbs]

I wanted the xenons but wasn't gonna pay 4 grand for it...

 

[VWDoggy]

I got the tech package and look at it this way: over the life of ownership it really is not much to live a little. I like all the features it offers, even use the nav-system to find places.

 

[Homer S.]

I debated on the tech package and decided to go for it. I didn't want to get in my car everyday and think to myself "damn I really wish I had gone for the better package." Thats what I did in my old car after deciding to not spend the extra money on a better package. I drove a loaner with sunroof/nav while mine was being delivered and I can definitely say the Bi-Xenon's are much better. I also had a low quality sound system in my old car and didn't want to go that route again. And kessy really is awesome. So for me...yes it's most defiantly worth it. You just need to decide for yourself.

 

[STRANGETDI]

I have one too. And love it! It's nice to have all these features, and have these features under warranty! (Had a Xenon bulb replaced already, and that $200 bulb - so they say - was not on my dime.) It is considered the top of the line Golf (TDI not R or GTI), so you pay more for it, but you will certainly get a higher resale too, if you decide to sell it or trade it in, when the time comes.

Go for it!

 

[Patriot]

Picked up 4dr Tech this Tuesday. The headlights and the Dynaudio were must haves for me. The dealer had 2dr but I find the shorter, lighter door on the 4dr easier to use.

 

[H0mersimps0n]

Have had the 2012 4dr TDI 6sp Manual with tech package for about 6 weeks now. I do a crazy 180mile round trip commute to work and many times its in the dark so Xenon's were non-negotiable for me.

Unless you have true functional need for Xenon's or the KESSY I'd say save your money and do aftermarket NAV/Xenons.

I'm quite underwhelmed by the dynaudio so far and the Nav is a joke for anything beyond point A-B- there is no real time traffic information integrated so for the commuter like me without realtime re-routing based on traffic (which you can get on Tomtom's, iDrive, etc) I almost never use it. The wired and bluetooth interfaces are extremely buggy and wired through the MDI offers no additional features. I'm so sick and tired of having to turn my ringer volume back up every time I get out of my car.

I guess I'm unfairly comparing to my X3's idrive where plugging in the iphone directly gives you all kinds of awesome features.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Xenons, the KESSY and Sunroof are nice. The driving mechanics of the TDI are simply great, handling, quiet interior even at 80mph and well selected tire/suspension (again, for the highway commuter like me).

The Nav definitely leaves me wishing I could've gotten the Xenon's ala carte and skipped on the Nav/Dynaudio.

my 2c

 

[amstel78]

Have had the 2012 4dr TDI 6sp Manual with tech package for about 6 weeks now. I do a crazy 180mile round trip commute to work and many times its in the dark so Xenon's were non-negotiable for me.

You sound just like me. I commute from PA to NYC M-F which is approximately 93 miles one way. I live in a fairly rural part of PA where street lights don't exist. The xenons are definitely worth the price when it gets dark. My only complaint with the xenons are the sharp cutoff that don't exist with halogen reflectors.

ETA: While I agree with you regarding the 315's lack of traffic routing, I haven't found my BT or MDI interfaces to be buggy at all. In fact, they work very well. The Dynaudio also sounds quite good for a stock system. I do leave my EQ set to flat though. FWIW, only my iPhone ringer needs to be turned back up when getting out of the car. My Blackberry doesn't have that problem.

 

[4tdi]

I enjoy the extra features and like the looks of the led daytime running lights. they stand out and make the car look even more upscale

 

[frugality]

I finally put my foot down and said, "we're getting the tech package- you're driving it at night, it's about safety, and you're my wife."

My policy is, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Therefore, I refuse to buy HIDs. I find them to be kind of selfish because it's an attitude of, "I don't care if I'm blinding oncoming traffic....my safety is more important than yours, dammit."

 

[Just Adam]

My policy is, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Therefore, I refuse to buy HIDs. I find them to be kind of selfish because it's an attitude of, "I don't care if I'm blinding oncoming traffic....my safety is more important than yours, dammit."

Well I'm sorry you see things that way. Perhaps if you learned not to stare into oncoming HIDs it wouldn't be a problem for you.

 

[Just Adam]

Picked up 4dr Tech this Tuesday. The headlights and the Dynaudio were must haves for me. The dealer had 2dr but I find the shorter, lighter door on the 4dr easier to use.

I see that you're in MA- just curious as to which dealer you purchased from? I tried Quirk but they were a bit too pushy- "take what we've got, we don't do dealer trades, no we can't order you one, feel free to go elsewhere." So I did.

 

[Patriot]

I first went to VW Gallery in Norwood but was told to come back another day, they're busy. I wear a sweat shirt and dungarees, not a suit and tie. This is the reason I never end up at Quirk dealerships, they usually ignore me. I purchased from Colonial in Medford. I went in with a figure in my head and really expected to leave without buying but they met my price. This is my 25th new vehicle and found this to be the most enjoyable purchase yet.

 

[dmarsingill]

Well I'm sorry you see things that way. Perhaps if you learned not to stare into oncoming HIDs it wouldn't be a problem for you.

You don't have to be staring at them.....they blind you anyway. When I'm driving the expedition, I let people know how much I hate those HID's.

I saw a report somewhere(can't find it) where they are considering banning them anyway. I'll see if I can find it.


Donald

 

[Just Adam]

You don't have to be staring at them.....they blind you anyway. When I'm driving the expedition, I let people know how much I hate those HID's.

HIDs are not blinding if you don't look at them. Any headlights will disturb your nighttime vision if you look into them.

And as for you other comment- I guess you're just not that considerate, are you?

 

[Patriot]

1) With properly adjusted xenon HIDS, on cars anyway, I don't get blinded. Halogens, especially the 5000K and 6500K ones are another story.
2) I guess New England drivers aren't that bad after all. They may not drive the best but generally they are not deliberately trying to cause (what will be claimed later as) an accident.

 

[dmarsingill]

It's just like a manual vs dsg argument....The ones that have them or want them are for them, the ones that have to close there eyes or look off the road are against them. It's pretty bad when a new car with factory HIDs are shining in my eyes in the Expedition. It's definately not bad aim.

Donald

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Just get a Ford product with HIDs behind you and tell me it's not blinding, even with the mirror on night. I don't know why but Ford products seem to be the most annoying. And HIDs often aren't leveled properly, it would seem.

Yes, they do affect other drivers' night vision. I don't have them because I don't like the color of the light: seems it's more difficult for me to see with them. I personally find them unnecessary, but that's a matter of preference. They don't bother me as much as they used to.

Regarding dealers in MA, I got my Golf at Paul Clark Brockton, but I'm not sure how much luck they're having at getting TDIs. You might try Coastal VW in Hanover (Norwell?). They're new and probably don't do the volume other dealers do. I usually see TDIs on the lot there when I stop by.

 

[wrich73]

I was able to order my car in 2011 (build 5/11) with just the roof, Dynaudio, and Xenon..If I had to have bought a 2012, I would definitely order the Tech Package

As far as the Xenons w/AFS go, I will never buy a car again that doesn't have them, for someone with problems seeing at night, it literally is night and day.

If you add a subwoofer to the Dynaudio system and use Dyn for only your mids and highs, its probably the best sounding system I have heard in a car, period. I added a 500 watt amp with a 10" sub in a vented box, professionally installed for about $500.

The sound quality is amazing, it just needs a a little bass, no matter what kind of music you are listening to.

 

[TDInewbee]

HIDs are not blinding if you don't look at them. Any headlights will disturb your nighttime vision if you look into them.

And as for you other comment- I guess you're just not that considerate, are you?

I can't stand halogens. I think they hurt your eyes a lot more than xenons overall.


As for the OP - Definitely get the Tech. I only wanted the xenons, but the Kessy and Dyno are awesome, and I am glad to have them (but the LED DRL's are by far my most favorite feature of the car).

 

[slamhouse]

HID's in a stock halogen housing will definitely blind oncoming drivers.

HID's in a halogen projector housing will not blind oncoming drivers but still be annoying.

HID's in an HID housing will not even be a bother to oncoming drivers but rather better than stock halogen lights.

 

[dmarsingill]

As far as the Xenons w/AFS go, I will never buy a car again that doesn't have them, for someone with problems seeing at night, it literally is night and day.

.

No offense, but this is what bugs me. Why should one person be allowed to "bright light" hundreds of people just so they can drive at night. I am on the opposite end. I have very accute eyes that let alot of light in. This is common in very light colored eyes. Normal headlights don't bother me at all, but newer cars with HIDs make me see starbursts instead of objects.


Donald

 

[Just Adam]

You are allowed to have them too. Take it up with the DOT- they're the ones that approved them.

And like it's been mentioned several times in this thread, there are techniques you can use for night driving that will make HIDs much easier to be around. Fortunately I learned these when I was learning to drive- both by my parents and instructors in advanced driving and racing schools.

No offense, but this is what bugs me. Why should one person be allowed to "bright light" hundreds of people just so they can drive at night. I am on the opposite end. I have very accute eyes that let alot of light in. This is common in very light colored eyes. Normal headlights don't bother me at all, but newer cars with HIDs make me see starbursts instead of objects.


Donald

 

[sgoldste01]

My policy is, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Therefore, I refuse to buy HIDs. I find them to be kind of selfish because it's an attitude of, "I don't care if I'm blinding oncoming traffic....my safety is more important than yours, dammit."

Interesting. I never get flashed by oncoming traffic, so I assume my HIDs aren't bothering anybody. With the sharp cut-off, I would expect them to not be offensive.

 

[sgoldste01]

HID's in a stock halogen housing will definitely blind oncoming drivers.

HID's in a halogen projector housing will not blind oncoming drivers but still be annoying.

HID's in an HID housing will not even be a bother to oncoming drivers but rather better than stock halogen lights.

You speak the truth. A friend of mine put HIDs in the stock halogen housings of her Mini Cooper, and it made her car look like a sun driving down the road. It was absolutely ridiculous.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Interesting. I never get flashed by oncoming traffic, so I assume my HIDs aren't bothering anybody. With the sharp cut-off, I would expect them to not be offensive.

They probably are. I don't flash at HIDs because I know it's pointless.

 

[sgoldste01]

They probably are. I don't flash at HIDs because I know it's pointless.

Well, that's your approach.

If most people are annoyed by approaching headlights (HIDs or otherwise), then they naturally assume that the approaching driver has his high beams on. As such, they will flash.

I've had cars approach me with misaligned headlights. Regardless of the headlight technology, if the headlights are misaligned high, I assume the person has his high beams on. It's only when he flashes back at me to show me that his high beams weren't on after all that I realize it was an alignment problem and not that his high beams were in use the whole time.