Is the Golf Tech Package worth it?

[IndigoBlueWagon]

The color and beam pattern of HIDs are distinctive. They also tend to blind oncoming drivers when the car goes over bumps or up onto a bridge, for example, where the levelers don't catch up fast enough.

I'm not really complaining, I've gotten used to being around them and know how to keep from being blinded by them. It's only the HID-equipped SUV or truck following me that I find annoying.

 

[mheat]

Age is a factor. I have excellent eyesight and never noticed any effort to night time driving until about age 55. Now, I find the HID's extremely annoying. Particularly the blue, which seems to bother a certain percentage of people. And no, I'm not staring directly into them. To me, they are plain rude.

 

[NITRO330]

If I did more night driving, it would be worth it to me. The non-HID headlights suck, but I do so little night driving that I don't much care.

 

[slamhouse]

I find that my stock halogen headlights light up the road really well. They are euro spec with the sharp cutoff then angle up to the right to illuminate signs on the side of the road.

At night they light up the whole road and with the high beams on, you can see everything ahead.

 

[pwrhungry]

Definatley not worth $4500 or so for headlights imo. I wanted them but didnt want the sunroof at all. Paying almost $30k for a golf I will pass. Just pay $4k on top of that and get a premium plus A3 TDI with Sline package.

 

[sgoldste01]

My Golf is a 2010, before there was a tech package. But I have everything in the tech package except Nav, and I paid $25k for my car. So I don't know where your $30k is coming from.

 

[Pathy01]

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

Why should the majority of drivers have to settle for reduced visibility because you are part of a small minority with overly acute eyes? When halogen lights first hit the market, people had all the same complaints you're voicing about HIDs. Sometimes you need to take a step back and look at the other side of things. I understand your frustration but based on all your posts, and no offense, but you always state things in a manner that you are the majority, regardless of whether that is true or not. Watch the road ahead of you and not oncoming headlights, your eyes and the rest of us will thank you.

 

[pwrhungry]

My Golf is a 2010, before there was a tech package. But I have everything in the tech package except Nav, and I paid $25k for my car. So I don't know where your $30k is coming from.

Its sorta pointless telling us what you paid for a two year old car. try going to the vw site and seeing the current prices before you make assumptions. i paid $23999 for my base manual 2dr with spoiler and thats with $1500 off.

 

[sgoldste01]

Its sorta pointless telling us what you paid for a two year old car. try going to the vw site and seeing the current prices before you make ignorant assumptions.

OK, so the VW site shows sticker prices. I don't care because that's not reality. Back in 2010, when the Golf TDI was brand new and in very high demand, I was able to negotiate the price down. I would think that demand for TDIs is lower today than it was early in 2010.

So I don't care what the VW site says. What are people really paying today for a 2012 TDI with the Tech Package?

And thank you for changing your original post from "ignorant assumptions" to simply "assumptions".

 

[pwrhungry]

Also doubt you are aware that the 2012 TDI price increase on jan 1st. If they are in less dand i doubt they would have increased the base price. As for the sticker thats all we can go by. everyone does not get the same price, some factor in taxes, dealership fees. Sticker os the same for all.

 

[Just Adam]

What are people really paying today for a 2012 TDI with the Tech Package?

$27,5xx for a 4 door stick.

 

[motoblue]

Invoice for a 4-dr manual tech is a little under $28,000. Edmunds true value says $28,200. I think that's a fair assumption for what they're going for now. It's $3400 over the price of the base TDI, not $4500.

The tech package includes:

HID with AFS package and LED DRL
Dynaudio
Kessy
RNS-315
Sunroof

I would not have bought my car without the HIDs (I waited months for one with HIDs to become available) and also think the Dynaudio was well worth what I paid for them at the time. I drive enough unlit, deer-infested country roads at night for the HIDs to make a difference. The AFS is also just cool. I test drove a base car before buying mine, and while I can't quite remember the actual difference now between the stock and the Dynaudio, I remember when I first got my car that there WAS a difference. I listen to music during my commute - having a nicer audio system was a good upgrade for my needs.

I also like my sunroof - I rarely open it, but I leave the shade open almost all the time - the added light in the cabin is nice, alleviates the cave feeling with the black cloth interior. I wouldn't mind the Kessy. The NAV is the only thing I wouldn't care for - adds to the cost and is more expensive to maintain than my $100 Garmin with lifetime maps updates and traffic. But, it's included in the package. For what you get for $3400, I think it's a good package.

Back on topic: OP asked about whether the 4 door option ($700 more than a 2 door) is worth getting the Tech package, since he can't find a 2 door with it. All I can say is that having 4 doors has worked out well for me, even though I rarely have passengers. It's just more convenient:

You can open the rear windows for ventilation.
Accessibility - when you do carry passengers, they will appreciate not having to climb over the seatback to get in the back.
Shorter doors
Less of a blind spot

Maybe the coupe looks better (I actually don't think so, I don't like how the rear window swoops upward on the 2 doors). But, it's all personal preference. To me, all I can think is, it's a Golf. Even a GTI looks like a rollerskate (boot on 4 wheels). But, of course, different strokes, since you're looking for something sporty. My car's my daily driver - it HAD to have 4 doors.

 

[frugality]

Why should the majority of drivers have to settle for reduced visibility because you are part of a small minority with overly acute eyes? When halogen lights first hit the market, people had all the same complaints you're voicing about HIDs. Sometimes you need to take a step back and look at the other side of things. I understand your frustration but based on all your posts, and no offense, but you always state things in a manner that you are the majority, regardless of whether that is true or not. Watch the road ahead of you and not oncoming headlights, your eyes and the rest of us will thank you.

He's not in a small minority. I have a 50-year-old friend who hates driving at night because of headlights. And when I bought my 2010 JSW, I had an elderly friend ask me, "Your car doesn't have those blue headlights, does he?" (HIDs/Xenons) I replied, "Nope," and he said, "GOOD!!"

I don't know what you're talking about when you say that the 'majority of drivers have to settle for reduced visibility.' It's the HID folks that are in the minority. The rest of us do just fine with standard halogens. Never been an issue. Never even hit a deer here in the MI/WI stomping grounds I've called home.

Just because we once went from old-skool sealed headlights to halogens doesn't mean that we can just keep upping and upping the lumens as if there was no end to the process. At a certain point we have to say, "Enough!" Personally, I feel that the regulators have allowed lights to get too bright. I'd prefer that HIDs be outlawed, and that cops would even have the authority to ticket people for driving around with their foglights on all the time, whether it's foggy or not, putting out the light of 2 cars from the front end of 1. Some of them are as brighter than their headlights. Years ago they were just a couple of small spotlights aimed at the ground in front of the car (as it should be with foglights, to undercut the fog.) And now we've got super-bright fog lights that scatter light everywhere....and idiots that drive around with them on all the time, under the misguided belief that they're safer because of it.

And part of the problem is that speeds have gone up. People feel they need more light to be safer because they're going faster.

 

[dmarsingill]

He's not in a small minority. I have a 50-year-old friend who hates driving at night because of headlights. And when I bought my 2010 JSW, I had an elderly friend ask me, "Your car doesn't have those blue headlights, does he?" (HIDs/Xenons) I replied, "Nope," and he said, "GOOD!!"

I don't know what you're talking about when you say that the 'majority of drivers have to settle for reduced visibility.' It's the HID folks that are in the minority. The rest of us do just fine with standard halogens. Never been an issue. Never even hit a deer here in the MI/WI stomping grounds I've called home.

Just because we once went from old-skool sealed headlights to halogens doesn't mean that we can just keep upping and upping the lumens as if there was no end to the process. At a certain point we have to say, "Enough!" Personally, I feel that the regulators have allowed lights to get too bright. I'd prefer that HIDs be outlawed, and that cops would even have the authority to ticket people for driving around with their foglights on all the time, whether it's foggy or not, putting out the light of 2 cars from the front end of 1. Some of them are as brighter than their headlights. Years ago they were just a couple of small spotlights aimed at the ground in front of the car (as it should be with foglights, to undercut the fog.) And now we've got super-bright fog lights that scatter light everywhere....and idiots that drive around with them on all the time, under the misguided belief that they're safer because of it.

And part of the problem is that speeds have gone up. People feel they need more light to be safer because they're going faster.

Well said....I was tired of arguing!!!

Donald

 

[motoblue]

Best bet is to wait for the car you want. They do make 2-door Tech package manual cars.

If you can't wait and you *really* want the HIDs to the point of thinking you'll add them later, I would say get the Tech Package 4 door now. Retrofitting is still expensive, and if you try to retrofit the AFS, I think it is ridiculously so. I think it comes to a couple thousand for the parts, plus VCDS work, and something that doesn't get brought up, you become your own warranty.

 

[TDI Stevestr]

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.

RNS315 does not have a DVD unit. It has flash memory for the navi and plays CD-R's.

I bought an '11 in Colorado and went for most of the same upgrades. KESSY wasn't offered in my model year but the Cold WX package has saved my um butt many times.

 

[TDI Stevestr]

He's not in a small minority. I have a 50-year-old friend who hates driving at night because of headlights. And when I bought my 2010 JSW, I had an elderly friend ask me, "Your car doesn't have those blue headlights, does he?" (HIDs/Xenons) I replied, "Nope," and he said, "GOOD!!"

I don't know what you're talking about when you say that the 'majority of drivers have to settle for reduced visibility.' It's the HID folks that are in the minority. The rest of us do just fine with standard halogens. Never been an issue. Never even hit a deer here in the MI/WI stomping grounds I've called home.

Just because we once went from old-skool sealed headlights to halogens doesn't mean that we can just keep upping and upping the lumens as if there was no end to the process. At a certain point we have to say, "Enough!" Personally, I feel that the regulators have allowed lights to get too bright. I'd prefer that HIDs be outlawed, and that cops would even have the authority to ticket people for driving around with their foglights on all the time, whether it's foggy or not, putting out the light of 2 cars from the front end of 1. Some of them are as brighter than their headlights. Years ago they were just a couple of small spotlights aimed at the ground in front of the car (as it should be with foglights, to undercut the fog.) And now we've got super-bright fog lights that scatter light everywhere....and idiots that drive around with them on all the time, under the misguided belief that they're safer because of it.

And part of the problem is that speeds have gone up. People feel they need more light to be safer because they're going faster.

If HIDs are blinding you I suggest you see an eye doc. The VW's HIDs are not that bright or blinding.

Your argument sounds a lot like "you kids get off my lawn."

 

[frugality]

If HIDs are blinding you I suggest you see an eye doc. The VW's HIDs are not that bright or blinding.

Maybe it's you with the poor vision. If that's the case, my sympathies.

We share public spaces. There's a sign along the lakeshore drive here advertizing the city's noise ordinance. You can't be blaring music to the annoyance of others. Same thing with headlights. We share the road. We can't be pi**ing off others who want to be able to drive without squinting. And as I said, it's not just me at age 39, but a friend of mine at 50, and my elderly friend at 86.

 

[Just Adam]

Now that I've driven my wife's new car home I can say that the tech package is worth it.

1)Great Stereo
2)Nav is cool
3)Headlights are awesome. The way they bend around corners is pretty neat. I didn't think it'd make a difference, but it does. And of course, you get to drive around at night "blinding" all the old farts that never learned how to drive at night.

And on the majority/minority argument- drive around Northern NJ at night. I went to visit a friend the other night and found that at least 80% of the cars I passed had HIDs, including the Ferrari that followed me part of the way home. I didn't have any problems.

 

[frugality]

And of course, you get to drive around at night "blinding" all the old farts that never learned how to drive at night.

So the proper procedure for driving at night involves not looking through the windshield?

 

[Just Adam]

So the proper procedure for driving at night involves not looking through the windshield?

Stop being obtuse.

 

[pwrhungry]

Now that I've driven my wife's new car home I can say that the tech package is worth it.

1)Great Stereo
2)Nav is cool
3)Headlights are awesome.

As long as your jappy with your purchase in the end thats all that matters. As For me im never happy with a stoxk stereo system, im not a pizza delivery boy so nav is pretty useless, i really hate sunroofs, but the headlights i am jealous of. Enjoy the new wheels.

 

[CsTDI]

Maybe it's you with the poor vision. If that's the case, my sympathies.

We share public spaces. There's a sign along the lakeshore drive here advertizing the city's noise ordinance. You can't be blaring music to the annoyance of others. Same thing with headlights. We share the road. We can't be pi**ing off others who want to be able to drive without squinting. And as I said, it's not just me at age 39, but a friend of mine at 50, and my elderly friend at 86.

the saying "hate the game, not the player" comes to mind. HIDs (which I also have) have been around in Europe since about 1996, and in the US manufacturers have been installing them more and they are currently expected to grow even more as OEM equipment. For the driver, they are considered to be a great improvement over earlier types, with some definite limitations,... and they do bother oncoming drivers- if they don't bother you yet, it increases with age. Sometimes it is the HID light, and sometimes it is the momentary blindness that occurs after the oncoming HID light passes.

this link offers some advice on driving with and dealing with HIDs:
http://www.aaafoundation.org/pdf/HeadlightGlareBrochure.pdf Although, this appears to be directed to the driver who drives 145mph and keeps the RPMS up to around 7200

 

[SummerinSoCal]

I love sunroofs but don't like navigation so I couldn't justify the price of sunroof/nav package. I was also wrongly told, that KESSY wasn't available on the manual. I ordered our 2012 before the pricing and options were published. (glad I didn't take delivery of it- although when it did finally come in VW was offering 0% financing not excluding TDIs!) This time around I decided I would regret not having a sunroof, and I did like the idea of the Xenon lights, while my husband would appreciate the Dynaudio sound so for those things I felt it was worth it. If I had known KESSY was included I would've never considered not getting the tech. So yes! Definitely worth it. The sound system does not compare to the Bose in our other cars, I can't compare it to the base model. And surprising I like the nav. More than I thought I would. Our other cars completely disable the system if the car is not completely still. I still personally would not pay for navigation, phone works just fine.

 

[tdi90hp]

So the proper procedure for driving at night involves not looking through the windshield?

funny....he thinks you are obtuse...I think you are right on. I despise these xenons at night (looking at them) too bright....bimmers are the WORST........I drive on many dark highways and I find the standard lights amazing.....and we cant get em in canada anyways.....you would think they would be a big seller here but they are overatted....and have FUN when you burn one out.....($$$$$$$$)....vs replacing a bulb.....

 

[tedbe]

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.

Maybe it's a German car thing. I remember stopping at a Mercedes dealer and the sales people were all dressed in suits, and seemed to ignore the people who were not attired to their level. Then there are the sales people who want you to "prove" to them you're "serious" about buying a car?? I could never figure that out...if I come in the store and I'm looking at the merchandise, this means I am interested in buying, no? Sometimes I think some sales people are either lazy or dumb.

 

[Jettawolfs98]

We are in the market for another car for my wife but she didnt like the golf and its unfortunate that VW keep making wrong decisions not offering a Tech PCkg on the JSW and most problaby the new beetle wont have HID's.
For some people like me more light on the road is a plus and VW should offer HID's on all the models.
Congrats to all the golf owners with the Tech Package.

 

[sgoldste01]

I agree with you, and like the HIDs on my Golf. But a lack of HIDs wouldn't stop me from buying a car that I otherwise like. I only bought the HIDs because they were on the car, which I purchased while it was on the boat about to land in the USA (in early 2010, Golf TDIs were pretty scarce, so I bought this car before someone else stole it away from me). I would have bought the car without the HIDs, too.

Same with the sunroof. I would have taken the car without that option, too. But now I have it, and I like it.

 

[NorCalRider]

I find it funny how some of you are fighting about HID lights. The next gen in lighting on cars is going to be alot brighter then the current HID's. Bmw has a new headlight system coming that uses lasers to produce the front lights and a few car and motorcycle companys are going to full LED only headlights. The lumens created from these new light systems are quite a bit higher then the current HID setups out now. Here are a few links showing the new lighting tech.
BMW Laser headlights
http://content.usatoday.com/communi...sts-laser-headlights----1000-times-brighter/1

http://wot.motortrend.com/bmw-shows...lights-and-dynamic-lightspot-work-126103.html

Audi Led headlights

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2010-audi-r8-led-headlights

This is just some food for thought for you that think HID's are to bright and where the future in headlight tech is going.

 

[letsgobobby]

Thank you, this was a helpful post. I don't want navi or KESSY and could give or take the roof. I'd like the xenons and the upgraded audio but I'd just as soon pick the audio components myself and if I can do after-market xenons it sounds like I can save $4000 and buy without the package. Then I can use that money to get what I really want: leather and audio.

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