Golf Mk8 R 20th Anniversary?

[mpv]

It’s evident that since markets like ours here were closed to new Golf orders for three to four months, and dealers refunded deposits, I have seen deliveries in the UK seemingly starting to flow again, which I think is good, as you folks sound like you have been waiting much much longer than Australian buyers.  Hopefully once your orders are under control our market will reopen for ordering.

[MBlackhurst]

If anyone is interested in a brand new Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition - I have just been contacted by VW St Albans, as I previously showed interest, as they have a Lapiz Blue version going for list price and available immediately.

 

Just thought id share

[UssMark]

Quick question for everyone.  Just happened to me a little bit ago today, I am on this Dealership's waitlist for an MK8R and my Salesman reached out saying they have a 20th Anniversary MK8R in White, with DSG arriving in May from the factory.  The others in that same waitlist are wanting a Black or Blue 20th Anniversary, not White.

 

What are some people's thoughts on the opportunity I have before me?  Is it worth the extra bit of money for the Anniversary edition ?  I know it is down to my thoughts on it ultimately, but just looking for some feedback is all.  Of course the 20th Anniversary is a tad more money than the base R, for the sunroof delete, black rims, blue mirrors, 20th badging bits, no power bump for the US folks, and the dealer has a standard $3k markup on their MK8R's regardless of it being a 20th Anniversary or not.  I am on their waitlist for a base R in White or Lapiz Blue, and DSG.

 

It's a dealership that is about 800 miles / 12 hr drive from me as all my local dealerships their waitlist is off the hook or they are raffling them off to folks for the opportunity to own one or taking them to an auction style of bidding.  I have to let him know by this coming Monday before the dealership puts it up on their website for the public to call on.

[AHG]

For completeness of the compaeison, you are state-side (US based) so makes sense to mention that the US “base” spec comes with PP, HK, DCC, and leather seats.

 

So in comparison

the 20th has no sunroof

has 20R badges and puddle lights,

carbon trim on inside,

and different wheels/mirror caps.

 

Any other differences ?

Personally I hate sunroofs, but many like them.

What is the price bump they’re asking for it ?

[UssMark]

Hello AHG, 

 

Yes, I should have stated that the MK8R's in the U.S. come fully loaded with the items you mentioned.

 

So, basically, the price bump between a MK8R and an R20 is less than $1k.  But the dealership has a standard $3k markup on all MK8R's, whether it's just an R or for the R20 model.

 

With what you mentioned, I don't believe there are other differences between the R and R20 models:

 

the 20th has no sunroof

has 20R badges and puddle lights,

carbon trim on inside,

and different wheels/mirror caps.

 

Due to be delivered to the dealership in May 2023 and I have until Monday to reserve it.  I mean, the price difference isn't hugely different.  But already trying to deal with a $3k markup with the minimal price increase for the R20 model, just looking for thoughts on if to wait for a normal R, which could end up being an MK8.5 R to come sometime in 2024 with the normal wait list time, or jump into this R20 model now.

 

Are there benefits to getting a US Based R20 model over a "normal" fully loaded R in people's thoughts?

[mpv]

5 hours ago, UssMark said:

Quick question for everyone.  Just happened to me a little bit ago today, I am on this Dealership's waitlist for an MK8R and my Salesman reached out saying they have a 20th Anniversary MK8R in White, with DSG arriving in May from the factory.  The others in that same waitlist are wanting a Black or Blue 20th Anniversary, not White.

 

What are some people's thoughts on the opportunity I have before me?  Is it worth the extra bit of money for the Anniversary edition ?  I know it is down to my thoughts on it ultimately, but just looking for some feedback is all.  Of course the 20th Anniversary is a tad more money than the base R, for the sunroof delete, black rims, blue mirrors, 20th badging bits, no power bump for the US folks, and the dealer has a standard $3k markup on their MK8R's regardless of it being a 20th Anniversary or not.  I am on their waitlist for a base R in White or Lapiz Blue, and DSG.

 

It's a dealership that is about 800 miles / 12 hr drive from me as all my local dealerships their waitlist is off the hook or they are raffling them off to folks for the opportunity to own one or taking them to an auction style of bidding.  I have to let him know by this coming Monday before the dealership puts it up on their website for the public to call on.

Hi @UssMark I say an emphatic yes, for the extra power and continuous turbo spooling alone. Does it have the akrapovic exhaust?  

[UssMark]

Hello @mpv, I should have clarified in my original post that I am U.S. based so it would be U.S. spec'd, meaning we do not get the extra performance HP gain.

 

The U.S. based R20 gets the sunroof delete, black painted wheels, blue R exterior badging and puddle lights, and carbon fiber interior bits and U.S. spec'd R20 models just get the stock R exhaust.

[AHG]

3 hours ago, UssMark said:

 

So, basically, the price bump between a MK8R and an R20 is less than $1k. 

Not a big bump then

I’d go for it if it doesn’t delay delivery

[UssMark]

Hello @AHG, I was just notified by my salesman where I am part of a waitlist that a White, R20, DSG could be mine if I let him know by Monday.  This dealership has a base $3k markup on all R's they sell there.

 

The dilemma for me is that I am also on another waitlist at a dealership that sells the MK8R's they get at MSRP.  I am #6 on that waitlist and I  would guess that I would be in line to get a 2024 MY MK8R and not an R20 considering there are 5 other people ahead of me on the waitlist.  The plus with this dealership is that they sell their R's at MSRP.

 

Pay $3k markup and change more for an R20, or wait until my opportunity comes at the other dealership for an R but it would be at MSRP.  This is a difficult decision for me, as the R20 would be just one model year, and limited to about 1800 units in the U.S.

[AHG]

If you can afford it, you may be able to do both.

 

The #6 at MSRP is a bird on the tree and you don’t know how far,

while the 20R is here right now, so availability has value (and price).

 

If you can get the 20R now, drive it for a year and sell it next year for the same price of the 2024 R at MSRP, that would be awesome.
If not, you probably can cancel the MSRP one, or sell it as new (maybe even with a small markup of your own).

Also, if you have many drivers in your household, you may keep both.

All a question of if you have what to do with 2 cars and the finance to keep it.

 

But as things go with these cars, waiting may be a long game.

My factory ordered one took 15 months from order to delivery.

[UssMark]

@AHG That is a good point in that I would not know how long the wait will be at the dealership that sells them at MSRP.  And I could have an R20 at $3k markup, with a delivery date in May 2023.  

 

I do have to clarify that with me being on the two waitlists, I only deposited $500 to each dealership to be on the waitlist, and they are not "ordered" R's.  I am just simply waiting for one to be allocated to their dealership when my turn comes up to purchase one.  So, I can cancel my deposit, at either dealership, and get my $500 refunded back to me at any time.

 

I do like your point of possibly taking the R20 now, drive it for a year or more until one comes in at the dealership that sells them at MSRP, and if it is an MK8.5R that has changes to it that enhance the experience for the better, try and sell the R20 or possibly work out a trade in value for the 2024 MY at that MSRP.  Hmm, that is interesting to think about.

[Booth11]

1 hour ago, UssMark said:

@AHG That is a good point in that I would not know how long the wait will be at the dealership that sells them at MSRP.  And I could have an R20 at $3k markup, with a delivery date in May 2023.  

 

I do have to clarify that with me being on the two waitlists, I only deposited $500 to each dealership to be on the waitlist, and they are not "ordered" R's.  I am just simply waiting for one to be allocated to their dealership when my turn comes up to purchase one.  So, I can cancel my deposit, at either dealership, and get my $500 refunded back to me at any time.

 

I do like your point of possibly taking the R20 now, drive it for a year or more until one comes in at the dealership that sells them at MSRP, and if it is an MK8.5R that has changes to it that enhance the experience for the better, try and sell the R20 or possibly work out a trade in value for the 2024 MY at that MSRP.  Hmm, that is interesting to think about.

@AHG’s suggestion is a great one.  
 

With the R20 being a limited edition anniversary model you’ll likely not lose out if you get it, keep it a while then sell it on.  

 

And that way when a non anniversary R becomes available for purchase you’ll have a good idea of which way you want to go, keep the R20 or sell it and take the standard R and if it’s an 8.5 with some improvements then that might tip the balance?  Or take it and sell one of them on. 

With the refundable deposit for each, you won’t lose out either if you decide to cancel one if you have a change of heart. 
 

If you were only choosing one of the two, do you have a feel for which way to go?  Is a sunroof important to you?  

[UssMark]

Hello @Booth11, that was a perfect recap of my situation and how I interpreted what AHG mentioned.

 

I have had several GTi's in the past, and all of them have had sunroofs, but, I honestly rarely used them.  So I would have to say a sunroof is not that important to me in my decision to own an MK8R model.

 

Knowing how the market is and the current lack of supply of Golf R's, and how some dealerships are marking up any MK8R model more than $3k, do both you and AHG concur that this would be a good opportunity to jump on this R20 that has been presented to me?

[Booth11]

25 minutes ago, UssMark said:

Hello @Booth11, that was a perfect recap of my situation and how I interpreted what AHG mentioned.

 

I have had several GTi's in the past, and all of them have had sunroofs, but, I honestly rarely used them.  So I would have to say a sunroof is not that important to me in my decision to own an MK8R model.

 

Knowing how the market is and the current lack of supply of Golf R's, and how some dealerships are marking up any MK8R model more than $3k, do both you and AHG concur that this would be a good opportunity to jump on this R20 that has been presented to me?

I’m not a fan of a sunroof myself and prefer an enclosed cabin, but I know others love them.  Very personal option.  It doesn’t sound like a lack of sunroof would be a big deal for you if you’ve not used them in the past.  

 

I think it’s an opportunity worth taking up for sure.  

[UssMark]

@Booth11 much appreciated for your feedback and opinion. And for the others that provided thoughts as well, thank you very much. I respect all of your opinions since you all have an MK8R for quite some time now. This is a dream car of mine, an attainable one, and after having owned several GTi's but no R's in the past, the time to get into a MK8R has a small-ish window before things get electronified across the vehicle lineup. And an even smaller window for a potential R20 anniversary model being a 1 year, 1800 units or so allotment for the U.S. I will keep you all updated on how things go and which direction I ultimately took.