The new VW Golf Match
Volkswagen is dropping the Golf SE and replacing it with the Golf Match which offers more equipment. Prices start at £17,730.
At least the Volkswagen Golf Match makes sensible use of the pun, unlike the VW Touran Match we got last summer or the Tiguan Match that turned up a couple of weeks ago. And it looks like VW are intent on wiping out the SE trim across their range and replacing it with the ‘Match Moniker’.
This is much the same deal as we had with the Tiguan Match. The SE option gets binned and VW add a chunk of extra kit, call it the Match and charge a bit more. But assuming the extra kit floats your boat then the deal is a pretty good one all round.
The 2010 VW Golf Match gets a new set of 16″ alloys, leather multi-fundtion steerring wheel, DAB, Bluetooth, parking sensors and RCD 510 touchscreen stereo with six-disc CD autochanger. All of which is in addition to the existing SE spec which includes Climate, Cruises and iPod connectivity.
The extra cost of the Golf Match over the Golf SE is £300 and VW say the extra kit would cost you £1,600 if you’d specced it on the SE. As we said, if the kit floats your boat it’s a good buy.
The order book is now open for the VW Golf Match with first customer cars hitting at the end of June. Starting price is £17,730 for the 1.4-litre TSI three-door and you can bolt on 3 years servicing for £250.
Decent car. Decent spec. Decent price.
Goofy says
Some faith restored today, dealer phoned appologised, and said they managed to get the reorder in to a cancelation slot reducing delivery, and arranged temporary hire car. Will wait and see new delivery date.
Goofy says
Hi, been following this site, just so I could be reasured that I was not the only one with a ridiculous delivery time for my Golf. Ordered a Golf 140 TDI BMT, back in September, as a company car. All excited as it was arriving today. Came off the transporter, noticed no BMT badge, then drove, and found out no stop/go tech, phoned up, appears factory put the wrong engine in it, thought ok will take a week or two to sort out, just been told they will have to reorder it as a new car, and will take around 40 weeks. Hows that for good service, looking at a total wait of around 18-19 Months. Appears that due to demand they cannot jump the queue, even though it is their fault?
RK says
Hey All
Just to let you know, I got my Golf 2.0 Match Bluemotion 19th March. I ordered beginning of September, that was a 7 month wait. It’s beautiful. But waiting so long has kind of taken that buzz away.
I did get a full tank of fuel too, he said usually they only put in £15 worth.
RK
Frank says
My provisional delivery date is now 18th July. My car doesn’t have a confirmed build date so this could still slip further. I spoke to someone at the fleet company earlier, as I’m considering changing my order, and she said the delays are because of parts shortages caused by the disaster in Japan. That’s the third different excuse I’ve had.
It was between this and a Honda CRZ when I put the order in and I’m now regretting going for the Golf. I remember thinking that the Golf was the sensible option and worth the wait, but that was when it was going to arrive in April.
I doubt there’s many other cars at this price point that take so long to arrive!
Stephanie says
I was so excited when i ordered my Mrk 6 Golf 1.6TDi Match BlueMotion at the end of February expected this month but when enquiring last week about delivery i was told that i am unlikely to receive it before August. This is really frustrating but it’s obvious that i’m definitely not the only one waiting for one! The communication between the dealership, VW and myself seem to have been really poor. I am lucky to have my current car which i am intending to trade in! Does anyone know if the situation is improving with production and delivery times?
Graeme says
Given up!
Cancelled my order today. I have been waiting since September and the car has now been dropped from the provisional schedules with no indication of a revised date. I’m not prepared to sit waiting any longer and so have made a good deal with another make of vehicle ex stock, ready and waiting.
Frank says
Hello all,
So I think I’m in a similar boat to most of you in that I’ve been waiting for a Golf 2.0tdi Match Bluemotion for an awfully long time. Mine is supplied via a company car fleet management firm and they originally advised that it would arrive on April 18th 2011 after being orderd on 28th October 2010.
The current delivery date from the automateed email from the fleet company is 30th May 2011. I have called the supplying dealer a few times and their explanation on the delay is that VW UK simply doesn’t have enough build slots at the factory. According to the person I spoke to, sales are forecast 2 years in advance, which was probably during the worst of the financial crisis, and actual demand is simply out-stripping supply based on those forecasts. He also said VW UK cannot do any deals to get more build slots as we’re the only ones that need RHD cars.
I have been tempted to change my order but non of the other cars on offer, such as Toyotas or Seats, are as good so I’m going to try to remain patient!
Kara says
Yippee! My car (2.0 TDI BMT Match) has finally been built and is on it’s way to me. Ordered 27th September. if it arrives at the end of this month it will have been 7 month wait.
Graeme says
Panic this week – my car had disappeared totally from the provisional production plan. However after a few days it was back on for Week 19. It was ordered two days after Kara’s but is going to be about three weeks later if both of our cars go according to plan. Going to be 8 MONTHS DELIVERY!
Kara says
Got my car (2.0 TDI BMT Match) last week. Finally !!!
Took 7 1/2 months. Far too long…but worth it. Drives fab.
Graeme says
Heard today my delivery has slipped a week. Been at provisional Wk 19 for some time, now it’s provisional Wk 20. Only a week but is it a sign of more problems?
Graeme says
James got his Motability vehicle very quickly (see above). What does your dealer say about delivery? Chatting this over with my dealer he said the significant factor was the smaller engine. The wait seems to be for the popular larger-sized diesels.
Now have waited 6 months and no final delivery date yet.
gem says
Does anyone know how long a wait for a Volkswagan Golf S TSI 5 Door 1.2 Ltd 7 Speed AUTO DSG would be for delivery on Motability ?
Thanks
james steenson says
Well picked up the new golf and have to say im very impressed.Ran it down to dublin for weekend 200 mls round trip and its a superbly quiet comfortable car to drive.Had to sit with the handbook for an hour to find out what all the switches do but I got there.at night those switches and dials look so good picked out in red and I believe im going to enjoy it.Love the build quality and the six speed gearbox but had to put a small sticker on the arrow on the dash that keeps telling you to change gear up or down,as well as catching your eye all the time I prefer to change when I want to.Getting into the car I
noticed the seats sit far lower than my old car (ford focus cmax) but when your in the seats they are so comfortable and I love the way the sides wrap around you.anyway thats it for now I want to post some pics but cant find anyway to do it on here If anyone knows how let me know,I can post them to an email address.
james steenson says
Well todays the day I pick up my new golf match tsi 1.4 after lunchtime.I havent been this excited since my wedding night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(mind you that was a big disappointment for both of us)soon as I can get some pics on I will.Hope your own arrives soon.
james steenson says
Shocking news people.vw dealer rang me this morning to tell me the car I had ordered (golf 1.4 tsi match)has arrived.When she called I expected her to tell me I was going to wait longer.she had thought end april/beginning may but for whatever reason its at the dealership,(edwin mays portadown n.ireland)AND im told I can get it next wednesday.I only ordered it start of february.I will post pics when I have it.good luck to all of you still waiting with baited breath………….
Graeme says
Isn’t there an expression along the lines of “the luck of the Irish!” That’s amazing James. I wonder if this isn’t all an engine issue? Most people I guess go for the diesel and I’ve heard rumours that it is in short supply. You have gone for the 1.4 which might make the difference.
Enjoy (and go on, rub it in!!!)
ps do the lottery this week!
james steenson says
Thank you graeme,mind you I think I may have used up all my luck when I showed the spec form to my wife she saw it has a reversing camera and asked why?Of course I put both feet in it by saying I asked for that specially because of womens (and my wifes in particular)notoriously bad reversing…………………Im back in the spare room.
Jon says
I’ve got a 2.0TDI Match bluemotion on order via a lease car company. When it was ordered in Mid Jan I was given a anticipated delivery date of early May, that’s just gone back to the end of September. aparently there are issues with the supply of the 2.0TDI engines which is impacting deliveries of all VW’s that use that engine.
So I’m now being told my car will be built week 35 with delivery to UK wk 39. Which takes it to 8.5 months!
So if anyone has a quoted delivery date in the next few months with that engine then you may want to double check that!
Graeme says
Jon: I think that when you were told in mid-Jan that May was the anticipated delivery date, the supplier ought to already have known that was unlikely. Just quoting the standard “3 to 4 months, depending on model, sir”
Isn’t the 2.0 litre diesel Bluemotion engine different to the standard 2.0 litre diesel? I think “mine” (not Bluemotion) is 140bhp. A while back the shortage was reversing sensors, then radios. Door handles next?
RK says
Hey all, got a phone call from VW yesterday. My car has been built, but is in Germany. Dealer said should be with us 2nd week in March. Let’s see what happens.
FYI: I ordered the Golf Match 2.0 Bluemotion, has anyone else had any luck?
Graeme says
That was an early September order wasn’t it? That’s good news for you and encouraging for the rest of us. Thanks for letting us know that they ARE building at least one rhd vehicle this year.
RK says
Hi, yep. I ordered it early September. Was supposed to get a call from VW this week when it arrived in the UK. It’s now Sunday evening, no call. Maybe the boat ran out of fuel on the way here 🙂 I just filled up my current Golf V 1.9 = £65 🙁
Graeme says
Still early days to get despondent. You might get a call tomorrow.
Dave says
Hi James, My loan car is from the dealer but they claim the cost back from VW UK. After 16 weeks from placement of order you can ask for a loan car.
james says
Thank you dave I await the 16th week eagerly,I dont suppose theres any chance they will loan me a lexus ls430???
Graeme says
The loan cars seem to come from Europcar which is (I believe) owned by VW. You qualify at 16 weeks after taking into account the Christmas shutdown (which was only a few days). This is all arranged by your dealer who sets it up with VW UK. VW insist you have a VW vehicle not an Astra or whatever although apparently they are running out of VWs due to the demand (and presumably inability to get them delivered to Europcar in the first place).
You pay a deposit to cover not returning it with a full tank.
Europcar will drop the vehicle off for you and presumably pick it up again in the unlikely event you get delivery of your new vehicle. As the hire cars have a Europcar limit of 13000 miles before they flog them off, you should get through two or three.
I have to say this is a suprising and quite generous scheme which must be costing VW an absolute fortune as I suspect currently that virtually every new VW is exceeding 16 weeks delivery. I don’t know whether dealers are “promoting” this or keeping quiet. I found out about it through this blog and emailed VW UK to ask.
Graeme says
Well Kara, a delivery date of March is great news! Hope it works out like that for you. Mine was ordered very closely to yours so just perhaps…….. Keep us informed. Hope the dealer wasn’t just saying something to keep you off his back.
James: that’s going to have a very large membership. When I spoke to the local Europcar branch about how many cars were on loan to VW owners in waiting I was told it was quite a few!
james says
hi graeme,those loan cars Im reading about would they come from the dealer I ordered my new golf from? and is there a set length of time I must be waiting before I am entitled to a loan car?as you say it must be costing vw a fortune.
Kara says
Well, it’s been a month since I lasted posted and still no sign of my golf. The dealer has emailed me today replying to my enquiry about engine production problems. He said it was just an over demand compared to delivery slots. I have asked for a courtesy car if the golf doesn’t arrive before April.
Will post again if I have more news. Anyone got their Golf diesel yet? At the end of this month it will be 6 months that I’ve been waiting…
Graeme says
THe dealership and VW UK tell me that the factory issue the definitive production plan about 4 weeks before the car is made and then it is around two weeks into the dealership (assuming the car is coming from Germany). Once that final plan is issued then “it won’t change”. Until then earlier plans are only “indicative and may well change”.
My delivery is sitting at week 19 still, with collection from the dealer in the third week of May. That will be 8 calendar months or about 35 weeks! Yours and mine were ordered at the same time give or take a few days so I wouldn’t be suprised if yours isn’t due at a similar time.
james says
Hi all seems we are all in the same boat.perhaps we should start a vw golf mkvi NON owners club……….ok its a lousey joke but hey its a sat night and im having a quiet night in with a close friend………johnny walker.
Kara says
Heard back from my VW dealer about the Golf Match I ordered at end of Sept. He said possibly delivery in March (5-6 months wait depending on which side of March). He said the price was fixed so not to worry and I could carry on driving my part-ex until then. Didn’t bother enquiring about the hire car as I’m happy to drive current Mini Cooper D which does brilliant mpg and I’m going to miss it when its gone.
Graeme says
Dave: did VW tell you about the loan car opportunity, or did you have to ask? I don’t know how much it is publicised, but it was through this website that I found out about it.
I am starting to panic slightly as I am due to drive to Italy in July and had expected my new vehicle to be well run in by then. Run in? I think I could find it is still in component form. Fortunately Europcar will let me take the loan car abroad. Not ideal but it will save an expensive holiday cancellation. When I booked the holiday (in October)it was against an expectation of “December or January” delivery. Even allowing for some delay I thought I was well on the safe side! But not 10 months! I still can’t believe it will run to that length of time… that is ridiculous. But then again….!
Dave says
Hi Graeme:My new car is throught a lease company, after looking through various web sites about delivery delays I found out about the free loan car, I mentioned this to our fleet manager and at the beginning of WK17 from order placement the free Passat arrived, my company are happy as they were paying to hire Mondeo at £25 per day, no this is free until my new VW arrives(if it ever does). I average 600-1000 miles a week, so at this rate the passat could be returned well used….I still have no build date yet.
Graeme says
My Golf Match 2 litre diesel is currently due last week in MAY! That’s 8 calendar months probably 35 weeks! For mid March and Bluemotion yours is obviously EARLY!
I’m told that delivery dates change all the time until the dealer gets a confirmed date, then it won’t change.
Someone at VW Senior Management is taking the proverbial here! Eight months for what is really a “run of the mill” family car – come on, this is silly!
I wonder what VW Dealers are telling potential customers who are thinking of placing an order?
It would be great to hear from someone who ordered a Golf in 2010 and actually has the car.
Dave says
I have the same problem with a VW Tiguan Bluemotion, ordered in 10th October 2010 and still no build date. I know someone who ordered the same at the end of October and they have a build date of Wk19 for delivey end of June.
It must be costing VW a fortune, as they have just delived me a brand new VW Passat Estate, until the tig arrives. Only issue I have is the Tig is for towing and the Passat does not have a Towbar.
RK says
Getting sad reading your posts, I ordered my Golf Match 2.0 Bluemotion early September, but, has been delayed twice. It was due December, then January, now mid-March. My dealer said it is due to parts for the DAB and parking sensors.
I was told that as the original delivery date was before the new year that I would not be affected by the VAT increase. Also as everything had been agreed including part-exchange value, I can keep driving without having any problems. Anybody got their new Bluemotion Golf yet?
Graeme says
James: I don’t know what other manufacturers are doing with their deliveries and what nowadays is typical for a Ford or Vauxhall.
I think the Golf is a great car, having had two previous ones covering 200,000 miles in total. However, is it worth waiting three months for? “Yes” for three/four months, but five or six?
Dealers were quoting 12 to 14 weeks but it seems to be turning out much longer, and that’s the rub. My car doesn’t have a firm manufacturing date yet, and I’m told that information is available about a month before I get my hands on the vehicle. So that’s March, even if I got notification today. And March would be a 5, getting on 6 month delivery schedule.
The cause could be unprecedented high demand, associated shortage of components, or a policy not to produce UK cars. It seems odd to me that VW (UK) are offering loan cars when delivery exceeds 16 weeks – that’s a very expensive gesture to customers as in reality it must be claimable by virtually every purchaser. I guess you could try making “delivery of the essence” (if that’s the right expression) so your order depends on a promised delivery schedule. I can’t see any dealer going for that because I think it’s out of their hands.
Perhaps the right thing to do is to make the decision on the basis that you won’t get it for 6 or 7 months and decide whether you can manage/are prepared to wait under those circumstances.
james says
Thanks graeme,I went back to dealers on friday for test drive,at the time I was going to order a diesel but the helpful lady sales executive showed me that on the mileage I do in a year (about 10000)it wouldnt save me in fuel at all.I had a drive in a diesel golf and it was very nice well insulated and very well put together.she then told me I could have the new golf tsi match which is far nippier (its turbo charged too)and comes with lots of extras.They had one in the showroom in red which looked stunning and after consulting with she who must be obeyed (the wife)I decided to take one.I asked for one in the same red but was told sorry cant do because with the mobility scheme the car has to have metallic paint!!Now the red metallic was very dark so we chose metallic grey which looks nice,onto the waiting time and she said hopefully 10 weeks but more likely 12.They are only allowed 3 of these golfs in their allocation.I said theres supposed to be a recession yet theres a waiting list?she told me the backlog is being caused in part by the scrappage scheme from last year.anyway I am going to wait on it,I have a ford focus cmax to use till then I only hope its worth the wait.
james says
Im getting very depressed reading these comments,I went to vw main dealer here(n.ireland)this morning to see about a golf match on motability and am going back in the morning for a test drive but reading your comments Im beginning to think I may not bother if thats the sort of waiting times.
Graeme says
BTW (hope this isn’t too depressing) I have been told that Bluemotion deliveries are even longer than “standard” Golfs. You might qualify for the MkV11 at this rate!
Graeme says
Kara: Your Match was ordered within a day of mine! I still have no news other than a “provisional” manufacturing date in May. I am told that this will improve(!) but if it doesn’t delivery would have taken 8 months from order.That is unacceptable but other than cancellation I’m not sure what can be done about it.
I understand that orders placed on the factory before the end of September will not be subject to the January VAT increase (VW will pay that) and I would not expect other price increases to be passed on. The other “good news” is that you will already have qualified for a VW loan car. Get onto your dealer and ask him to arrange it for you. Europcar will deliver a shiny new(ish) vehicle to your door at no cost other than the fuel you use. Mine arrived last week on the basis that orders undelivered after 16weeks (excluding factory shutdowns) qualify. Don’t be fobbed off on that one. It’s a VW HQ arrangement (I have an email confirming that), not an imposition on the dealer, although the dealer needs to put it in place. Go for the loan car…they owe you that much.
Kara says
Have any of you who ordered Golf Match at end of 2010 got your new cars yet?
Graeme says
I ordered a Match at the end of September with the hope of an early January delivery. I had the opportunity to self my current Golf (so the new one will be my third in succession -how sad is that!), so I am relying on using my wife’s Aygo as needed.
All I read is making me very concerned that January was optimistic particularly hearing comments that VW are building cars for Euro sales rather than stirling as the profit margin is better.
I hadn’t heard of the “load car” option after 16 weeks – how does that work?
Kara says
I ordered my New Golf Match 2.0TDI with blue motion tech on 27th September 2010. Originally told end Dec/Jan 2011 but still waiting…. haven’t heard anything other than there are delays. Luckily my old car still works and can carry on using it. Just worried about the VAT increase and depreciation on part-ex. They can’t change the price on my now I’ve already signed the deal car they?
Graeme says
Got your car yet, Kara?
Ernie Stubbs says
I ordered a Golf Match in July for October collection, then told early November. Still waiting. The dealership won’t return my calls. I’m looking forward to collecting my free loan car.
terry dee says
Always been a Ford man but thinking of a VW Golf match….16 weeks delivery….this must be a good car….or the ferry has got lost on the way over here….
Ryan says
Well, also i can capture, i paid £25950 for my golf gt 2 months ago, i only got it 1 week ago, yet i am sure the value has dropped quite a bit since it wasnt a 60 model
Choong Yee Tam says
I ordered a Golf 103TDI,DSG,park assist in June 2010 and was told delivery in November. Still waiting.
If it takes 36 hours to built a Golf ,why need to wait that long.
andy says
Hello,
Just wondered how you knew it takes 36 hours to build a Golf. Did you read that somewhere?
Michelle Morgan says
Im so annoyed, I ordered Golf match on the 30th June expecting delivery the 1st week of September. Now i have been told November. So, disappointed and the dealer just do not seem to care.
JOHN GREIVES says
I think it’s disgusting the way the Dealers have dealt with this as we should have been told upfront about this Major delivery problem or at least they could have kept Motability up to date so that the information could have been put over to its’ customers .
James S says
I ordered a Golf SE on motability in April for an August delivery.
Was a bit annoyed when the match spec was announced, however I was told my car won’t be ready until September but that it would be upgraded to the match spec.
I would ring up your motabilty specialist at your vw garage and ask about it, my dealer only found gourmet about the match spec last week.
Can’t hurt to ask.
JOHN GREIVES says
I ordered a Golf SE 1.6 DSG 5DR IN MAY FROM MOTABILITY WILL THE CAR BE UPGRADED TO MATCH SPECS ?
Geoff Coulson says
I ordered a Golf 1.6TDI SE Bluemotion DSG on 7th March for delivery 10th June. They told me a month ago delivery will be early September so expect a 6 month delay and yes I will be updated to Match.
If VW do not deliver in 16 weeks from receipt of order, their rules say you can claim a free loan car. I will get mine tomorrow.
Best of luck.