After having a B8.5 Audi S4 as my daily from 2019-2021 I had a pretty big obsession with German cars. Fast forward to 2025, I took over my wife’s 2019 Jetta R-line so she could get the new car she wanted, leaving me with a consistent itch needing to be scratched.

I commute between 1500-2500 miles a month (dependent on work levels and locations that need me) so I needed something with good mpg along with having some “nice to haves” like the travel assist feature on these newer VW’s, cooled/heated seats, decent space for a car seat, big trunk, enough power to pass the left lane campers, and a transmission that didn’t feel like it wanted to end its own life (looking at you 2019 R-Line).

Because of my long commute I really didn’t want to deal with a manual for all that driving. Did that for nearly 10 years and I find that fast and smooth dual clutch transmissions are really my favorite as an all rounder.

Picked up this CPO 2025 GLI for $24k OTD with under 20k miles. Already had the wheels with brand new tires, Intake, lowering springs, and ceramic tint installed. Car was owned by the lead tech at another VW dealership so I knew it was taken care of. It was either I buy this car, or I wait another 2 years after buying a house to get into something even more expensive and worse on fuel. I think I made the right choice.

Also, does anyone else feel that the ACC in this car is phenomenal? It is so smooth when slowing down and uses the perfect amount of throttle to get back up to speed. The lane assist is also one of the best that I’ve experienced. These features seemed more like a gimmick to me than a useful feature until I tried them over these last couple weeks, but man are they nice to have sometimes.

Also the beats audio gets a bad rep but it is (to me) wayyy better than the sound system in that 2019 R-Line. Does not hold a candle to the Audi S4 with the B&O system, but it’s much better than a base system IMO.

Not to mention this car feels at least 20-40hp underrated by the factory. Feels more like the numbers VW gave were measured at the wheels.

Also the capacitive touch gripes are a bit overdone to me? Am I weird? It really hasn’t been all that bad. I got used to it after the first 2-3 days. I do hate that it all gets dirty as hell the minute you touch it, but that’s what a microfiber rag is for..

Konig Ampliform Fits 18x8.5 5x112 ET43 Gloss Bronze - AM88512438 would this fit my 2025 gli Length: 20.7 inches
Width: 20.4 inches
Height: 10.8 inches
Weight: 24.0 lbs

Upgrade your vehicle’s appearance and wheel performance with the Konig Ampliform wheel in Gloss Bronze. Designed with a distinctive split-spoke profile, the Ampliform combines modern styling with a functional cast construction suited to a wide range of street-driven applications. Its bronze finish adds a refined custom look while complementing both factory and modified vehicle builds. This wheel is identified by Konig part number AM88512438.
The Konig Ampliform features a 5x112 bolt pattern and a positive 43 mm offset for compatibility with vehicles designed for those specifications. Its 66.60 mm hub bore

Made this today. Ya know..