2008 Volkswagen GLI: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

40 builds left the factory as a 2008 GLI, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN. The 14 main configurations sell for $1,995–$8,338 today.

  • 14 main configurations
  • 12,548 vehicles built
  • 44 for sale right now
  • $1,995–$8,338 typical price range

Which GLI is yours?

Enter a VIN — the 17 characters on the windshield or the title — and we’ll match it to its exact factory configuration, typical price and equipment.

Works with any VIN — a different year or model takes you straight to its own page.

Pick your GLI

What actually differs

SE, SEL, Wolfsburg Edition 3VWRM71K-8 SE, SEL, Wolfsburg Edition 3VWRZ71K-8 S 3VWJM71K-8 S 3VWJZ71K-8
Typical price today $4,995 $3,950 $4,950 $4,999
For sale right now 21 7 6 5
Vehicles built 4,523 2,703 1,739 1,224
Same on every 2008 GLI
  • Engine 2.5L 5-cyl
  • Power 170 hp
  • Fuel Gasoline
  • Body Sedan
  • Doors 4-door

What people actually pay

67 price observations · updated Aug 30, 2026
SE, SEL, Wolfsburg Edition
$4,995
$1,935 $3,599 $5,262 $6,926 $8,589
Price trend

Median up $562 over the last 12 months.

2008 GLI price history →
Will it hold value?

A GLI typically keeps about 63% of its price over 5 years — a 5-year-old one runs about $3,136 today.

GLI depreciation by year →

Safety, in plain English

What 3VWBJ71K-8 means

3VW BJ71K · 8
3VW
the World Manufacturer Identifier Volkswagen registered — assembled in Mexico
BJ71K
together encode the GLI line — Sedan, 2L 4cyl — as Volkswagen filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
8
in position 10 — model year 2008
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number
26 rare configurations — mostly fleet, export or irregular VIN patterns. Fewer than 20 known vehicles each.

Already looking at a specific GLI?

Paste its VIN — we’ll open that exact car’s page: its configuration, market position and every listing we’ve tracked.

2008 Volkswagen GLI prices →