Discussion
Afternoon all,
Following a GG thread, I'm going to get on the hunt for a Mk5 Golf GTI as my daily, so thought I'd check in here is speak to any current / former owners.
£10k seems to be a fair budget for what I'm after.
What I've leant so far:
Look out for squeaky cambelt pulleys and the odd leaky water pump.
Other one to watch for is the ABS modulator which has been known to fail early. Both issues are easy to diagnose (do a cold start for the belt/water pump and check the Stability Control light goes off when ignition is turned on for the modulator), but both can be expensive. Full cambelt change is circa £400 and new modulator is about £1,100.
What may sound like a wheel bearing is often uneven wear on the rear tyres caused by the suspension geometry.
Run it on super-unleaded. It'll run on 95, but badly.
Car I am looking for is:
standard power, so no re-maps
Manual 'box
17" wheels
Tartan cloth with heated seats
Not too fussed about colour, but I do like the deep blue.
So, let's chew the fat
Following a GG thread, I'm going to get on the hunt for a Mk5 Golf GTI as my daily, so thought I'd check in here is speak to any current / former owners.
£10k seems to be a fair budget for what I'm after.
What I've leant so far:
Look out for squeaky cambelt pulleys and the odd leaky water pump.
Other one to watch for is the ABS modulator which has been known to fail early. Both issues are easy to diagnose (do a cold start for the belt/water pump and check the Stability Control light goes off when ignition is turned on for the modulator), but both can be expensive. Full cambelt change is circa £400 and new modulator is about £1,100.
What may sound like a wheel bearing is often uneven wear on the rear tyres caused by the suspension geometry.
Run it on super-unleaded. It'll run on 95, but badly.
Car I am looking for is:
standard power, so no re-maps
Manual 'box
17" wheels
Tartan cloth with heated seats
Not too fussed about colour, but I do like the deep blue.
So, let's chew the fat
I bought mine about 5 months ago.
AFAIK the ABS module is different on the GTI version. There is a cheaper fix for it now by VW.
The road noise can be bad if the tyres are worn, it was on mine. Two new rears have sorted it.
Cambelt is £350 I think at VW, if the car is over 3 years old, which it will be.
17" are standard, 18" look better imo, but can suffer if kerbed due to the lacquer used. Tyres will be cheaper though on 17s.
Mine has heated Tartan, and works well. Xenons were a must, and I also wanted a multi function SW. Both options aren't common, especially together.
Economy is reasonable hovering around mid 30s.
Look for 10K/yearly oil changes as well.
AFAIK the ABS module is different on the GTI version. There is a cheaper fix for it now by VW.
The road noise can be bad if the tyres are worn, it was on mine. Two new rears have sorted it.
Cambelt is £350 I think at VW, if the car is over 3 years old, which it will be.
17" are standard, 18" look better imo, but can suffer if kerbed due to the lacquer used. Tyres will be cheaper though on 17s.
Mine has heated Tartan, and works well. Xenons were a must, and I also wanted a multi function SW. Both options aren't common, especially together.
Economy is reasonable hovering around mid 30s.
Look for 10K/yearly oil changes as well.
We have a 5 door in a close spec to what you're looking for. The 18 inch wheels look nice, but its not like the 17s are ugly. Heated seats are nice, especially when it was -14c commuting in the SE last winter! We have xenons and they are the key option to watch out for IMO - beware aftermarket conversions, xeonos will not have a headlamp adjuster on the dash as they self level.
They look lovely in blue, but it is a rare colour. Tornado red is nice too. Black is a great colour, but after owning a black Audi TT I'm done with washing it every time I drive it!
They look lovely in blue, but it is a rare colour. Tornado red is nice too. Black is a great colour, but after owning a black Audi TT I'm done with washing it every time I drive it!
Saw one in white yesterday. Very good looking thing. I would say get the 18s though as you're I'm the minority and it'll make it harder to sell on. As for the other options get the xenons for sure and the touch screen/satnav - it'll help you to ignore the rattles. I'd also consider the parking sensors a surprising bonus too. I love mine
I'm on the look out for a similar spec and price GTI too - taking my time though, there's a lot of overpriced rubbish around locally to me! Shadow Blue is my top choice colour, but unfortunately it is one of the rarest - I'll probably end up with black. I also think the 17" wheels are better.
Edited by Hub on Sunday 8th January 22:18
Matt UK said:
Afternoon all,
Following a GG thread, I'm going to get on the hunt for a Mk5 Golf GTI as my daily, so thought I'd check in here is speak to any current / former owners.
£10k seems to be a fair budget for what I'm after.
So, let's chew the fat
RightFollowing a GG thread, I'm going to get on the hunt for a Mk5 Golf GTI as my daily, so thought I'd check in here is speak to any current / former owners.
£10k seems to be a fair budget for what I'm after.
So, let's chew the fat
- ABS unit failure, good will payment possible within age/mileage limits and must have full VW history
- Air con compressor failure, good will payment possible within age/mileage limits and must have full VW history
- Proper wheel alignment is recommended (Hunter machine), I've not had any problems (Bridgestone & Goodyear)
- Definately 98 RON
- Places like Montys wheels will swap wheels, I swapped 18"s for 17" (I know it ruins the looks, but 17"s are more practical)
- Definately cloth
- If you want Xenon's, get a car with factory fitted lights
- Head units can be upgraded using units from the MK6 but watch out for battery drain because of an incompatible CCM unit (this will also need upgrading)
- I find VW service prices OK http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/servicing/fixed... but you'll need to find a good dealer...
- Make sure its had the free coil pack recall
- Here is a list of common technical problems and various fixes http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3366758 , there is plenty of good advice in specialist forums.
Edited by the-photographer on Monday 9th January 10:40
Edited by the-photographer on Monday 9th January 11:14
The look great in blue (below)
Check out the list of common faults above, we have had a few of them now. When its working it is a brilliant car, but I would prefer a bit less servo on the brakes. The thing seems like a tardis inside and it still amazes me what we can get in it.
At 6ft 4 I am happy to sit in the back (if I must) as there is loads of space inside.
Check out the list of common faults above, we have had a few of them now. When its working it is a brilliant car, but I would prefer a bit less servo on the brakes. The thing seems like a tardis inside and it still amazes me what we can get in it.
At 6ft 4 I am happy to sit in the back (if I must) as there is loads of space inside.
supersport said:
The look great in blue (below)
Check out the list of common faults above, we have had a few of them now. When its working it is a brilliant car, but I would prefer a bit less servo on the brakes. The thing seems like a tardis inside and it still amazes me what we can get in it.
At 6ft 4 I am happy to sit in the back (if I must) as there is loads of space inside.
Have to agree with you. Check out the list of common faults above, we have had a few of them now. When its working it is a brilliant car, but I would prefer a bit less servo on the brakes. The thing seems like a tardis inside and it still amazes me what we can get in it.
At 6ft 4 I am happy to sit in the back (if I must) as there is loads of space inside.
There is more room in the cabin of my MK5 Golf GTi than our B7 A4 Avant - front and rear legroom. Obviously, the boot is bigger in the Audi.
Edited by Bitzer on Tuesday 10th January 13:36
Great comments - thanks all.
There seems to be a fair bit of tat around. Seen two cars in the past few days and both looked good in the photos but history and up-close inspection showed they were unloved specimens.
Got to keep scanning the classifieds for that enthusiast-owned local car in the right 5 door spec...
There seems to be a fair bit of tat around. Seen two cars in the past few days and both looked good in the photos but history and up-close inspection showed they were unloved specimens.
Got to keep scanning the classifieds for that enthusiast-owned local car in the right 5 door spec...
Matt UK said:
Great comments - thanks all.
There seems to be a fair bit of tat around. Seen two cars in the past few days and both looked good in the photos but history and up-close inspection showed they were unloved specimens.
Got to keep scanning the classifieds for that enthusiast-owned local car in the right 5 door spec...
Have you looked in the specialist forums?There seems to be a fair bit of tat around. Seen two cars in the past few days and both looked good in the photos but history and up-close inspection showed they were unloved specimens.
Got to keep scanning the classifieds for that enthusiast-owned local car in the right 5 door spec...
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/board,...
We have one too. Me and the mrs run it as a daily driver.
IMHO, it's a really great car for that sort of money. I've two kids, so we needed a 5dr and wipe down leather, which with the heated fronts is a very nice place to be for a car like these.
My mrs isn't confident driving a manual, so we have the DSG option. I must admit I was very sceptical at first as I've always had manuals, but as long as you have the strg wheel paddle option (not all DSG hits have the paddles - it was a £200 option IIRC) it's actually very very good, and maybe even superior to the manual golfs I've driven and runs smoothly in normal auto mode if that floats your boat.
The sat nave system I have on mine (jan 06 car) is complete s
te as doesn't take post codes / isn't touch screen) and I think is a waste of a fair amount of cash. Although as previous poster mentioned, it makes the dash look better I think.
The 6disc player in the arm rest is decent, but it robs valuable stowing space which is lacking with quite a small glovebox
I think the car looks better on the 18's, but they're quite easy to curb and mine have taken a few little dings without the laquer 'white worming' which it's prone to do. Since driving a 17" wheeled car since though, it felt to me like the car rode better on them and the handling was nicer. IMHO they look a bit small for the car though as the golf is a big ca dimensionally
I went for black with black as there were more available and I hope it'll make it a bit easier to sell, but the Dk blue's a lovely colour.
If you go for a DSG car, make sure the oil has or will be changed at 40k miles as it needs it. It costs about £170 from Amy VAG dealer. Also, the mechatronics unit on the box is prone to fail and this can be a £1500 bill. Most are ok, but be careful. The way to tell is to look for judder when pulling away and clonky changes. Sometimes a DSG reset will sort it at a fraction of the cost
Overall a great car, and mines now on 47k but still feels and looks like a new car. They're very well screwed together.
Only faults I've had is rr windows kept blowing a fuse and recently a rr brake light's gone. Repair bills so far - £8 ! Result !
Worth mentioning though is that you won't get much better than 25mpg around town on 97ron and 30on a motorway run
IMHO, it's a really great car for that sort of money. I've two kids, so we needed a 5dr and wipe down leather, which with the heated fronts is a very nice place to be for a car like these.
My mrs isn't confident driving a manual, so we have the DSG option. I must admit I was very sceptical at first as I've always had manuals, but as long as you have the strg wheel paddle option (not all DSG hits have the paddles - it was a £200 option IIRC) it's actually very very good, and maybe even superior to the manual golfs I've driven and runs smoothly in normal auto mode if that floats your boat.
The sat nave system I have on mine (jan 06 car) is complete s
te as doesn't take post codes / isn't touch screen) and I think is a waste of a fair amount of cash. Although as previous poster mentioned, it makes the dash look better I think.The 6disc player in the arm rest is decent, but it robs valuable stowing space which is lacking with quite a small glovebox
I think the car looks better on the 18's, but they're quite easy to curb and mine have taken a few little dings without the laquer 'white worming' which it's prone to do. Since driving a 17" wheeled car since though, it felt to me like the car rode better on them and the handling was nicer. IMHO they look a bit small for the car though as the golf is a big ca dimensionally
I went for black with black as there were more available and I hope it'll make it a bit easier to sell, but the Dk blue's a lovely colour.
If you go for a DSG car, make sure the oil has or will be changed at 40k miles as it needs it. It costs about £170 from Amy VAG dealer. Also, the mechatronics unit on the box is prone to fail and this can be a £1500 bill. Most are ok, but be careful. The way to tell is to look for judder when pulling away and clonky changes. Sometimes a DSG reset will sort it at a fraction of the cost
Overall a great car, and mines now on 47k but still feels and looks like a new car. They're very well screwed together.
Only faults I've had is rr windows kept blowing a fuse and recently a rr brake light's gone. Repair bills so far - £8 ! Result !
Worth mentioning though is that you won't get much better than 25mpg around town on 97ron and 30on a motorway run
Edited by graeme4130 on Wednesday 11th January 11:34
graeme4130 said:
Worth mentioning though is that you won't get much better than 25mpg around town on 97ron and 30on a motorway run
If you're in constant traffic then as low as 25mpg is possible, but you'd have to live in the centre of a big city or just do 2 mile school runs to get that (I get 27-28mpg mincing around High Wycombe on 2-3 mile trips up and down hills - this is where my Panda comes in handy - 40mpg on the same roads!). On the open road you can easily hit 35mpg in the Golf, 40mpg mincing along at 65-70mph (say in heavy traffic). My personal best is 45.1mpg (from cold, 30 miles commute) - I was early for work and the traffic was light. Low 30s if you're on a country road thrash. If you can't hit these then look at your driving style or your engine!Edited by graeme4130 on Wednesday 11th January 11:34
Only ever had 40+ once and that was because it was a down hill run home out of the Yorkshire Dales and hit 50 briefly.
For us 39 can be seen if you are very good at around 50 mph and constant speed. Generally we get around 26 in town, down to 18 when sat in non moving traffic and 33-35 on the motorway at between 70 and 80.
For us 39 can be seen if you are very good at around 50 mph and constant speed. Generally we get around 26 in town, down to 18 when sat in non moving traffic and 33-35 on the motorway at between 70 and 80.
Some examples below after a 30 mile commute to/from work through Wycombe/A404 traffic/M4 to West of Reading. This was on all-season tyres and running Shell VPower. Current long term average is 34.1, but the car has been driven a bit harder lately, no commuting any more
Yes, pretty anal to take photos, but I was working on a pretty boring contract at the time...
Yes, pretty anal to take photos, but I was working on a pretty boring contract at the time...
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