Discussion
Hi there,
As per the title I am considering getting shot of the boring A3 150 TDI we have and getting a Golf GTI isntead, probably a MK6 looking at my budget.
Is there anything I should be particularly looking out for other than the usual stuff, I have seen timing chain tensioners mentioned elsewhere?
Also what is the general consensus on the MK6's or am I best waiting and saving up a bit more for a MK7? Cheers any input greatly appreciated
As per the title I am considering getting shot of the boring A3 150 TDI we have and getting a Golf GTI isntead, probably a MK6 looking at my budget.
Is there anything I should be particularly looking out for other than the usual stuff, I have seen timing chain tensioners mentioned elsewhere?
Also what is the general consensus on the MK6's or am I best waiting and saving up a bit more for a MK7? Cheers any input greatly appreciated
I have a 2011 Mk6 for the past 18 months and I’m delighted with it. It does most things reasonably well and nothing particularly bad.
Timing chain tensioners are indeed the main issue with the Mk6. This issue appears to be most prevalent on 09 and 10 models, I don’t think I could find an example of a 11 or 12 with the problem when I was doing research before buying mine. It’s probably similar to IMS bearings in 996s in that you can frighten yourself by reading everything online about the issue which has a very low likelihood of occurring.
Mine did develop a somewhat common issue seen in several other Mk6s – a howling release bearing. This was thankfully replaced under warranty as it’s a known defective part, I used it as an opportunity to change the rest of the clutch which saved me a bunch.
Other than that she’s been mechanically sound. I average about 30mpg doing all city driving, you’ll easily see 40 on the motorway at 120kph. I went for a manual over a DSG, I prefer the engagement of a manual but that being said the DSG is a very sweet gearbox. The throw is a little long but my one and only modification will be to install a short shifter. I have the 17in Denver wheels, while the 18s look very nice I found the ride much harsher than the 17s and they’re diamond cut which is an issue for me as there’s no one on my side of the country that can refurb them if needs be. Servicing costs are reasonable too, it has standard VAG parts so it’s a breeze to service for any decent indy.
The Mk7 isn’t a radically different car, it’s just more refined. The basic spec level in the 7 is much better than the 6. It comes with the new MQB engine which has only 10 more bhp than the 6 but it’s very tuneable if you’re into that sort of thing and it also has the option of adaptive dampers which are a nice addition.
Test drive as many as you can, there seems to be a lot less 6s than 7s on the road, probably a product of the recession the 6 was launched into. If your budget can stretch to it I’d say go for a 7, but a 6 is still a fine car if you can find a sorted one.
Timing chain tensioners are indeed the main issue with the Mk6. This issue appears to be most prevalent on 09 and 10 models, I don’t think I could find an example of a 11 or 12 with the problem when I was doing research before buying mine. It’s probably similar to IMS bearings in 996s in that you can frighten yourself by reading everything online about the issue which has a very low likelihood of occurring.
Mine did develop a somewhat common issue seen in several other Mk6s – a howling release bearing. This was thankfully replaced under warranty as it’s a known defective part, I used it as an opportunity to change the rest of the clutch which saved me a bunch.
Other than that she’s been mechanically sound. I average about 30mpg doing all city driving, you’ll easily see 40 on the motorway at 120kph. I went for a manual over a DSG, I prefer the engagement of a manual but that being said the DSG is a very sweet gearbox. The throw is a little long but my one and only modification will be to install a short shifter. I have the 17in Denver wheels, while the 18s look very nice I found the ride much harsher than the 17s and they’re diamond cut which is an issue for me as there’s no one on my side of the country that can refurb them if needs be. Servicing costs are reasonable too, it has standard VAG parts so it’s a breeze to service for any decent indy.
The Mk7 isn’t a radically different car, it’s just more refined. The basic spec level in the 7 is much better than the 6. It comes with the new MQB engine which has only 10 more bhp than the 6 but it’s very tuneable if you’re into that sort of thing and it also has the option of adaptive dampers which are a nice addition.
Test drive as many as you can, there seems to be a lot less 6s than 7s on the road, probably a product of the recession the 6 was launched into. If your budget can stretch to it I’d say go for a 7, but a 6 is still a fine car if you can find a sorted one.
I've owned a mk6 Golf GTi DSG for 3 years now, bought it three years old. I did almost change it last year for the mk7 Clubsport but decided to keep it and i've bought an M2 instead of a Clubsport. I sold an Audi S3 to get the M2 and the Golf is a keeper for now.
My GTi has been modified a fair bit but I wanted to individualise the car and it's now running about 280 bhp but the changes are subtle, VWR cold air intake system, VWR lowering springs, VWR rear anti roll bar (which has almost eliminated the understeer these suffer), full Miltek turbo back exhaust with sports cat and 19" VMR 710 rims and GFB DV+ diverter valve. They are a good car and I enjoy mine as it's now got enough power for a bit of fun.
The mk7 is a better car but they are more money, however, they are very tuneable and can easily see over 300 bhp with a simple APR or Revo stage 1 remap.
As also has been said test drive both and drive both manual and DSG and then make your choice.
If I was looking to buy a Golf GTi now I'd probably get the mk7 and have it remapped as above and you have one very quick car. When I was looking 3 years ago now the mk7's were too expensive, however, they are now around £15K - £16K for a good one. At the time I had £15K to spend and I bought what you see below, albeit in standard guise.
Gratuitous picture of mine:
My GTi has been modified a fair bit but I wanted to individualise the car and it's now running about 280 bhp but the changes are subtle, VWR cold air intake system, VWR lowering springs, VWR rear anti roll bar (which has almost eliminated the understeer these suffer), full Miltek turbo back exhaust with sports cat and 19" VMR 710 rims and GFB DV+ diverter valve. They are a good car and I enjoy mine as it's now got enough power for a bit of fun.
The mk7 is a better car but they are more money, however, they are very tuneable and can easily see over 300 bhp with a simple APR or Revo stage 1 remap.
As also has been said test drive both and drive both manual and DSG and then make your choice.
If I was looking to buy a Golf GTi now I'd probably get the mk7 and have it remapped as above and you have one very quick car. When I was looking 3 years ago now the mk7's were too expensive, however, they are now around £15K - £16K for a good one. At the time I had £15K to spend and I bought what you see below, albeit in standard guise.
Gratuitous picture of mine:
Edited by Andy OH on Friday 3rd March 17:09
Last time I looked there was quite a big step up in price between the MK5 and MK6 GTI even though they are very similar cars, but the price jump up to a MK7 is smaller even though it moves the game on quite a lot more. I would go for one of those if you can stretch. Sounds like you've already got an MQB chassis car as you mentioned TDI 150, so I think going back to the previous platform would feel like a downgrade in some ways.
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