My Mk5 Golf GTI

[Allyc85]

So after years of loyal service my 2.0 Focus was just getting too expensive to keep on repairing and I decided I needed something with a bit more power! It wasn't really a surprise that it was having a few issues as it did many a road trip, and long journeys to rallys etc..


Me driving the Stelvio Pass 3 by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr


My Focus on the Evo Triangle by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr

After a very long and frustrating search, I finally found a replacment and got the MNk5 Golf GTI that I had wanted for so long! It needs a couple of small things done to tidy it up (I somehow missed a huge stonechip in the screen!), but it is brilliant to drive and more than fast enough while returning very sensible MPG. I would recomend one to anybody


Golf GTI on the A4069 by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr


Golf GTI Eyes Up the B4560 by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr


Golf GTI on Gospel Pass by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr

[Allyc85]

Well I like it any way

[thestig84]

I like it. Very nice all-rounder. Superb 4th picture, where is that taken?

[r1ch]

lol! I like it too, good pictures. I'm in a similar boat with my 2.0 Focus and had considered a mk5 Golf. But then again I change my mind most days and procrastinate for way too long...

[Elli5]

Looks great, cracking pictures! I'm considering one myself as it seems to do many things so very well. What mileage is yours at and, if you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for it?

[aka_kerrly]

^ what he said.

Looks good and you've been lucky to be able to cover some great roads in it already!

[wolfy1988]

thestig84 said:

I like it. Very nice all-rounder. Superb 4th picture, where is that taken?

Looks like the B4560 to me

[thatguy11]

Nice, a Mk5 GTI should be on every PHer's ownership list! it's definitely on my radar for my next car

[bakerstreet]

I like them. I actually think the Mk5 looks better than the current GTI

WHat interior did you get? I like the cloth interiors

[chrisb92]

hey. I was looking at this car, but the MPG put me off, as i have a 60 mile daily commute each dayy, and am now looking towards the mk6 GTD. What are you getting out of a tank. I currently get mid 30s from my 1.6!!

[lewisf182]

Very nice! Often think should i have been more sensible engine wise and gone for a 2.0T instead of my 3 litre, especially as my commute is 60 mile return trip.

Must be a great all rounder and looks like your giving them the use they deserve!

[Targarama]

chrisb92 said:

hey. I was looking at this car, but the MPG put me off, as i have a 60 mile daily commute each dayy, and am now looking towards the mk6 GTD. What are you getting out of a tank. I currently get mid 30s from my 1.6!!

I ran a manual MKV and managed to eek 40mpg on a gentle commute with some traffic (Wycombe, A404, M4). Made 45mpg once, but was driving like a nun. 35mpg is easily possible, but some people seem to struggle to get much more than 30. Not sure why, if in traffic then just cruise.

[Allyc85]

Cheers guys, as said it is a great all rounder for hooning, commuting, or lugging the mountain bike around in the back!

MPG wise the best I have seen is 41, cruising up the M5 at 70mph to Wales, whilst on my 9 mile drive to work I get between 30 and 35. The worst I have seen is 20, stuck in very slow moving traffic in Exeter, with the aircon set to max! Fuel wise it is much better than the car it replaces!

bakerstreet said:

I like them. I actually think the Mk5 looks better than the current GTI

WHat interior did you get? I like the cloth interiors

I prefer the Mk5 too! The interior is cloth, I have never liked leather seats and don't see the fuss about them.

thestig84 said:

I like it. Very nice all-rounder. Superb 4th picture, where is that taken?

The 4th picture was taken here

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=crickhowell&l...

A great piece of road, often used by Autocar, Evo etc

Elli5 said:

Looks great, cracking pictures! I'm considering one myself as it seems to do many things so very well. What mileage is yours at and, if you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for it?

Mine is on 75k and I paid £5,500 after p/x. Couldnt believe they garage offered me £800 for the Focus with all its minor issues!

r1ch said:

lol! I like it too, good pictures. I'm in a similar boat with my 2.0 Focus and had considered a mk5 Golf. But then again I change my mind most days and procrastinate for way too long...

Do it! I was searching for a new car for ages until I had to pay road tax and then get the Focus through the MOT. It seems to be a bit of a blessing as I certainly don't regret getting the golf

[chrisb92]

not too bad. roughly the same as what i'm running off my 1.6 at the moment then!
probably go for the gtd as i want this next car for a number of years, while i save to move out!

I do love the mark 5 though!!

[willmagrath]

Allyc85 said:

So after years of loyal service my 2.0 Focus was just getting too expensive to keep on repairing and I decided I needed something with a bit more power! It wasn't really a surprise that it was having a few issues as it did many a road trip, and long journeys to rallys etc..


Me driving the Stelvio Pass 3 by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr


My Focus on the Evo Triangle by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr

After a very long and frustrating search, I finally found a replacment and got the MNk5 Golf GTI that I had wanted for so long! It needs a couple of small things done to tidy it up (I somehow missed a huge stonechip in the screen!), but it is brilliant to drive and more than fast enough while returning very sensible MPG. I would recomend one to anybody


Golf GTI on the A4069 by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr


Golf GTI Eyes Up the B4560 by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr


Golf GTI on Gospel Pass by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr

I need one of these, or the equivelant octavia

[Allyc85]

I nearly bought an Octavia VRS, but wimped out when I saw how much things like decent tyres were in 18 inch!! Great cars though, especially with the extra practicality of the big boot.

[Allyc85]

So I have had the car for 7 months now and so far it has had..

Cambelt, tensioners water pump etc
Both outer CV joints
Front disc and pads
Under seat air bag wires soldered
Turbo actuator solenoid
Turbo actuator rod welded
Turbo diverter valve

It needs 2 front tyres and tracking, the air flaps in behind are randomly clicking and now trying to pull onto my parking space the clutch went light and very strange..

Think I bought a..

[aka_kerrly]

Allyc85 said:

Think I bought a..

Exclude the service items like belts, tensioners and tyres and you have had a problem with a wire plus a few turbo ancillary issues.

The clutch , if by weird you mean you have any of the following:
- you push the pedal down but it doesn't feel like clutch is completely disengaged making it hard to select gears when stationary
- it's hard to select gears even whilst moving
- It feels like the pedal won't spring back into place after pressing the clutch down

It is likely to be the slave cylinder seal giving up or you may just have air in the clutch system.

I suggest you check your brake fluid level first and ensure it is above minimum and then bleed the clutch slave and go from there.

[Allyc85]

aka_kerrly said:

Exclude the service items like belts, tensioners and tyres and you have had a problem with a wire plus a few turbo ancillary issues.

The clutch , if by weird you mean you have any of the following:
- you push the pedal down but it doesn't feel like clutch is completely disengaged making it hard to select gears when stationary
- it's hard to select gears even whilst moving
- It feels like the pedal won't spring back into place after pressing the clutch down

It is likely to be the slave cylinder seal giving up or you may just have air in the clutch system.

I suggest you check your brake fluid level first and ensure it is above minimum and then bleed the clutch slave and go from there.

Interior rattles it's tits off
Air intake keeps falling off
N/s parcel shelf strap snapped
Dosn't really get any m/w signal any more.

Shall have a proper look at the clutch tomorrow, but it went really light, felt like it hadn't returned properly (But it had) and it took more effort than normal to get up the kerb into my space.

[JackReacher]

Mine had the same problem with the wiring under the passenger seat for the airbag, along with the diverter valve problem but both were easily sorted. As said, most of those are service items, and fairly normal for a car of that age. Frustrating and costly yes, but doesn't make it a lemon.