Looking at a Mark 6 Golf GTI and need some advice

Looking at a Mark 6 Golf GTI and need some advice

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MissChief

Original Poster:

7,095 posts

167 months

Friday 14th October 2016
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I've been looking for a mk.5 GTI or an Ed. 30/Pirelli for a couple of weeks now and being in Scotland means most are inevitably down south.

However, this Mk. 6 GTI, http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016... has come up for sale not too far away. Having been looking at Mk. 5's all the time I'm not sure what, if anything I should be looking for. There's plenty of service history but nothing indicating the timing belt has been done so I'd be looking for £500 off or it to be done prior to me taking it.

So, is there anything unique or particular to the 6 I need to be careful of? I pulled the dipstick while the engine was running and it started to falter so DV valve ( I think!)should be OK? If that's the right thing? Is there anything else I should be looking at or worried about? It's very clean inside, hardly any wear at all really and certainly wears it's 78k miles very well indeed. Thanks in advance.

mattknight1984

157 posts

114 months

Friday 14th October 2016
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MK6 gti has a chain, not a belt. Earlier models had issues with chain tensioners failing - google it. Being a 59 plate this should have definitely had the revised tensioner fitted, if not - don't buy unless you have proof they have replaced it before purchase.

I have a 2010 gti (white 5 door as per your ad), and made sure the tensioner was changed - was done under recall according to the service history that came with mine.

Other than that, I cannot fault it. Quick (especially when mapped) - economical on a run and quiet. Mines DSG and the pops and bangs when pressing on are addictive.

MissChief

Original Poster:

7,095 posts

167 months

Saturday 15th October 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply Matt. The whole tensioner issue worries me because the service history is basically the book, stamped with the oil services but nothing else in there at all. NO timing belt, no tensioner, just the book. It could have had a new engine for all I know!

SteBrown91

2,360 posts

128 months

Saturday 15th October 2016
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59 plate without proof of a tensioner change id budget that to be done

If you aren't happy with the history don't buy it, but most cars don't have a full file of docs it will just be the book. You can ring the servicing dealer to check what was done as they may have just stamped the book and not filled out the rest but carried out the extra work

Andy OH

1,903 posts

249 months

Saturday 15th October 2016
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I have a 2011 GTI which had the revised tensioner from the factory as my car was built on 3/11/2010. Any car built after May 2010 had the revised tensioner fitted.

As others have said if you cannot find evidence of the tensioner being changed factor that cost, circa £500, into the negotiations. I reckon there is some room for movement in the price as it is a fairly basic specced GTI, please don't take that the wrong way it's me just being honest, but it has the standard 17" Monza's, cloth and is manual and doesn't look like there are many other extras.

Edited by Andy OH on Sunday 16th October 17:01

MissChief

Original Poster:

7,095 posts

167 months

Saturday 15th October 2016
quotequote all
With the timing belt and tensioner having no proof I'd be looking at a £1k discount. Not sure I'd get that, but shy bairns get nowt I guess.

tomjol

532 posts

116 months

Saturday 15th October 2016
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You definitely won't get money off for the timing belt seeing as (as pointed out above) these engines don't have one.

MissChief

Original Poster:

7,095 posts

167 months

Saturday 15th October 2016
quotequote all
tomjol said:
You definitely won't get money off for the timing belt seeing as (as pointed out above) these engines don't have one.
Ok, ok, the tensioner then. £500 off to get that done?

malks222

1,851 posts

138 months

Monday 17th October 2016
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as someone mentioned above- that's a completely base spec model, I'm not knocking it- I currently have almost the exact same car (white, 3dr manual, but 18inch Monza wheels).

I've had a couple niggling faults with mine- inlet manifold coked up and sometimes throws a fault code and the ignition switch causes a radio fault.

but for 2 years and circa 40k miles, apart from regular servicing its been great. managed 35k out a set of front tyres, servicing has been reasonable even at main dealer.

real world fuel £55 to fill up (at £1.10/L) 375-400miles mix of slow town/motorway + 425-475miles for motorway runs @ 70mph.

Mine is now at 80k miles, and I've been toying with changing it. but I use my car a lot, canoeing, bike in the back, skiing, all weather Scottish driving, wet/ muddy jackets and stuff....... and it still cleans up well, aging very well, plenty fast enough for real world driving situations and I've decided I'll probably just keep mine as I cant decide what I could/would change that ticks as many boxes.

Pookington

24 posts

97 months

Friday 21st October 2016
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Having run a 59 Reg MK6 GTI from 6,000 to 86,000 I can say that the last couple of years with it have been a bit of a nightmare. I've never had a car before leave me stranded but this one managed it three times in two years. The following were all issues from around 60,000:

- Timing tensioner failed - head strip required with new valves. If you buy make sure you get this done straight away as there is very little, if any, warning that it's going to happen.
- Failed injectors. It looks as though this will happen before 100k on most GTI's, costs around £700 for four fitted.
- Coil pack failures. Another almost guaranteed failure, although your can replace them yourself at approx £140
- Electronic manifold flap failed
- Water leak on engine
- Fuel leak from tank
- Bonnet release failure. Bonnet release mechanism is behind the grill and will eventually fail
- Electronic boot latch failed
- If the rear wheel bearings haven't failed yet they are probably imminent. Both mine went between 60k & 70k.
- Front suspension bushes were also done by around 70k

Whilst I'm sure other peoples experience may be different and I don't want to put you off, just be aware that you could have some trouble.



MissChief

Original Poster:

7,095 posts

167 months

Friday 21st October 2016
quotequote all
As it turns out I bought something else. The tensioner issue put me off.

mattknight1984

157 posts

114 months

Sunday 23rd October 2016
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What did you buy?

The tensioner issue isn't exactly a deal breaker - just find a car that has proof its been changed or budget to get it done (and knock £400 off your offer to the seller).

I love mine, best car I've owned by a mile.

MissChief

Original Poster:

7,095 posts

167 months

Sunday 23rd October 2016
quotequote all
mattknight1984 said:
What did you buy?

The tensioner issue isn't exactly a deal breaker - just find a car that has proof its been changed or budget to get it done (and knock £400 off your offer to the seller).

I love mine, best car I've owned by a mile.
I have a thread running in Readers cars. A '62 plate Focus Zetec S 182 in a private sale. Newer, less miles and cheaper too.