Car no.7, MK5 Golf GTI.
Discussion
Long time lurker around here, first time poster. Thought I best start with my car...
In my 20 years on this earth I've owned a few cars, but I'm currently at the most sensible. Here's a brief run down of my Automotive history, I won't bother spamming this with the photos so just click the links.
2009 Renault Clio GT.
2000 VW Bora 1.6 S.
1983 VW Golf Driver.
1999 Audi A4 2.4 SE.
2002 VW Bora 130TDI Sport.
1990 Mazda MX5 1.6.
Anyway, here is the current car.
The Golf. by Jason.Easton, on Flickr
Snowy GTI. by Jason.Easton, on Flickr
The long way home. by Jason.Easton, on Flickr
The long way home. by Jason.Easton, on Flickr
It's pretty much the most grown up car I've had. Goes well, too! Had it since October and have been enjoying it, although I do miss the MX5 some times!
Best features? Well I can go for a hoon, I can cruise comfortably, I can show up somewhere fancy without looking like a tramp and I can get 30mpg without even trying. It's pretty much everything you need in a car!
Plans? Nothing this year, maybe a slightly more fast road set up next year. Harder suspension, lighter wheels with grippier tyres, better brakes and a LSD. Usual. But for now, it's plenty!
In my 20 years on this earth I've owned a few cars, but I'm currently at the most sensible. Here's a brief run down of my Automotive history, I won't bother spamming this with the photos so just click the links.
2009 Renault Clio GT.
2000 VW Bora 1.6 S.
1983 VW Golf Driver.
1999 Audi A4 2.4 SE.
2002 VW Bora 130TDI Sport.
1990 Mazda MX5 1.6.
Anyway, here is the current car.
The Golf. by Jason.Easton, on Flickr
Snowy GTI. by Jason.Easton, on Flickr
The long way home. by Jason.Easton, on Flickr
The long way home. by Jason.Easton, on Flickr
It's pretty much the most grown up car I've had. Goes well, too! Had it since October and have been enjoying it, although I do miss the MX5 some times!
Best features? Well I can go for a hoon, I can cruise comfortably, I can show up somewhere fancy without looking like a tramp and I can get 30mpg without even trying. It's pretty much everything you need in a car!
Plans? Nothing this year, maybe a slightly more fast road set up next year. Harder suspension, lighter wheels with grippier tyres, better brakes and a LSD. Usual. But for now, it's plenty!
Thanks for all the kind words!
Firstly, yes I'm on ClioSport. And I have no plans to make this as undrivable as my other cars. It's just too good!
The car is Manual, and the paint is Shadow Blue. I thought it was quite a rare colour when I bought it, now I cant seem to stop seeing them around! This one has Parking sensors, and a sunroof. I've also added a double din touch screen Alpine HU, coupled with JL Audio front components and a cheap sub in the boot. Sounds chavvy I know but it's purely for sound quality, and not playing N Dubz full pelt down McDonalds carpark.
As for insurance, its very reasonable for my age and cheaper than some slower cars! I pay £1200 fully comp. Did a cheeky quote online adding a year to my age and no claims (to get an idea of what I'm going to be paying), and it went down to £750.
I deliberately bought one with the 17" wheels. I just prefer the way they look. The 18" have a diamond cut face, which not only corrodes badly but looks a little too "Max Power" for my liking.
Firstly, yes I'm on ClioSport. And I have no plans to make this as undrivable as my other cars. It's just too good!
The car is Manual, and the paint is Shadow Blue. I thought it was quite a rare colour when I bought it, now I cant seem to stop seeing them around! This one has Parking sensors, and a sunroof. I've also added a double din touch screen Alpine HU, coupled with JL Audio front components and a cheap sub in the boot. Sounds chavvy I know but it's purely for sound quality, and not playing N Dubz full pelt down McDonalds carpark.
As for insurance, its very reasonable for my age and cheaper than some slower cars! I pay £1200 fully comp. Did a cheeky quote online adding a year to my age and no claims (to get an idea of what I'm going to be paying), and it went down to £750.
I deliberately bought one with the 17" wheels. I just prefer the way they look. The 18" have a diamond cut face, which not only corrodes badly but looks a little too "Max Power" for my liking.
So this car is proving to be a complete money pit. A time and energy drain thats left me fed up and feeling ripped off today!
Firstly, the car has had a light knock on the front. Fair enough, i could tell when I bought it due to the history with the car. But they've used non OEM parts and it doesnt fit right when you get up close. This is forgetting the absolutely hideous spray job (Overspray, orange peeled to f
k, lacquer runs etc). The rest of the paint shows scratches so well, and the cats in my area just love to tapdance on the bd to make sure they do a good job! Not that it matters, the thing has swirl marks galore to accompany the holograms.
New problems? Well the 3rd brake light has gone. "Oh no" I hear you say, but its a £650 job at VW to replace. Yes, they direct the washer jet at it so it dies, then bond the spoiler down so you cant change it. And yes, it is an MOT Failure. Luckily there is a bodge job that involves smashing the old one out, but its still £75 in parts alone!
The bearing noise. I've been to 3 seperate mechanics that cannot diagnosed it. I've tried different tyres, new brakes, played with bearings and bushes. Nothing! And its so loud.
Speaking of brakes, did I mention one likes to stick on if you leave ESP on and go for a spirited drive? Thats fun coming back to find a wheel pouring smoke out.
Also, today I couldnt get in the boot. I had to climb through the car and all the crap in my boot like it was bloody Shawshank Redemption, to pull an emergency release. It now works, but I dont trust it for toffee! That reminds me, one of the rear lights has clouded glass too!
Rear bumper has been used as a chute to load stuff into the boot. That "Stuff" I can only assume is diamonds and sand.
BUT, and its a big but. On the right road, on the right day... its sublime. And I mean really sublime. Once you learn how to use its weight, it tucks into corners so well. Oh, and doesnt drink a load of fuel in the process.
Sorry for the rant, but some days you just get fed up with your car. I'm sure we've all been there! I just seem to be there more than most.
Firstly, the car has had a light knock on the front. Fair enough, i could tell when I bought it due to the history with the car. But they've used non OEM parts and it doesnt fit right when you get up close. This is forgetting the absolutely hideous spray job (Overspray, orange peeled to f
k, lacquer runs etc). The rest of the paint shows scratches so well, and the cats in my area just love to tapdance on the bd to make sure they do a good job! Not that it matters, the thing has swirl marks galore to accompany the holograms. New problems? Well the 3rd brake light has gone. "Oh no" I hear you say, but its a £650 job at VW to replace. Yes, they direct the washer jet at it so it dies, then bond the spoiler down so you cant change it. And yes, it is an MOT Failure. Luckily there is a bodge job that involves smashing the old one out, but its still £75 in parts alone!
The bearing noise. I've been to 3 seperate mechanics that cannot diagnosed it. I've tried different tyres, new brakes, played with bearings and bushes. Nothing! And its so loud.
Speaking of brakes, did I mention one likes to stick on if you leave ESP on and go for a spirited drive? Thats fun coming back to find a wheel pouring smoke out.
Also, today I couldnt get in the boot. I had to climb through the car and all the crap in my boot like it was bloody Shawshank Redemption, to pull an emergency release. It now works, but I dont trust it for toffee! That reminds me, one of the rear lights has clouded glass too!
Rear bumper has been used as a chute to load stuff into the boot. That "Stuff" I can only assume is diamonds and sand.
BUT, and its a big but. On the right road, on the right day... its sublime. And I mean really sublime. Once you learn how to use its weight, it tucks into corners so well. Oh, and doesnt drink a load of fuel in the process.
Sorry for the rant, but some days you just get fed up with your car. I'm sure we've all been there! I just seem to be there more than most.
Edited by LankyLegoHead on Monday 3rd June 21:29
Okay, so feel I should update.
A few months ago I spent a load of money and had all the wheel bearings changed. Since then, no noise, no problems. The thing is a DREAM. It drives so well. I can carry stuff/people in it. I can easily see 35mpg + and... I can drive with a massive smile on my face. I love it.
\
As for the other problems? Well most seem to have fixed themselves. I also took the time to do a full correction on the paint, and its made a massive difference. I can really see myself keeping this car for a long time, as it just does everything so well!
A few months ago I spent a load of money and had all the wheel bearings changed. Since then, no noise, no problems. The thing is a DREAM. It drives so well. I can carry stuff/people in it. I can easily see 35mpg + and... I can drive with a massive smile on my face. I love it.
\As for the other problems? Well most seem to have fixed themselves. I also took the time to do a full correction on the paint, and its made a massive difference. I can really see myself keeping this car for a long time, as it just does everything so well!
Remap is on the list, but I really want a diff to go with it, and then it gets expensive! haha.
So I put some FK's on it, and some BBS'. Just to get it sitting nicer, and stiffen it up. It's going to need a bit of work to get it driving proper (something to do at the weekend) but it's already a marked improvement on both looks and cornering!
I'm so happy with how they look on the car. Was a bit of a gamble, and as it turns out a lot of people are slating them, but I love them on there.
So I put some FK's on it, and some BBS'. Just to get it sitting nicer, and stiffen it up. It's going to need a bit of work to get it driving proper (something to do at the weekend) but it's already a marked improvement on both looks and cornering!
I'm so happy with how they look on the car. Was a bit of a gamble, and as it turns out a lot of people are slating them, but I love them on there.
New wheels are 18x8j. So pretty much the same as the standard 18's. The suspension and wheels have barely made a difference to the ride if I'm honest! It goes great 
Currently has an intake/air filter, and a backbox delete. So sounds the business too! I'm very happy with mine, I hope you enjoy yours too! They are fantastic cars.
Currently has an intake/air filter, and a backbox delete. So sounds the business too! I'm very happy with mine, I hope you enjoy yours too! They are fantastic cars.
si_xsi said:
Where abouts are you in Oxfordshire Jason, fellow mk 5 GTI owner here in Oxfordshire. Will look out for you on my travels - cars looks lovely btw.
I sometimes organise a few early morning Sunday runs out with others if you're interested.
I'm in Bicester mate! Yes, that does sound good once I get the suspension all sorted. I like a good blast. Fellow member Booner on here will probably be up for something too, he's Woodstock (Corvette C6). I sometimes organise a few early morning Sunday runs out with others if you're interested.
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