The winter hack - a 2006 Mk5 Golf GTI DSG
Discussion
I had a brilliant dream. I was going to buy an early 996 C2 Manual coupe and daily drive it.
I did that, and I've been using it daily since I got it in April 2022. However, I'm conscious that last winter wasn't kind on it - and a 90s sports car in winter isn't much joy when it has a sports exhaust and you need to clear the windscreen in -6 weather.
So, man maths started to be used. I've got a knee surgery due that means I may well end up being unable to drive the 911 for 3-4 months anyway, and I need an auto ... so I started looking.
A few things came to mind, but I found a Golf GTI a little trek down the road. A 2006 DSG 3 door car in Tornado Red with just Leather Upholstery on the options list (yes, original bill of sale is included).
It's a 1 owner car, inches of history, previous owner appeared to be pretty fastidious. Good MOT history. Decent tyres all round, regular cam belt & water pump changes, regular DSG oil changes.... and 173,000 miles.
We'd just swapped out our Discovery (a Discovery 3 on 176,000 miles for a 'new' 2015 D4 with 96,000), and with my 996 having 143,000 miles... I'm not put off high mileage heroes.
Car was being sold by a sole trader who had a nice selection of other sporty cars sub 10k, and he sent some great photos of the history for me to pour over as well as a great walk around video.
It, obviously, isn't perfect. There is some peeling lacquer on some pieces of plastic trim, headlining is loose around the ceiling glasses holder, but it's in what I'd risk saying is superb condition for its mileage.
I took it for a drive today, and I was genuinely impressed. Surprisingly refined, no knocks or bangs, pulls smoothly. Suffice to say, it's now sat on our drive.
I'll grab some photos in the next few days and try to keep its journey to 200k and beyond logged here.
I did that, and I've been using it daily since I got it in April 2022. However, I'm conscious that last winter wasn't kind on it - and a 90s sports car in winter isn't much joy when it has a sports exhaust and you need to clear the windscreen in -6 weather.
So, man maths started to be used. I've got a knee surgery due that means I may well end up being unable to drive the 911 for 3-4 months anyway, and I need an auto ... so I started looking.
A few things came to mind, but I found a Golf GTI a little trek down the road. A 2006 DSG 3 door car in Tornado Red with just Leather Upholstery on the options list (yes, original bill of sale is included).
It's a 1 owner car, inches of history, previous owner appeared to be pretty fastidious. Good MOT history. Decent tyres all round, regular cam belt & water pump changes, regular DSG oil changes.... and 173,000 miles.
We'd just swapped out our Discovery (a Discovery 3 on 176,000 miles for a 'new' 2015 D4 with 96,000), and with my 996 having 143,000 miles... I'm not put off high mileage heroes.
Car was being sold by a sole trader who had a nice selection of other sporty cars sub 10k, and he sent some great photos of the history for me to pour over as well as a great walk around video.
It, obviously, isn't perfect. There is some peeling lacquer on some pieces of plastic trim, headlining is loose around the ceiling glasses holder, but it's in what I'd risk saying is superb condition for its mileage.
I took it for a drive today, and I was genuinely impressed. Surprisingly refined, no knocks or bangs, pulls smoothly. Suffice to say, it's now sat on our drive.
I'll grab some photos in the next few days and try to keep its journey to 200k and beyond logged here.
Edited by conanius on Wednesday 1st November 11:13
Thanks for all the replies folks
So firstly, pictures as promised.
Lifted from the advert ....
These are actually surprisingly fair. It really does look like this. There's a funny lacquer blemish on a small section of the bonnet, some peeling lacquer on some of the side plastic colour coded door trims, and ditto on the wing mirrors... interior wise the light switch is a bit funky but I've ordered a replacement already.
And then an obligatory "I've got a 'hot hatch' so here it is in a super market carpark
Great to hear peoples tales of other MK5's - especially yours galaxie500. I'd have happily bought one that was 'well used' in its look from a known source. Still will do the job of keeping your 997.2 away from the salt.
In terms of other points
- The car has reports of every DSG oil change being done that was required for its age and mileage. It seems great at the moment.
- Seats wise, all of the cloth seat cars I saw looked, well, exhausted. I actually like the seats, they feel lovely.
- Winter driving. The Conti's it has on all round still have a fair amount of tread. I will however eventually swap them out for some all seasons I imagine (I won't be going to the effort of separate winters I doubt).
- Remap is a high possibility. I've got a spare Bluefin device from a previous car... and they've just sent me an offer email....
Car is booked in for a cam belt & water pump change in a couple of weeks. I'll report back what they advise me of....
So firstly, pictures as promised.
Lifted from the advert ....
These are actually surprisingly fair. It really does look like this. There's a funny lacquer blemish on a small section of the bonnet, some peeling lacquer on some of the side plastic colour coded door trims, and ditto on the wing mirrors... interior wise the light switch is a bit funky but I've ordered a replacement already.
And then an obligatory "I've got a 'hot hatch' so here it is in a super market carpark
Great to hear peoples tales of other MK5's - especially yours galaxie500. I'd have happily bought one that was 'well used' in its look from a known source. Still will do the job of keeping your 997.2 away from the salt.
In terms of other points
- The car has reports of every DSG oil change being done that was required for its age and mileage. It seems great at the moment.
- Seats wise, all of the cloth seat cars I saw looked, well, exhausted. I actually like the seats, they feel lovely.
- Winter driving. The Conti's it has on all round still have a fair amount of tread. I will however eventually swap them out for some all seasons I imagine (I won't be going to the effort of separate winters I doubt).
- Remap is a high possibility. I've got a spare Bluefin device from a previous car... and they've just sent me an offer email....
Car is booked in for a cam belt & water pump change in a couple of weeks. I'll report back what they advise me of....
Edited by conanius on Friday 3rd November 07:36
galaxie500 said:
Great shots! Car looks in fine fettle. Apologies btw. Feel like I rather hijacked your excellent thread with my scribbling.
If I may ask, How do you rate your Pioneer head unit? Does it have Apple CarPlay? Having had CarPlay in my Mk 7 Golf R a few years ago and driven countless cars with it since I’ve been weighing up the options as I feel it makes light work of phone integration in the most user friendly way possible. VW make a CarPlay head unit my pal has in his Caddy van which I’m sure would suffice but your unit looks very neat indeed.
Thanks for starting this thread.
Looking forward to your next instalment!
Nonsense - it’s a forum. It’s great to hear other perspectives If I may ask, How do you rate your Pioneer head unit? Does it have Apple CarPlay? Having had CarPlay in my Mk 7 Golf R a few years ago and driven countless cars with it since I’ve been weighing up the options as I feel it makes light work of phone integration in the most user friendly way possible. VW make a CarPlay head unit my pal has in his Caddy van which I’m sure would suffice but your unit looks very neat indeed.
Thanks for starting this thread.
Looking forward to your next instalment!
It was quite nice to know another 911 owner had trodden this path !
This unit does have Apple CarPlay. Former owner had it fitted in 2020 I believe.
It’s the first CarPlay unit I’ve had and I’m very impressed with it. It just…. Works. Which I presume is the point !
It’s making me realise I should fit one to the 996. I’ve found a nice frameless one that looks very similar to the PCCM Classic unit but a fair chunk cheaper !
Bobupndown said:
I take it the alloys were previously diamond cut and have been refurbished?
I thought, but could be wrong, that in 17" size the Monza wheels were all painted, and it was only the 18" that had a diamond cut option..... Edit - bit of googlefu suggests that I was right:
Monza = 17 inch silver powdercoated alloy wheel, standard fit on a mk5 or mk6 GTI.
Monza II = 18 inch grey powdercoated inner with polished and lacquered face, factory option on a mk5 GTI
Monza Shadow = 18 inch black powdercoated inner with polished and lacquered face, factory option on a mk6 GTI
Detroit is the commonly used in the UK name for a matte black powdercoated version of the 18'' Monza with a polished lip, originally fitted to a Euro spec Edition 30 GTI but also available as a VW accessory wheel.
Denver is what VW calls the 17'' Monza in most other countries and Detroit is the 18'' Monza II in most other countries should you require any further confusion.
Edited by conanius on Sunday 5th November 15:04
Great to see lots of posts in the thread.
I'm ~ 2 weeks into owning the car, so a bit of an update.
- When I got the car, the light switch was pretty worn out. Second hand replacement from a breaker online ordered and fitted this week for a mighty £10 all in.
- I had a bit of a funny moment when the passenger front brake seemed to be seizing on intermittently. I've done ~500 miles since and it's not happened again.
- Its major service and cambelt+waterpump is booked in for Tuesday at a local specialist.
- I'll be getting them to give me a view on anything else worth taking a view on - including that brake issue - but it's been absolutely spot on so far mechanically
- The interior light seems to be a bit temperamental. I think the switch by the map lights is broken as the footwell lights come on just fine. Going to keep an eye out for one at a breakers.
In terms of drive, it's interesting to hear people saying they weren't keen on it. In our household I'm struggling to keep the keys at the weekend. Mrs Conanius seems to have decided 'nipping out quickly' leaves her Discovery on the drive by default - probably not a bad thing as driven sensibly high thirties seem pretty straightforward for the Golf. I was even chastised for using it as the station car for my work trip to London this week.
Day to day it's a pretty beige car I'll agree - but isn't that the appeal of a hatch like this? Easy to nip to Tesco, get some open road and it offers rewards without shattering vertebrae in your spin if you go over a drain cover/cat eye. If you give the throttle a squeeze it's got a nice surge low down. I do agree by 5000 or so it's all over, which is quite the difference to the 996 as thats only really just coming on song then. I did get an offer through email to get my Bluefin handheld remap updated to a new car for £199, and honestly if Tuesday goes well and they don't think its about to implode, I'll probably do it. On previous cars it gave a bit more go and more economy, so it seems worth a go at that price. Certainly the Revo being ~£500 seems unjustifiable in comparison.
It's obviously not got the driving dynamics of other hot hatches I've had like a Clio 182 with both cup packs, but it's hardly woeful. I think the 17s and standard suspension are a great comfort/performance compromise. I note others have had a bit of a tough time comfort wise with lowering springs and 18s, but I doubt I'll do anything that adventurous with it. The Conti Premium Contact 6 tyres on it are, fine, but they to will be swapped out for some all seasons in the coming weeks.
It's the first time I've had a car with apple CarPlay, and suffice to say I'm now looking for a suitable head unit for my 911 and a retro fit for the 2015 Discovery. Its absolutely fantastic isn't it ?!
I'm ~ 2 weeks into owning the car, so a bit of an update.
- When I got the car, the light switch was pretty worn out. Second hand replacement from a breaker online ordered and fitted this week for a mighty £10 all in.
- I had a bit of a funny moment when the passenger front brake seemed to be seizing on intermittently. I've done ~500 miles since and it's not happened again.
- Its major service and cambelt+waterpump is booked in for Tuesday at a local specialist.
- I'll be getting them to give me a view on anything else worth taking a view on - including that brake issue - but it's been absolutely spot on so far mechanically
- The interior light seems to be a bit temperamental. I think the switch by the map lights is broken as the footwell lights come on just fine. Going to keep an eye out for one at a breakers.
In terms of drive, it's interesting to hear people saying they weren't keen on it. In our household I'm struggling to keep the keys at the weekend. Mrs Conanius seems to have decided 'nipping out quickly' leaves her Discovery on the drive by default - probably not a bad thing as driven sensibly high thirties seem pretty straightforward for the Golf. I was even chastised for using it as the station car for my work trip to London this week.
Day to day it's a pretty beige car I'll agree - but isn't that the appeal of a hatch like this? Easy to nip to Tesco, get some open road and it offers rewards without shattering vertebrae in your spin if you go over a drain cover/cat eye. If you give the throttle a squeeze it's got a nice surge low down. I do agree by 5000 or so it's all over, which is quite the difference to the 996 as thats only really just coming on song then. I did get an offer through email to get my Bluefin handheld remap updated to a new car for £199, and honestly if Tuesday goes well and they don't think its about to implode, I'll probably do it. On previous cars it gave a bit more go and more economy, so it seems worth a go at that price. Certainly the Revo being ~£500 seems unjustifiable in comparison.
It's obviously not got the driving dynamics of other hot hatches I've had like a Clio 182 with both cup packs, but it's hardly woeful. I think the 17s and standard suspension are a great comfort/performance compromise. I note others have had a bit of a tough time comfort wise with lowering springs and 18s, but I doubt I'll do anything that adventurous with it. The Conti Premium Contact 6 tyres on it are, fine, but they to will be swapped out for some all seasons in the coming weeks.
It's the first time I've had a car with apple CarPlay, and suffice to say I'm now looking for a suitable head unit for my 911 and a retro fit for the 2015 Discovery. Its absolutely fantastic isn't it ?!
Well...
I collected it from the garage this evening.
It can't have gone too badly as I've now booked in getting cruise retrofitted next week (£100 all in fitted, new parts), and ordered a refresh of my Bluefin remap device to use on the car (£199 on offer). That should give a reasonably healthy lift in midrange and make any longer trips I'm doing in the car a bit more sedate.
In seriousness, car has a handful of minor things, nothing crazy and all things I'll sort out over the next few weeks (passenger drop link is fine but the boot has perished, one of the rear dampers has misting, front brake flexi hoses could do with changing next time I do discs and pads when this set of pads wear out...).
I'd got some brake bind going on at the front passenger side - new calliper fitted, I hadn't realised how significant that was !
Car is going to be taking me to Manchester and back on Monday ~260 mile round trip.
I collected it from the garage this evening.
It can't have gone too badly as I've now booked in getting cruise retrofitted next week (£100 all in fitted, new parts), and ordered a refresh of my Bluefin remap device to use on the car (£199 on offer). That should give a reasonably healthy lift in midrange and make any longer trips I'm doing in the car a bit more sedate.
In seriousness, car has a handful of minor things, nothing crazy and all things I'll sort out over the next few weeks (passenger drop link is fine but the boot has perished, one of the rear dampers has misting, front brake flexi hoses could do with changing next time I do discs and pads when this set of pads wear out...).
I'd got some brake bind going on at the front passenger side - new calliper fitted, I hadn't realised how significant that was !
Car is going to be taking me to Manchester and back on Monday ~260 mile round trip.
Jazoli said:
Who did the cruise retrofit for you? I've been having issues trying to retrofit it to my mates Scirocco and I'm tempted to tell him to take it somewhere instead after trying 3 different stalks and squibs.
VW Retrofit in Redditch. Quick jaunt up the M5 to do it - Its booked in for Tuesday next week so will let you know. Edited by Jazoli on Wednesday 15th November 09:46
VeeReihenmotor6 said:
I like the mk5 gti too. If I was to get another cheap fun car (to sit next to my 90s VW) for the garage it would be one of these. OP i saw the car advertised and looked into it and thought it was a nice car.
Honestly I've always thought they looked interesting. I took out a Mk5 GTI years ago when I had my S2000 as I was doing more and more miles and it was a good fun car. I thought I'd missed an opportunity to get one as so many seem a bit, leggy, but this being single owner and such a wedge of history seemed like a fair bet. Glad to see I wasn't totally mental considering it !Tommie38 said:
Must say a MK5 Golf GTI is one of the best cars I have ever driven. Particularly, as you say, with enjoyment that is just so accessible.
They just do everything well.
Yes. Considering it feels genuinely quite refined (stick with me, a 1998 911 is not!) it still manages to feel quite supple and enjoyable. They just do everything well.
I'm looking forward to the extra performance from the remap. I saw your other post about the ED30. They seem like they must be a good bit of fun.
The golf was frankly brilliant yesterday on the jaunt to Manchester. high 30's MPG when not paying much care to sensible eco driving at all and making good progress. I arrived surprisingly relaxed and comfortable. Its actually really quite refined for a nearly 20 year old hatch.
Cruise retrofitted this morning - 17 minutes flat, £100 all in - https://www.vw-retrofit.co.uk/ can't be recommended highly enough - he pointed out some other items I could get done quite cheaply (Multi Function display and steering wheel controls)
The car is really quite brilliant. You can see why everyone speaks so highly of them.
Bluefin remap device is in the post, I'll have it by the weekend.
Cruise retrofitted this morning - 17 minutes flat, £100 all in - https://www.vw-retrofit.co.uk/ can't be recommended highly enough - he pointed out some other items I could get done quite cheaply (Multi Function display and steering wheel controls)
The car is really quite brilliant. You can see why everyone speaks so highly of them.
Bluefin remap device is in the post, I'll have it by the weekend.
So its been a while without an update.
The remap.
I got my Bluefin unit swapped out/recoded, and went to work the magic.... only my PC couldn't see it.
Cue many (many) emails backwards and forwards and they decided it was easier for me to just swap to a powergate device.
Process was simple. Plug it into the car, download the map. email it to super chips, get a new file, apply it to the device, put it on the car.
Applied the remap today. Thoughts?
Well. Its definitely got more power. It feels stronger everywhere in the rev range, and I personally think less breathless up top. Hard to know much yet as it was wet roads.
Short version, feels like it was worth doing.
Only other update is, both front wheels now have horrendous kerb rash. I'll get them refurbed when I get round to swapping the tyres out.
The remap.
I got my Bluefin unit swapped out/recoded, and went to work the magic.... only my PC couldn't see it.
Cue many (many) emails backwards and forwards and they decided it was easier for me to just swap to a powergate device.
Process was simple. Plug it into the car, download the map. email it to super chips, get a new file, apply it to the device, put it on the car.
Applied the remap today. Thoughts?
Well. Its definitely got more power. It feels stronger everywhere in the rev range, and I personally think less breathless up top. Hard to know much yet as it was wet roads.
Short version, feels like it was worth doing.
Only other update is, both front wheels now have horrendous kerb rash. I'll get them refurbed when I get round to swapping the tyres out.
An update almost a month after my last one.
I've noticed in recent days the car keeps very very lightly hesitating when at WOT higher up in the rev range... almost surging, but thats too extreme an explanation.
Today, when shifting down there was a much more pronounced hesitation (revs around 3.5k).
Reading online, this seems to scream Diverter valve and/or Coil packs. I've got no fault lights.
I'm sure I'd read that the recommendation is R8 coil packs and a Mk7 Diverter valve as the suggested replacements. Any advice gratefully appreciated.
I've noticed in recent days the car keeps very very lightly hesitating when at WOT higher up in the rev range... almost surging, but thats too extreme an explanation.
Today, when shifting down there was a much more pronounced hesitation (revs around 3.5k).
Reading online, this seems to scream Diverter valve and/or Coil packs. I've got no fault lights.
I'm sure I'd read that the recommendation is R8 coil packs and a Mk7 Diverter valve as the suggested replacements. Any advice gratefully appreciated.
ManicMunky said:
Update DV to latest revision, simple if awkward DIY.
Coils are simple to swap.
Have you got any codes?
No codes... Is there a suggested cheap option or is VAGCOM or bust?Coils are simple to swap.
Have you got any codes?
BlindedByTheLights said:
I put an uprated one on mine when I had it, a common replacement on these.
https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-brand/gfb/gfb-d...
Thanks for the link, is that notably better than the Mk7 one people recommend to get?https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-brand/gfb/gfb-d...
Tim Cognito said:
Have you checked the wear on the cam follower? Apologies not read the whole thread.
I haven't, but my engine is quiet and I was under the impression its sounds more like a diesel if you've got wearBlindedByTheLights said:
The mk7 I guess will be the latest DV version, the gfb one is uprated so will last longer and will hold more boost. You should do the cam follower if you don’t know when it was last done, very easy and should treat it as a consumable every 8-10k or so. The diesel sound you mention is the chain guides and chain wear.
Ok interesting. Thanks Right, a handful of photos from tonights endeavour.
Arrived at my friends house to fit the GFB DV+, r8 Coilpacks, and replacement of the Cam Follower.
He's a bit of a dab hand with a spanner. One of his rally school Impreza's up on stands next to the trusty Golf. I realised he also has enough spare parts dotted around to build another Mk2 Escort.
First up was the Diverter Valve
Do not underestimate this clip on the back with the sensor. It took far too long (like, an hour) to get the thing to come off. I would invest in the right tool to do it, mine appeared to be jammed on.
Rebuilding the DV with the GFB parts was painless, and on that went.
I was pretty confident the issue I had with boost was the DV, but I'd been recommended to swap out the coil packs for the R8 type, and the Cam Follower.
The cam follower.... the banjo bolt that holds on one of the fuel pipes into the fuel pump was a bit of a beast to get to - fiddly. I'd recommend a ratchet spanner that has pop in Allen/hex/torx/etc parts to make your life easy.
So, did this work?
Yes. It feels much better, which makes me thing the DV was on the way out before my remap. The car now has a very deliberate 'sclurp' noise from 1500 ish to 2750 ish RPM. The car feels really smooth and responsive now. Highly recommend this maintenance.
Arrived at my friends house to fit the GFB DV+, r8 Coilpacks, and replacement of the Cam Follower.
He's a bit of a dab hand with a spanner. One of his rally school Impreza's up on stands next to the trusty Golf. I realised he also has enough spare parts dotted around to build another Mk2 Escort.
First up was the Diverter Valve
Do not underestimate this clip on the back with the sensor. It took far too long (like, an hour) to get the thing to come off. I would invest in the right tool to do it, mine appeared to be jammed on.
Rebuilding the DV with the GFB parts was painless, and on that went.
I was pretty confident the issue I had with boost was the DV, but I'd been recommended to swap out the coil packs for the R8 type, and the Cam Follower.
The cam follower.... the banjo bolt that holds on one of the fuel pipes into the fuel pump was a bit of a beast to get to - fiddly. I'd recommend a ratchet spanner that has pop in Allen/hex/torx/etc parts to make your life easy.
So, did this work?
Yes. It feels much better, which makes me thing the DV was on the way out before my remap. The car now has a very deliberate 'sclurp' noise from 1500 ish to 2750 ish RPM. The car feels really smooth and responsive now. Highly recommend this maintenance.
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