Golf GTi Mk5 vs Mk6 - prices converging?

[Naldrett]

I'm in the market for a rapid 5dr hatch for around £10k and have narrowed the choice down to Focus ST and Golf GTi.

I was thinking initially of a Mk5 GTi - I have later years in mind (2008/9) as I figured that they are less likely to be affected by the rust issues that seem to plague the older cars, and I believe it is easier to retrofit satnav to these cars (not many seem to have it already optioned). Mileage less of an issue than regular (ideally annual) servicing at VW or good specialist. Not really interested in Edition 30s / Pirelli's due to the apparently overly firm suspension (and they command quite a premium despite being quite numerous).

However, I have noticed that standard Mk5 GTi prices seem to be holding firm at around £6-8k depending on age / mileage - and they seem to be moving for these prices too. Whilst at the same time, the prices of Mk6's seem to me to be softening and not now that much more expensive for similar spec (and obviously newer). Am I right?

Is this because of the engine concerns surrounding the Mk6? If so, is it really that big an issue in reality or just a small percentage causing a lot of noise online?

Has anyone had both? Is it worth an extra £2-3k to stretch to a Mk6?

I much prefer the interior looks of the Mk6, even if from the outside I find it a little fussy compared with the Mk5 which I think has aged very well.

Any thoughts?

[Naldrett]

"D30 cars have identical suspension right down to the part numbers in ETKA"

I didn't realise this - most reviews seem to slate the harsh ride - but I guess then that is just the effect of the 18s standard on the Ed30 but an option on the regular GTi.


"You can find the odd MK5 at dealers, http://usedcars.volkswagen.co.uk/Golf-GTI/GTD/R/2....

Yes I saw that one (though I am after a 5dr). Looks nice but 12k?

[Naldrett]

Thanks for the info, very useful. Seems if you steer clear or the DSG and don't land one with too much of a rust issue, most problems are well known and straightforward / relatively cheap to fix.

Any views on leather vs cloth? Love the look and history of the checked cloth but can't help but feel the leather will wear better and give the car a more premium feel?

[Naldrett]

One of the better-priced examples I have found with the kind of history and ownership I am after (lots of the former, less of the latter):

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Quite basic spec but I think the silver suits the car well and it is on 17s which I want.

There's a lot of similar cars up at £8k I am finding, even more. And it seems very few have satnav or xenons which I would like ideally.

[Naldrett]

Nice car at the dealer - thanks for the heads up. Love that blue colour too, very subtle. And good spec.

Just not sure if I could justify the £2k premium over the private one I shared for a year older car (even one with a year's approved warranty and a few more toys).

Oh, and it is DSG which I was trying to avoid given the chances of going wrong at that kind of age (or am I worrying unduly?). Car will be used on mix of local, heavy traffic and motorway weekends away, so in other respects DSG could be a good choice - I've seen an old Fifth Gear episode where Jason Plato raves about that 'box. I did test drive one once and was not sure what to make of it, coming from a manual. I suspect like most of these boxes, they do take some getting used to and adapting to a certain style. Are the paddles only an option by the way?

[Naldrett]

Thanks for sharing your positive experiences. I know the internet tends to exaggerate the divide between positive and negative experiences, but I must say that the MkV Golf GTi in particular must be one of the worst for this. There are many evangelists and also a large number of those that have had very bad experiences. And the DSG in particular seems to divide opinion itself.

Seems to me that looking out for one that has had annual servicing is as key as anything. That and looking for low ownership - there seem to be a number of one owner cars out there despite many being close to 10 years old, and people just don't hold onto cars that long if they are dogs. And if there are impending issues I think most people try to trade in, so buying privately is also probably quite a good option.

So, my ideal car:

Silver, blue or grey
5 doors
Manual (I think, but could be open to a well-maintained DSG)
Xenons
Cloth
Satnav
17 inch alloys
Upgraded sound (RD500?)
Rear parking sensors
Sunroof
Later plate ('07-'09) - early model issues resolved, rust less likely?
1 or 2 owners
Full history with annual servicing and invoices if possible

Budget: up to £9k

Think I'll be waiting long?

That VW dealer one ticks most of the boxes except no nav and a bit earlier than I was aiming for

[Naldrett]

Great input again guys, thanks a lot

So, basically will aim for xenons and consider sunroof as a bonus. Seems like retrofitting other items could be the way forward - there seem to be some quite OEM looking systems that slot straight it and offer nav/Bluetooth etc

I think I read somewhere that it is easier to do nav retrofits on 2008 MY cars?