£100 MK5 Golf GT TDI daily project
Discussion
I've been wanting to retire my C350 CGI to weekend/summer use, and have been on the look out for something suitable for the work commute and winter driving. Someone at work had this Golf, long story short, the MOT ran out March 2023, and he decided to run it up to around November '23!
From then it was parked up at work, and has sat there ever since. I kept badgering him about it, he kept saying £700, to which I said no chance having failed the MOT and then be driven for a further 8 months.
I already knew it needed tyres and the other stuff it failed on (listed below) I gave up on the idea.
Cut to last month, I had a 4G router that he wanted, worth approx £100. Imagine my surprise when he said I'll swap the Golf for it!
So now I have a project... its literally not moved since November. Mileage at last MOT was 187k, so probably at 200 now.
When it was parked up it drove perfectly well, he just got a Mk7 instead and gave up on this one.
It needs a lot of cleaning, especially the interior.
He even bought the rear bushes needed and left them sat in the boot.
Last MOT:
Repair immediately (major defects):
Nearside Rear Inner Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn D bush worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Rear Inner Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn D bush worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Rear Inner Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn trailing arm bush split resulting in movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect also leaking fluid (5.3.2 (d))
Repair as soon as possible (minor defects):
Offside Rear Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Nearside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))
Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
A new set of tyres was expected, rear bushes included, so fit those, new rear shocks (maybe fronts too).
The headlights just need polishing, which I would do any way.
Last week I took the battery home to fully charge and condition as it only had enough power to work the remote locking.
Tomorrow I plan to get it started, pump the tyres up, free the handbrake (annoyingly he left it on!) and give it a good jet wash.
I'll give it a scan too just to see what old codes are present and clear those.
I will then consider getting it moved home or to a mates storage unit and get the rear bushes/suspension sorted.
I might get the hoover on the interior too, just to get it a bit more healthy to sit in!
As it stands, unmoved or touched for 7 months:
From then it was parked up at work, and has sat there ever since. I kept badgering him about it, he kept saying £700, to which I said no chance having failed the MOT and then be driven for a further 8 months.
I already knew it needed tyres and the other stuff it failed on (listed below) I gave up on the idea.
Cut to last month, I had a 4G router that he wanted, worth approx £100. Imagine my surprise when he said I'll swap the Golf for it!
So now I have a project... its literally not moved since November. Mileage at last MOT was 187k, so probably at 200 now.
When it was parked up it drove perfectly well, he just got a Mk7 instead and gave up on this one.
It needs a lot of cleaning, especially the interior.
He even bought the rear bushes needed and left them sat in the boot.
Last MOT:
Repair immediately (major defects):
Nearside Rear Inner Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn D bush worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Rear Inner Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn D bush worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Rear Inner Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn trailing arm bush split resulting in movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect also leaking fluid (5.3.2 (d))
Repair as soon as possible (minor defects):
Offside Rear Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Nearside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))
Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
A new set of tyres was expected, rear bushes included, so fit those, new rear shocks (maybe fronts too).
The headlights just need polishing, which I would do any way.
Last week I took the battery home to fully charge and condition as it only had enough power to work the remote locking.
Tomorrow I plan to get it started, pump the tyres up, free the handbrake (annoyingly he left it on!) and give it a good jet wash.
I'll give it a scan too just to see what old codes are present and clear those.
I will then consider getting it moved home or to a mates storage unit and get the rear bushes/suspension sorted.
I might get the hoover on the interior too, just to get it a bit more healthy to sit in!
As it stands, unmoved or touched for 7 months:
When I saw the title and price I was expecting the older shape.
I have one of these brand new as a company car in 2008, one of the best all rounders I've ever had. Fast enough, comfortable enough, plenty of room (mine was 5 door) and decent on fuel too
Defo worth saving at that price and the 3 doors are rare too
I have one of these brand new as a company car in 2008, one of the best all rounders I've ever had. Fast enough, comfortable enough, plenty of room (mine was 5 door) and decent on fuel too
Defo worth saving at that price and the 3 doors are rare too
I made a start this morning. First job was some coolant, the expansion tank was empty.
Oil needs a change, but its got plenty. Put the battery back on and it started 2nd try and idled perfectly.
Coolant tempt rose and the heaters work.
Next job was to pump all the tyres up, 3 were totally flat and 1 had 20psi in. I'll check them next weekend to see what rate they're going down at.
While the tyres were dealt with I gave it a full scan and got the following:
Engine
P3103 intake flap motor faulty
Brakes
01486 system function test activated
Instrument cluster
00003 control module
To my surprise, as the 4th tyre inflated the car started rolling forward! I had left the hand brake off when I got the battery last week.
I was amazed the brakes hadn't seized on having sat for over 6 months, so that was one less job to deal with.
I then removed 3 buckets full of rubbish and decided the garage forecourt hoover can deal with the worst of whats left rather than wreck my own!
Last job of the day was to give it a clean, thankfully we have an excellent pressure washer at work, so it got a double dose of finest truck wash.
I didnt spend much time on the wheels, I will take some wheel brushes another time and give them a proper go, but they could do with a refurb any way, so little point in wasting much time on them for now.
Overall its got some scratches and rust spots here and there, it could do with a pair of front wings like most Mk5's do.
The bonnet needs adjusting and a few other bits and bobs, but overall it could be a lot worse.
Its starting to look a bit more decent already!
A quick run around the yard (its huge, so able to get up some speed) and it drives really well.
Cleaned off the brake discs from being sat, and thats all for today.
I was also surprised to find that its only done 2800 miles since its last failed MOT, so hopefully the failures and advisories from that are all that it needs to pass.
Oil needs a change, but its got plenty. Put the battery back on and it started 2nd try and idled perfectly.
Coolant tempt rose and the heaters work.
Next job was to pump all the tyres up, 3 were totally flat and 1 had 20psi in. I'll check them next weekend to see what rate they're going down at.
While the tyres were dealt with I gave it a full scan and got the following:
Engine
P3103 intake flap motor faulty
Brakes
01486 system function test activated
Instrument cluster
00003 control module
To my surprise, as the 4th tyre inflated the car started rolling forward! I had left the hand brake off when I got the battery last week.
I was amazed the brakes hadn't seized on having sat for over 6 months, so that was one less job to deal with.
I then removed 3 buckets full of rubbish and decided the garage forecourt hoover can deal with the worst of whats left rather than wreck my own!
Last job of the day was to give it a clean, thankfully we have an excellent pressure washer at work, so it got a double dose of finest truck wash.
I didnt spend much time on the wheels, I will take some wheel brushes another time and give them a proper go, but they could do with a refurb any way, so little point in wasting much time on them for now.
Overall its got some scratches and rust spots here and there, it could do with a pair of front wings like most Mk5's do.
The bonnet needs adjusting and a few other bits and bobs, but overall it could be a lot worse.
Its starting to look a bit more decent already!
A quick run around the yard (its huge, so able to get up some speed) and it drives really well.
Cleaned off the brake discs from being sat, and thats all for today.
I was also surprised to find that its only done 2800 miles since its last failed MOT, so hopefully the failures and advisories from that are all that it needs to pass.
Tractor Driver said:
Nice. That’ll be the 2.0 TDI PD unit won’t it? Too old to be the common rail that followed afterwards.
Is there some inherent weakness with the oil pump on these?
Good that’s it’s old enough to avoid (I think) DPF and AdBlue nonsense.
No DPF but the turbos fitted to the BKD are the weak point and notorious for sticky veins which normally manifests by a limp mode when driven hard (especially uphill) which only clears on a restart.Is there some inherent weakness with the oil pump on these?
Good that’s it’s old enough to avoid (I think) DPF and AdBlue nonsense.
Can be cleaned but ultimately replacement is the only way to sort it.
Also rusty front arches common to most VAG of that time due to sound deadening foam installed inside them.
The scuttle will benefit from a good clean too, it accumulates leaves and muck which can block the drain holes which will damage the ECU.
Great cars though and one of the last you can DIY many things!
I made a start on the interior yesterday, omg it was worse than I thought!
The owner makes no secret that he's a messy smoker, so I knew it was going to be a lovely job.
I cleaned all of the dash, centre console, door cards, inside glass and hoovered as much as possible.
It certainly looks more inviting now!
One of those air freshener canisters might be on the cards to get rid of the smell of cigarettes if a few air fresheners don't cut it.
Next job is to get the headlights clear again, they're some of the worst I've ever seen!
The owner makes no secret that he's a messy smoker, so I knew it was going to be a lovely job.
I cleaned all of the dash, centre console, door cards, inside glass and hoovered as much as possible.
It certainly looks more inviting now!
One of those air freshener canisters might be on the cards to get rid of the smell of cigarettes if a few air fresheners don't cut it.
Next job is to get the headlights clear again, they're some of the worst I've ever seen!
PistonTim said:
No DPF but the turbos fitted to the BKD are the weak point and notorious for sticky veins which normally manifests by a limp mode when driven hard (especially uphill) which only clears on a restart.
Can be cleaned but ultimately replacement is the only way to sort it.
Also rusty front arches common to most VAG of that time due to sound deadening foam installed inside them.
The scuttle will benefit from a good clean too, it accumulates leaves and muck which can block the drain holes which will damage the ECU.
Great cars though and one of the last you can DIY many things!
Being the GT TDI it will be the PD170 PPD Siemens which has a DPF wont it?Can be cleaned but ultimately replacement is the only way to sort it.
Also rusty front arches common to most VAG of that time due to sound deadening foam installed inside them.
The scuttle will benefit from a good clean too, it accumulates leaves and muck which can block the drain holes which will damage the ECU.
Great cars though and one of the last you can DIY many things!
There is a 140 as well. 07 is right on the changeover from GT to GT Sport too - GT Sports had black (instead of silver) headlamps and tinted rear windows, badging is different. Red 'I' in the rear TDI badge denotes 170 which also has twin tail pipes.
The 140 engine is supposedly much less bother than the 170 (injectors, swirl flaps, turbo, etc), still lots of potential expense i imagine. They're nice cars though.
The 140 engine is supposedly much less bother than the 170 (injectors, swirl flaps, turbo, etc), still lots of potential expense i imagine. They're nice cars though.
the-norseman said:
PistonTim said:
No DPF but the turbos fitted to the BKD are the weak point and notorious for sticky veins which normally manifests by a limp mode when driven hard (especially uphill) which only clears on a restart.
Can be cleaned but ultimately replacement is the only way to sort it.
Also rusty front arches common to most VAG of that time due to sound deadening foam installed inside them.
The scuttle will benefit from a good clean too, it accumulates leaves and muck which can block the drain holes which will damage the ECU.
Great cars though and one of the last you can DIY many things!
Being the GT TDI it will be the PD170 PPD Siemens which has a DPF wont it?Can be cleaned but ultimately replacement is the only way to sort it.
Also rusty front arches common to most VAG of that time due to sound deadening foam installed inside them.
The scuttle will benefit from a good clean too, it accumulates leaves and muck which can block the drain holes which will damage the ECU.
Great cars though and one of the last you can DIY many things!
I had a late 2008 140 GT TDI and it was a lovely car.
I'd track down the heated leather from one to replace the smokers fabric.
Mine was a GT Sport TDI 170, registered June 07 as chance would have it. I believe the entire range was only available for a short while (06-09?) but there seem to be plenty about still. Darkside Developments have lots of info and parts available on their site if you need help with the engine. 170 injectors are a known problem and are £500ea (wtf), which did for mine.
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