2006 Vokswagen Golf GTI - PH Project Car

Highlights 

• Former PistonHeads project car

• Substantially yet tastefully modified

• Vastly improved performance over a standard Mk5 GTI

• Excellent condition throughout

• Full service history

• Recent engine work 

Overview

It's always exciting when a car we know here at PistonHeads pops back up for sale and boy were we bosom-buddies with this particular Mk5 Volkswagen Golf GTI! Back in 2023 we embarked upon an incredibly important mission. A mission that would forever alter the automotive landscape as we know it... maybe. A mission to take a stock, albeit a very peachy Mk5 Golf GTI and turn it into a track weapon capable of taking on its far newer and considerably more expensive sibling – the Golf R Mk8, all for the princely sum of just £10,000. And that was including the price of the car.

A not inconsiderable task we're sure you'll agree but one that we embrace with open arms and open minds. Fully documented, our efforts can be found on our YouTube channel, as well as on the site itself, but suffice to say we had a lot of fun and the outcome was, well, we don't want to spoil anything for those of you that haven't seen it yet but the results are here now, in a car that is considerably quicker and way more capable than when it left the factory, and it can now be yours with a few simple clicks!

Initially given away as part of a supporting PH competition it was then sold on to the current owner who is now reluctantly giving another lucky person the chance to enjoy this highly sought-after gem of a Golf GTI. The full spec is listed below but make no mistake, this Golf has been considerably enhanced using quality parts. Not only that but the car comes with a fully stamped service book and a stack of supporting paperwork, providing that all important peace of mind when bidding on an auction.

Still cutting quite the dash the car looks great, presents well throughout and is reportedly in rude mechanical health having been fastidiously maintained, both before and since our involvement. Fresh from a recent £2,800 spend (including belts) and with engine, suspension and braking upgrades across the board this YouTube star and PistonHeads project prince really is a bit special. The car is seriously fast and with the coilovers and fast road set-up it handles well too, all greatly increasing its already considerable appeal.

History and documentation

• 2006 model year

• V5C present and correct

• First registered July 1st 2006

• Original book pack and bill of sale

• Two keys

• Excellent service history with the original service manual showing service stamps at the following intervals: 2008 @ 12,268 miles (service, main dealer), 2009 @ 25,212 miles (service, main dealer), 2011 @ 36,365 miles (service, main dealer), 2012 @ 43,239 miles (cambelt,tensioner, main dealer), 2012 @ 46,361 miles (service, main dealer), 2016 @ 72,412 miles (service, main dealer), 2017 @ 80,376 miles (service, main dealer), 2018 @ 85,500 miles (service,cambelt, main dealer), 2019 @ 89,178 miles (service), 2020 @ 90,910 miles (service), 2021 @ 92,204 miles (service), 2023 @ 96,224 miles (service)

• Numerous receipts for servicing and maintenance

• Invoice for recent work in August 15th 2025 totalling £2,760

• MOT until November 30th 2025

• HPI clear

• ULEZ compliant

• 114,697 indicated miles

Interior

• Rare cream leather interior is in very good condition throughout

• Free from damage and any major wear and tear aside from some slight sagging to the headlining and some light marks here and there commensurate with the car's age and mileage

• New OEM mats all round

• RCD330 stereo with Apple Carplay (original supplied)

• Pioneer TS-WX130EA under seat subwoofer

• The vendor reports that everything works

• Front driver's side window switch surround trim replaced

• Sunglasses holder replaced

• Heated seats

• Parking sensors

• The boot space is tidy and comes with spare wheel, tools and locking wheel nut key 

• Parcel shelf present and correct

• Boot gas struts replaced

• Engine bay is a little grimy in places but there is no apparent damage or deterioration

Exterior

• The car's bodywork presents well overall with no signs of any corrosion

• There is no evidence of any major damage to speak of aside from a minor dent to one plastic side skirt

• A few usual stone chips and minor scratches as to be expected of a car this age and a small chip to the windscreen (not an MOT failure)

• All body panels look to align correctly

• The light lenses are free from any fogging

• The original 18” wheels are in superb shape with the vendor reporting that they were all refurbished prior to their ownership

• Front tyres are Michelin Cross Climate 2s and the rears are Nankang Sportex NS-2Rs

• The vendor informs us that front and rear tread is 4mm

• Automatic Xenon projector headlights

• Electric folding door mirrors

• The vendor reports that rust on the front wings was treated and re-sprayed

• Window trim painted

• Underneath looks to be solid and in good condition

Mechanical

• 273bhp, 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine 

• Six-speed manual gearbox

• Front-wheel drive

• Revo Stage 2 + software

• Revo front mount intercooler

• Revo induction kit

• Miltek sports cat

• Miltek cat back exhaust

• High pressure fuel pump

• BC Racing Coilovers BR Series

• Fast road geometry set up from Charles Gates Racing

• Audi S3 brake calipers

• Brembo brake discs

• Ferodo DS Performance brake pads

• New clutch

• New flywheel

• Recent work includes engine oil, filter, anti-freeze, head gasket set, head bolt set, eight exhaust valves, eight inlet valves, camshaft chain kit, timing belt kit, water pump and a full set of piston rings

• No mechanical issues to report

• The vendor informs us that the car starts first time, is very smooth with a fluid engine and pulls well throughout gears

Summary

A standard Mk5 Volkswagen Golf GTI is already a damn good car but this PistonHeads-fettled weapon proudly stands head and shoulders above the crowd. With many tasteful modifications that enhance the car's already impressive performance credentials without negatively affecting how it drives this GTI is a very tempting proposition indeed so go and have a watch of the full build video on YouTube and then chuck in a bid. We're pretty sure you won't regret it.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.