Mk5 GTI, red flags?

[motorwaycruiser]

Hi, I'm a lurker here who would really appreciate some buying advice for a Mk5 GTI Golf. I've minimal mechanical knowledge so I'll be buying from a dealer. The choice is huge and I know any second hand car is a risk so I'm not looking for cast iron advice but I'd appreciate views on what are the "must haves" before you'd buy an 05-08 Golf GTI from a dealer?

Or in a similar vain, what would make you walk away without even inspecting the car?

[Chicarito]

If you're looking at 08 registered cars, I'd be tempted to stretch the budget to a Mk6, which was a significant improvement over the Mk5.

[CoolHands]

Go for the flappy-paddle DSG gearbox-brilliant. make sure the air con works properly (if it doesn't it's the pump needs replacing and that's expensive). That's it.

[snowdude2910]

buy the r32

[Rich_W]

Chicarito said:

If you're looking at 08 registered cars, I'd be tempted to stretch the budget to a Mk6, which was a significant improvement over the Mk5.

Care to explain why? Mk6 was only brought out because Mk5 was costing too much to make. (True story! They share a hell of a lot of parts)

Don't buy a R32. Not as good as the Gti and don't buy a DSG unless you are dull.

[Nick3point2]

I'd have a gander in the Audi VW seat skoda forum first, but generally speaking any second hand car history is the most important thing. Drive a manual and a DSG, as it's a very personal decision, and I'd also try an R32 to get a balance between 4 pot forced induction and teh lovely 3.2 VR6.

But, spend your time looking and you can't go wrong. It's a great car and there are plenty of examples around to make sure you don't buy a lemon.

[Nick3point2]

Rich_W said:

Care to explain why? Mk6 was only brought out because Mk5 was costing too much to make. (True story! They share a hell of a lot of parts)

Don't buy a R32. Not as good as the Gti and don't buy a DSG unless you are dull.

Care to back up your DSG/R32 opinions with experience/evidence or are you just the almighty when it comes to mk5s?

[Chicarito]

Rich_W said:

Care to explain why? Mk6 was only brought out because Mk5 was costing too much to make. (True story! They share a hell of a lot of parts)

Don't buy a R32. Not as good as the Gti and don't buy a DSG unless you are dull.

I heard that about the Mk5 and Mk6, too.

Not sure how they worked it out - because the Mk5 was a big step back in quality compared with the Mk4, which was largely recovered with the launch of the Mk6.

Absolutely nothing wrong with DSG, either. For most people, it's better than the manual option.

[toddler]

A few random thoughts.

Check the service history. Low mileage cars that have probably done lots of short journeys should really be on Time & Distance service interval i.e. 12 months or 10K miles (whichever comes first). Higher mileage cars that have probably done more motorway miles should be on the more cost-effective Longlife servicing i.e 20K miles or 2 years (whichever comes first).

DSG service due at 40K miles (if applicable), and timing belt and waterpump at 40K miles or 4 years (which ever comes first).

There was a recall on coil packs so call VW with the VIN and check it's been done. It's free even if out of warranty.

Check for noisy steering when maneouvering at slow speeds going forwards and backwards. There were issues with steering racks on early Mk5s apparently.

Nice options to have include xenons (the standard lamps are rubbish), a decent stereo with aux in and mp3 compatibility, and cruise control.

The 18" alloys look nicer but make the ride a bit less comfortable and cost more to replace the tyres.

If you do a lot of city driving don't expect good fuel economy. I do mostly short stop/start journeys and I'm getting 23mpg from my bog standard Mk5 DSG GTi. I can get 36mpg on a run though.

Check out www.Mk5GolfGTi.co.uk for loads of good advice and information.

Edited by toddler on Saturday 12th November 00:08

[Rich_W]

Nick3point2 said:

Care to back up your DSG/R32 opinions with experience/evidence or are you just the almighty when it comes to mk5s?

10+ years working for VAG.

Your move

EDIT For Chicaraato

I personally feel the Mk4 was fairly bombproof. But the Mk5/6 is a nicer car all round.

Edited by Rich_W on Saturday 12th November 00:07

[Colonial]

Ongoing reliability concerns with dsg.

I'd avoid.

Manual is a great car though.

[motorwaycruiser]

This forum is quick, I wasn't expecting any replies before tomorrow :-) Thanks for the replies guys, they're all appreciated.

On the comments raised so far. DSG and R32 are unfortunately a big jump on insurance. A scumbag broke into my house and nicked a 2 yr old passat this year which means I may as well have no NCB. Otherwise they would be on the list. I've ran the quotes, I also checked out a 330ci, and the Golf seems to be the best compromise between the insurance company doing me and getting a decent car.

[-Z-]

They are great cars, the wife's has DSG and with wipe clean leather seats it's a superlative family car.

RE: mk6 it's a lot pricier still isn't it.

Only downsides are expensive services, the 4yr one due next week will probably be around the £8-900 mark!

[gtidriver]

Hi we had one for three years, and covered over 50000 miles,It was a white 3door and it was brilliant, we revo'd it to 255bhp and I took it to the ring twice. Wished we had looked at a few cars instead of buying the first that we saw as I'd have had the dsg gearbox and sunroof (in 3door it's really dark in the back as the side glass is small and tinted and the trim and roof are dark grey)
We had 18"s as well but they suffer from white worm corrosion and then they look st. Tyres were around £100 for Goodyear eagles or contis. Go for leather as the cloth seams to look rather shabby after a few years. Avoid the recaro type seats as well as they fall apart. Actually go for the edition 30.

I miss it but not the 30if your lucky mpg.

[Nick3point2]

Rich_W said:

10+ years working for VAG.

Your move

EDIT For Chicaraato

I personally feel the Mk4 was fairly bombproof. But the Mk5/6 is a nicer car all round.

Edited by Rich_W on Saturday 12th November 00:07

Arse. You probably trump me. Okie dokie, my move is as follows:

The r32 is a much better option (in my opinion) in terms of being a better daily driver and a better point to point car. I have had a 3.2 A3 for 2 and a half years now, and having driven a few mk5 gtis I have never found anything about them that I have found lacking in my car. Fuel is slightly better but I truely feel that the R32 is slightly better in almost every aspect. Then you use about 2/3 throttle from 3500 to 5000 rpm and every rational argument goes out the window: the 3.2 is the best engine that VAG use in small to medium cars and the GTi lacks character like this in my opinion. The haldex is my next big selling point. I am a big fan of haldex. I find it's intervention very progressive and I also think that even an ammature driver (like myself, I'm pretty ham fisted) can tune the handling balance to their taste, it's just about learning how the car will respond. On FWD mk5 platforms this is not an option.

Then there is the DSG argument. I dont think i have driven a DSG car of any sort other than into a fitting bay when I ran tyre garages. There weren't any DSG A3s in my price bracket when I was looking to buy so never got round to it. But from what I have heard and read, it's a very personal thing and nobody should buy one way or the other on another person's recommendation. My father in law for example didn't want an auto, but drove a DSG scirocco and decided he couldn't buy his next car without it. Others will say to buy a tatty car with no history if it means avoiding it.




Basically, what I was trying to get at was that the mk5 seems to be a perfect example of a 'personal' car that nobody should choose the spec of on the basis that someone told them to.




And finally, what do you do for VAG? You seem to have been a bit vague, most people would say what they do when using their employer to support their opinion

[blearyeyedboy]

OP, I drive an Octavia vRS which I chose after test driving a few Mark 5 GTi's.

Don't worry, I'm not about to talk you into a Skoda.*

What I would say is that the manual gearbox is very, very good in all the GTi/Cupra/vRS/A3 family. Drive the manual and the DSG to make your own mind up, but for me the combination of question marks over DSG maintenance costs and the fact the manual was so good clinched it. Be aware that other PHers opinions may vary.

*Unless you want to be talked into one?

Edited by blearyeyedboy on Saturday 12th November 06:05

[rickybouy]

I have owned both and the R32 sounds lovely but overall driving I believe to be better in the gti, I also believe point to point gti is quicker / more nimble. The dsg argument will always go on but I was converted after using it! Lovely noise and increases experience in my opinion. Can't go wrong with whatever you choose

[Ved]

Manual R32 got my vote. Tax and insurance is more but it's a much more grown up car. 33.3 average on the motorway with little effort either

[Hub]

Chicarito said:

If you're looking at 08 registered cars, I'd be tempted to stretch the budget to a Mk6, which was a significant improvement over the Mk5.

Stretching the budget would probably mean an extra £5-6,000 at least!

Anyway, this topic has been covered a few times in the Audi/VW section of the forum. One thing that alarmed me was the propensity to rust on the front wings where the wheel arch liner rubs over time!

[Hub]

Chicarito said:

If you're looking at 08 registered cars, I'd be tempted to stretch the budget to a Mk6, which was a significant improvement over the Mk5.

Stretching the budget would probably mean an extra £5-6,000 at least!

Anyway, this topic has been covered a few times in the Audi/VW section of the forum. One thing that alarmed me was the propensity to rust on the front wings where the wheel arch liner rubs over time!