Looking to purchase a VW Golf TDI GT.

[GolfTDIGT]

Hello,

Possibly been asked before however I would be pleased to hear from anyone that owns a 2005/2006 VW Golf MK5 Hatchback 5-DR 1968 cc 2.0 TDI GT.

Totally new to these cars so ultimately can anyone provide a non biased critic, bad points/good points/like's/dislikes. Problems? Servicing costs/running costs? What to look for when buying.

Been very surprised by the disparity in prices. Talking to three Approved VW dealers in my location and virtually exact same cars down to mileage and colour etc. One at £9495-£11495!!!! SAME CAR!!!

I am looking into buying one and comparing against a BMW 1 Series 118 1995 cc Sport 5-Door 2006 plate.

Been reading Clarkson reviews and whatcar etc, speaking to friends in the motor trade and the opinion seems to be the Golf is the way to go.

Drivers/Influences:
1. Need a big boot for the shopping/dog/going to the tip etc
2. Need a bit of power as occassionally do a few motorway miles with the job.

Will be a second car/workhorse/work car.

If anyone can spare a few minutes I would be really very grateful. Thank you in advance.

Best wishes.

[v8 jago]

Have you looked at a seat leon. My mate had one and i was very suprised at how bit the boot space was and how much space was in the car itself. I wanted a mk5 golf but it looks like when i change now it will be a leon. They also look very smart too.

[worsy]

Wife had a 54 plate from new for 4 years. Only problems was a recall on an exhaust flap and condensation in rear lights fixed under warranty.

Was thirsty on oil for first 10k, other than that we put fuel in it and had it serviced, and bar tyres that was it.

[NBirkitt]

Check out the various 6-page road tests in Volkswagen Driver magazine, all very comprehensive and detailed (but maybe I'm biased..

see back issues index at www.volkswagendrivermag.co.uk

[GolfTDIGT]

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to reply.

Merry Christmas!

[stewies_minion]

I have a 2005/6 Golf 5 door. Albeit a DSG and I guess you're looking at a manual.

Good points

Classless
Comfy
Not fast, but brisk
Frugal - average mid 40s - best more than 55
Good cabin space
Good boot space - can take a buggy and a kid's bike
Some buttons inside for windows / mirrors etc
Good brakes / handling is fine

Bad points

Mine's done 64k and it's had numerous rattles - mostly sorted now.
My ECU went - but that's one in a million - £1k ish
My cooling fan went £250
My radiator went - £250 & lots of others seem to be made of cheese too
Seats stain easy with kiddie traffic

Overall - I really like it. Far preferable to a Focus etc. Not driven a 1 series, but they seem tiny and as a passenger they ride really hard.

Servicing costs are perfectly reasonable. On par with any other TBH

[va1o]

Watch out for the rather common ESP light problem on cars built before mid-2007, its £1500 to fix and seems to catch out a lot of people just out of warranty.

Other than that, I can't really fault them. The Golf combined with the 2.0 TDI engine in GT trim is one of the best all-rounders money can buy, very easy to live with and nice to drive, built to last, eats up the miles.

I don't rate the 1-series, they are expensive and under-equipped compared to the Golf, and a lot smaller inside. Also if its a pre-ED 118 you only get 120bhp-ish.