Golf Mk5 GTI age vs mileage
Discussion
After my search for a decent local Focus ST proved fruitless I've now got my eyes on a couple of Golf Mk5 GTI's.
What would you go for?
2007, 78k miles, serviced at 76k (new cam belt etc)
2008, 85k miles, serviced at 76k (new cam belt again)
Both more or less the same in spec.
The buying guide and EVO guide both helpful, but anything else to watch for on cars of this age (9/10 years) and mileage?
What would you go for?
2007, 78k miles, serviced at 76k (new cam belt etc)
2008, 85k miles, serviced at 76k (new cam belt again)
Both more or less the same in spec.
The buying guide and EVO guide both helpful, but anything else to watch for on cars of this age (9/10 years) and mileage?
Buy on condition. There are so many MK5 GTIs out there and many of them are tatty.
No need to replace the shocks. My standard shocks on my 1.9 TDI Mk5 were fine when I sold it at 150k (had been running lowering springs).
GTI was fine when they were removed at 100k.
My Scirocco had stock dampers on it until 183k and they also had lowering springs and were fine.
No need to replace the shocks. My standard shocks on my 1.9 TDI Mk5 were fine when I sold it at 150k (had been running lowering springs).
GTI was fine when they were removed at 100k.
My Scirocco had stock dampers on it until 183k and they also had lowering springs and were fine.
Too close in terms of age and mileage to distinguish. As others have said - take a look at their condition and history and base your choice on this. As a quick list of things to look for/to expect to have to do when purchased, try researching these a bit more:
-Top of wheel arch/sills/under boot badge rust. Not a pandemic - but can occur on some cars, superficial rather than structural - just check the outer skin of the car in these areas. An arch mod can be made to lessen chance of this, £0 + 1hour.
-Fuel pump "cam follower" - should have really been replaced by now with cars at this mileage, if not - possibility that they could have worn through to the point where the cam would be damaged. Part is £35 + 30 mins and should be included in regular maintenance; ~20k mile inspections. Though VW rated the part for the life of the car, they were wrong!
-Common items which require replacement = PCV valve (can cause rough idle when gone) and turbo diverter valve (causes lack of boost when gone) - each are ~£35 and ~30 mins to check/replace.
-Check all doors lock/unlock reliably - lock modules can deteriorate over time.
-Alarm siren often fails on these - they have backup batteries which corrode so check alarm. £50 part (from china) and ~30 mins to fix.
-When warm, the engine in these cars is a bit "clickly/rattly" by their nature, though if a diesel "chugging" noise can be heard clearly from within the cabin when up to temperature the timing chain tensioner could be on the way out. Mk5 GTIs have a cam belt AND a timing chain. (New Chain and tensioner~ £500).
-As already mentioned, air con compressor failure is common and ~£600+ to fix, may be harder to check function at this time of year.
-Always try and get the car scanned for fault codes if possible. If you can find someone with VCDS software, even better as this can reveal a lot about a car e.g. ECU flash count (to tell if remapped).
-some cars have seen blocked oil pickup pipe in sump as a result of longer intervals between oil changes, can cause oil starvation to engine before any warnings on dash.
10 year old cars will likely always have a few things not right with them, these are the more common ones for the GTI and worth inspecting/ maintaining preventatively.
Check out www.mk5golfgti.co.uk for a mine of further information - similar posts on there may reveal points I've missed. Had mine for 18 months and thinks its a great car!
-Top of wheel arch/sills/under boot badge rust. Not a pandemic - but can occur on some cars, superficial rather than structural - just check the outer skin of the car in these areas. An arch mod can be made to lessen chance of this, £0 + 1hour.
-Fuel pump "cam follower" - should have really been replaced by now with cars at this mileage, if not - possibility that they could have worn through to the point where the cam would be damaged. Part is £35 + 30 mins and should be included in regular maintenance; ~20k mile inspections. Though VW rated the part for the life of the car, they were wrong!
-Common items which require replacement = PCV valve (can cause rough idle when gone) and turbo diverter valve (causes lack of boost when gone) - each are ~£35 and ~30 mins to check/replace.
-Check all doors lock/unlock reliably - lock modules can deteriorate over time.
-Alarm siren often fails on these - they have backup batteries which corrode so check alarm. £50 part (from china) and ~30 mins to fix.
-When warm, the engine in these cars is a bit "clickly/rattly" by their nature, though if a diesel "chugging" noise can be heard clearly from within the cabin when up to temperature the timing chain tensioner could be on the way out. Mk5 GTIs have a cam belt AND a timing chain. (New Chain and tensioner~ £500).
-As already mentioned, air con compressor failure is common and ~£600+ to fix, may be harder to check function at this time of year.
-Always try and get the car scanned for fault codes if possible. If you can find someone with VCDS software, even better as this can reveal a lot about a car e.g. ECU flash count (to tell if remapped).
-some cars have seen blocked oil pickup pipe in sump as a result of longer intervals between oil changes, can cause oil starvation to engine before any warnings on dash.
10 year old cars will likely always have a few things not right with them, these are the more common ones for the GTI and worth inspecting/ maintaining preventatively.
Check out www.mk5golfgti.co.uk for a mine of further information - similar posts on there may reveal points I've missed. Had mine for 18 months and thinks its a great car!
xjay1337 said:
No need to replace the shocks. My standard shocks on my 1.9 TDI Mk5 were fine when I sold it at 150k (had been running lowering springs).
GTI was fine when they were removed at 100k.
My Scirocco had stock dampers on it until 183k and they also had lowering springs and were fine.
Lol, either we have unusually rough roads where I live, or your cars had an easy life. Mine needed doing after 65k along with many of the bushes. Massive transformation afterwards too. GTI was fine when they were removed at 100k.
My Scirocco had stock dampers on it until 183k and they also had lowering springs and were fine.
andrewparker said:
xjay1337 said:
No need to replace the shocks. My standard shocks on my 1.9 TDI Mk5 were fine when I sold it at 150k (had been running lowering springs).
GTI was fine when they were removed at 100k.
My Scirocco had stock dampers on it until 183k and they also had lowering springs and were fine.
Lol, either we have unusually rough roads where I live, or your cars had an easy life. Mine needed doing after 65k along with many of the bushes. Massive transformation afterwards too. GTI was fine when they were removed at 100k.
My Scirocco had stock dampers on it until 183k and they also had lowering springs and were fine.
SuperchargedVR6 said:
andrewparker said:
xjay1337 said:
No need to replace the shocks. My standard shocks on my 1.9 TDI Mk5 were fine when I sold it at 150k (had been running lowering springs).
GTI was fine when they were removed at 100k.
My Scirocco had stock dampers on it until 183k and they also had lowering springs and were fine.
Lol, either we have unusually rough roads where I live, or your cars had an easy life. Mine needed doing after 65k along with many of the bushes. Massive transformation afterwards too. GTI was fine when they were removed at 100k.
My Scirocco had stock dampers on it until 183k and they also had lowering springs and were fine.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=10...
SuperchargedVR6 said:
It's just you. My chassis is still original at 120K.
Same for me. On 104k and rides very well. Leans towards the firmer side but well damped. Probably the best ride quality i have come across in all the cars i have owned/driven.Very composed on bumpy b roads, the very comfortable seats probably help.
As already mentioned, check that cam Follower! I found out the hard way, car seemed fine to drive but had worn through. Ended up replacing camshafts, fuel pump, chain & tensioner. Not cheap but if this has all been done theres not much else major thats known to go.
Thanks for all the advice everyone, picked up a black 57 plate Mk5 GTI on Friday. 78k and just serviced with cambelt & water pump change, RCD510 stereo upgrade, 4 new Pirelli's. Have done over 100 miles in it already and it seems a good'un.
Back right door is a tiny bit clunky and requires a bit more shove to close, but that's about the only thing I can find wrong with it, apart from the fact the little VW logos have fallen off both the keys.
Am on the lookout for a centre armrest as it didn't have one of those, and a bluetooth module for the stereo as that would be handy.
Back right door is a tiny bit clunky and requires a bit more shove to close, but that's about the only thing I can find wrong with it, apart from the fact the little VW logos have fallen off both the keys.
Am on the lookout for a centre armrest as it didn't have one of those, and a bluetooth module for the stereo as that would be handy.
andrewparker said:
SuperchargedVR6 said:
andrewparker said:
xjay1337 said:
No need to replace the shocks. My standard shocks on my 1.9 TDI Mk5 were fine when I sold it at 150k (had been running lowering springs).
GTI was fine when they were removed at 100k.
My Scirocco had stock dampers on it until 183k and they also had lowering springs and were fine.
Lol, either we have unusually rough roads where I live, or your cars had an easy life. Mine needed doing after 65k along with many of the bushes. Massive transformation afterwards too. GTI was fine when they were removed at 100k.
My Scirocco had stock dampers on it until 183k and they also had lowering springs and were fine.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=10...
Unless the dampers are removed and confirmed as f'cked, they shouldn't be condemned off hand.
You also failed to list which of the 'many' bushes failed on your car. The console bushes are common, but the rest aren't.
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