RE: Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk5): PH Heroes

[Section 8]

p4cks said:

I hasten to add that the quality of the mk5 interior is better than the 'cheap' feel mk7

You are kidding right? I drove a Mk5 today that I sold to a mate and drive a 7 daily, both GTI’s, and the quality in the 5 is not even close.

Scratchy grey plastics galore in the 5 especially on the interior door grab handles and center/lower console. The window switches are shat too and lose paint to reveal white underneath just by looking at them.-

Just odd that you say the later Golf has a cheap feel when it seems have been lauded as rather well put together and a good quality feel by... well just about every motoring journalist that ever reviewed the thing.

[thebraketester]

The mk5 dash it made out of recycled plastic from chocolate selection boxes. It’s bks.

[DannyCup172]

Loved my mk5 Edition 30, it had a full glass out respray and 3/4 panel replacement by VW under the corrosion warranty two years ago (since sold..) but the paint on them is sub standard.

Seriously rapid car with stage 1 software. I’d say quicker than my current Mk7 Golf R once rolling but i just couldn’t venture back to that horrific paint issue that they all suffer from.

[galaxie500]

Ruskins said:

galaxie500 said:

Totally agree on the cheap plastics in the Mk7 compared to the Mk5. I had an Edition 30 for 4 years and the interior had definitely better specified plastics especially on the doors and dash surround. I’ve a 5 door Golf R at the moment and while the front doors cards are well put together the rear door cards, especially the tops are made of plastic which wouldn’t be out of place on a Mini Metro. Along with the deletion of door marker lights, rear footwell lights and other premium feel accessories ( all withdrawn during the 2005/2006 MY change by VW’s accountants) the current top of the line GTI & R products are not as premium as they ought to be.

Its odd that ive never read a single review of a new GTI which mentions cheap plastics.

Reviewers won’t pick up on rear door plastics - apart from an Aussie review I once read ( but you can’t trust those blokes with a stick and a ball so how can you trust anything they say!)
Perhaps pop into a VW showroom and see for yourself! I’ve got a 7R and whilst the Mk5 has some dubious materials for door handles and lower dash coverings the Mk7 rear door cards are seriously crap for a £30K + motor. It’s as if VW thought the driver would never check the consistency from front to back of the car. Same with the LED door panel strips and sill strips. Pointless additions IMHO but the Mk7 R front doors have a stylish blue LED strip ( red on Mk7 GTI I believe) which are not carried through to rear doors or sills. Similarly there’s a little cubby in front of gear selector which could easily be illuminated - it is in my pals Skoda Kodiaq FFS, but not on my R. Unimportant in most people’s eyes but little touches that’s indicative of how VW’s bean counters pull in the purse strings. It’s ‘stealth underspecifying’; you buy a premium product only to find it’s actually a dressed up base version. I love how it performs & drives but am disappointed with the lack of premium & specialness this ‘top of the range’ car actually has.

[NGK210]

The real Mk3 GTI was the 16V - only the UK had a GTI-badged 8V. And the Mk3 GTI was lighter and had a stiffer bodyshell than the 306 GTi, which most people conveniently forget when lauding the latter.
The Mk4 GTI was another UK-only badge con, elsewhere the 1.8T was the GTI.
Also worth considering the Mk5’s list of foibles, not least the inlet valves that will need a de-gunk, and the’re rust problems (tailgates and front wings).
Google “gti mk5 problems”, especially the Mick’s Garage guide, to learn more.

Edited by NGK210 on Tuesday 3rd April 11:51

[jon_273]

galaxie500 said:

Ruskins said:

galaxie500 said:

Totally agree on the cheap plastics in the Mk7 compared to the Mk5. I had an Edition 30 for 4 years and the interior had definitely better specified plastics especially on the doors and dash surround. I’ve a 5 door Golf R at the moment and while the front doors cards are well put together the rear door cards, especially the tops are made of plastic which wouldn’t be out of place on a Mini Metro. Along with the deletion of door marker lights, rear footwell lights and other premium feel accessories ( all withdrawn during the 2005/2006 MY change by VW’s accountants) the current top of the line GTI & R products are not as premium as they ought to be.

Its odd that ive never read a single review of a new GTI which mentions cheap plastics.

Reviewers won’t pick up on rear door plastics - apart from an Aussie review I once read ( but you can’t trust those blokes with a stick and a ball so how can you trust anything they say!)
Perhaps pop into a VW showroom and see for yourself! I’ve got a 7R and whilst the Mk5 has some dubious materials for door handles and lower dash coverings the Mk7 rear door cards are seriously crap for a £30K + motor. It’s as if VW thought the driver would never check the consistency from front to back of the car. Same with the LED door panel strips and sill strips. Pointless additions IMHO but the Mk7 R front doors have a stylish blue LED strip ( red on Mk7 GTI I believe) which are not carried through to rear doors or sills. Similarly there’s a little cubby in front of gear selector which could easily be illuminated - it is in my pals Skoda Kodiaq FFS, but not on my R. Unimportant in most people’s eyes but little touches that’s indicative of how VW’s bean counters pull in the purse strings. It’s ‘stealth underspecifying’; you buy a premium product only to find it’s actually a dressed up base version. I love how it performs & drives but am disappointed with the lack of premium & specialness this ‘top of the range’ car actually has.

You think the LED door strips are pointless but then you are complaining they are not there in the back?

They can be turned off completely if you think it looks odd not to have them in the back. Personally I like them. As for the sill strips, the solution to that was to buy a 3 door. The A3/S3 exists if you want "premium".

Interesting about the cubby hole not being illuminated though. My Lupo had an illuminated ashtray back in 2004. But I think if all you can complain about is a lack of an illuminated cubby hole it goes to show how good the MK7 is. I am very critical of cars and my only complaints are a rattly sun visor and creaking rear suspension. Everything is subtly improved over the MK5; it's a great car

[jmesgotav8]

I had an edition 30, best car I have ever owned and would have one back in a heartbeat

[anonymous-user]

Had a 2005 GTI bought used approved from VW and only sold it last year. Went for one after Clarkson’s review on Top Gear and also all the glowing motoring journo reviews and wasn’t disappointed. Fantasic car IMO.

[galaxie500]

jon_273 said:

galaxie500 said:

Ruskins said:

galaxie500 said:

Totally agree on the cheap plastics in the Mk7 compared to the Mk5. I had an Edition 30 for 4 years and the interior had definitely better specified plastics especially on the doors and dash surround. I’ve a 5 door Golf R at the moment and while the front doors cards are well put together the rear door cards, especially the tops are made of plastic which wouldn’t be out of place on a Mini Metro. Along with the deletion of door marker lights, rear footwell lights and other premium feel accessories ( all withdrawn during the 2005/2006 MY change by VW’s accountants) the current top of the line GTI & R products are not as premium as they ought to be.

Its odd that ive never read a single review of a new GTI which mentions cheap plastics.

Reviewers won’t pick up on rear door plastics - apart from an Aussie review I once read ( but you can’t trust those blokes with a stick and a ball so how can you trust anything they say!)
Perhaps pop into a VW showroom and see for yourself! I’ve got a 7R and whilst the Mk5 has some dubious materials for door handles and lower dash coverings the Mk7 rear door cards are seriously crap for a £30K + motor. It’s as if VW thought the driver would never check the consistency from front to back of the car. Same with the LED door panel strips and sill strips. Pointless additions IMHO but the Mk7 R front doors have a stylish blue LED strip ( red on Mk7 GTI I believe) which are not carried through to rear doors or sills. Similarly there’s a little cubby in front of gear selector which could easily be illuminated - it is in my pals Skoda Kodiaq FFS, but not on my R. Unimportant in most people’s eyes but little touches that’s indicative of how VW’s bean counters pull in the purse strings. It’s ‘stealth underspecifying’; you buy a premium product only to find it’s actually a dressed up base version. I love how it performs & drives but am disappointed with the lack of premium & specialness this ‘top of the range’ car actually has.

You think the LED door strips are pointless but then you are complaining they are not there in the back?

They can be turned off completely if you think it looks odd not to have them in the back. Personally I like them. As for the sill strips, the solution to that was to buy a 3 door. The A3/S3 exists if you want "premium".

Interesting about the cubby hole not being illuminated though. My Lupo had an illuminated ashtray back in 2004. But I think if all you can complain about is a lack of an illuminated cubby hole it goes to show how good the MK7 is. I am very critical of cars and my only complaints are a rattly sun visor and creaking rear suspension. Everything is subtly improved over the MK5; it's a great car

I absolutely don’t dispute the improvements made on the Mk7 over the Mk5; it’s the little things that ought to be incremental over a previous model and aren’t or additions that are half baked really annoy me! I spent a lot of time adding door marker lights, footwell lights and other previously standard but then deleted niceties to my Edition 30. Didn’t think these things would be missing from the 7R!
You’re right though; these are trivial compared to the dynamic abilities of the car and it’s a great drive although one definitely feels a little less connected than when in the more ‘seat of the pants’ Mk5 Edition 30.

[J4CKO]

I bought a TT instead but was looking at the MK5, definitely standing the test of time looks wise, classic in the making but there is a lot of overpriced st out there trading on the name and desirability.

Looked at a six grand one at a local dealers, ropey bodywork, wheels were suspiciously good, suspect based on the rest of it they were ruined and refurbed, the (select of various budget, but very shiny) tyres attested to that, interior looks like it had been used for several years of school runs, dash wash scratched from what I assume were kids shoes, everything had scratches. The car was ruined really, I expect some wear and tear but not that much.

Loads of sheds in the classifieds as well, a good one is really worth spending the time to seek out.

[NGK210]

Someone mentioned creaking rear suspension on the Mk7 GTI. A fella claims to have found a fix: replacing the factory-fit Sachs dampers with Bilstein B4s (part number BLS19-230559).

[raceboy]

Got one of these on my radar to replace my trusty (but chavy) Civic Type R, I had a MK4 GTi some time ago, and it wasn't the most exciting, or reliable of cars but I'll not hold that against the Mk5.
Been told to look for rust but what car doesn't, and they seem a pretty classy option among the 'hot hatch' crowd, apparently I'm getting too old for big exhausts and spoilers.

[Maash]

Personally I think mk5 is the prettiest generation of GTI:s and Golf in general.

The rounded look is rather classy and much more elegant than subsequent more angular looks. But it was one off from this generation of VW as other products haven't stood time and improved as this one has.

[Actus Reus]

Pound for pound my black Mk.V GTi is the best car I've ever owned. I've had faster and flashier, but it was exactly what a hot hatch was supposed to be - all things to all men. Wonderful car which I will always have fond memories of. (not so much the Mk.IV that went before it which was awful).

EFA

Edited by Actus Reus on Tuesday 3rd April 13:00

[scottos]

tiggyzak said:

Oh dear ,I had a feeling that I might have set myself up here !

Actually my wife has a Tiguan and I really enjoy driving that . I'm 6'4" and the electric seats in the Tiguan are fantastically comfortable for me. On the other hand with my height a long journey in the Golf is not so good - infact on a long journey it's b****y uncomfortable ! Plus at my age I'm finding getting in and out more difficult and I don't want to ruin those seat sides when I lumber in and out. They look awful when they're all floppy and creased - don't you tend to agree ?

Pathetic I know. But , believe me ,there was a time when I could scramble in and out of an Elan Sprint no problems.

Fire away......

I'd urge you to get out and drive it and enjoy your car. It almost sounds like you're preserving the car for the next owner, which is a shame. I almost fell into the same trap with my old mk2 gti!

I've also got a 5 door edition 30 and use it daily and cover a little over 1200 miles a month on average and it seems much better for its continual use.

Thanks,

Scott

[warch]

raceboy said:

Been told to look for rust but what car doesn't

Really do look for rust, they rust quite badly, probably non structurally but it looks unsightly. Obviously the front wings, door shuts, especially at the front of the front doors, where there's a mud trap, boot lid and doors. Things like the suspension fasteners and spray shields on the brakes rot like something from BL in the 70s.

I'd quite like a Gti to replace my TDI, especially as I've done so many repairs on the latter I've become a bit of a mechanical specialist

[BREMBOV6]

I really enjoy mine and bought it never thinking it would be quite so good, especially coming from a hard-core Renaultsport fan. It really does corner very very well and is a genuinely brilliant car.

Mine is a 3 door manual in grey with cloth, was recently hold to keep hold of it by some random chap! Just about to tick over onto 40k....I bought it on c22k 2 years ago so I have enjoyed it!! :0

[culpz]

The MK5 was a great return to form for VW with the Golf GTI. I think good ones still look really fresh, although i'm not too keen on the plastic bumpers. The best one was the Edition 30 IMO. These standard ones can be had really cheap now but it's probably worth spending a bit more for a good one.

[GTEYE]

warch said:

raceboy said:

Been told to look for rust but what car doesn't

Really do look for rust, they rust quite badly, probably non structurally but it looks unsightly. Obviously the front wings, door shuts, especially at the front of the front doors, where there's a mud trap, boot lid and doors. Things like the suspension fasteners and spray shields on the brakes rot like something from BL in the 70s.

I'd quite like a Gti to replace my TDI, especially as I've done so many repairs on the latter I've become a bit of a mechanical specialist

Like most cars if you neglect them or abuse them, you'll get problems.

But Golfs do tend to last if you look after them.

From some I've seen, and not just Golfs, rust tends to take hold in later years due to poor quality repairs/paintwork and general neglect.

[Tommie38]

g7jhp said:

There were two Mk4 badged GTI.

The Mk4 2.0 GTI is a dog with 115bhp.

The Mk4 1.8t GTI with 150 or 180bhp isn't a bad GTI. It's well built, can be easily remapped for more power.

The Mk4 is horrid and absolutely was a massive let down for the breed. I had a 1.8T car for a year.