RE: Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk5): PH Heroes
Discussion
Been on these forums for a while and this thread has brought out my first comment!
Bought a Diamond Black 5 Door Mk5 GTI 5 years ago now. Committed the cardinal sin and bought the first car I viewed. Couldn't help myself. Had every intention of test driving the usual suspects (Civic Type R, Focus ST etc) but fell in love on the first drive! Negotiated a bargain deal and have since been told I got one of the best mechanically...somewhat of a relief. 5 years later and I cannot bring myself to ever sell it. Thought about it so many times but every time I get behind the wheel I don't know what I could replace it with in budget. It does everything so well especially in 5 door.
She is starting to show the fact that it doesn't get driven enough (3k in 2 years!) by acting very strange at naughty speeds so I have made the hard decision... drive it more, like heck am I selling! Man maths at its best there I believe! The best thing I ever bought and I am also mighty glad I deliberately avoided the leather... Tartan seats are just a must in these!
Bought a Diamond Black 5 Door Mk5 GTI 5 years ago now. Committed the cardinal sin and bought the first car I viewed. Couldn't help myself. Had every intention of test driving the usual suspects (Civic Type R, Focus ST etc) but fell in love on the first drive! Negotiated a bargain deal and have since been told I got one of the best mechanically...somewhat of a relief. 5 years later and I cannot bring myself to ever sell it. Thought about it so many times but every time I get behind the wheel I don't know what I could replace it with in budget. It does everything so well especially in 5 door.
She is starting to show the fact that it doesn't get driven enough (3k in 2 years!) by acting very strange at naughty speeds so I have made the hard decision... drive it more, like heck am I selling! Man maths at its best there I believe! The best thing I ever bought and I am also mighty glad I deliberately avoided the leather... Tartan seats are just a must in these!
sege said:
I think it's unfair to cast the Mk3 and 4 as weak points in the evolution of the GTI. Both had much nicer interior plastics than the French competition at the time, lots of really great 'perceived quality' and also doors that didn't shut with a tinny clang, but rather a solid....
I'd agree. The Mk4 especially was probably one of the most desirable cars for the average person, a huge step up in refinement and build quality for a family hatchback and raised the bar significantly.Yes, the 2.0 "GTI" was underpowered, and the 1.8 turbo versions underwhelming, but it was at a time when most hot hatches were underpowered and underwhelming (the Focus ST170 springs to mind). Plus the Golf GTI was around for a couple of years before a faster version of the Focus (and many other manufacturer models) were launched, so your hot hatch options were limited anyway.
Yes, by modern standards the Mk4 was slow and lardy, but at the time I bet a 150/180bhp version was probably good fun.
aaron_2000 said:
NGK210 said:
Indeed. There was another VAG 5-door hatch, which was cheaper than a GTI 1.8T Mk4, and faster, and sharper - but no less supple or practical - and it had better brakes (Brembos).
And when the Mk5 GTI was launched, it too was pricier and slower - eg, 1:32.9 vs 1:33.7 at Top Gear’s track - than its older in-house rival.
The Mk1 Leon Cupra R, now that’s a ‘hero’.
Nicer inside too, pretty much an S3 interior. Looked miles better outside too, the MK5 was better than the MK2 Cupra though. And when the Mk5 GTI was launched, it too was pricier and slower - eg, 1:32.9 vs 1:33.7 at Top Gear’s track - than its older in-house rival.
The Mk1 Leon Cupra R, now that’s a ‘hero’.
Really like the Mk5. Never got around to buying one though. They always seemed to hold their value better than I'd expected so every time I was changing cars they always seemed about £2k more than I wanted to pay. All previous generations reached a point at some point where they were worth next to nothing but the MK5 has never gone there. Testament to how well it's regarded.
I’m considering either a late model, low mileage, pampered Mk5 GTI or stretching to an early, higher mileage Mk7 GTI.
One thing I’ve noticed is the quality of the paint finish: all Mk5s have a smooth glass-like finish, wheresas some of the Mk7s I’ve seen have a slight orange-peel ripple. Is it a symptom of inconsistency in the Mk7’s factory spray booth, or bodged re-sprayed crash damage, or cost cutting from a faster paint process?
One thing I’ve noticed is the quality of the paint finish: all Mk5s have a smooth glass-like finish, wheresas some of the Mk7s I’ve seen have a slight orange-peel ripple. Is it a symptom of inconsistency in the Mk7’s factory spray booth, or bodged re-sprayed crash damage, or cost cutting from a faster paint process?
NGK210 said:
I’m considering either a late model, low mileage, pampered Mk5 GTI or stretching to an early, higher mileage Mk7 GTI.
One thing I’ve noticed is the quality of the paint finish: all Mk5s have a smooth glass-like finish, wheresas some of the Mk7s I’ve seen have a slight orange-peel ripple. Is it a symptom of inconsistency in the Mk7’s factory spray booth, or bodged re-sprayed crash damage, or cost cutting from a faster paint process?
I’ve seen some terrible orange peel paintwork on Škoda Citigos at dealers recently - I can’t believe they were allowed out of the factory like that let alone on the showroom floor (brand new not used cars here). Maybe VW are letting group standards slip. (But I cannot fault the finish on either my old 63 reg Fabia or my current 16 plate Leon).One thing I’ve noticed is the quality of the paint finish: all Mk5s have a smooth glass-like finish, wheresas some of the Mk7s I’ve seen have a slight orange-peel ripple. Is it a symptom of inconsistency in the Mk7’s factory spray booth, or bodged re-sprayed crash damage, or cost cutting from a faster paint process?
sunnygym said:
Had mine for 5 years, absolutely love it. Great family car and even better when I can have it to myself and thrown round some corners.
Unfortunately will have to sell it soon as kids are getting growing and bigger car is required.
Haha, I swapped mine for a 996 after 9mths, my kids were 8 & 5 at the time!Unfortunately will have to sell it soon as kids are getting growing and bigger car is required.
Like the colour of yours, mine was black which is the only colour I didn't want
shotta287 said:
I'm on the lookout for one. Surprised how hard it is to find one with factory fit xenons (a lot have been retrofitted with Depo projectors), multifunction steering wheel and elec folding mirrors.
I am going to be selling my Mk V. 38k miles, 5 door, DSG, Leather has all those options. 
....or an MX-5 
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