RE: VW Golf GTI (Mk6): PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
I've owned one for nearly two years now and put a few fair kms on mine as a daily driver with few problems. Got a 2012 in red with the Detroit 18s and DSG box. Side by side with a Mk7 design wise it hasnt aged that well but I love those Detroit rims, I've yet to see a rim on a Gti since that looks anywhere as good hence why I havent replaced them yet.
The only major problem being the radiator having a hole worn in it by the fan shroud rubbing on it. Bit odd. Had it replaced with a Behr unit. Being in Australia I've driven in temps up to and past 40 degrees celcius and not just on a day here and there. No issues with cooling except for the shroud rubbing on rad.No engine problems to speak of.
No issues with gearbox.so far. Funny all the horror stories I heard when looking for one yet most of the people speaking such had never owned the car. Had the major service done at a good independent who charged nearly half of what VW quoted. Gearbox in Sport mode is fantastic for hustling along on a quiet country road.
No issues with water in the doors and I do live in the north where there can be shedload of water at various times of the year.
Its great on long trips. Taken it up and down the east coast of Australia at least once and about to again soon. Surprisingly roomy for a 6'2 bloke who's eaten a few too many pies, with a full leather interior its very comfortable even on longer stints behind the wheel. Having lower back issues, I found the seat warmers to be of actual use (here in this climate they dont get used otherwise). Great on fuel especially on motorways. Easy going on tires and brake pads although I would like to upgrade as the stock brakes do lack a bit. Could do with a bit more straight line grunt but well in this country infested with revenue raising cameras planted in the name of road safety sometimes you wonder if there's any point.
I'll hang onto it for a few more years and probably get a newer Gti or R.
The only major problem being the radiator having a hole worn in it by the fan shroud rubbing on it. Bit odd. Had it replaced with a Behr unit. Being in Australia I've driven in temps up to and past 40 degrees celcius and not just on a day here and there. No issues with cooling except for the shroud rubbing on rad.No engine problems to speak of.
No issues with gearbox.so far. Funny all the horror stories I heard when looking for one yet most of the people speaking such had never owned the car. Had the major service done at a good independent who charged nearly half of what VW quoted. Gearbox in Sport mode is fantastic for hustling along on a quiet country road.
No issues with water in the doors and I do live in the north where there can be shedload of water at various times of the year.
Its great on long trips. Taken it up and down the east coast of Australia at least once and about to again soon. Surprisingly roomy for a 6'2 bloke who's eaten a few too many pies, with a full leather interior its very comfortable even on longer stints behind the wheel. Having lower back issues, I found the seat warmers to be of actual use (here in this climate they dont get used otherwise). Great on fuel especially on motorways. Easy going on tires and brake pads although I would like to upgrade as the stock brakes do lack a bit. Could do with a bit more straight line grunt but well in this country infested with revenue raising cameras planted in the name of road safety sometimes you wonder if there's any point.
I'll hang onto it for a few more years and probably get a newer Gti or R.
Edited by richomk6 on Thursday 12th April 02:27
I know the MK6 might aswell have just been a facelift, as there wasn't much difference between that and the MK5. I still retain that the MK6 model looks so much better in standard form than the car before it. That might just be me but those black plastic bumpers aren't my thing. The ED30 looks fantastic though.
After having experienced the DSG, i'd have one of them over a manual. I just think it's a cracking gearbox. They're not hugely exciting cars but you can definitely have fun with them. If you want your hot-hatch to nearly do everything and cover most bases, you really can't go wrong with the Golf GTI.
After having experienced the DSG, i'd have one of them over a manual. I just think it's a cracking gearbox. They're not hugely exciting cars but you can definitely have fun with them. If you want your hot-hatch to nearly do everything and cover most bases, you really can't go wrong with the Golf GTI.
xjay1337 said:
Honestjohn
Well know for being "honest" ..... oh no, wait.............
He is more of an idiot than me, and that's saying something.
Please give some examples. Well know for being "honest" ..... oh no, wait.............
He is more of an idiot than me, and that's saying something.
Meanwhile, if the OE chain tensioner has not been replaced, and upgraded, you can be sure it will fail. Consequently, you will need a new engine. Google “GTI mk6 chain tensioner problems”.
But why bother? The long list of gormless design faults and cost-cutting-influenced shoddy engineering make the Mk6 GTI seem like a 1970s-era Fiat.
And speaking of rust, when did VW Group stop galvanising its bodyshells?
NGK210 said:
xjay1337 said:
Honestjohn
Well know for being "honest" ..... oh no, wait.............
He is more of an idiot than me, and that's saying something.
Please give some examples. Well know for being "honest" ..... oh no, wait.............
He is more of an idiot than me, and that's saying something.
Meanwhile, if the OE chain tensioner has not been replaced, and upgraded, you can be sure it will fail. Consequently, you will need a new engine. Google “GTI mk6 chain tensioner problems”.
But why bother? The long list of gormless design faults and cost-cutting-influenced shoddy engineering make the Mk6 GTI seem like a 1970s-era Fiat.
And speaking of rust, when did VW Group stop galvanising its bodyshells?
Have you experienced any of these issues?
Who goes onto a web forum and says "I have a Golf <or whatever car> and I've had no issue with it!"
No-one! For any car!! Sites like Honestjohn exist PURELY for people to whinge.
Yes, there are some issues with camchain tensioners. But, that is not to say ALL cars with those engines will immediately detonate. The failure rate is probably <1%.
Again, you only hear about it because people with issues like to be as vociferous as possible.
The 2.0 TSI engine has been fitted to hundreds of thousands of cars in the UK, across the VAG range.... millions world wide. Inherently it is not a bad engine, and quite like ANY car, has some issues. As an all round package they are not bad cars.
My mate owned a 2.0 TSI engine, he put around 30k on it from memory, it never broke down (par for a sunroof issue) and never caused him issues, and managed to get 40mpg on a run. He also had it mapped to around 270hp and 350ft lb.
By all accounts it was a very good engine
xjay1337 said:
Another generic VAG bashing post.
Have you experienced any of these issues?
Who goes onto a web forum and says "I have a Golf <or whatever car> and I've had no issue with it!"
No-one! For any car!! Sites like Honestjohn exist PURELY for people to whinge.
Yes, there are some issues with camchain tensioners. But, that is not to say ALL cars with those engines will immediately detonate. The failure rate is probably <1%.
Again, you only hear about it because people with issues like to be as vociferous as possible.
The 2.0 TSI engine has been fitted to hundreds of thousands of cars in the UK, across the VAG range.... millions world wide. Inherently it is not a bad engine, and quite like ANY car, has some issues. As an all round package they are not bad cars.
My mate owned a 2.0 TSI engine, he put around 30k on it from memory, it never broke down (par for a sunroof issue) and never caused him issues, and managed to get 40mpg on a run. He also had it mapped to around 270hp and 350ft lb.
By all accounts it was a very good engine
“Have you experienced any of these issues?” As I like to think I’m neither an idiot nor a masochist, I’ve not experienced these issues - because I’ve never owned a Mk6 GTI. Have you experienced any of these issues?
Who goes onto a web forum and says "I have a Golf <or whatever car> and I've had no issue with it!"
No-one! For any car!! Sites like Honestjohn exist PURELY for people to whinge.
Yes, there are some issues with camchain tensioners. But, that is not to say ALL cars with those engines will immediately detonate. The failure rate is probably <1%.
Again, you only hear about it because people with issues like to be as vociferous as possible.
The 2.0 TSI engine has been fitted to hundreds of thousands of cars in the UK, across the VAG range.... millions world wide. Inherently it is not a bad engine, and quite like ANY car, has some issues. As an all round package they are not bad cars.
My mate owned a 2.0 TSI engine, he put around 30k on it from memory, it never broke down (par for a sunroof issue) and never caused him issues, and managed to get 40mpg on a run. He also had it mapped to around 270hp and 350ft lb.
By all accounts it was a very good engine
But I have owned a Mk2 GTI 8v, a Mk3 GTI 16v and a Mk1 Leon Cupra R. All of which are infinitely better examples of VW engineering and design compared to the Mk6 GTI.
And if you think Honestjohn.co.uk is biased against VWG, then see its review of the Mk7 GTI - 5 stars.
Best of luck selling your Mk6 GTI.
‘Tinkety tonk old fruit, and down with the Nazis.’
NGK210 said:
“Have you experienced any of these issues?” As I like to think I’m neither an idiot nor a masochist, I’ve not experienced these issues - because I’ve never owned a Mk6 GTI.
But I have owned a Mk2 GTI 8v, a Mk3 GTI 16v and a Mk1 Leon Cupra R. All of which are infinitely better examples of VW engineering and design compared to the Mk6 GTI.
And if you think Honestjohn.co.uk is biased against VWG, then see its review of the Mk7 GTI - 5 stars.
Best of luck selling your Mk6 GTI.
‘Tinkety tonk old fruit, and down with the Nazis.’
Mk3 GTI is awful, says a lot if you think that's better than a Mk5 / Mk6 GTI But I have owned a Mk2 GTI 8v, a Mk3 GTI 16v and a Mk1 Leon Cupra R. All of which are infinitely better examples of VW engineering and design compared to the Mk6 GTI.
And if you think Honestjohn.co.uk is biased against VWG, then see its review of the Mk7 GTI - 5 stars.
Best of luck selling your Mk6 GTI.
‘Tinkety tonk old fruit, and down with the Nazis.’
You speak from a position of 0 experience with any of the cars with this engine type, yet you seem to hate them for no actual reason other than internet hearsay!
Also I have noticed FYI in the article, a cambelt and waterpump is around £350 at an independant garage :-)
It never fails to amaze me how blinkered people can be when it comes to anything out of Germany particularly VAG group products. A fairly long list of potential problems there and yet people in general still believe that VAG produce well engineered reliable products. If that list had been associated with an Alfa or Lotus the response from people would have been very different.
I was seriously considering a octavia vrs a few years back until a bit of research on the tfsi engine completely put me off. I would say reading that article that unless you really want a golf buy a different hot hatch.
I was seriously considering a octavia vrs a few years back until a bit of research on the tfsi engine completely put me off. I would say reading that article that unless you really want a golf buy a different hot hatch.
xjay1337 said:
TurbosSuck said:
Who wrote this article?
EA888 engine (TFSI) in the MK6 is completely different from the EA113 (TSI) from the MK5. As someone above mentioned, cam chains were a problem on these engines but that issue seems to have been resolved on the newer 2013> TSI engines. I think carbon build up on the intakes was also a problem because of where the fuel was injected!?
You got your TSI and TFSI mixed up.EA888 engine (TFSI) in the MK6 is completely different from the EA113 (TSI) from the MK5. As someone above mentioned, cam chains were a problem on these engines but that issue seems to have been resolved on the newer 2013> TSI engines. I think carbon build up on the intakes was also a problem because of where the fuel was injected!?
AFAIK there is no fixed service interval for the timing change.
Carbon build up does occur but doesn't generally cause anything like the same lack of power that it causes in, say, an RS4
Generally the engines are reliable, plenty of spare parts and pretty easy to work on.
Given the car shares it's underpinnings with the Mk5 Golf as well parts are cheap.
Overall they are good cars, personally I'd buy a high spec Mk5 ED30 and spend the change on maintenance and upgrades.
xjay1337 said:
Mk3 GTI is awful, says a lot if you think that's better than a Mk5 / Mk6 GTI
You speak from a position of 0 experience with any of the cars with this engine type, yet you seem to hate them for no actual reason other than internet hearsay!
Is a Mk3 “better” than a Mk6? Depends on how you define “better”.You speak from a position of 0 experience with any of the cars with this engine type, yet you seem to hate them for no actual reason other than internet hearsay!
I bought my Mk3 16v when it was 6 yrs old; kept it for 3.5 yrs. It cost now’t more than 3 annual services, 1 set of tyres, 1 set of front pads and coil replacement at 90k as a precaution. Lighter and stiffer than a 306 GTI, 150bhp/1150kg was enough for me - and everything worked, nothing fell off.
In short, my Mk3 16v was cheap, hassle-free motoring.
Of course, that’s not as exciting as a car with an engine that might detonate at any moment; has flawed OE alignment that chews tyres; perforated front wings; OE orange-peel paint; rotting alloys; randomly folding mirrors; dead aircon, etc, etc.
And reports of chain tensioner / engine problems on multiple Golf GTI enthusiasts’ forums is not exactly “internet hearsay” - it is “owner feedback”.
Buy a Mk5 GTI or save up for a Mk7; avoid the Mk6.
Pretty sure the chain tensioner issue was fixed in 2011 (coincided with the rear R20 LED lights as standard).
I've had my mk6 GTI DSG for almost 2 years and covered 40k (30k --> 70k). I give it the beans all the time and it's not missed a heartbeat. Minor issue with the coolant light flashing on a cold start up (very recent, must be weather related) but otherwise it's been superb.
Interior is well built but a bit on the low tech side compared to newer cars. Standard equipment is poor however so I'd suggest looking for those specced with extra packs such as convenience (folding mirrors, auto lights, auto dimming mirror) and winter (heated seats, heated jets, headlight washers). Cruise also isn't standard but that may not bother some.
Avoid any pre-2011 cars and you should be fine I reckon. You'll be looking at around £10k - £11k for a decent example though.
I've had my mk6 GTI DSG for almost 2 years and covered 40k (30k --> 70k). I give it the beans all the time and it's not missed a heartbeat. Minor issue with the coolant light flashing on a cold start up (very recent, must be weather related) but otherwise it's been superb.
Interior is well built but a bit on the low tech side compared to newer cars. Standard equipment is poor however so I'd suggest looking for those specced with extra packs such as convenience (folding mirrors, auto lights, auto dimming mirror) and winter (heated seats, heated jets, headlight washers). Cruise also isn't standard but that may not bother some.
Avoid any pre-2011 cars and you should be fine I reckon. You'll be looking at around £10k - £11k for a decent example though.
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