MK5 GTI's, any good ?
Discussion
Think I fancy going back to a hot hatch form my CLS, something a bit smaller and maybe a little less thirsty so the Golf GTI seems the logical choice given my limited budget of six grand or so.
Anything to watch out for, I know the 2.0 engine had some issues with oil consumption but thinking thats more an Audi problem ?
The Edition 30 seems to be just about in budget, or for not much more.
My other option is a TT, always liked them, would be a 225 Coupe.
Any suggestions ?
Anything to watch out for, I know the 2.0 engine had some issues with oil consumption but thinking thats more an Audi problem ?
The Edition 30 seems to be just about in budget, or for not much more.
My other option is a TT, always liked them, would be a 225 Coupe.
Any suggestions ?
I think they all burn a little oil to a certain degree, some more than others. I think most people change the oil to a 5w 40 instead of a 5w 30 to help with the problem.
I bought a 2006 model a few months back as id always fancied one, its a very capable car. I do find the suspension a bit harsh on our roads but i did move over from a soft highline passat!
Quite difficult to find an unmolested example but not impossible, i too liked the edition 30 but didnt think it was worth the premium over a standard Gti.
Its still a fine drivers car but does look a little dated these days.
I bought a 2006 model a few months back as id always fancied one, its a very capable car. I do find the suspension a bit harsh on our roads but i did move over from a soft highline passat!
Quite difficult to find an unmolested example but not impossible, i too liked the edition 30 but didnt think it was worth the premium over a standard Gti.
Its still a fine drivers car but does look a little dated these days.
I've had mine (Mk5 GTi DSG) for a few weeks. So far I'm enjoying it. Pretty refined when you want it to be, but also good fun when the mood takes.
Things to look out for.
Front wings can rust, but can be repaired/replaced under dealer warranty (12 years)
If DSG, ensure regular services have been done
Cambelt etc.
Aircon compressors can fail
Cam follower in fuel pump is worth replacing (easy DIY and cheap)
Diverter valve if faulty can result in loss of boost (another easy DIY).
Things to look out for.
Front wings can rust, but can be repaired/replaced under dealer warranty (12 years)
If DSG, ensure regular services have been done
Cambelt etc.
Aircon compressors can fail
Cam follower in fuel pump is worth replacing (easy DIY and cheap)
Diverter valve if faulty can result in loss of boost (another easy DIY).
I asked a couple of local VAG specialists when considering one a while back, oil pumps appeared to be a issue, normally no warning and costly to repair. One has had one or two a month coming in recently, a quick google confirmed it wasnt all that uncommon so I moved on. I'm sure many have no issues but it was enough to put me off.
Shame since they appear to offer a decent bang to buck, look tidy and are nice inside.
Shame since they appear to offer a decent bang to buck, look tidy and are nice inside.
Had an ed30 for the last 3years and I absolutely love it. No plans to change, great reliability and only perishables have needed changing. I have a good spec with remap, it is very quick (Inc dsg) pulling hard to the redline and handles very well with it.
Negatives? Hmmmm......... Firm ride, laggy low down before full boost kicks in and er.....
Negatives? Hmmmm......... Firm ride, laggy low down before full boost kicks in and er.....
pinseeker said:
Had an ed30 for the last 3years and I absolutely love it. No plans to change, great reliability and only perishables have needed changing. I have a good spec with remap, it is very quick (Inc dsg) pulling hard to the redline and handles very well with it.
Negatives? Hmmmm......... Firm ride, laggy low down before full boost kicks in and er.....
Snap!Negatives? Hmmmm......... Firm ride, laggy low down before full boost kicks in and er.....
Ed30 Stage 1 + V Power = lots of fun!
I've updated the brakes and fitted PS3 tyres.
The Ed 30's do seem pricey, seems bizarre that they are so much and I dont seem to be able to raise much interest for my CLS at £6500 which cost twice as much when new, but I guess that is V8 barges for you.
Other option would be a TT, yes, I know, I know but I do have a thing for them.
The VAG stuff does hang onto value.
Other option would be a TT, yes, I know, I know but I do have a thing for them.
The VAG stuff does hang onto value.
I was always topping up the oil on mine! Quite annoying.
Manual is probably a more sensible option at the age these cars are now.
Aircon is flaky, and not just due to the compressor, though that is the most expensive failure.
Interiors aren't that hard wearing - soft touch plastics peel off, bolsters wear, digits dash display fades etc
Sensors go - coolant level sensor went on mine and needs a new expansion tank.
Thermostat gets weak with age and is quite a big expensive job to replace - check if the temp gauge gets to centre of the dial and stays there.
Cambelt every 4 years/60k
The larger monza alloys aren't worth seeking out particularly in my view.
Manual is probably a more sensible option at the age these cars are now.
Aircon is flaky, and not just due to the compressor, though that is the most expensive failure.
Interiors aren't that hard wearing - soft touch plastics peel off, bolsters wear, digits dash display fades etc
Sensors go - coolant level sensor went on mine and needs a new expansion tank.
Thermostat gets weak with age and is quite a big expensive job to replace - check if the temp gauge gets to centre of the dial and stays there.
Cambelt every 4 years/60k
The larger monza alloys aren't worth seeking out particularly in my view.
I have a GTI Pirelli DSG (58k miles). I have owned it for about 2 months now and love it. It is running at about 300 bhp and is quite brutal when the turbo kicks in, especially when in auto.
My E46 M3 would struggle to keep up, mid range. If getting a MKV i would get either the Pirelli or ED30 as VW uprated a number of items making the engines more robust, including a larger turbo, which helped to increase the power unto around 225bhp in standard form.
The DSG box has been a dream and have had no reliability issues. One thing I have been made aware of, is to change the cam follower every 5k or so as the engine has been modified. Unmolested cars don't need to have them changed so frequently, apparently.
After driving the M3 for so long, my biggest criticism was that the Golf seemed a bit skittish from a standing start and also seemed light on the steering. Once I got used to it, I found that the car is actually well balanced for a FWD and feels assured going into corners.
My E46 M3 would struggle to keep up, mid range. If getting a MKV i would get either the Pirelli or ED30 as VW uprated a number of items making the engines more robust, including a larger turbo, which helped to increase the power unto around 225bhp in standard form.
The DSG box has been a dream and have had no reliability issues. One thing I have been made aware of, is to change the cam follower every 5k or so as the engine has been modified. Unmolested cars don't need to have them changed so frequently, apparently.
After driving the M3 for so long, my biggest criticism was that the Golf seemed a bit skittish from a standing start and also seemed light on the steering. Once I got used to it, I found that the car is actually well balanced for a FWD and feels assured going into corners.
chrisb92 said:
Would you say these are likely to be more reliable/cheaper to run than any other £7k hot hatch?!
There's loads on Auto trader with over 100k miles. I'd be looking for around 40-60k on the clock.
Mine's got 137K miles on it (bought it for £2,850 @ 132K miles) and it's not needed anything other than a coil pack which was actually a recall anyway so I needn't have done it. There's loads on Auto trader with over 100k miles. I'd be looking for around 40-60k on the clock.
If you do get one don't mess with the suspension, uprated struts , poly bushes etc just ruin it imo, vw got the suspension spot on on the 5gti, so chuckable if you push it harder than you think is possible.
Only upgrade worth doing is an insert for the dog bone at the back of the engine , it transforms the gearchange,
Mine did use a bit of oil but was still going strong at 180k and try and find one with the recaro bucket seats they are brilliant
Only upgrade worth doing is an insert for the dog bone at the back of the engine , it transforms the gearchange,
Mine did use a bit of oil but was still going strong at 180k and try and find one with the recaro bucket seats they are brilliant
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