MK5 GTI's, any good ?

Author
Discussion

va1o

16,029 posts

206 months

Saturday 22nd July 2017
quotequote all
Think if I was buying today I'd go for something like this instead - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

If I remember right it's Mk5 GTI engine so you wouldn't have the potential for timing chain issues like in the Mk6 GTI

Edit: It's the Mk6 engine with a mild (10bhp) detune

Edited by va1o on Saturday 22 July 13:18

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Saturday 22nd July 2017
quotequote all
davepen said:
The (run out) 2008 model had all those as standard, and leather. My only specified extra option was the central arm rest & iPod connection.
So 83K from new, now doing more mile on the commute.

The issue is what to replace it with?
The Mk7.0 was similar, added Nav, but cheapened in some areas and a soundakator!
So run it for another winter and then look for something different.
The mk7 is a cut above in every way - interior quality, spec, looks, drive, etc.

va1o

16,029 posts

206 months

Saturday 22nd July 2017
quotequote all
This looks nice too, facelift A3 8P with the DSG 'box for the same money as the Scirocco I posted - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

xjay1337 said:
The mk7 is a cut above in every way - interior quality, spec, looks, drive, etc.
I actually liked my Mk5 GTI more than my Mk7 GTD. Yes it's a massive step up from a technical perspective, but as a car I found it a little boring and clinical. It just lacked a bit of sparkle.

Somehow the Mk5 GTI felt like it was built to be a GTI from day 1. All the hot Golfs since feel too much like ordinary Golfs just with added power and sporty trim.

the-photographer

3,479 posts

175 months

Saturday 22nd July 2017
quotequote all
The MK7 has no corner roll compared to the 5, its a very flat ride. But, I think the 5 has better steering feedback.

The main drawback to the 7 is the terrible seats, obviously very personal but I just couldn't get comfortable.

SuperchargedVR6

3,138 posts

219 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
'Perceived' quality is up with the newest model, but real world quality (I.e. how long things last) is down like everything else. Too much planned obsolescence with the electronics and too much cheapening of parts that worked well in the previous models, for sake of a few quid.

AndyTR

516 posts

123 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
I traded in my 06 GTi a little while back, owned for 7 years and had just under 163k miles when it went. Bought a Polo for my wife and daughter as a run about, which is fine. The Golf has a few issues; rusty arches which the dealer sorted under warranty, a new break caliper and, rear springs and a weld on the back box...other than that was just routine servicing. I loved it so much that I've just bought a Mk5 ED30, low miles, dsg, and Ipod prep. A converter and a cable means I have my iphone 6 charging and spotify through the stereo. I love the mk5!

aka_kerrly

12,416 posts

209 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
JM said:
aka_kerrly said:
Link not working.
Strange, Google has Cached versions.

1st few results
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=golf+gti+brochur...

JM

3,170 posts

205 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
aka_kerrly said:
JM said:
aka_kerrly said:
Link not working.
Strange, Google has Cached versions.

1st few results
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=golf+gti+brochur...
That's better.

I don't suppose there's anywhere to download the owners handbook?
Mine is missing and a dealer wants £50 for one.

JRC1

464 posts

104 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
JM said:
That's better.

I don't suppose there's anywhere to download the owners handbook?
Mine is missing and a dealer wants £50 for one.
Doesn't answer your question but there's loads for sale on eBay at around half that price.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_t...

g7jhp

6,959 posts

237 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
quotequote all
The Golf GTI Mk5 is a cracking car. We have a 2008 (58) 5 door manual in grey (similar to the one below) with full black leather.



I'd have happily had the tartan interior.

We also have a Mk4 GTI 1.8T (shed) which has a better build quality, but is down on power (150bhp) and handling in standard format is poor.

SuperchargedVR6

3,138 posts

219 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
quotequote all
JM said:
aka_kerrly said:
JM said:
aka_kerrly said:
Link not working.
Strange, Google has Cached versions.

1st few results
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=golf+gti+brochur...
That's better.

I don't suppose there's anywhere to download the owners handbook?
Mine is missing and a dealer wants £50 for one.
Unless there are any on ebay, that is the only option. If you dig deep enough on the net, there are PDFs, but you have to pay for those as well.

Gogoplata

1,266 posts

159 months

Thursday 27th July 2017
quotequote all
Just got rid of my Mk4 GTI 1.8T shed for a 08 Mk5 GTI. Ticks all my boxes for a daily, TBH I'm quite taken by it & have been enjoying driving it on my commute for the past week. Might be new car syndrome; but I don't understand the negativity that you tend to read in General Gassing about them.

SuperchargedVR6

3,138 posts

219 months

Friday 28th July 2017
quotequote all
Gogoplata said:
Just got rid of my Mk4 GTI 1.8T shed for a 08 Mk5 GTI. Ticks all my boxes for a daily, TBH I'm quite taken by it & have been enjoying driving it on my commute for the past week. Might be new car syndrome; but I don't understand the negativity that you tend to read in General Gassing about them.
GG is full of miserable, cynical old farts who love to hate anything popular. Apple phones, beards, skinny jeans, VAG products, you name it.......they hate it by default. And they dish out the usual RWD nonsense as a 'real' car (MX5, yawn).......because FWD is wrong wheel drive and 4WD is cheating. These apes live in the dark ages, ignore them. Also ignore the internet prophets of doom on the common problems.


Pistonheader101

2,206 posts

106 months

Sunday 6th August 2017
quotequote all
SuperchargedVR6 said:
GG is full of miserable, cynical old farts who love to hate anything popular. Apple phones, beards, skinny jeans, VAG products, you name it.......they hate it by default. And they dish out the usual RWD nonsense as a 'real' car (MX5, yawn).......because FWD is wrong wheel drive and 4WD is cheating. These apes live in the dark ages, ignore them. Also ignore the internet prophets of doom on the common problems.
Spot on

Bertrum

466 posts

222 months

Monday 7th August 2017
quotequote all
I recently bought a bottom of the market part ex 3dr GTI MK5, 55 plate manual on 105k miles cost a little under £3k. It appears the previous owner got fed up of trying to solve an apparently untraceable lack of boost.

He had changed:-

Turbo
Cat
Diverter Valve
CV joints
Cam and Oil pump

First thing I noticed was the thermostat was broken, so i replaced that. While I was at it, I also did the following

Cam follower (nearly worn through!!)
Coil Packs
Plugs
Air filter
Oil
Oil filter
Cabin filter

Got it all back together and it still wasn't right. Inconsistent boost, weird running on when coming off the throttle, occasional lumpy idle. no codes though.

A bit of research suggested I change the cam sensor. On removal it appears the metal from the follower was being attracted to the sensor.

Swapped the sensor and the car is back to rude health. (i'm impressed with how quick it is)

It still has issues

Inconsistent air con - pressure switch
Passenger door doesn't lock - replacement unit bought, PITA to fit.
Second key doesn't unlock the door, but will start the car, so new board ordered.
Headlights are cloudy, but someone has had a go with a brillo pad frown so needs new lights

So far I have spent about £350....thank you Euro car parts discount.

Shame the mileage is so high really as it's a totally original car.....oh well.



the-photographer

3,479 posts

175 months

Monday 7th August 2017
quotequote all
Have you got receipts for the cat and turbo?

Looks like you got a £4000 car!

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Monday 7th August 2017
quotequote all
My friend bought a 110k GTI 3dr for £2300.
Spot on aside from a wheel bearing and snapped spring.

They are good cars and easy to work on and cheap to fix.

Bertrum

466 posts

222 months

Tuesday 8th August 2017
quotequote all
the-photographer said:
Have you got receipts for the cat and turbo?

Looks like you got a £4000 car!
Yep receipts for all work carried out, poor bloke the sensor was only £25.

SuperchargedVR6

3,138 posts

219 months

Tuesday 8th August 2017
quotequote all
Bertrum said:
I recently bought a bottom of the market part ex 3dr GTI MK5, 55 plate manual on 105k miles cost a little under £3k. It appears the previous owner got fed up of trying to solve an apparently untraceable lack of boost.

He had changed:-

Turbo
Cat
Diverter Valve
CV joints
Cam and Oil pump

First thing I noticed was the thermostat was broken, so i replaced that. While I was at it, I also did the following

Cam follower (nearly worn through!!)
Coil Packs
Plugs
Air filter
Oil
Oil filter
Cabin filter

Got it all back together and it still wasn't right. Inconsistent boost, weird running on when coming off the throttle, occasional lumpy idle. no codes though.

A bit of research suggested I change the cam sensor. On removal it appears the metal from the follower was being attracted to the sensor.

Swapped the sensor and the car is back to rude health. (i'm impressed with how quick it is)

It still has issues

Inconsistent air con - pressure switch
Passenger door doesn't lock - replacement unit bought, PITA to fit.
Second key doesn't unlock the door, but will start the car, so new board ordered.
Headlights are cloudy, but someone has had a go with a brillo pad frown so needs new lights

So far I have spent about £350....thank you Euro car parts discount.

Shame the mileage is so high really as it's a totally original car.....oh well.
Interesting. Sounds like mine with the running on when coming off the throttle and occasional rough idle. I might have a look at the cam sensor then as it's easy to get to. Normally get a P0340 fault code with that though.

justinio

1,151 posts

87 months

Tuesday 8th August 2017
quotequote all
Bertrum said:
Headlights are cloudy, but someone has had a go with a brillo pad frown so needs new lights
No need to spend out on new ones. It's a relatively quick and easy fix. All you need is a few sheets of fine wet and dry 600 > 800 > 1200. Then you can either polish out the haze or just clear right over them with a rattle can. Gets them looking as good as new for about £10 and 30 minutes.