Best Golf for £5-6k?
Discussion
AI1694 said:
As much as I love my Mk5 GTI, there is no way I’d consider it a future classic. A turbocharged hatch - plenty of them around, nothing really makes the Mk5 GTI unique or stand out.
100% guarenteed to be a classic, but the Edition 30 or Pirelli Edition with the 230bhp engine will be the most collectible. The MK5 GTI will never be a collectible. Not rare, not unique, not exactly a fantastic handling car as standard or particularly quick. Also sounds like crap.
My old MK4 GT TDI 130 with the 265k on it is more likely to be a collectible than a MK5. Thats coming from somebody who has owned an Edition 30 and a Pirelli Edition.
My old MK4 GT TDI 130 with the 265k on it is more likely to be a collectible than a MK5. Thats coming from somebody who has owned an Edition 30 and a Pirelli Edition.
The Stiglet said:
g7jhp, bigvanfan
Been looking at the MkV GTI on autotrader for a couple of weeks and I noticed that even good examples seem to have rust on the sill behind the front wheel arch - is that a common thing? I've read about rust on the wheel arch. Bolsters really seem to get a kicking on the cloth seats but I do love the tartan! Reminds me of the MKI GTI we had as a kid.
What should I budget for maintenance per annum on one of these?
The front wing rust is common, I got mine replaced by Vw at 165k and 9 years old, never had any sill rust. Mine used to eat tyres and callipers and bearings , engine never missed a beat though, try and find one with the wingback recaros as they are brilliant and yes good ones will go up in value Been looking at the MkV GTI on autotrader for a couple of weeks and I noticed that even good examples seem to have rust on the sill behind the front wheel arch - is that a common thing? I've read about rust on the wheel arch. Bolsters really seem to get a kicking on the cloth seats but I do love the tartan! Reminds me of the MKI GTI we had as a kid.
What should I budget for maintenance per annum on one of these?
clio007 said:
The MK5 GTI will never be a collectible. Not rare, not unique, not exactly a fantastic handling car as standard or particularly quick. Also sounds like crap.
I disagree. Some of the most collectible items in history are good products that started out being mass-market and common but by virtue of being so good, so popular, and so usable almost all of them got worn out. They handle really nicely and have plenty of real world performance. I'm not quite sure what metrics you're basing your opinion on but they don't really ring true.The MKV GTI was a proper return to form for VW and from an era where reliability was actually very good (and before excessive complication started making things really hard to work on).
MK2 Golf exactly the same. Sold millions, worth very little for years, most destroyed/modified/broken/worn-out, remaining nice cars now extremely collectible. I think your criticisms sound more like descriptions of the MK3 & 4.
If the chain tensioner had been replaced with the updated part and included guides etc on a Mk6 1.4 twincharger, would you still avoid? Or would it be reasonable to assume it would be good for a few years? Before you ask, the tensioner was replaced due to chain rattle by the selling tradesman. I guess the next logical question might be whether damage had already occurred to the engine already...
What a minefield.
So I tried a low mileage Alfa Giulietta at the weekend being sold privately by a fellow PH'er. Was nice, surprisingly pretty - I thought the engine had decent torque but it wasn't as quick as the reviews had led me to believe. Handled pretty well but rattled like a pirate's fillings
Perhaps too Italian for me but you're getting a much newer car with more toys and an engine that doesn't nuke itself. Which made me question why MK6 residuals are still so good.
Potentially seeing a Mk5 GTI tomorrow and then will make a call on whether to save more for the Mk7 or not.
What a minefield.
So I tried a low mileage Alfa Giulietta at the weekend being sold privately by a fellow PH'er. Was nice, surprisingly pretty - I thought the engine had decent torque but it wasn't as quick as the reviews had led me to believe. Handled pretty well but rattled like a pirate's fillings
Perhaps too Italian for me but you're getting a much newer car with more toys and an engine that doesn't nuke itself. Which made me question why MK6 residuals are still so good. Potentially seeing a Mk5 GTI tomorrow and then will make a call on whether to save more for the Mk7 or not.
sunnygym said:
Congrats, Any pics or plans ?
Enjoy
New cambelt and general check up booked with The Phirm who had previously looked after the car until 70,000 miles. I've ordered some new boot struts as they aren't up to the job and also bought some wiper blades!Enjoy
It's quite an interesting story actually, I bought from a small car dealer near Oxford who bought it at auction from a Mini dealer. It's a one owner, 3 door GTI in Shadow Blue from 2005 with 94,000 miles on it. Totally full service booklet as the car was serviced annually and meticulously by the previous owner. There were no invoices or receipts but only two specialists in the book so I started calling around.
I quickly built up the history as both garages remember the car well and the previous owner due to it's good condition. I then tracked the owner down through a Google search and we had a long chat. He had traded it in for a new Cooper S and the GTI had a massive history file with all receipts and work invoices but clearly, the dealer just binned it before sending to auction. I'm assuming this was down to GDPR but it's a real shame. Anyway, I'm hoping to get some printed copies from the two garages and build it back myself.
I'll try and get some photos this weekend up but I'm very happy so far and really impressed with the ride quality, steering feel and performance. It's making my previous 2013 Audi S4 seem like a very blunt instrument in comparison and the GTI's seats are way more comfortable!
The Stiglet said:
massive history file with all receipts and work invoices but clearly, the dealer just binned it before sending to auction. I'm assuming this was down to GDPR but it's a real shame.
Not just GDPR, I had a BMW a few years back. I kept it immaculate with full service history and when I traded it in I gave all the history plus both spare keys.A few weeks later the new owner contacted me to ask if I had a spare key as he'd only been given the one and the only history he had was the service booklet and not even in the BMW wallet.
Maybe it's laziness but surely keeping all the bits should add value for them, so why do they do it?
sunnygym said:
MDMA . said:
I've recently bought a very nice MK5 GTi. Put away now for a few years. Makes a very good car when lightly nodded.
Can I ask why you’ve put it away ? Do you think it will become a bit of a classic ? I’ve toyed with this idea myself but not sure it’s its worth it. 
Edited by MDMA . on Thursday 29th November 21:13
The Stiglet said:
Bought the Mk5 GTI 
What a laugh!
Wise choice!What a laugh!
Had Mk 5, 6 & 7 Golf GTI's - 5 was great, 6 was utter junk, 7 is better than 5 & considerably more grown up.
The 5 & 7 were both trouble free, but the Mk 6 was in & out of the dealer continually, window regulators, heating, turbo part, broken seat frame, failed coil that took the cat out, injector problems & it was like a swimming pool inside despite being "fixed" several times - not bad for a new car.....
Enjoy the Mk5, I certainly did!
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