Mk5 or Mk6 Golf GTI?

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Discussion

greenarrow

Original Poster:

3,550 posts

116 months

Friday 26th June 2020
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I've been playing that old game of scanning the classifieds for your next car in lockdown and wondering about selling our 2 ageing Fords and buying one newer car. A £7,500 budget is interesting as it includes stuff like the Mk7 Fiesta ST and also seems to be the starting point for Mk6 Golf GTIs. I am amazed in truth how expensive these Mk6 GTIs are relative to the MK5. I mean the oldest Mk6s are now coming up to 11 years old, yet a MK5 can easily be had for half the money and has in fairness been available for less than £4K for quite some time. So I'm just after some feedback from those who've owned both. Is the Mk6 really worth double the money of a Mk5? Considering the early MK6s have the timing chain issue, I must admit I'm not sure. The MK5 sure seems to be a bargain and for me is ticking a lot of boxes, half my budget and unlikely to depreciate from this point. Only caveat is this, at 14-15 years old, are they getting a bit tired?!

Oh and you can get an early Scirocco for less than Golf Mk6 GTI money too. Interesting as I think they share the same engine don't they?

AI1694

852 posts

93 months

Friday 26th June 2020
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The majority of folk will tell you to go for the Mk5. The Mk6 was more of a heavy facelift and was still based on the same platform. I would say it looks more modern inside and out but that’s about it. The engine is the newer EA888 TSI but I believe unless you buy a late late model ~2012/13 you will have to get the timing chain and tensioner changed.

Can’t tell you how the Mk6 drives in comparison to the Mk5 though but I would imagine there to be very few differences.

Belle427

8,857 posts

232 months

Monday 29th June 2020
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Buy a good 5 and enjoy it, maybe a nice Edition 30 if you want something less popular but they are slightly more expensive.

greenarrow

Original Poster:

3,550 posts

116 months

Monday 29th June 2020
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Yes, the MK5 seems to be a particular sweet spot, a bit like the Mk2 16 valve. It was a big step up over the MK4, whereas the Mk6 and Mk7 seem to have represented incrementally smaller steps over the MK5. The MK5 is only 20BHP down on a base model MK7 I believe......

If anyone who has driven both can give a personal perspective I would still like to hear it. Surely someone on the VAG sub section of PH must have owned or driven both?!

DaveyBoyWonder

2,465 posts

173 months

Tuesday 30th June 2020
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Can't comment on the mk6 but I owned a mk5 for a few years and it was a great car. Would get another in a heartbeat. Specs vary widely so try and find a well looked after one with as good a spec as possible.

Jonny_gti

285 posts

79 months

Tuesday 30th June 2020
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Go for a mk5 edition 30 or Pirelli edition.

Dr G

15,159 posts

241 months

Wednesday 1st July 2020
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With that budget I'd also be tempted to look at Ed30/Pirelli - although wouldn't discount ar egular MK5 either.

They're old now so condition should be your main focus. A clean, loved, more basic GTI will be more enjoyable than a rough/thrashed Ed30.

idge

104 posts

164 months

Thursday 2nd July 2020
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I used to have a Mk5 GTI and a MK7 GTI and now have a scirocco 210 TSI as a run around so hopefully that qualifies me to answer!

I'd go for a Mk5. The value for money is the best. I like the Scirocco, it's fun in a clinical sort of way, the engine is a bit thrustier than the Mk5, slightly more economical and it seems to be a bit louder too. But the tensioner worries for a Mk6 at that price will either play on your mind or cost you several hundred pounds straight away.

Just take your time if you go with a Mk5, really watch for rust and expect a bit of maintenance plis maybe a de-coke!

Baldchap

7,505 posts

91 months

Friday 3rd July 2020
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greenarrow said:
Yes, the MK5 seems to be a particular sweet spot, a bit like the Mk2 16 valve. It was a big step up over the MK4, whereas the Mk6 and Mk7 seem to have represented incrementally smaller steps over the MK5. The MK5 is only 20BHP down on a base model MK7 I believe......
The 7 is to the 6 what the 5 is to the 4. Really that big a difference in terms of the overall car.

I genuinely believe the 7/7.5 will be remembered by those who have owned them as one of the best cars ever made.

idge

104 posts

164 months

Friday 3rd July 2020
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Baldchap said:
greenarrow said:
Yes, the MK5 seems to be a particular sweet spot, a bit like the Mk2 16 valve. It was a big step up over the MK4, whereas the Mk6 and Mk7 seem to have represented incrementally smaller steps over the MK5. The MK5 is only 20BHP down on a base model MK7 I believe......
The 7 is to the 6 what the 5 is to the 4. Really that big a difference in terms of the overall car.

I genuinely believe the 7/7.5 will be remembered by those who have owned them as one of the best cars ever made.
I do miss my MK7 PP frown

paultownsend

2,228 posts

182 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
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If it’s a car to use at weekends or special occasions, I would source a good mk5 ED30. They do feel a bit special. But do not be fooled in thinking that it will be cheap motoring. They are getting old and regular and nearly everything will need changing soon. That’s without looking for performance orientated mods.

As pointed out. The mk6 is a step ahead quality wise and is a better car. But you must ensure the tensioner has been done.

I spent a lot at time looking at both the above. Ended up with a 8P S3. It felt so special. I would look at those, preferably a facelift.