And another MK5 Golf GTi
Discussion
Just seen Yadizzle1's post so thought I'd throw this on here.
Bought in Jan '21. Meant to be the Mrs' car but well you know....
I had a big thing for Golf GTi's when I was growing up but when I finally came to own one I bought the pudding MK4 version. It was an okay but dull. I'd moved it on by the time the MK5 came out but really loved what I was reading about that car and it definitely wormed it's way onto the unwritten bucket list. Most of the press cars were tornado red, the same colour as my first car, a Polo. And the tartan seats were a must have.
We needed another semi-practical car early this year so I started looking for these. Must have options were heated tartan seats, climate control and the smaller 17" wheels. I also wanted cruise control but as that's retrofittable I didn't go looking for it.
The car 'we' bought is a red 2007 3 door with about 90k on the clock. It had recently had almost all the big jobs done, PCV, timing belt, water pump, new clutch and a few other bits and is generally very tidy. It's been remapped and goes like a scalded cat but in all honesty I'd have been more comfortable with a standard map.
It has 17" wheels, heated tartans, climate, auto lights, cruise and maybe a couple of other bits that I haven't noticed. It also has an aftermarket head unit but made to look OEM so we have bluetooth, nav etc. In all honesty the head unit is a bit 'chinese' and may be replaced if we keep the car long term.
Since getting it, I've replaced a few bits, seat cables, boot and bonnet struts, parcel shelf cables, air box lid and some other bits. I also spotted that the thermostat wasn't working. I maybe missed that during test drive, oops. Local garage did that for £180.
Since giving it it's first proper clean last week I've spotted some blemishes in the paint that I wasn't aware of and the osf wing has got the start of bubbling that these cars are so prone to. Wings are original so no great surprise. Interior is in really nice shape.
I have to admit, I haven't fully gelled with the car to drive. It should have around 240 bhp but feels every bit as quick as a Leon Cupra 300 I used to have (probably isn't but I guess it's a bit lighter). It is really pretty fast but has an open diff so is a bit unruly in low gears. Lots of torque steer when it does have traction in first and second. Third gear is mega effective. It covers ground really quickly but that's not necessarily what I look for in a car. I'm not really feeling very in tune with it yet. I also can't heel and toe comfortably which isn't the end of the world day to day but is slightly spoiling my fun.
It's tempting to replace the current GY Eagle F1's with some PS4's but I have a slight concern that it might improve the car but not enough for us to keep it long term. It's a nice car and I hope I grow to love it but just a bit on the fence at present.
Bought in Jan '21. Meant to be the Mrs' car but well you know....
I had a big thing for Golf GTi's when I was growing up but when I finally came to own one I bought the pudding MK4 version. It was an okay but dull. I'd moved it on by the time the MK5 came out but really loved what I was reading about that car and it definitely wormed it's way onto the unwritten bucket list. Most of the press cars were tornado red, the same colour as my first car, a Polo. And the tartan seats were a must have.
We needed another semi-practical car early this year so I started looking for these. Must have options were heated tartan seats, climate control and the smaller 17" wheels. I also wanted cruise control but as that's retrofittable I didn't go looking for it.
The car 'we' bought is a red 2007 3 door with about 90k on the clock. It had recently had almost all the big jobs done, PCV, timing belt, water pump, new clutch and a few other bits and is generally very tidy. It's been remapped and goes like a scalded cat but in all honesty I'd have been more comfortable with a standard map.
It has 17" wheels, heated tartans, climate, auto lights, cruise and maybe a couple of other bits that I haven't noticed. It also has an aftermarket head unit but made to look OEM so we have bluetooth, nav etc. In all honesty the head unit is a bit 'chinese' and may be replaced if we keep the car long term.
Since getting it, I've replaced a few bits, seat cables, boot and bonnet struts, parcel shelf cables, air box lid and some other bits. I also spotted that the thermostat wasn't working. I maybe missed that during test drive, oops. Local garage did that for £180.
Since giving it it's first proper clean last week I've spotted some blemishes in the paint that I wasn't aware of and the osf wing has got the start of bubbling that these cars are so prone to. Wings are original so no great surprise. Interior is in really nice shape.
I have to admit, I haven't fully gelled with the car to drive. It should have around 240 bhp but feels every bit as quick as a Leon Cupra 300 I used to have (probably isn't but I guess it's a bit lighter). It is really pretty fast but has an open diff so is a bit unruly in low gears. Lots of torque steer when it does have traction in first and second. Third gear is mega effective. It covers ground really quickly but that's not necessarily what I look for in a car. I'm not really feeling very in tune with it yet. I also can't heel and toe comfortably which isn't the end of the world day to day but is slightly spoiling my fun.
It's tempting to replace the current GY Eagle F1's with some PS4's but I have a slight concern that it might improve the car but not enough for us to keep it long term. It's a nice car and I hope I grow to love it but just a bit on the fence at present.
Edited by Gad-Westy on Sunday 4th April 08:42
Interesting post, thanks for sharing.
I’ve always just assumed that a MK5 Golf will drive wonderfully and your post is one of the first that I have read that doesn’t say that. I’ve got an eye on one as a run around so keen to hear your thoughts.
The torque steer point does make sense to me. I remember driving FWD hatches in my younger days and when I moved to RWD I was glad to get away from it. That said, on the MK5 I’ve never really heard people say it is a problem.
I wonder, could geometry and suspension bushes be part of it? They often need to be really bad before they will fail an MOT and at 90k there is a good chance quite a few are well worn.
Yes the MPS4 is a good tyre, and my go-to for a road car. That said, I don’t think they are going to be night and day against the F1s unless they are very old. Ditchfinders, maybe, but the F1 is still a good tyre.
I’ve always just assumed that a MK5 Golf will drive wonderfully and your post is one of the first that I have read that doesn’t say that. I’ve got an eye on one as a run around so keen to hear your thoughts.
The torque steer point does make sense to me. I remember driving FWD hatches in my younger days and when I moved to RWD I was glad to get away from it. That said, on the MK5 I’ve never really heard people say it is a problem.
I wonder, could geometry and suspension bushes be part of it? They often need to be really bad before they will fail an MOT and at 90k there is a good chance quite a few are well worn.
Yes the MPS4 is a good tyre, and my go-to for a road car. That said, I don’t think they are going to be night and day against the F1s unless they are very old. Ditchfinders, maybe, but the F1 is still a good tyre.
p4cks said:
MK5 Golfs will always ever be 'a bit on the fence' simply due to the fact they do everything above average but not to an extent that it impresses you. Hasn't stopped me being on to my third now but like you, I'm 'a bit on the fence' and largely use it as my shed.
I agree with this after 5 years in my remapped GTI. Mines DSG so maybe the harshness in lower gears is dialled down. As you state once rolling they are quick and surprise people. Been through various tyre brands on mine and crossclimates have basically eliminated torque steer and also found others went off quickly even with 4mm left on the tyres. Also very easy to get the geometry all messed up on our awful roads and mine is sensitive to it (rears also have a habit of going on the inside edges). All I’d recommend is give it 6 months at least as the jack of all trades status starts to make more sense the longer you run one. Thanks folks. I certainly intend to give it some time. I suppose I'd hoped for a little more delicacy/fluency from it but it's a bit more sledgehammer than that. My gut feel is that it would have felt like a better blend of power/chassis without the remap. A couple of interesting observations though, the steering is really quick and the front feels really pointy and it's also surprisingly easy to unsettle the rear a bit. I'm complaining about neither but it does require a certain driving style and I need to adjust a bit to toning down my inputs. No surprise it is the complete opposite to our other regular car, an E61 5-series.
I wouldn't want to put anyone off though. It's great at being a great Golf. Which is to say it's very easy to live with, feels very well screwed together, easy on the eye and very comfortable even for longer trips. Does nothing at all badly. The seats are fantastic BTW.
Part of my issue with it might be timing. Due to everything going on at present, I really haven't taken this out just for the hell of it. It's mainly used on the school run which admittedly is 6 miles of great roads but I'd like to give it a sterner test sometime.
I wouldn't want to put anyone off though. It's great at being a great Golf. Which is to say it's very easy to live with, feels very well screwed together, easy on the eye and very comfortable even for longer trips. Does nothing at all badly. The seats are fantastic BTW.
Part of my issue with it might be timing. Due to everything going on at present, I really haven't taken this out just for the hell of it. It's mainly used on the school run which admittedly is 6 miles of great roads but I'd like to give it a sterner test sometime.
cwoodsie2 said:
I agree with this after 5 years in my remapped GTI. Mines DSG so maybe the harshness in lower gears is dialled down. As you state once rolling they are quick and surprise people. Been through various tyre brands on mine and crossclimates have basically eliminated torque steer and also found others went off quickly even with 4mm left on the tyres. Also very easy to get the geometry all messed up on our awful roads and mine is sensitive to it (rears also have a habit of going on the inside edges). All I’d recommend is give it 6 months at least as the jack of all trades status starts to make more sense the longer you run one.
Interesting on the cross climate thing. If this is still with us by November I was going to get a set of winters for it. But maybe we could switch to cross climates and be done with it. Are yours the Michelin CC's? Definitely a quick car. Loads of boost and general shove.
Bushes and joints all seem to be tight but haven't had alignment checked as yet.
Another MK5 Gti! Interesting to read your thoughts about it, I have the exact same issue with heel toeing, I can't find a seating position or a way of positioning my feet in order to blip the throttle properly. It's driving me nuts! The brake is just a bit too far up from the accelerator so I'm kind of hangning off the side of the pedal to blip which doesn't feel safe at all 😂.
Handling, I have to say is quite good on mine. A lot of that is definitely due to the recent coilover installation so may be worth looking into a suspension refurb if you fancy keeping it? Spring and damper kits aren't too spenny and a far better alternative to coilies imo.
Handling, I have to say is quite good on mine. A lot of that is definitely due to the recent coilover installation so may be worth looking into a suspension refurb if you fancy keeping it? Spring and damper kits aren't too spenny and a far better alternative to coilies imo.
p4cks said:
I echo the comments about the alignment. I got a 4-wheel alignment done recently and it made the world of difference to the handling
You re broadly in the same neck of the woods as me P4cks. Who do use for alignment these days? All the places I've used in the past have disappeared one by one. Yadizzle1 said:
Another MK5 Gti! Interesting to read your thoughts about it, I have the exact same issue with heel toeing, I can't find a seating position or a way of positioning my feet in order to blip the throttle properly. It's driving me nuts! The brake is just a bit too far up from the accelerator so I'm kind of hangning off the side of the pedal to blip which doesn't feel safe at all ??.
Handling, I have to say is quite good on mine. A lot of that is definitely due to the recent coilover installation so may be worth looking into a suspension refurb if you fancy keeping it? Spring and damper kits aren't too spenny and a far better alternative to coilies imo.
Cheers. Glad it's not just my wonky feet! Handling, I have to say is quite good on mine. A lot of that is definitely due to the recent coilover installation so may be worth looking into a suspension refurb if you fancy keeping it? Spring and damper kits aren't too spenny and a far better alternative to coilies imo.
Gad-Westy said:
p4cks said:
I echo the comments about the alignment. I got a 4-wheel alignment done recently and it made the world of difference to the handling
You re broadly in the same neck of the woods as me P4cks. Who do use for alignment these days? All the places I've used in the past have disappeared one by one. 
tey Golf p4cks said:
Gad-Westy said:
p4cks said:
I echo the comments about the alignment. I got a 4-wheel alignment done recently and it made the world of difference to the handling
You re broadly in the same neck of the woods as me P4cks. Who do use for alignment these days? All the places I've used in the past have disappeared one by one. tey Golf Gad-Westy said:
Interesting on the cross climate thing. If this is still with us by November I was going to get a set of winters for it. But maybe we could switch to cross climates and be done with it. Are yours the Michelin CC's?
Definitely a quick car. Loads of boost and general shove.
Bushes and joints all seem to be tight but haven't had alignment checked as yet.
Yes, Michelin’s. Bit noisy (especially in the wet) but great tyre Definitely a quick car. Loads of boost and general shove.
Bushes and joints all seem to be tight but haven't had alignment checked as yet.
Nice post and car OP. I purchased a three door midnight blue with the 18” monza’s in December as a run around. I sold my Mk7 gtd due to no longer commuting. I too did not gel with the car right away, I’d previously had a mk5 gt TDI a few years ago but for some reason just wasn’t feeling the GTI.
I then found the rear Caliper was seized and dragging a lot so that got changed and improved things, I then put 4 new PS4’s on and again a massive improvement. I then changed the diverter valve for the GFB+ and again this improved things further and enhanced turbo noise.
What really clicked is after I’d been driving the golf a few weeks solidly and jumped into our t roc, it just felt like driving a marshmallow in comparison, so drive the golf a bit then get in a new car and it will make sense! I’ve also noticed my thermostat is playing g up and I too missed that, doh.
Forgot to add mine is standard and I don’t get any wheel hop or torque steer. I did add the power flex insert on the lower undercar engine Mount which for £25 seemed a good deal and did help.
I then found the rear Caliper was seized and dragging a lot so that got changed and improved things, I then put 4 new PS4’s on and again a massive improvement. I then changed the diverter valve for the GFB+ and again this improved things further and enhanced turbo noise.
What really clicked is after I’d been driving the golf a few weeks solidly and jumped into our t roc, it just felt like driving a marshmallow in comparison, so drive the golf a bit then get in a new car and it will make sense! I’ve also noticed my thermostat is playing g up and I too missed that, doh.
Forgot to add mine is standard and I don’t get any wheel hop or torque steer. I did add the power flex insert on the lower undercar engine Mount which for £25 seemed a good deal and did help.
Edited by England87 on Monday 5th April 09:28
Edited by England87 on Monday 5th April 09:29
I didn’t really get the Golf GTI until I test drive an Edition 30.
They were always less powerful than the competition and slower (I know, I know, you shouldn’t evaluate a car on paper). A really nice Edition 30 was for sake at the local dealer so I went to look at it and drive it and I really liked it. Definitely a car that was more than I expected. Unfortunately it got snapped up before I could go back with the boss.
Yours looks good OP, perhaps you’ll come to bond with it in time.
They were always less powerful than the competition and slower (I know, I know, you shouldn’t evaluate a car on paper). A really nice Edition 30 was for sake at the local dealer so I went to look at it and drive it and I really liked it. Definitely a car that was more than I expected. Unfortunately it got snapped up before I could go back with the boss.
Yours looks good OP, perhaps you’ll come to bond with it in time.
I had an 05 GTI. Pretty much poverty-spec 3dr manual.
During the 4 years I had it, it did what it did without fuss and stress. Aside from a faulty rear wiper (that had a mind of its own), no other issues.
My only real "complaint" was that it was (imho) underpowered (coming from a previous Audi S4, and going to a 996 C4), but it did suprise me with how reliable and uneventful the ownership was.
Would I have another? Not tried the later ones tbf
During the 4 years I had it, it did what it did without fuss and stress. Aside from a faulty rear wiper (that had a mind of its own), no other issues.
My only real "complaint" was that it was (imho) underpowered (coming from a previous Audi S4, and going to a 996 C4), but it did suprise me with how reliable and uneventful the ownership was.
Would I have another? Not tried the later ones tbf
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff