Volkswagen Golf GTI: PH Carpool
Best car in the real world? Having covered 240,000 miles in one, this PHer should know...
Car: VW Golf GTI Mk5
Owned since: June 2008
Previouslyowned: "Volkswagen Golf Mk4 1.8T GTI, Seat Leon Cupra 1.9 TDI, Peugeot 306 XSI, Peugeot 106 Rallye S1, Volkswagen Golf Mk3 VR6, Vauxhall Nova 1.2 Merit (I know, almost certainly without merit!)"
Why I bought it:
"Growing up I always craved a Mk2 Golf GTI 16v big bumper edition, I think most of us did back then. When I found myself in a position to buy a modern Golf GTI, the Mk5 was the obvious choice. After reading numerous reviews and comparisons it had to be the Golf for me. When I saw the car for sale in a local garage, I wasn't really looking for a new car at the time. However, after driving it, I realised how much better it was than my Mk4 GTI.
"I really wasn't sure about the DSG 'box initially, but have to say it grew on me, and I really enjoy it now. The amount of time I often spend sat in traffic, it certainly gives your left leg a rest. Once on a good A- or B-road, it still allows you to drive it like a manual. I'd say point to point on roads you don't know, especially in the dark, it's hard to think I could make as rapid progress with a manual."
What I wish I'd known:
"I think on the whole, I can say there have been no real nasty surprises during my eight years and 240,000 miles of ownership. As long as you service the car at all the right intervals, especially making sure the timing belt is changed along with the water pump when it should, you will find it's very reliable. The DSG oil needs replacing regularly at a cost, but it's worth it. I have though replaced two DSG controller units, which were expensive, but I don't think can complain with the mileage the car has. You can certainly diagnose issues yourself and do some basic servicing too with the help of a VAG-Com OBD interface and software. Worth its weight in gold!"
Things I love:
"I think the most impressive quality of the Mk5 GTI is its ability to make the trip comfortable and relaxing when you're not in the mood for enthusiastic driving. Having said that, when you want to go for a blast on a Sunday morning, it can be one of the most enjoyable and involving drives. The parp of the DSG on upshifts, often made even louder with a slight lift as you change which is superb. I also love the retro tartan seat trim, taking the lead from the Mk2 GTI of the early 80s. Finally, if you can find one with heated seats then all the better, they're superb during those early winter morning starts..."
Things I hate:
"I've found most of my Golfs have a healthy appetite for light bulbs, I think the VW boffins need to look into that and enlighten us all! The DSG controller unit really does need to be warranted for more than 100,000 miles as that is expensive, but I decided better the devil you know and don't regret spending the money."
Costs:
"Running a Mk5 GTI would be expensive if you used the dealers for servicing and fixes. Once out of warranty find yourself a good independent mechanic. Steve at Monks VW in Southampton has serviced my GTI and his knowledge and competitive hourly rate makes running a warm hatch affordable; I now regard Steve as a good friend. Simon at Ashbourne Motor Company Southampton sold me a great car, and it was certainly not a Friday afternoon car. Given the news currently, VW needs some positive stories like this."
Where I've been:
"My GTI has been used for many motorway commuting miles. Although it has also visited just about every UK motor racing circuit in its role as my fast van/support vehicle when watching my dad race his Mk2 GTI in the one-make series over the last few years.
"A memorable trip was just days after I purchased the GTI, and my dad had just taken delivery of his new Audi TT. Dad lives in Cardiff and I was in Southampton at the time. We decided to go and watch some racing at Anglesey circuit and meet at the circuit. It was a superb drive, albeit in the wet. As I neared the circuit, I was taking it easy as I had made good time. I looked in my mirror to see the distant but fast approaching set of xenon headlights. The driver seemingly knew the road, then no sooner had I looked ahead and back in the mirror, the car in question had shot straight past me. I then realised it was my dad trying out the TT. I caught him up but it took some doing... Once at the circuit, my dad has assumed I was some OAP in a GTI and thought what a waste of a good car it was!"
What next?
"There are no plans to sell the GTI. In fact I think the next challenge is 500,000 miles! To help reduce the work the GTI has to do, I have invested in a 2004 E46 M3 which has always been a car on my wanted list and with prices on the climb thought I should get in whilst I still have the chance. The GTI will have its original Monza alloys restored to give it the original look."
Read more about Nick's Golf in his blog here.
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
Had mine around a year and have clocked up 12K. I bought it off a mate, who owned it from new and although it was a required purchase rather than a desired one Ive been impressed. It’s a great little car, good chassis, always feels really eager with light, precise steering. Its needed a few things doing, as expected for a 10yr / 100k car but overall well within budget and seems solid enough for at least another 200K!
Id previously owned a 911 Turbo (997 gen 1) which had to go due to a case of severe economic downsizing. A side by side comparison against that is irrelevant but suffice to say for a fair chunk of day to day driving that I do I have almost as much fun in the golf, with the added benefit of be able to lug more stuff about and get let out of junctions more!
The original plan was to move the golf on once I found a new job, fortunately I did and 6 months on I still have the golf with no immediate plans to shift it. I may switch for a new Golf R next year but that’ll have to make me smile as least as much to get my signature on the lease agreement!
My folks had a mk5 R32, it was lovely, at the same time I had a mk5 S tdi (hated it!), with mine I had no choice in the matter (an old company fleet car/big recession etc)
But I was amazed my parents went for the R32 without even trying the GTI!! Okay the six sounded sublime and there's that exclusivity, but aside from that I can't see many more benefits
I've yet to drive the GTi mk5, but I'd imagine it's a far better all round alternative to the R32? I'd say the GTI would handle better, it's got comparable performance and probably much more sensible running costs (as long as you don't have to change the turbo)
http://fastgerman.com/forum/category/volkswagen/
Things I love are very similar to you, especially country road driving but I like the 17's and a manual.
Things I hate, that I'm also interested in hearing comments are:
- rough starting
- oil consumption (hasn't changed in my 20k miles ownership), which is around 1-2k per litre depending on driving style
- I seem to leave a cloud when accelerating hard but only the first time i.e. if I accelerate hard again 5 mins later or so, it doesn't leave a cloud
I've replaced the cambelt, pcv, water pump, fuel pump and filter in the last year. Service items only otherwise.
Had to sell my 997 recently for a new house purchase and also thinking E46 M3 as a sub £10k performance car. It will be my 3rd... :-)
Jimbo
Other than regular servicing the only problems I had were a seized rear caliper and the common mk5 boot release corrosion. I did notice the damper performance drop off at 60k miles though; a loss of body control on fast B roads and increased ABS intervention were the symptoms. I had a Bilstein B12 kit fitted; superb high speed stability is a perfectly acceptable trade-off for a slightly lumpy ride at slow speed on urban roads and some loss of ground clearance.
SS7
Mine was unusually rough until fairly recently, but a new battery and plugs seems to have fixed it.
Mine was unusually rough until fairly recently, but a new battery and plugs seems to have fixed it.
Re-starting - it's only when the car is cold, fine starting after filling up with petrol for example. Coil packs were done under warranty, plugs and oil changed regularly so guessing it might be the coking issue. Starting seems to be better in the morning if the electrics are engaged from the ignition for a few seconds before cranking so that made me think it was the fuel pump.
Will try the oil suggestion, thanks
I don't own the car anymore, it has been entrusted to a good friend at around 325,000 miles so I covered around 100,000 miles covered since this was written, luckily I still get to drive it though ..
The car is still running really well, and a joy to drive. Mileage now 342,000 miles... Link to some new photos below.
http://hilllaneconsulting.co.uk/blog/?bwg_gallery=...
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