Shed Of The Week: VW Golf Mk5
No, really, a Mk5 Golf for £1,000 - look!
The Mk 5 Golf technically came out in 2003, but it didn't reach British VW showrooms until early 2004. The FSI (stands for 'fuel stratified injection', VW's common-rail direct injection system) petrol engines were designed to offer an economically-minded petrol alternative to the diesels that were dominant back then. Eeeh, how things have changed, or are changing at least.
Even the humble 115hp 1.6 FSI - traditionally one of the two laughing stock Golf engines, along with the petrol 1.4 - was a very decent little car for its time, giving the Focus and Megane a bloody nose in a 2003 Autocar group test, despite its nasty-sounding combination of low torque and a reluctance to rev.
The 150hp 2.0 was a step above the 1.6 in power, refinement and top gear cruising ability, even if it wasn't the most exciting engine ever made. It had 8-second 0-60 potential but lacked the turbo thrust of the old 1.8T. Its thirst for petrol will help you lose whatever you've gained on the low purchase price, and it could be quite picky on fuel quality, with head and lambda probe problems cropping up if you didn't give it at least an occasional drink of 99 RON.
There remains a more than sneaking suspicion that the Mk 4 was more solidly constructed than the 5. Shed's personal 4 is quietly ticking towards 200,000 miles and is showing no signs of giving up any time soon, whereas the 5s he's sampled have given an impression of being relatively insubstantial (cheaper rhino-grain cabin plastics not helping there). You see quite a few Mk 5s with rusty arches, probably more than you get with the Mk 4, which is a bit shocking. They say it starts off with wet soundproofing material rubbing on the inner arches.
The reality is that every successive new Golf has been measurably superior to its predecessor in every area, especially safety, but also in handling with the 5 over the 4 thanks to its 80 per cent stiffer body and adoption of multi-link rear suspension. It's undoubtedly also true however that VW cut a few corners with the Mk5.
Early cars had an issue with badly-fitting or badly-sealing doors. There was a big problem with ESP system failure that initially could cost upwards of £1,500 to sort. Volkswagen did put out a much cheaper repair kit to deal with it.
What about this particular car? Well, it's got leather and a towbar, which by the sounds of it might be better off on the front of the car rather than the back. Shed is taking the view that if the car has gotten this far it's probably had the full gamut of problems and they've all been sorted.
It looks like it hasn't been cleaned since the last service, which appears to have taken place in autumn 2015, around 16,000 miles ago. A few quid spent on cleaning products and a box of hoover bags could result in something you would feel less guilty about scraping down the side of a premium German motor.
Adjustable Steering Column/Wheel - Rake/Reach, Air Bag Driver, Air Bag Passenger, Air Bag Side - Front Side/Front & Rear Curtain, Alarm, Alloy Wheels - 16in, Anti-Lock Brakes, Body Coloured Bumpers, CD Autochanger/Armrest/Rear Cup Holders, Central Door Locking - Remote, Centre Rear Seat Belt, Chassis - Sport, Climate Control, Computer - Driver Information System, Computer, Cup Holder, Electric Windows - Front/Rear, Electronic Stability Programme, External Temperature Display, Extra Storage, Front Fog Lights, Gear Knob Leather, HeaHead Light Sensor, Head Restraints - Front/Rear, Immobiliser, In Car Entertainment - Radio/CD, Interior Finishes, Interior Lights, Leather Upholstery, Limited Slip Differential, Metallic Paint, Mirrors External - Electric/Heated, Mirrors Internal - Automatic Dimming Rear View, Power Socket, Power-Assisted Steering, Rain Sensor, Rear Wash/Wipe - Rear, Seat - ISOFIX Anchorage Point - Two Seats - Rear, Seat Height Adjustment - Driver/Passenger, Seat Lumbar Support - Driver/Passenger, Seating Capacity . THIS GOLF CAME TO US IN PART EX IT HAS GOT A GOOD SERVICE HISTORY AND BOTH KEY'S,THE MOT IS UNTIL 12TH AUGUST,IT HAS FULL LEATHER WITH HEATED SEATS,IT HAS 6 CD CHANGER,THE CAR HAS GOOD TYRE'S AND DRIVES VERY WELL,ANY TEST OR INSPECTION WELCOME THE CAR IS A PART EX TO CLEAR BARGAIN FIRST COME FIRST SERVE AND DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE WARRANTY OFFER, ESTABLISHED 27 YEARS SALES SERVICING FINANCE CAN ADD A 15 MONTH WARRANTY FOR ONLY £199 AND WE DO NOT CHARGE ANY ADMIN FEE'S THE PRICE YOU SEE IS THE PRICE YOU PAY NO HIDDEN EXTRA'S
Edit: As for the reference to a LSD, it will be a 'virtual' LSD of the type that applies the brakes to a spinning wheel, rather than a mechanical diff.
I was also under the impression that this particular engine wasn't that reliable and did suffer from a few issue but i could well be wrong there. I think the main issue would be the lack of performance from such a big engine. Isn't it basically just a non-turbocharged version of the one they put in the MK5 GTI? So, you get worse fuel consumption with alot less performance.
Looking at it as a shed, it's probably very good VFM. I'd much rather a 1.8T MK4 for the same budget though.
I had a MkV GT TDi 2.0, which a previous owner had remapped, and it was hilariously quick. Handling was pretty tidy, too.
I'm guessing a base-model 1.9 TDi might be a bit on the dull side.
But even with an 'efficient' engine, the VED for it is £290 p.a. It'll be the killer of old cars unless it's sporty or interesting.
Edit I just noticed the sill / driver's door bottom damage on one of the photos. Shame.
I liked that car. Took us all over Europe and would do and indicated 120mph on empty French motorways (at night, on a week day)... at close to 125 the front would go too light for comfort.
I only sold it because I’d had it a long time, was working closer to home so didn’t need a diesel car and wanted a change.
Racked up some decent miles in it, definite fond memories
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