Buying VW Mk5 GTI. Help needed!

JackLaStripeur

After taking a test drive in a manual Mk5 GTI about 1.5 years ago i instantly fell in love so iv saved and lived frugally since then to buy one.

Ill be looking for a 2005 with the DSG gearbox, leather seats would be bonus but not needed. What should I look out for when I'm buying?
Any major problems/faults that can happen?
What are the running costs involved?

Budget for the car: 5000-6000
Iv budgeted for 80~euro a week on petrol since iv only do about 20km/day round trip for work, and a sunday drive and the odd trip to galway (120km). 710tax, 400 for tyres, unsure of servicing costs? Anything else iv left out?

Since I'm 22 I got quoted 1000euro fully comp insurance which I thought was good.

Looked at buying from the UK because a lot of GTIs circa 05 probably have a lot of prev owners but prices in the UK seem to be holding up

I would really love to hear what your ownership experiences have been like with your GTIs

Also if you know anyone selling a GTI at my budget please PM me.

CountingCrows

I sold one last Winter after 2yrs ownership. It was a 2005 3dr DSG with beige leather. They really are a great car. I loved the DSG gearbox, best part of the car IMO.

Try and find one with auto lights and wipers and an upgraded HDD radio. Make sure the DSG oil was changed. The only non wear and tear only problem I had with mine was with the air-con compressor, a common (and expensive) fault. Running costs are surprisingly good, that said €400 will only buy you two good tyres. I'd avoid the 18" monza, the laquer fades and the 17" are a better ride.

Supergurrier

You will get 4 mid range tyres from camskill for around 420 delivered

CountingCrows

Supergurrier wrote: »

You will get 4 mid range tyres from camskill for around 420 delivered

I had Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 all round, probably overkill but worth putting something premium on the front especially

Supergurrier

CountingCrows wrote: »

I had Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 all round, probably overkill but worth putting something premium on the front especially

Not at all i had a set of these on my ST. Great tyre 4x 225/40/R18s should only cost 500e posted though+fitting obviously.

Got some stupid quotes on these locally however.

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

Check for a diesel-like rattle from the engine. The 2005 has the earlier AXX engine - the cam chain & tensioner may need to be replaced. Probably a few hundred euro to get it done.

This is NOT the same as the timing belt btw.

Check the dsg on the test drive - do a search for how to test it. Check for servicing history on the dsg. Or just buy a manual.

JackLaStripeur

CountingCrows wrote: »

I sold one last Winter after 2yrs ownership. It was a 2005 with beige leather. They really are a great car. I loved the DSG gearbox, best part of the car IMO.

Try and find one with auto lights and wipers and an upgraded HDD radio. Make sure the DSG oil was changed. The only non wear and tear only problem I had with mine was with the air-con compressor, a common (and expensive) fault. Running costs are surprisingly good, that said €400 will only buy you two good tyres. I'd avoid the 18" monza, the laquer fades and the 17" are a better ride.

Wow what a beautiful example of a GTI, that leather looks so comfortable. Wish I picked it up
Petrol costs, how much per week was it costing you? Doesnt matter too much i just like to know costs.
Much of a difference between the upgraded radio and the standard one?

OSI wrote: »

As much as I love my DSG, I'm not sure I'd be too confident at finding one I'd trust to be in decent shape in an '05.

Thats my main fear, ill have to them a good run over before i purchase. Couldn't bare a manual tbh, i know id just love the auto.
I believe the dsg service interval is every 40,000km?

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly wrote: »

Check for a diesel-like rattle from the engine. The 2005 has the earlier AXX engine - the cam chain & tensioner may need to be replaced. Probably a few hundred euro to get it done.

This is NOT the same as the timing belt btw.

Check the dsg on the test drive - do a search for how to test it. Check for servicing history on the dsg. Or just buy a manual.

So look out for jerking when pulling off and clunkyness i presume.



Gonna up my budget for an 06 but jesus the cheapest 06 GTI on donedeal is 6800 with cloth seats and seems to be bog irish standard a nice 07 over 10k O.o

How do i tell the difference between climate control and aircon?

Suasdaguna1

Jack...22yrs old and getting a gti. Top man. Enjoy. Great machine.

JackLaStripeur

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly wrote: »

Check for a diesel-like rattle from the engine. The 2005 has the earlier AXX engine - the cam chain & tensioner may need to be replaced. Probably a few hundred euro to get it done.

This is NOT the same as the timing belt btw.

Check the dsg on the test drive - do a search for how to test it. Check for servicing history on the dsg. Or just buy a manual.

So i contacted a guy today to buy his GTI, asked him whether there was any engine rattle.
He said "It sounds like that once it's up to temperature, that's normal - there's no 'fix' available for that - from what I've researched/been told by VW/mechanic." Bare in mind he said that after i asked him whether he had cam and tensioner replaced.
Sounds dodgy to me, there shouldnt be and engine rattle should there?

Also what should i look out for when testing the DSG?

noelf

Also what should i look out for when testing the DSG?[/quote]

Your wallet !!

Nonoperational

I have a manual GTI now for over 4 years. It's a really cracking car. There are a few things that crop up, especially on 2005 models.

1) The diverter valve will be shagged if it hasn't been replaced. There is a new revision that solves the problem. It's not extensive and easy to change.

2) The PCV could be shagged too.

3) In the States the hight pressure fuel pump cam follower appears to be an issue. I changed mine but to be honest it doesn't seem to be an issue here.

4) It has a timing belt so you need to check if it was changed.

5) The aircon compressors in the early models were unreliable. Expensive if not working. Check the aircon is cold.

6) The intake flap motor can go bad.

The best way to check most of these things is check the codes with Vagcom.

Since I've had it, outside of normal servicing I've had to replace the aircon compressor (VW paid parts), the diverter valve and PCV, the intake flap motor, and a CV boot. Other than that it's normal things like services, brake pads, wishbone bushing etc.

If it doesn't need anything it's cheap to service. I get about 30mpg in mixed driving or 23mpg in the city.

There is a bit of a tappety sound from mine at idle. It's in a lot of early ones. Hasn't changed in 4 years and isn't an issue.