MK5 GTI refresh - what's involved?

[goodo]

Gm and HNY!

So…….my company car goes back in May and I need a replacement. I’m thinking a nice mk5 gti. I’ll want to refresh it as much as reasonably possible, what would this involve? I’m thinking suspension bushes, dampers, gearbox linkages, full fluid changes, thermostat etc. what needs doing to engine to make it reliable daily driver? Walnut blasting inlet valves? And how much should I budget for this lot.
Thanks in advance. I’ll probably end up buying from one of you guys anyway. Always buy my cars off the forums, cos I know how much you live your cars!

Sad news about Ken Block 😞

Goodo

[Clarkj93]

I've taken a lot of mine apart over the years so the main things I've noticed from age/miles on mine specifically are:

Rust on corner of the sills both front and back, damp foliage makes it way behind the arch and can slowly rot it out a little.
Dampers if original may feel okay but taking them off the car I realised they were toast (the rears literally had no rebound at all 
Cracked springs.
Bushes are still MOT worthy when this old I've found but Soft like marshmallows from age and nasty muck and oil.
Engine is great but Cam follower needs checking/replacing and injector cleaning/valve blasting is not essential but gave me a smoother idle and possibly released a few ponies when tuned.
Dipstick broke into sump so needed to be dropped and cleaned and clean the pick up pipe while it was off as a why not.
Thermostat broke so car could not get up to temperature when on any kind of highway doing 50mph+.
3 fuel injectors died.
Diverter valve went which created a boost leak.
Rocker cover gasket went which created another boost leak
Exhaust after the main cat was looking quite holey and came up on an MOT.
Siezed rear calipers.

Those are the main issues I've seen on mine, some other stuff that's too trivial to mention. Obviously you might find one where everything is perfect this is just what I've found on mine and I know others on here have had some of these issues over the years also. Age takes its toll eventually!

Your budget depends on whether you want to upgrade old parts or just replace with oem/aftermarket.

[LC5F]

Depends how bullet proof you want to make it  - balance shaft seizing is a less common thing that can take out the engine or be a source of low oil pressure
Oil pick up clean out is also prudent
Timing belt usually get done, but timing chain often overlooked.
DSG boxes - better than a manual - need fluid changed every 40k

[goodo]

I've taken a lot of mine apart over the years so the main things I've noticed from age/miles on mine specifically are:

Rust on corner of the sills both front and back, damp foliage makes it way behind the arch and can slowly rot it out a little.
Dampers if original may feel okay but taking them off the car I realised they were toast (the rears literally had no rebound at all 
Cracked springs.
Bushes are still MOT worthy when this old I've found but Soft like marshmallows from age and nasty muck and oil.
Engine is great but Cam follower needs checking/replacing and injector cleaning/valve blasting is not essential but gave me a smoother idle and possibly released a few ponies when tuned.
Dipstick broke into sump so needed to be dropped and cleaned and clean the pick up pipe while it was off as a why not.
Thermostat broke so car could not get up to temperature when on any kind of highway doing 50mph+.
3 fuel injectors died.
Diverter valve went which created a boost leak.
Rocker cover gasket went which created another boost leak
Exhaust after the main cat was looking quite holey and came up on an MOT.
Siezed rear calipers.

Those are the main issues I've seen on mine, some other stuff that's too trivial to mention. Obviously you might find one where everything is perfect this is just what I've found on mine and I know others on here have had some of these issues over the years also. Age takes its toll eventually!

Your budget depends on whether you want to upgrade old parts or just replace with oem/aftermarket.

Thanks Clarkj93, that's really helpful. Our family car is a discovery 4, so I'm used to spending my weekends lying in the mud fixing something or other. It doesn't sound too bad, and probably not too expensive either.

I think I'll focus on a good body, and an engine and gearbox which has had regular oil changes, I can sort out the rest. Hadn't really thought about the turbo side, but leaking rocker covers is going to cause trouble.

Probably be looking to keep it standard rather than upgrade. I know people like polybushes and all that for longevity, but I like my ride as soft as I can get it nowadays - that'll be the air suspension on the discovery.

How much should I be budgeting for a decent example Mk5 5 door? I need to start saving up.

Also where's the place to go for VW OEM parts - apart from the dealer of course!

Cheers

Goodo

[goodo]

Depends how bullet proof you want to make it  - balance shaft seizing is a less common thing that can take out the engine or be a source of low oil pressure
Oil pick up clean out is also prudent
Timing belt usually get done, but timing chain often overlooked.
DSG boxes - better than a manual - need fluid changed every 40k

Is there anything you can do in terms of preventative maintenance on the balance shaft, or just buy a car with a full service history and lots of oil changes?

The engine has a timing belt as well as a timing chain? I need to do some research?

I like DSG option. Does VW have this oil change in their service schedule? I know a lot of manufacturers stipulate sealed for life (for the warranty period anyway). Wouldn't mind a manual, but I think a DSG would be more appropriate.

Cheers

[breeze]

If you are buying a car with a view to refresh just go in with your eyes open on cost. Depending on how picky you are you can burn a lot quite quickly, particularly if you are paying other people.

[pudding]

Balance shaft seizure is an exaggerated problem. Most of the failures stem from neglect and/or over speeding them with extended rev limits from remaps.

After 8 years of daily driving one, it became pretty clear to me that most modifications ruin the car, in terms of daily use at least, and all they need is regular maintenance and TLC for a long life    All I would do to one if I did it again, is a chassis bush refresh, very mild springs with bilstein dampers, stage 1 tune and that's it.  The gains from that point on cost considerably more to implement and come with too many compromises in terms of NVH and reduced lifespan.

Anyway, get yourself a car, the best you can afford, and go from there.  There's a ton of experience and info on here to get you started on the journey when you're ready.

Yeah shame about the Blockster.  That was a shock hearing that on the radio!  And then Jeremy Renner did something similar shortly after, crazy!