Autocar GTI Buyers Guide

[david25]

Autocar GTI Buyers Guide 7 September

Short two page guide, covers most things, only mistake I spotted was cambelt change at 75,000 miles.

[shoaybmakda]

Sorry a little off topic but a friend of mine recently bought a GT TDI mk6 - the car trader (non VW) he bought the car from said the cam belt didn't need changing on a golf until 120k. And VW never use timing chains. I mentioned to him I'm sure the TSI engine on the mk5s had chains? He got a bit heated and said no they didn't basically. I didn't argue and thought maybe I was wrong?

[PatchySan]

Yes the 1.4 TSI units on the MK5 GT's (140 BHP and 170 BHP) used timing chains though there have been reliability issues with the timing chains tending to stretch or even jumping causing major engine damage (even on low mileage cars). The 1.6 FSI's also used timing chains too, I had one and had no major issues with mine before I traded it in for my GTI.

[Pistol]

I seem to remember from my initial research when buying the Mk5 GTI has both - something like belt from crank to inlet and chain between cams - something like that.

[AJP]

I seem to remember from my initial research when buying the Mk5 GTI has both - something like belt from crank to inlet and chain between cams - something like that.

Yep, there's a belt and a chain. As far as I know VW don't class the chain as a serviceable item, but do a search and you'll find plenty of people who have had to replace the chain. It's a bit like the fuel filter, they don't class that as serviceable either. I'm not taking their word on this, I'll be getting mine replaced soon.

[Juliand]

I seem to remember from my initial research when buying the Mk5 GTI has both - something like belt from crank to inlet and chain between cams - something like that.

Yep, there's a belt and a chain. As far as I know VW don't class the chain as a serviceable item, but do a search and you'll find plenty of people who have had to replace the chain. It's a bit like the fuel filter, they don't class that as serviceable either. I'm not taking their word on this, I'll be getting mine replaced soon.

Yeah, cam belt and chain.....worst of both worlds, eh!