Buying advice needed

[Joeymc]

So im buying my first GTI and ive narrowed my search down to 2 cars. Im just unsure on which to pull the trigger on.
So the first car is a 2005 Graphite grey 3 door DSG with full grey leather,sunroof,climate control,heated seats as well as the other usual stuff.
The second car is a 2006 Black 5 door 6 speed manual with full cream leather,climate control,heated seats,18 inch wheels and Xenons.

Both cars have roughly the same mileage and will cost the same.Both have very comprehensive service histories.
I have a 5 month old daughter and am unsure on the 3 door due to practicality worries but my wife has an Auris hybrid for most of the baby ferrying. I love the graphite grey but i want the xenons so much too.
My head is fried and im going to make up my mind today either way but any input or advice you guys could offer would be most appreciated

[Tonksy]

Only you know which you are leaning toward, but here are some things to look for in each of the cars histories that may help you decide.

Is there a record for any of the following being replaced, cam follower, PCV, DV, cambelt & water pump?  Oil pick-up pipe is another thing to consider.

For the DSG, is there documentation showing that the DSG has been serviced at the required intervals?

Another good thing to check is the MOT history of the car.  Gives an indication as to how it has been kept, and what may currently be required (check the advisories). https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

What tyres are on the car? I tend to assume budget tyres = budget owner.

(3dr looks better ha ha)

[bobby_fodge]

You can always buy used xenons and retrofix them, very easy to do.

[Lucky ducky]

Cream leather would be out for me

[titchy]

I had cream leather in my |Corrado storm bloody nightmare keeping it clean [no sprogs]

[Joeymc]

Thanks for the reply’s lads. Cream leather doesn’t bother me as I’ve done detailing for 8 years. And the 5 door practicality has kinda convinced me. So I pulled the trigger on the Black car with cream leather and I’m collecting it Sunday. Just got my service parts delivered to my job so I’m a happy camper

[bobby_fodge]

I had a 3 door mk4 gti when my kid was at nursery and it is a pain getting them in and out of their car seat. My mk 5 is 5 door.

[Joeymc]

Im absolutly buzzing here waiting to get it on sunday. Few mods already in the pipeline for it after some preventative servicing. The S3 gear shifter mod id probably gonna be first up along with a K&N panel filter.

[Lucky ducky]

Well done the xenons are really worth it... Have a 3dr painful to get the young fella into his car seat

[Adrian 200bhp]

I had a bmw 2 dr coupe and that was a pain to get the kids in and out but doable so dont let that be the deciding factor. DSG is famtatic and i bought a 5dr gti with dsg and love it. Try to get a car that leaves you a bit of money in case any little bits need doing but its down to your choice. Good luck.

[ROH ECHT]

I didn't even know the MK5 came with Cream interior. You all have much more options than here in the states.
Much is already said, but check the service and condition for:
1) Cam follower and intake cam tri-lobe.
2) DSG service each 40k miles.
3) Cam belt (includes coolant pump and tension pulleys) each 110k miles. I would include the alternator's tension pulley.
4) Timing chain and tensioner are up to you. Some wait until they self destroy themselves, but consider the possible valve damage if not addressed. I am doing mine next year and it will be between 155k and 160k miles by then.
5) Change the oil and filter often. These are not meant for those extended oil service intervals and should be done each 5k miles at most.
6) All other issues can be dealt with as they reveal themselves. Expect sensor, electrical valves, ignition coils, and PCV failures.

[Joeymc]

So not the update i hoped to give you guys.
Deal is off. No cambelt record of being done since 2011 in the history. That was the end of that.
Just fed up now. Not gonna bother even looking again for a while. Might just hold off continue saving and try get an edition 30 early next year.

[ROH ECHT]

Probably for the best. At least you looked into its servicing. On the bright side, it should pay off for you when you find the one that rewards you for your effort. Many simply buy while remaining ignorant to any of this.

[ROH ECHT]

If you want to pay loads of money and want to drive on the left side...I posted this for a friend here in Oregon; https://www.golfmkv.com/forums/index.php?threads/probably-the-lowest-2007-mk5-gti-in-the-country-maybe-not.373869/

Then there's this beast; http://www.cars-power.com/tuning/volkswagen-hgp-golf-3-6-bi-turbo-745-hp-for-sale-e69950/?fbclid=IwAR0BEIAuez-YWXR0siG8CeHc4Tsiuf_KNYbhkVTpKDaMq6EtcSduhhcGDgc

[coolhandluke]

So not the update i hoped to give you guys.
Deal is off. No cambelt record of being done since 2011 in the history. That was the end of that.
Just fed up now. Not gonna bother even looking again for a while. Might just hold off continue saving and try get an edition 30 early next year.

Get in touch, might have something to interest you.