Need new car

[crashdesk]

Okay. Haven’t been on here in a while...and this is a cheeky wee one.

I need a new car. My MK5 GTI has served me well but it is failing all over so Ian having to pump too much money into it. In short I need a new car. Thing is, I want a new car that is not a VW GTI or even a VW.

Things I have been thinking about.

Fuel emissions scandal. I do not want to give VW any more money.
COVID has messed things up with income so running GTI and fuel costs etc take toll

I loved my GTI. In all seriousness, is there another car that you could recommend that has that oomph/quality without the high tax/running costs.

PS I have a wife and two kids. The boot space was great in the GTI too. Head over heart decision

Many thanks!
CD

[crashdesk]

Turns out I’m going to get a 2016 Audi A3 1.4 TFSI S-Line

[EnglandUK]

What issue’s have you had with your gti? From personal experience I had more problems with new Audi’s (<2 years old) than all our vw’s put together including  my 160k mile mk5 GT TDI! So much so I will never own another Audi

[crashdesk]

Boot strut mount snapped and now boot won’t open. There is no locking/unlocking sound when opening/closing car.

The wheel arches are nearly falling apart with rust.

Will need timing belt replaced this year.

Wheel bearings always seem to wear very quickly. I hardly drove the car in 2020 and I can hear the rear ones.

Just other small repair costs that keep mounting up. Air leaks etc which affected boost.

Not sure of costs to fix all these things and not sure when to bite bullet on buying a new used car...and what to buy. Really don’t like the whole emissions scandal. Although was Audi part of that too?

[EnglandUK]

I know where you’re coming from as there is always something that needs some tlc, just factor in what you’ll lose straight away in ‘unseen’ costs on changing, depreciation etc. If you’re buying Audi then yes you are still giving Vw money, the emissions scandal also affected Audi, Seat etc.

[crashdesk]

Yeah. Will have a good think about that. Thanks!

I reckon if I spent £2000 on the car and that did me 2 years I would be grand.

[EnglandUK]

The bodywork is probably the most expensive part, I am fortunate that mine is showing no rust on any arches (yet) on an 06. The cambelt and waterpump i have booked for 4th jan at £430 using genuine vw kit to give you an idea. There are good vids on YouTube for doing the rear wheel bearings  so you could save some costs there if you are confident. It’s possible if you haven’t driven the car much that it’s the rear tyres so try switching the wheels front to rear before diving in on the bearings.

[crashdesk]

Great. Will try and get quotes to get all work done in the one place. The broken boot strut mount could be tricky. Be good to find someone who has done it before.

Thanks for all that mate.

[EnglandUK]

Great. Will try and get quotes to get all work done in the one place. The broken boot strut mount could be tricky. Be good to find someone who has done it before.

Thanks for all that mate.

Do you mean where the tailgate gas struts mount to? 

[crashdesk]

Yeah, this https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=53440.0

[EnglandUK]

What about giving that a light sand and then gluing it on with something like “sticks like” that stuff is ridiculously strong?

[crashdesk]

Will check that stuff out. Would like to get permanent fix. The weight of that boot when there is nothing holding it up is ridiculous and I have kids...so hands

[andyR43]

Great. Will try and get quotes to get all work done in the one place. The broken boot strut mount could be tricky. Be good to find someone who has done it before.

Thanks for all that mate.

What diameter is the hole in the body that has been left? If it is 13mm or less you could improvise and use a snap toggle then bolt the strut into the toggle.

[crashdesk]

I don’t think the depth/gap in the frame would allow for a snap toggle :-(

[andyR43]

check the depth of the recess then grind the toggle ends off so it does fit. The toggle doesn't need to be too long as it is pulling against metal not plasterboard.