Best year of manufacture

[modelreject]

Hi,

Was just thinking about this and was hoping to get your opinions. I am still on the lookout for a GTI and am looking for a low mileage model. From all of my research I can tell that there have been problems in the past form the very first MK5 right through to the last, manufactured circa 2008. To cut a long story short, would it be better to get a later model, preferably 2008 as most of the problems will have been ironed out?

Thanks,
C

[E30Dom]

You say that, but think earlier models, all the tooling was new and tolerances were better no?

[Gene Hunt]

The first ones came with more alloy trim/speakers & the cool blue window glass(never should have deleted this on the GTI)

[modelreject]

As far as problems go though, not the style, would you say that the later models are better?

[Gene Hunt]

As far as problems go though, not the style, would you say that the later models are better?

........had an 05 GTI & now have an 08 ED 30. Had a few problems with the 05 GTI sorted under a warranty  & so far with the ED 30 nothing wrong.

[modelreject]

Would love a 2008 Ed30. Think, with getting an older model most things would be out of warranty bar the paintwork. Thinking engine parts. Will try and pick up a 2007/2008 model.

[searly]

Worked in many OEM's and supplied into OEM's for 20 odd years and there seems to be a common pattern

SOP >  start of mass pro manufacture and with all the trial builds there is nothing like going live in volume ,  this usually throws up all the problems , for which the next 6 months is spent introducing the fixes to resolve the problems .

then from 6 months to to 2 years is where I believe the vehicle is possibly at its best , because after 2 years is when all the cost downs come into place reducing manufacturing costs , but sell prices remain the same , these cost down are in the form of cheaper materials being used  / reducing tac times at the supply base and at OEM (more mistakes are made ).

but really the first 6 months are a no for me

[dmac1969]

How long after the start of Mk5 production did they start making A. Right Hand Drive cars and B. The GTI? From start of production or later?