Newbie looking for advice

[hp88]

Hi everyone,

I am on the look out for a MK5 GTI so was hoping some of you could answer a couple of questions. Also like to add I'm on a tight budget of £8k as it's a second car so I’m probably looking at cars which are about 6 years old with about 60k miles on the clock.

Servicing
After doing a bit of research I have realised GTI have two different service schedules, either the 12 month or 24 month. Is anyone running their GTI a 24 month service schedule? 2 years without having an Oil change is kind of putting me from looking at the cars on this schedule.

Do VW have fixed priced servicing? Would appreciate some figures on general service cost and also things such as cam belt changes, DSG service, brake disk/pad cost and they other serviceable items.

Recalls
Have there been recalls for the GTI?

Turbo and DSG Problems
Are their any known issues concerning the Turbo?

After driving my brother in laws R32 having the DSG topped the 'must have' list but I have been heard a part called the Mechatronic is known to fail which could thousands to put right. Is this a common fault or is it something that's been talked up a lot on forums.  

Warranty
Does anyone know how much VW charge for a extended warranty?

MPG / Full Tank Range
What sort MPG should I expect for town driving? I would be happy with 200/220 from a tank, can this be done in a GTI?

Sorry for asking so many questions on my first post, just want to make sure I don't get a nasty surprise once I have bought one.

Thanks

H

[Beddie]

Hi everyone,

I am on the look out for a MK5 GTI so was hoping some of you could answer a couple of questions. Also like to add I'm on a tight budget of £8k as it's a second car so I’m probably looking at cars which are about 6 years old with about 60k miles on the clock.

Servicing
After doing a bit of research I have realised GTI have two different service schedules, either the 12 month or 24 month. Is anyone running their GTI a 24 month service schedule? 2 years without having an Oil change is kind of putting me from looking at the cars on this schedule.

The 2 different service schedules are 'Time & Distance' or 'Longlife', my car is on LL as we do 20K a year and the car usually has a service every 16K, the 24 month part of the LL schedule is a maximum term and most will not go that long without a change imo, wouldnt put me off personally but i appreciate that it would others

Do VW have fixed priced servicing? Would appreciate some figures on general service cost and also things such as cam belt changes, DSG service, brake disk/pad cost and they other serviceable items.
Yes they do, all prices can be found on the VW site or your local dealer

Recalls
Have there been recalls for the GTI?
A couple i can remember are ECU update and coilpack recall on pre mid 2007 cars

Turbo and DSG Problems
Are their any known issues concerning the Turbo?
Not specifically, no

After driving my brother in laws R32 having the DSG topped the 'must have' list but I have been heard a part called the Mechatronic is known to fail which could thousands to put right. Is this a common fault or is it something that's been talked up a lot on forums. 
It's a known failure point yeah, a search on here will reveal all the info you'll ever need

Warranty
Does anyone know how much VW charge for a extended warranty?
Depends on the car's age, mileage and the extent of cover you require, i pay £289 for fully comp with £0 XS

MPG / Full Tank Range
What sort MPG should I expect for town driving? I would be happy with 200/220 from a tank, can this be done in a GTI?
You'd see this easily round town imo, obviously dependent on driving style etc

Sorry for asking so many questions on my first post, just want to make sure I don't get a nasty surprise once I have bought one.

Thanks

H

[oisinc]

I'll give you some..
It's spelt with a C

 

[nathangallo]

Wassup
 
just bought my steel grey gti straight from vw(i know i may have payed over the odds but it does come with a good package)

i payed 10k and that it with 57 on a 56 so i think you may struggle to get a decentish one for 8 unless it is a base model
but they are out there just need to keep a good look out just make sure they have the full vw service history which mine did, even if not vw just make sure full history at the minimum, you dont want to be buying yourself a money grabber

[hp88]

Thanks for the replies.

The search for a GTI continues although I might have found one I like. I have managed to get behind the wheel of two GTI's over the past couple of weeks. The first one I saw had all the documentation in order and was in pretty good condition, unfortunately I had to give it a miss as it didn't have much to offer in terms of optional extras. The second one turned out to be bit of a dodgy motor, he had no stamp book (only VW invoices) and a MOT check gave away a discrepancy in the true millage of the car.

I have just got off the phone with a seller who seems genuine and hopefully I can organise a viewing sometime next week. Steel Grey with Black Leather, 2 owners, 63k miles, refurbished alloys, arm rest + changer and it has a reasonable MOT and TAX. It has service history but it's from a VW Specialist who's worked on it for the past 5 years. To be honest a Specialist service history doesn't really bother me as I have done the same with my current Golf.

Is there anything I should look out for with a car with 60k+ miles?

Also most of the GTI I have seen for sale have the normal head unit, has anyone replaced it for the touch screen one?

Thanks

[nathangallo]

Check that it has had its cambelt done, around 60k it should be done(i know this as mine is due one)

Do an mot check that will prove milage

and about fitting a touch screen nav everyone is doing it i personally havnt but everyone fits the upgraded RNS 510 which looks awesome

[Tinytim]

Regarding the VW servicing.

I certainly wouldn't go out your way to only get a car with a full VW service history.

Personally it would put me off. VW's service is nothing short of shocking, a lot of them are cow boys and I won't be letting the stealers touch my car.

I'd be looking for specialist independent service history. Awesome Gti etc. I'd take that over VW service history any day.

There are far too many people look for the "all important" VW stamp in the book.

I am sure a lot of the people on here will agree.

[hp88]

@ TINYTIM

To be honest the majority of car adverts I have seen all have Specialist/Independent garage service history, as long as it's VW parts being used I'm not bothered.

I think we share the same opinion on dealers as my local one hasn't touched my Golf V5 for almost 10 years now, it's still going strong at 125k miles.

[gazon69]

Regarding the VW servicing.

I certainly wouldn't go out your way to only get a car with a full VW service history.

Personally it would put me off. VW's service is nothing short of shocking, a lot of them are cow boys and I won't be letting the stealers touch my car.

I'd be looking for specialist independent service history. Awesome Gti etc. I'd take that over VW service history any day.

There are far too many people look for the "all important" VW stamp in the book.

I am sure a lot of the people on here will agree.

+1. Got to know steve jr down at statllers is sheffield really well, he gives great advice and does a top job. Cant fault him, oh and he knows his sh*t

[hp88]

Finally sold my car over the weekend so I have been glued to autotrader, ebay, pistonheads ect searching for a GTI.

I have seen one with 58k miles, it's under budget but it's doesn't have the all the extra's I would have liked, I guess I could retrofit most of the items myself.

Can someone shed some light on when certain service items need replacing ?

Need to know at what age/millage the Air Filter, Fuel Filter and Spark Plugs need replacing.

Cam belt and water pump was done recently so that should be ok for 4 years, the coolant and brake fluid has also been renewed.

Thanks

[laserblue999]

Wait for the right one with the bits you want rather than getting one earlier 'cos you want want badly. Unless you are into the retro fitting thing of course......... looks complicated and expensive to me at times. Not a day goes by without me being glad I waited for my high spec one with 62k FVWSH and loads of extras for 7.6k.

[StephenED30]

Service pricing. 

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/servicing/fixed-price-servicing

[perky85]

A 2005 3door Tornado red gti is advertised near me. had cambelt done & 7000miles (not a typo) on the clock £8k.

Might be worth a look if your near Shropshire area