MK5 GTI buying checklist?

[edd666999]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Im having second thoughts now about dsg as I've done some digging on various vag sites and the general consensus is to stay away from dsg if over 60k and as I'll be purchasing between 60-80k I may just go for the manual.

Any thoughts on this?

I don't agree. If the mechatronics unit was going to go, it would have happened earlier in its life. My dsg box has done 68k and it's perfect. When a buyer looks at my car I make a point of showing the dsg is fine because everyone seems afraid of them!

[Phillyf21]

So what symptoms should I look out for with the dsg? What will it feel like if its on its way out?

I'm presuming jerks from neutral to drive/reverse, hanging on to gears anything else?

Oh do dsg creep like standard autos when stationary?

[edd666999]

Yeah it will jump, change poorly. It's obvious if it's fooked.

And they do creep.

[Joshy]

I think I need I write a lot of this down and start reading up about a lot of things. Will be trying to check everything out when I get round to looking at some golfs.

Also, great advice on this thread!

[rallycross]

Check Cambelt and water pump has been replaced on or around 60k miles

Or 4 years regardless of miles

sorry but that's not very realistic advice and most owners will tell you to get lost if you expect a new cambelt after just 4 years when vw tell you its more.

also worth checking on the vosa MOT history site there you can see mileages from last few years MOT's (and any fails, gives you an idea of whats been done to it).

also make sure 2 x keys, pain if only one.

Codswallop!

"Most owners" who know about Mk5 Golfs (that'll be us lot BTW)  will tell you that its 60k miles OR 4 years, whichever comes first. VW also state its 4 years (4 years pre 2009, 4/5 post 2009) for the Mk5 platform, end off.

I wouldn't go NEAR a car that hadn't had this major requirement done on time, or very close to. There are LOADS of peeps on here with 8/9 year old cars that haven't even covered anywhere near 60k miles as yet.

Yes my mistake its a while since I changed a cambelt on a mk5 Gti and from memory I thought it was 6 years,(I changed 2 Gti mk5 cambelts in 2009, one had 88,000 miles and one had 54,000 miles, both 2005 cars in 2009). My current Gti had its cambelt changed at 75,000 miles, at 6 years (by prev owner) so the ones I've owned have gone well past the 4 years 60k miles, and all my ones came with full main dealer only history. So I wouldnt panic too much if you are buying one with over 60k or 4 yrs just get it and the water pump done (my local VW specialist charges £180 labour plus the parts for a cambelt and water pump change).

[Joshy]

Another question guys.
Looked at a DSG the other day but walked away from the deal. I've since realised that was a bad idea so I'm going back to look again! The car seem clean, Interior and exterior. Service every 10k, and had DSG service at just over 53k. I know I should e every 40k but when I drove the car it seemed fine to me. The gear shift were seamless, with the paddles and just in drive. It does need cambelt and water pump doing this year though!

What else should I look for, engine, exterior and interior wise!?