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Author Topic: Newbie from Bristol  (Read 2733 times)

Offline Durbinator

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Newbie from Bristol
« on: October 19, 2014, 09:09:20 am »
Hey all,

Recently joined as Ive been looking at buying a MK5 GTI and thought what better place to get advice etc than here.

Ive been looking at what I can afford thats in my price range. I have around 6.5k to spend. Have seen a few 05 plate GTIs with around 40-50k on the clocks.
obviously I know the basics around that age that the Cambelt and Waterpump should be change. Is there anything else to look out for on these models?



cheers all
« Last Edit: October 19, 2014, 09:12:42 am by Durbinator »

Offline mrvertigo73

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #1 on: October 19, 2014, 01:34:21 pm »
Hi Durbinator and welcome to the GTI forum. This is my go-to place for info, so enjoy.   :happy2:

I'm in Bristol too, just bought my car about 4 weeks ago (I paid £4,700 privately - see my other posts for pics and spec) and am really happy with it. I came from a Porsche Boxster S (we had a baby!), and although it will never corner like a Porsche it is an awesome car in many ways, and certainly more practical... I'm gradually updating some stuff, so here's my opinion FWIW:

£6.5k will get you a good car. Early cars are good, but be aware there were some revisions around 07. Check if it's a 1K or 5K chassis - there were some improvements, some not so good changes, but I'm not an expert here. It mainly affects you when looking for parts.

I wouldn't be troubled too much by mileage, although I would personally stick below 100k. A badly driven, town car is often much more prone to problems than a well-driven motorway car. Get an inspection and a HPI check done, buy with full history and V5 present, check all the receipts, check MOTs for recurring problems and ask loads of questions - when they last changed the oil (if you're going DSG check DSG oil change too), discs and pads wear (and brand), tyre wear, usual stuff.

Specific mechanical issues seem to be cambelt as you mentioned, as well as the DV valve and Cam Follower, but these 2 are relatively cheap and easy to fix. If they've added a PCV Breather, or Blank (sometimes called Delete) kit then so much the better. Obviously usual checks - oil leaks, gasket leaks etc. always worth doing. Ask them to take the engine cover off so you can see if there are leaks on the head gasket etc.

Electrical - notorious are windows etc., but check all electrics esp. door buttons like mirrors etc. Make sure you get radio reception as the cables can go.

Bodywork - wheel arches notorious, so check under there for rust, as well as bottom of doors. Of course, Monza alloys get whiteworm corrosion, so either accept it and budget approx. £300 to fix, or buy a car with recently refurbed wheels. Check boot handle for corrosion too, and exhaust.

Mods - personally I would be happy looking at an already modded car as often they are looked after better than other cars, as the owner is always tinkering, but usual rules apply - if it looks like carbage it probably is, and if they don't know what they're talking about when you ask about the mods then think twice. If they look like they might do doughnuts all day long then walk away... a sports car is meant to be driven hard, just not badly. Common mods include uprated turbo, air intake, intercooler, big brake kits, coilover suspension, poly bushes, anti-roll bar, LSD etc. A quick search on here will tell you everything you need to know.

Spec - if I had my chance again I would defo look for Xenon headlights, highline clocks, multi-functional steering wheel (MFSW), cruise control and centre armrest as they can be a bitch to retrofit (mine has centre armrest and cruise already but point remains the same!). Make sure Xenons were factory-fitted and if not, make sure they are the real deal with self-levelling and ballasts etc. If you're going DSG, make sure you get flappy paddles too. Other popular spec includes sunroof and reversing sensors, although I don't like the look of them, and go for an RNS510 ("top of the range") or RNS310 (slightly quicker interface) stereo - RNS means sat nav, but if you weren't bothered by that you can get RCD500. If you get an RNS you will probably need a new CAN Gateway (look it up). MFD2 and RCD300 to be avoided. Having said all that, I'm about to put a Kenwood head- unit in mine! I don't like to have an extra bluetooth box on the dash. If you go DAB you can get an aerial that hides in the boot pillar. Worth looking at. Puddle light heated folding door mirrors would be ideal. 18" Monza alloys for the look, 17" for the ride (although most people say it doesn't make that much difference), heated leather for me, but also like the cloth GTI seats - if you are looking at pictures online, the heated seats buttons are in between the climate control dials - if there is a blank there, they are not heated.

Have a look at this car on Ebay - item number 181559134165 - it's probably got every bit of spec you could hope for, so is a good start if you want to learn about those sorts of things. Personally I would travel for the right car - this might not be your choice, but gives you a great idea of spec and is actually good value.

Let me know if you want to come and look at my car - happy to show you around! Today I will mostly attempting the DV replacement... Otherwise, keep looking on here and hope you get what you want.  :drinking:
« Last Edit: October 19, 2014, 01:39:10 pm by mrvertigo73 »
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Offline rich83

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #2 on: October 19, 2014, 03:00:56 pm »
[welcome]

Offline mrvertigo73

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2014, 03:36:40 pm »
Haha sorry didn't mean to overload!
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Offline Durbinator

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2014, 07:08:50 pm »
No Id prefer someone give it all to me on a plate. You have experience and know of certain things to look for etc and make sure bits and bobs are in line.

Yeah that would be grand to come rattle your brains if you don't mind and see your golf in the flesh.

It seems although I will have to travel for the car, having done searches on auto trader etc the majority of decent motors are at least 70+ miles away. Aslong as its a good motor I'am happy to travel.

have one dealer turn round and say they would get the cam belt and water pump done prior to the sale, but I'am a little sceptical as to whether they really would.

thanks for the reply though much appreciated

Offline mrvertigo73

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2014, 07:21:19 pm »
I think it's par for the course to have to travel for a decent, well-kept motor. I wouldn't necessarily trust a dealer. Personally I'd always go private as often warranties are not worth the paper they're written on, but that is obv. up to you.

Have a look on Piston heads too, and of course here, for cars. Even Gumtree, but if you see what you think is a cheap bargain it's prob a scam.

I bought mine in Westbury, Wiltshire, so I guess I was lucky, but I had travelled to Slough before that to see another car.

I'm in all day on Wednesday if you want to have a look at my car - PM me and I'll send you my address / phone number.
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Offline Pikey Motorsports

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2014, 03:26:45 am »
welcome im from bristol  :happy2:
TSR PERFORMANCE GTX30 520BHP
LITCHFIELD R35 GT-R 660BHP
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Offline Durbinator

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #7 on: October 20, 2014, 01:58:40 pm »
Hey I did try to PM you but as I don't have enough post I cant?!?

Can you send me one please

Offline Pikey Motorsports

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2014, 02:32:18 pm »
Hey I did try to PM you but as I don't have enough post I cant?!?

Can you send me one please

ill try mate but not sure if you will be able to reply yet or not
TSR PERFORMANCE GTX30 520BHP
LITCHFIELD R35 GT-R 660BHP
MSL E63 AMG 720BHP
HCP BM3 M5 800BHP

Offline mrvertigo73

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #9 on: October 20, 2014, 02:55:07 pm »
Hey I did try to PM you but as I don't have enough post I cant?!?

Can you send me one please

Tried to PM you @Durbinator but you can't yet - you need to have at least 10 posts.
« Last Edit: October 20, 2014, 02:58:24 pm by mrvertigo73 »
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Offline Durbinator

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #10 on: October 20, 2014, 06:33:49 pm »
Ok best get posting then haha.

with regards to what you wrote about the changes made in the 07+ models what changes were you talking about?

I gather with regards to finding the right car it can be bait of a waiting game waiting for one to come up for sale.

you were lucky to find one up in Wiltshire. Where did you see it advertised too?

I can't make Weds due to work. There any chance of popping over on the weekend?

cheers

Offline mrvertigo73

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #11 on: October 20, 2014, 07:01:22 pm »
I can do Friday morning, or Saturday afternoon say 3pm, but I will only be able to spend an hour and a half then? Post a reply and you might be able to see my PM! ;-)

As for the 07 changes - look on here or wikipedia it mate - tbh, I don't know enough about it, just know between the 1K chassis (05, 06) and the 5K chassis (07 onwards) there are some differences, and you certainly need to be aware of it when you order parts - it's not a biggy.

The main thing for me with my earlier car is that it has no aerial on the roof, so clean lines.

My car was on Ebay - remember always go see the car!!
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Offline Durbinator

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #12 on: October 21, 2014, 11:33:57 am »
Sat would be best for me as I'm away down Cornwall working atm

Looking at piston heads,ebay,autotrader etc it's seems asthough £6.5k won't get me what I want haha

Offline mrvertigo73

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #13 on: October 21, 2014, 02:19:55 pm »
Suppose that depends on what you want... Ed30 with all the frills? No way. Base 05 car with good spec, and 80k on the clock? Yeah.

Patience is the name of the game!

Saturday at 3pm would be fine by me. As soon as you can send PM then zap me one with your mobile number. I read somwehre that you can't read my PM until you have 25 posts, but you can send after 10 posts? Reply to me now, and that's another post I guess!  :popcornsoda:
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Offline Durbinator

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Re: Newbie from Bristol
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2014, 11:54:59 am »
Ok cheers. Yeah I thought I might have to up my money a little to get what I want