Mega miles

[s111spp]

Hi All,
I've been scanning this forum for a while and picked up lots of useful info - many thanks!
I've found a great looking MK5 GTI that has mega miles on it - 132k - BUT its in great condition and I mean great condition.
It has a full VW Service History (VW Vindi Cambridge), recent cambelt, long MOT. Lots of receipts and paperwork and only 2 owners. Its a manual.
I've checked and driven it and all seems to check out well with the only bad points being that the Air Con doesn't get cold (possible compressor or re-gas) and it needs a service now (the headlight lens covers are also 'fogged' but mentioned on the MOT as no loss in light output).

What am I missing? I've looked at a few that have less miles and don't seem as well maintained as this one, but its almost too good to be true...

I'm very mechanically minded but fear I'm missing something obvious?

Any thoughts welcomed and I'm looking forward to GTI ownership!

Cheers,
Simon

[th3_f15t]

To be honest, a well maintained VW engine will last well beyond 200K miles, look at the amount of mk1/mk2 Golfs that are still going.

Make sure you check the PCV at least, checking the cam follower and DV are more involved and you'll probably not be allowed to do that before buying.

How old is the car? I personally like a car to have 10K per year to show it's been driven properly but that's just me (hence my own Golf has 90K miles at 7 years old).

[s111spp]

Its date of registration is 30th June 2006, so 8 + years old. Above average, but somewhat reassuring by only having 2 owners. Judging by the condition of the switch gear and seats (compared to others I've seen) its motorway miles and they havent changed the radio volume, gear knob or infact pressed any of the buttons much!

Regards the PCV valve - the car started from cold easily and idled smoothly all along. No hesitation on throttle blip and no noticeable (audible) loss of pressure etc on shut down. I assume that symptoms would be present in rough idling / hunting? Some quick research shows that the PCV is easy and cheap to replace. Similarly with the DV?

Cheers,
Simon

[dansmith180]

With high mileage like that it means most of it will be motorway miles so suspension/ steering/ engine/ clutch/ gearbox have all had a pretty smooth and easy life and would probably be in just as good condition as a town car that has less miles as long as its been well maintained (which this one has). stuF on here recently Bought a GTI with 167K on it in very good condition, his thread in "members rides" is 10 down from the top.

[th3_f15t]

The fact that it looks untouched inside and a full history means people have cared for it so it's probably not even been used through the rev range like it should. Most modern engines go well beyond the car itself, it's just things like electronics that fail first. Make sure everything works as it should and then use the high mileage to get a good price.

[s111spp]

Thanks! I guess that's exactly what I wanted to read! stuF looks to have got a proper bargain there
I'm not too worried about replacing parts so long as nothing too fundamental is wrong, i.e. engine block etc. but all seems well (which I think is what is making me nervous - too good to be true and all that!)

[s111spp]

The fact that it looks untouched inside and a full history means people have cared for it so it's probably not even been used through the rev range like it should. Most modern engines go well beyond the car itself, it's just things like electronics that fail first. Make sure everything works as it should and then use the high mileage to get a good price.

Yup, the only thing I could find that was actually wrong with it was the air-con not blowing cold. It potentially started after a while (although the outside temps had dropped by then too, so could have been that). It needs at least re-gassing, but I have read a lot about a/c compressors on these going wrong? I imagine its a bit of a fiddly job and a compressor would cost what? 3-400?

[dansmith180]

I've heard compressor can be more like £800 - £1000 (probably a Vw fitted price)

[th3_f15t]

Fitting an air conditioning compressor is fairly involved, but more than likely an O-ring or pressure valve has gone. I've had both fail on me which killed off my air con, I'd advise using it till it's sorted. My girlfriend's air con compressor's bearings have worn so it's making noise and barely works, takes ages. Again, local specialist I use said to bring the car in as rather than replace the whole unit they can repair the bits that are gone which is far cheaper.

[s111spp]

Fitting an air conditioning compressor is fairly involved, but more than likely an O-ring or pressure valve has gone. I've had both fail on me which killed off my air con, I'd advise using it till it's sorted. My girlfriend's air con compressor's bearings have worn so it's making noise and barely works, takes ages. Again, local specialist I use said to bring the car in as rather than replace the whole unit they can repair the bits that are gone which is far cheaper.

Thanks, I guess its a good negotiating point (and hey, it is winter!).
There were no "bearing" type noises, but it's quite hard to tell with a busy road next to you.

I haven't started the search for a decent VAG specialist in my area yet (nr. Banbury, Oxon)

[Tortaruga]

Buy it. Condition not mileage.

Make sure to constantly whinge about the high mileage and broken aircon to get a few quid off. Or at least get them to fix the aircon for free-is it a main VW dealer?

Headlights can be easily fixed, there's a guide on here somewhere.

[s111spp]

Buy it. Condition not mileage.

Make sure to constantly whinge about the high mileage and broken aircon to get a few quid off. Or at least get them to fix the aircon for free-is it a main VW dealer?

Headlights can be easily fixed, there's a guide on here somewhere.

Sadly not a main dealer, just a little indy but as you say, it's a great negotiating tool.
Ill take a look for the headlight fix, thanks. I guess its sun damage or something?

Just found that APS - Brackley (http://www.autops.co.uk/index.asp) seem to have a good reputation for VAG and are about 10 minutes from me, which is great (although, the car is a little to far away to ask them to come and take a look).

I think I'll take a punt on it and report back!
Cheers all,
Simon

[Dave(tm)]

Yep these things seem to go forever if looked after. StuF's does look a great example and if it's anything like that you can't go far wrong. He does also mention what he paid for it, so use that as a guide (though it does seem a bargain).

Good luck and get some pics up!

Dave

[s111spp]

Purchase made!

I got it for £3850 in the end, which I'm pretty happy with. Very much enjoyed my drive home too!
I've just booked it into APS Brackley for a service and to take a look at the aircon.

Link:
https://plus.google.com/photos/102793009788544165858/albums/6077479276356951425?authkey=CPqZsf2opIiiTw

Thanks for the help!
Simon

[bbfb10]

Good work, got yourself a good deal it looks like. Whats the spec? Mine is very similar to yours, starting to mod it slowly though.