MK5 Golf GTI

General => Random Chat => Topic started by: Homer on March 24, 2012, 08:10:27 pm

Title: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: Homer on March 24, 2012, 08:10:27 pm
Hi folks, I have a mate who is a mechanic and he says that modern cars including my GTI are simply not made as well as they once were- I questioned why and his reply was that having worked on many a car he has found that a lot of the parts are now being made in China. He said regardless of whether it’s a Merc, BMW etc when he is working on the engine he finds most the parts say made in China. I said that doesn’t necessarily mean they are crap parts to which he said everything made in China is generally S***. Anyway just wanted to know your thoughts, were the GTI's of old better than the ones we have today?


Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: vRS Carl on March 24, 2012, 08:16:37 pm
 :chicken: Ask him to show you were it says "Made in China" on something.

I have had many a part off/on/replaced on my car and never noticed a "made in China" label. Not saying they aren't but I think he is talking bollocks personally.

Here is a part I happened to have in the garage. I never knew China was in France  :grin:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fww275%2FTaufe%2F73a83449.jpg&hash=364d727bff4cfffa5f1c111fbbae7d3dbc71a66c)
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: B3n on March 24, 2012, 08:19:39 pm
What car does your mate drive?

No matter where things are made they still need to meet the standards of the manufacturer :happy2:
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: Mk5 GTian on March 24, 2012, 08:27:16 pm
Sounds like pub-talk to me.  :drinking: :drinking:  :stupid:

My Mk5 feels as well put together as any of my older Golfs, and the Mk6 I drove recently felt bomb-proof, a step up in quality.
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: Nickyboy on March 24, 2012, 08:39:22 pm
After owning 9 Hondas, which upheld the reliability awards Honda are renowned for, I looked for reliability first and foremost when shopping for something a bit easier to get the power from.

5 years and 52,000 miles later, most of that remapped, all that's gone wrong with my Eddie is a wheel bearing, and even that wasn't needed in a hurry.


Made in China?  Pish. Parts are well above made in China prices, which sucks on one hand, but is good news on the other
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: Hedge on March 24, 2012, 08:44:35 pm
I think the Mk5 is probably one of the better built cars around. The Mk6 is built "cheaper" whatever that implies.  :scared:
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: Bazgti on March 26, 2012, 02:35:06 pm
Im not sure about the china thing. But i do agree with the build quality thing. I do think my Mk4 Anniversary was built better than my Mk5 GTI. The 5 blows it out of the water in handling, performance etc but i sometimes feel like its a bit fragile compared to the 4.
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: RedRobin on March 26, 2012, 02:42:03 pm

I think the Mk5 is probably one of the better built cars around. The Mk6 is built "cheaper" whatever that implies.  :scared:


....I think VAG are saying that built "cheaper" means they are cheaper to build. More efficient to build and hence saving costs, perhaps, rather than built with cheapo parts.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: rich83 on March 26, 2012, 02:44:11 pm
I think the cabin on the mk6 is better than the mk5, however everything seems the same (because 99% of it is)
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: RedRobin on March 26, 2012, 02:51:18 pm

I think the cabin on the mk6 is better than the mk5, however everything seems the same (because 99% of it is)


....The term "better" is subjective. Most folks would agree with you but I personally much prefer the less bling interior styling of the Mk5. I don't like lots of silvery bits in a car's cockpit.

I recall reading that the Mk6's doors were much cheaper to manufacture. Yet they close just as well.
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: rich83 on March 26, 2012, 02:55:28 pm
Sorry.. by better i meant build quality wise.
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: CarrG on March 26, 2012, 03:04:45 pm
All built with cost in mind. I don't think anything is made/manufactured these days using the same quality materials as used yrs ago.
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: vRS Carl on March 26, 2012, 03:09:13 pm
All built with cost in mind. I don't think anything is made/manufactured these days using the same quality materials as used yrs ago.

My farts are  :grin:
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: andrewparker on March 26, 2012, 03:44:47 pm
I don't think the MK5 is as well built as the cars that preceded it. I've had a lot of problems with mine and I've never been impressed with the build quality of the interior, particularly in comparison to a MK4 I used to own. I've had extended experience with a number of MK6 Golfs, all of which have felt more solid than the MK5 too.
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: Kregiel on March 26, 2012, 04:36:26 pm
I think interior quality wise the older the car the worse it is, so m6 would be better/nicer inside materials and noise level wise than mk5 and mk5 better than mk4 etc I exclude general preferneces ect

however talking about technicalities and relaibility the older the better due to:
-less electronics used
-less power from an engine capacity and not all comes from technical advancements - engines more strained
-cheaper the better approach and even more in current economic climate etc

Paul
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: Mk5 GTian on March 26, 2012, 07:38:33 pm
I'd agree that the interior plastics of the Mk4's I owned seemed of a higher quality. The V6 4Motion in particular felt bombproof, a beautifully made car.
Title: Re: Golf- not built like it use to be?
Post by: sub39h on March 26, 2012, 07:47:28 pm
my mate has had and old shape Merc C-Class and a current shape one
my ex gf's dad had an old shape E-Class and i've been in a current one too
and my parents have both an old and current shape S-Class on the drive

all all accounts the newer cars are better build

Mk5 wise a lot of the commentators reported the Mk5 wasn't as well built as the Mk4. when i was choosing a car that's what swung me to the Audi. the 8P is, to my eyes, better built.

BUT if you asked me to pick between a Mk6 and an 8P the Mk6 would win hands down. soooo i don't think it's as simple as everything's getting worse as time passes