From ED30 to MK7

[janivee]

My edition 30 is getting old (192000 miles), and I need a new ride. It has been fantastic, and still is.

New ride is going to be mk7 Golf GTI, with at least 230hp and from 2015 or newer. Max 75000 miles. Bi/Xenon, 4 doors, manual gearbox, ...

R is too expensive and I don't need 4Motion.
Facelift mk7.5 GTI with 245hp Performance Pack is way too expensive for that extra 15hp (yes, it is newer and it has... but still: "no").

So looking this price-wise, it would be a low mileage 230hp version from 2015 or newer.

What are the main points to notice with those early mk7 GTI's? Something special to understand? What to avoid?

[09Pirelli]

waterpump

[pudding]

There's more to the Performance Pack than just 15hp.  Haldex LSD and bigger brakes from the R.

Pretty solid cars.  Plastic water pumps fail as mentioned already. Expensive part and expensive labour as it's at the back of the engine and runs from a mini cambelt. Otherwise it's just the usual owner neglect related issues, such as carbon fouling and chain wear.

[breeze]

The diff alone has got to be worth getting the PP for.