Buying a Golf MK5 GT 2L TDI

[VWAsh]

Hello all,

I am a newbie to the forum so go easy on me 

I am currently looking at buying a Golf GT MK5 2.0 TDI in December/January.

I will be looking around the £2500 - £3000+ mark, which will probably get me around 90k-100k miles on it.

Should I look out for anything specifically on the car or in the service history? I was going to use the RAC Comprehensive Inspection, which covers; 307 Point Mechanical and structural inspection, main functions and controls check, full interior, bodywork and paint inspection as well as a road test.

Thanks for any help/advice given!

[loop]

Check the cambelt, tensioner and water pump have been replaced recently. Look out for rust under the front wheel arches.


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[Andy]

depending on the year
turbo noise
coolant and leaks as the early.ones had porous heads

[Manny_ED30]

depending on the year
turbo noise
coolant and leaks as the early.ones had porous heads

I have a 56 plate gt 170. Constantly dropping its water levels, is this because of the head?

Please could you elaborate :)

Also, +1 the coolant leaking. IF this is the case with the early ones then go for the later models.

[TeamKHK]

Besides all of the following mentioned, also be on the lookout for the following (I've got the GT TDI 140, 2007 plate):

Rust along the sills
Door locks / boot lock - make sure they all lock when key is pressed
Check over all four springs the best you can, and especially the rears as they are prone to snapping / cracking anytime after 80K if they are the original ones
Regular oil changes every year with the proper PD oil + cambelt change every 40K / 4 years
If an example is at 100K or over, see if the clutch + dual mass flywheel has been done - the flywheel may emit signs of wear if it hasn't already been done

If you can, try and stretch to £3500 as a lot of genuine & cared for examples tend to fetch better money than others. Late 2008, early 2009 MK5's & lower mileage examples can even fetch as much as £4000 at the moment but there's no need to spend that much on one of these in my opinion. I paid £3500 for mine in August (105K miles at the time, full service history with everything that needing doing had been done & came with a folder full of past paperwork).

Liam.

[Christiank]

Wouldn't be worried about the stock clutch when it's only has 90-100k miles on it. I only changed my stock clutch after +300.000KM

I've got a 2005 2.0TDI 103/140bhp

Check for rust inner/outer panels, boot, rear arches, doors and behind the sound damping mat under the hood. Also check for coolant leaks at the EGR cooler - these can crack inside.

Hopefully when you get the car you'll change cambelt, waterpump, both tensioner wheels, oil filter and diesel filter. Also if it was me I'll change the fuel pump since these also is a part known for trouble.  Changing all this will give you piece in mind and time to enjoy a great car!

Check if there's any noise going from 4th to 5th gear - Also a known problem.

[Stupots]

@Manny_ED30 if your 170 is loosing water I'd put money on it being the black coolant flange located under the fuel pump on the gearbox end of the head. The part is about £15 and should only take an amateur a few hours to do at most.  Just done my friends 170 a few weeks ago, you'll need some more G13 to refill your system.

I think this is the one, but check your car is listed. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131919224349

Cheers

Stu

[Manny_ED30]

@Manny_ED30 if your 170 is loosing water I'd put money on it being the black coolant flange located under the fuel pump on the gearbox end of the head. The part is about £15 and should only take an amateur a few hours to do at most.  Just done my friends 170 a few weeks ago, you'll need some more G13 to refill your system.

I think this is the one, but check your car is listed. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131919224349

Cheers

Stu

Thanks for this Stu.

Will the flange differ on dsg cars? - The year and model is specified on the link you provided however doesn't say there is any difference for DSG models.

Thanks again

[Stupots]

No difference on a DSG for this part. :)