MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: david_kirwan9 on September 27, 2020, 12:20:13 pm

Title: Buying GTI
Post by: david_kirwan9 on September 27, 2020, 12:20:13 pm

Hi Lads,

Hope all having good weekend. I am potentially buying a mk5 GTI 3 door on Monday and I'm looking for some tips on what to look out for and then, if bought what I should tackle in service parts or maintenance.

The car has 86K miles. The owner told me he lost the manual moving home years ago and has since started a new service history with two VW dealer services. I'm working off a tight budget after buying the car i wont have much to spend at all, maybe £600-700 max for the moment. 

Would really appreciate any info at all to motivate to buy more than anything! ha ha!

Cheers in advance lads,
Dave. :happy2: :happy2:

Title: Re: Buying GTI
Post by: titchy on September 29, 2020, 09:04:26 am

See Puddings post on corrosion

Title: Re: Buying GTI
Post by: RedSwede on September 29, 2020, 10:45:13 am

Yes, corrosion. Of course there will be some surface rust underneath - it's knowing when it is more than just that.

Check the MOT history of course, it gives a good understanding of how the car has been looked after, as well as any actual issues needing to be resolved.

See if there is some evidence of cam belt/water pump being changed - every 5 years is the max really (4 recommended) - and will eat half your repair budget if it is due.

Other engine issues (to google):
- Cam follower
- Cam chain stretch (block 92 or 93 in VCDS, can't remember)
- Coil packs
- Injectors

Other than that, it is really common stuff for any car. Clutch wear/bite, suspension knocks, brake discs, tyres, etc etc

Title: Re: Buying GTI
Post by: Ytee on September 29, 2020, 02:02:19 pm

Also cracked springs seem to be common on these, my 2007 82k example has needed two in the last year...

Title: Re: Buying GTI
Post by: mjmallia on September 30, 2020, 07:52:59 am

Keep some cash to do the oil pickup pipe and intake clean.......quite cheap if you are good at DIY

The cam chain with tensioner and also the cambelt are the expensive ones due to the labour and special cam lock tool

Title: Re: Buying GTI
Post by: LC5F on September 30, 2020, 07:20:28 pm

Thermostat - if faulty it wont reach 90 degrees C and will drink fuel
If it needs replacing best to replace temperature sensor at same time.

Inside wear on rear tyres can point to bad alignment in rear axle.

Title: Re: Buying GTI
Post by: shy231 on October 02, 2020, 12:43:00 pm

Is the cam chain and tensioner done as preventative maintenance at a certain mileage or is it once a EML comes up?