MK VI GTI Advice

[macchina]

I was hoping for a long term owner review of both. It's one thing to read the opinion of a journalist, another to read the opinion of an owner.

[Tuan]

True. But good luck finding someone that's owned both cars lol.

They are competing cars in the same market ... it would be quite rare for one person to have owned both the ST and mk6 GTI. Most of them summarise as follows:

Both are good daily drivers

ST is preferred to mk6 at the track

GTI costs more, but has a better quality / classier interior as you can get leather

Both are easy to modify (but the golf is easier to make go faster at the drags with tune and DSG) and the golf has SO many tuning options ! Not so important if you don't intend to modify though

No auto for the ST - deal breaker if your missus can't drive stick

The reviews online are good, watch them if you are cross shopping the two cars.

[macchina]

I know they both have great sporting abilities.

I'm more interested in running costs, reliability & day to day comfort.

How does your focus rate in those aspects?

[Tuan]

It's a reliable tuned daily driver. Also, most "sport" cars these days are pretty cheap to service, but this is of course depending on your kms.

$330 for Ford A type servicing and I would say easily under $300 for an outside mechanic. 12 mths/15,000 km interval. Uses a timing chain. 235/40/18 tyres which are cheap as nowadays.

[macchina]

Thanks for that. It's a help.

I am happy to go for either the GTI or the Focus ST and possibly even a BMW 118i (F20). It's a matter of getting the best deal on any one of those now.

[hawaiianxshirts]

Currently in the market for a 2010 or later GTI.

What kind of things should i be looking to avoid?

Are the automatic transmissions reliable? (I have read stuff about DSG but im not entirely sure what that is)

Where are the major service milestones for the MK6 GTI? (I want to try and get one with low k's or one thats already had as much major servicing done as possible if higher k's).

Are there any reliable used dealerships around brisbane that anyone would recommend for purchasing a used GTI from?
I would also like to have it serviced regularly and am unsure about who to go to for this (is going to a VW specialist best, or can i just get it serviced any place).



Any kind of information would be greatly appreciated, as this will be my first serious car.
I've never spent more than 5k on a car before, and have wanted a golf for years, so i want the process to be as smooth as possible.

Thanks in advance.

[AdamD]

Lots of information in the following threads that you should read through:

The Official MK6 Forum Important Threads & Posts Index **READ FIRST BEFORE POSTING**
DSG: Problems, Questions, Likes and Dislikes
Whistle sound from GTI engine... Water Pump Failures

The main issue to watch out for with the Mk6 GTI is the timing chain tensioner on early-build cars (prior to about MY11.5); these were of an older design and are prone to failure, which can lead to serious engine damage. If looking at a 2009-2011 car, make sure the tensioner has been replaced with the new version of the part, or budget around $1k in labour to get the work done.

Other than that, it's just minor niggles generally, and they're pretty bulletproof overall.

[nat225]

Currently in the market for a 2010 or later GTI.

What kind of things should i be looking to avoid?

Are the automatic transmissions reliable? (I have read stuff about DSG but im not entirely sure what that is)

Where are the major service milestones for the MK6 GTI? (I want to try and get one with low k's or one thats already had as much major servicing done as possible if higher k's).

Are there any reliable used dealerships around brisbane that anyone would recommend for purchasing a used GTI from?
I would also like to have it serviced regularly and am unsure about who to go to for this (is going to a VW specialist best, or can i just get it serviced any place).



Any kind of information would be greatly appreciated, as this will be my first serious car.
I've never spent more than 5k on a car before, and have wanted a golf for years, so i want the process to be as smooth as possible.

Thanks in advance.

as the post above. they are the common issues to look out for.

as far as for the reliable used dealerships and servicing...

with used car, you must know what to look for or get someone who has had a golf 6 gti for a long time or a vw specialist mechanic (for a fee) to help you to check the car to buy. it does not matter whether it is for sale by a used dealership (some salespersons lie to get sales) or private.

servicing, I had good and smooth experience at BPS Cleveland.

[noChilli]

Currently in the market for a 2010 or later GTI.

What kind of things should i be looking to avoid?

In the same situation as OP & hawaiinxshirts.

Seen a few on Carsales listed for quite a while. Are manual mark 6 GTI just not as popular? Or am I missing something.

Will defs be visiting a vw specialist mechanic before purchasing.

[muroc47]

Any model prior to mid 2012 had the early revision tensioner, I did mine plus the chain and guides in November for $1300 via my local VW dealer here in Brisbane