Confidence with buying a 4-yr old GTI

[MovieDude]

I've decided to buy a Mk5 (MkV) Golf GTI (atlast) and am itching to get into some of the advertised models on carsales asap. My budget is around $30k but I am tempted to get a newer model meaning having to spend $40k. That would crush my spending for the next year or so but may be worth it in the long run with reliability and original warranty. The miser in me says that there should be plenty of well maintained models around and I just have to check them out. I am looking for leather and any other extras to improve the overall experience of owning one and high mileage is not a problem as I don't drive much on a daily basis. Would it be wise to go for a 4-year old model in the process saving $10k or are there likely to be issues that would cost me dearly?

[h100vw]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a MK5, I'd take some convincing to spend the extra on a MK6. There's not much in the con's list for me. I'd be picky about any DSG that didn't drive perfectly and would insist on seeing evidence of the DSG oil/filter being changed on time.

A solid service history is another thing I'd insist on.

Otherwise, pick the cleanest one you find. Don't worry too much about the mileage, just pay accordingly as long as the history is appropriate.

Gavin




I've decided to buy a Mk5 (MkV) Golf GTI (atlast) and am itching to get into some of the advertised models on carsales asap. My budget is around $30k but I am tempted to get a newer model meaning having to spend $40k. That would crush my spending for the next year or so but may be worth it in the long run with reliability and original warranty. The miser in me says that there should be plenty of well maintained models around and I just have to check them out. I am looking for leather and any other extras to improve the overall experience of owning one and high mileage is not a problem as I don't drive much on a daily basis. Would it be wise to go for a 4-year old model in the process saving $10k or are there likely to be issues that would cost me dearly?

[MovieDude]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a MK5, I'd take some convincing to spend the extra on a MK6. There's not much in the con's list for me. I'd be picky about any DSG that didn't drive perfectly and would insist on seeing evidence of the DSG oil/filter being changed on time.

A solid service history is another thing I'd insist on.

Otherwise, pick the cleanest one you find. Don't worry too much about the mileage, just pay accordingly as long as the history is appropriate.

Gavin

Yes I would insist on a FSH from a VW garage too. What is the DSG oil/filter service interval supposed to be?

[h100vw]

Yes I would insist on a FSH from a VW garage too. What is the DSG oil/filter service interval supposed to be?

Service history doesn't need to be from VW, a VW specialist would be better IMO.

60K for the DSG services.

Gavin

[MovieDude]

Thanks. Incidentally would you rule out buying from a dealer?

[h100vw]

I wouldnt expect too many in dealers but for the right car and some warranty it would be ok. The savings buying private would be attractive to me. I am plenty clued up on the mechanical side so am comfortable doing my own inspections.
Gavin

[MovieDude]

I've been looking at carsales and the comparison feature showed some differences between some I'd selected:
- MP3 decoder,
- Ventilated front disc brakes,
- Power boot closing aid,
- EBD Multifunction screen
- Stainless steel exhaust dual system
I would have expected that spec. of brakes to be standard. I could upgrade the audio unit for MP3 etc but how does the power boot work?

[h100vw]

Vented discs are standard. Not sure about the boot closing, they I
have a remote popper. I thought most had mp3 capability.
Gavin

[TomC]

I've been looking at carsales and the comparison feature showed some differences between some I'd selected:
- MP3 decoder,
- Ventilated front disc brakes,
- Power boot closing aid,
- EBD Multifunction screen
- Stainless steel exhaust dual system
I would have expected that spec. of brakes to be standard. I could upgrade the audio unit for MP3 etc but how does the power boot work?

All of the things on that list are standard features except the auto closing boot, which I'm pretty sure doesn't exist on the mk5 Golfs at all??? There weren't actually that many options for the GTI - just leather, sunroof, parking sensors, satnav and zenons. You could also option 18" rims but next to nobody got them.

And as Gavin's said, don't worry at all about dealer service history. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the quality of service from some VW independents is better than from the dealer. If it's a reputable independent (the good ones are frequently named on VWW) with a FSH and the DSG done on time, that's as much as you could hope for IMO. :)

[MovieDude]

Ok maybe that seller is not that familiar with the GTI specs. So DSG serviced each 60,000kms and a fully completed service book. Thanks.

---------- Post added at 08:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:02 PM ----------


All of the things on that list are standard features except the auto closing boot, which I'm pretty sure doesn't exist on the mk5 Golfs at all??? There weren't actually that many options for the GTI - just leather, sunroof, parking sensors, satnav and zenons. You could also option 18" rims but next to nobody got them.

And as Gavin's said, don't worry at all about dealer service history. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the quality of service from some VW independents is better than from the dealer. If it's a reputable independent (the good ones are frequently named on VWW) with a FSH and the DSG done on time, that's as much as you could hope for IMO. :)

I see you have an MY07. Was it from new and how is it faring?

[MovieDude]

Just a couple of further questions, are Redbook private sale prices accurate and how much is leather worth on a 4-year old GTI?

[TomC]

I see you have an MY07. Was it from new and how is it faring?

Yeah, it's fairing fairly well. The earlier models didn't have some of the improvements that appeared in later models; things like the hill-hold for the DSG, auto-dipping passenger mirror when reversing etc etc. And I must admit, the interior fit is getting a bit shabby - a few rattles are appearing and general NVH isn't nearly as good as the new ones (Mum's got a Tig and that's way better interior-fit-wise).

[thezoneR32]

Mines done 167,000km no squeaks or rattles, upholstry is prefect depends how its been looked after.

[MovieDude]

Cloth or leather?

[thezoneR32]

Leather, check my build thread (http://www.vwgolf.net.au/showthread.php?7696-thezoneR32’s-MKV-Gti-Project)on vwgolfnet

[MovieDude]

Very impressive. Makes me want to buy a black one now. May have to use your thread as a reference.

---------- Post added at 08:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 PM ----------

Incidentally, what would you pay for a 2007 DSG GTI with leather?

[thezoneR32]

You should be able to get one for under $20k. But personally I woudnt touch dsg again on a mkv. Mine (on my R32) had to be re-built at 40,000km at a cost of $18k! Luckily it was under extended warranty otherwise..........

I only paid $14k for my man gti! (spent about 10k on it tho).

[MovieDude]

You should be able to get one for under $20k. But personally I woudnt touch dsg again on a mkv. Mine (on my R32) had to be re-built at 40,000km at a cost of $18k! Luckily it was under extended warranty otherwise..........

I only paid $14k for my man gti! (spent about 10k on it tho).

Man that was cheap! The ones I'm looking at are in the $26-30k band and out of warranty. I need to get an auto for the wife so a manual's out of the question.

---------- Post added at 11:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:46 PM ----------


You should be able to get one for under $20k. But personally I woudnt touch dsg again on a mkv. Mine (on my R32) had to be re-built at 40,000km at a cost of $18k! Luckily it was under extended warranty otherwise..........

Dude you've given me the ****s and I'm now **** scared about the DSG failing me. Found a 2010 model for $36k which would mean eating rice and bread for a year.

[h100vw]

Man that was cheap! The ones I'm looking at are in the $26-30k band and out of warranty. I need to get an auto for the wife so a manual's out of the question.

---------- Post added at 11:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:46 PM ----------



Dude you've given me the ****s and I'm now **** scared about the DSG failing me. Found a 2010 model for $36k which would mean eating rice and bread for a year.

Owning a car isn't supposed to be a prison sentence.

I understand Paul's concerns about the DSG, there are many more that haven't had issues. I'd be certain to buy one with a warranty if I was doing DSG or make sure it was real cheap in case the worst happened.

Maybe teach your wife to drive manual, it's not that hard. :cookie: They can multi-task I am led to believe, moving 2 feet and both arms while talking could be a problem. Then you could use it as an excuse to ask her not to speak??:P

Don't buy the most expensive one you find.

Gavin

[thezoneR32]

If your gonna spend $30k+ check this one.

FS: SYD VW Golf GTI DSG Black Magic MKV (http://www.vwgolf.net.au/showthread.php?8511-FS-SYD-VW-Golf-GTI-DSG-Black-Magic-MKV)

[MovieDude]

Owning a car isn't supposed to be a prison sentence.

I understand Paul's concerns about the DSG, there are many more that haven't had issues. I'd be certain to buy one with a warranty if I was doing DSG or make sure it was real cheap in case the worst happened.

Maybe teach your wife to drive manual, it's not that hard. :cookie: They can multi-task I am led to believe, moving 2 feet and both arms while talking could be a problem. Then you could use it as an excuse to ask her not to speak??:P

Don't buy the most expensive one you find.

Gavin

I understand your recommendation to avoid the most expensive model and the 2010 model is not but it's either that for $36,000 or a 2008 for $30,000. I agree that having a warranty is a lot of peace of mind.

---------- Post added 02-05-2012 at 03:43 AM ---------- Previous post was 01-05-2012 at 11:34 AM ----------

Should I be concerned if a car has missed its last service by 12 months but has not done the mileage?

[h100vw]

I understand your recommendation to avoid the most expensive model and the 2010 model is not but it's either that for $36,000 or a 2008 for $30,000. I agree that having a warranty is a lot of peace of mind.

---------- Post added 02-05-2012 at 03:43 AM ---------- Previous post was 01-05-2012 at 11:34 AM ----------

Should I be concerned if a car has missed its last service by 12 months but has not done the mileage?

Services are done, on time and mileage. They should be serviced annually if they are not driven.

Items like brake fluid have a 2 yearly life, so getting a service done at 18months from new on distance, then going 12 months (2.5 years) because of a change in use of the car wouldn't be ideal.

Ultimately, your call but a modern car isn't going to suffer greatly from that.

Gavin

EDIT in case I read your comment wrong. Has the car had a service at say 15000/6 months, due again at 30000/18 months. Then has done only 25000k but is in fact now 24 months since being serviced?

[MovieDude]

It was supposed to have had a 42,000kms service in May last year but didn't and it's mileage is now 39,000kms.

[h100vw]

It was supposed to have had a 42,000kms service in May last year but didn't and it's mileage is now 39,000kms.


In that case I'd hit VW up with the question, be sad to have them decline warranty on an engine failure (unlikely) because of that. And you want the answer in writing if before purchase.

Gavin

[MovieDude]

I forgot to mention that it's a 2008 model already out of warranty. I'm going to ring VW anyway.

---------- Post added 03-05-2012 at 06:52 AM ---------- Previous post was 02-05-2012 at 08:26 AM ----------

VW servicing said it was not a problem but the next service due would not be the skipped 42,000kms but the 60,000kms which will cost around $1200.

[h100vw]

I forgot to mention that it's a 2008 model already out of warranty. I'm going to ring VW anyway.

---------- Post added 03-05-2012 at 06:52 AM ---------- Previous post was 02-05-2012 at 08:26 AM ----------

VW servicing said it was not a problem but the next service due would not be the skipped 42,000kms but the 60,000kms which will cost around $1200.

That's a biggy with the DSG oil change in. If there's no warranty, I'd not be bothering with VW.

Gavin

[MovieDude]

But is an independent likely to be much cheaper?

[h100vw]

But is an independent likely to be much cheaper?

Enough to be worthwhile in my opinion and they will have more experience on older VWs I would expect. I am happy to be corrected but once out of warranty very few MK5s would be going to dealers, so familiarity would be dropping away.

Gavin

[Doddso99]

I bought a 2nd hand 2007 Jetta DSG Turbo which engine wise is similar to the GTI nearly a year ago and the car has had no major problems. I had to replace the PCV valve which set me back about $400 but have not had any other issues with the engine, dsg or interior in any other way.

I did get Mike at Prestige and performance to give the car a once over to make sure everything was fine and it has been an absolute joy to drive.

Al

[TomC]

But is an independent likely to be much cheaper?

Do the simple ring-around and get some quotes. They should be able to provide that over the phone. I had my 60k service done at the dealer because they gave me the cheapest quote :eek: but I have my minor servicing done at an independent because their minor service prices were much lower. Go figure?!!!