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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: IanBest on 12 March 2014, 20:30

Title: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: IanBest on 12 March 2014, 20:30
Hello guys,

Just posted up in the new members section about buying a MK6 GTI, thought I would pop on here and ask for some tips :)

I've used the search function and came across the 'buyers guide' as most cars have one now, although from past experience they tend to just list problems that could happen to any car and aren't much use. In any case I thought it was better to pick the brains of people who actually know these cars and use them day in day out. A friend of mine has a Rocco 2.0TSI and has had no issues and from what I'm led to believe its the same engine? (Could be wrong)

Any tips whatsoever are welcome and massively appreciated!

Cheers,

Ian
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: Upperoilcan on 12 March 2014, 20:36
I too will be in the market for a new motor after the Mk 5 GTI,but having read the timing belt problems I have to say im heading away from the Mk 6.

Remember to check to see if the belt and associated parts have been changed if the car is either 4 yrs old or has 60k on the clock.

When I bought my MK 5 4 yrs ago it was the first thing I had done.
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: IanBest on 12 March 2014, 20:39
Hi mate, thanks for the reply.

The car in question is a 2009 with 42K so I'll definitely check that, I'm guessing the timing belt is a common issue?

Cheers
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: Upperoilcan on 12 March 2014, 20:48
Hi mate, thanks for the reply.

The car in question is a 2009 with 42K so I'll definitely check that, I'm guessing the timing belt is a common issue?

Cheers

Looks that way,certainly ask if its been done,if not bash them on price.( or try and get them to do it)its a separate entity to servicing.
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: Rgdogg on 12 March 2014, 20:50
It's a chain not a belt, the problem is the tensioner for the chain, its a bad design.
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: IanBest on 12 March 2014, 20:52
Thanks, will ask about this then when I head up there.
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: Upperoilcan on 12 March 2014, 20:54
It's a chain not a belt, the problem is the tensioner for the chain, its a bad design.

I'm assuming you would Change everything rather than just the tensioner if its on the one that tends to fail ?
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: Rgdogg on 12 March 2014, 20:56
If you read the top heading on the page about timing chain issues this will explain it all for you. Becomes expensive when your changing all of it and it doesn't effect all mk6s.
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: IanBest on 12 March 2014, 21:08
Cool I'll make sure its checked, I've read about water pumps too?
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: Jimmgc51 on 12 March 2014, 21:30
I think the pumps relate to the mk5 I've never heard the issue with the 6.

Part from the tensioner failing there isn't much else, some people have had issues with the inlet manifold however most of these have happened post stage 1.

Not saying the mod has caused it but a weak manifold the extra power has probably pushed it too far.

With regards to negotiating on the tensioner I think you probs will be wasting your time, there is nothing wrong with the tensioner *cough unfort it's a risk you have to consider, many are fine some arnt...

UBER TIP: if it sounds rough as sh@t when it first starts up, walk away, in fact leg it ....
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: IanBest on 12 March 2014, 21:33
That's great thanks mate! Will listen to some video's and stuff see if I can match the sound, it's from a main dealer so I get 12 months warranty with it as standard so can't complain :-)
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: Jimmgc51 on 12 March 2014, 21:44
Doesn't cover diagnostics however so if you love the car, which you will and you want it then I'd get them to put in writing that IF it goes they will cover it IN TOTAL!! After all they will say nothing is wrong no skin of there nose to guarantee it in writing!

Then after the year if it's still going I reckon you have a good en  :smiley:

Btw diagnostics for this particular issue is about £1500...
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: IanBest on 12 March 2014, 21:58
Sweet thanks for the advice mate its massively appreciated!
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: Rgdogg on 12 March 2014, 21:59
Depends on the year of the car as they revised the tensioner on the later models.
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: IanBest on 13 March 2014, 14:05
2009 mate so pre updated tensioner, although not sure if previous owner had it done. Will definitely check when I go to view it this weekend! If not and VW refuse to do it (which I expect they will if there's nothing wrong with it yet) I'll just do it myself.
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: IanBest on 13 March 2014, 19:54
Also do the mk6 GTI come with LED DRL as standard or not? it's a 2009 I'm looking at
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: Booth11 on 13 March 2014, 20:01
Also do the mk6 GTI come with LED DRL as standard or not? it's a 2009 I'm looking at

No, only later mk6's specced with xenons have the LED DRL's (fairy lights) 2011 onwards I think.  A few members on here have retrofitted replica units though.
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: IanBest on 13 March 2014, 20:12
Thanks mate will look into that then
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: Booth11 on 13 March 2014, 20:30
Rear LED lights became standard in mid 2010
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: alyc on 14 March 2014, 11:07
Ive had my mk6 GTi for about 3 months now, its a 2009 with the DSG gearbox and I have to say that I absolutely love it. Look out for after market HID xenons though, mine came with them and they were fitted badly allowing water into the fitting causing them to switch off whenever they felt like it! I took them out and had the standard lights fitted back in but was quite pricey. The only other fault I had was with the accelerator pedal. It developed a fault which put the car into limp mode and this can be quite common, turned out to be a broken clip on the sensor allowing it to lose its connection so straight forward and only about £40. I would definitely recommend the mk6 GTi to anyone but as I have only had it for 3 months its early days!!
Title: Re: About to buy a MK6 GTI, tips?
Post by: MBCGTI on 28 March 2014, 22:06
Check out mine in the for sale section!!