GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: bobinswiss on 16 March 2007, 22:20
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Hi,
Just moved to Switzerland. Wife wants Alpha 147 so we tested a 2.0 petrol and 1.9TD. Not bad but we also test drove a Golf GTI which was superb. Great punch, handling, gearbox and brakes and we both loved it. Found out the car we test drove had an "ABT chip upgrade" which apparently adds BHP and Torque. It's dark blue, 8 months old, has done 20 000km but no leather and only 3 doors. Priced at CHF 33 000 (approx GBP14k). Seems to be at the cheap end of 2006 GTI's on the "Swiss Autotrader" autoscout24.ch. Is this because of colour, 3 doors, high mileage for new car or because of this upgrade? The garage (big reputable place) said it doesn't affect VW warranty but the ABT website says otherwise. We loved the car but don't want to get burnt by hidden issues. Please help!.
Thanks,
Bob
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Hi,
Just moved to Switzerland.
Lucky bugger! :wink: :tongue:
Wife wants Alpha 147 so we tested a 2.0 petrol and 1.9TD.
Shoot her! :evil: :evil:
Not bad but we also test drove a Golf GTI which was superb. Great punch, handling, gearbox and brakes and we both loved it.
That's better! :grin:
Found out the car we test drove had an "ABT chip upgrade" which apparently adds BHP and Torque.
How many extra horses and torques (Jeremy Clarkson trademark!)? Are there any dyno printouts? Who actually carried out the chip tune - Abt themselves, or a third party dealer?
It's dark blue, 8 months old, has done 20 000km but no leather and only 3 doors.
Blue is quite a rare colour, but you should only by a colour if you actually like it.
20k km, thats 12k miles - OK, it is alot for just five months, but at least it hasn't been left standing, oil deteriorating in the sump from short journeys.
What about servicing - modified cars should be taken of the LongLife regime, and changed to the fixed interval time and distance servicing (max 12 months/10k miles)! When, if any, was the last service carried out.
The lack of leather is a personal preference, as the standard cloth trim is also highly regarded.
Only three doors - can you live with it? If either of you are short ar$es, needing the seat forward, you'll find it a pain to reach the seat belts. The 3 doors also have much lager doors - important if you park in confined spaces!
Priced at CHF 33 000 (approx GBP14k). Seems to be at the cheap end of 2006 GTI's on the "Swiss Autotrader" autoscout24.ch. Is this because of colour, 3 doors, high mileage for new car or because of this upgrade?
Price seems reasonable to me, particularly as the GTI seems quite a basic spec, with little or no factory-fit options. Does it have DSG?
Are you able to get history checks in CH, such as the UK HPI check.
Regarding the Abt upgrade - Abt are a highly regarded VAG specialist tuner/modifier/race-team (look at the DTM!), so, providing it actualy is a genunine Abt chip, and not some cheap copy, then the Abt mods should be nothing to worry about. Do you speak German, if so, try logging onto some German forums and see what you find, as the Abt stuff does have a big following, but make sure you post the info back here! :wink:
The garage (big reputable place) said it doesn't affect VW warranty but the ABT website says otherwise. We loved the car but don't want to get burnt by hidden issues. Please help!.
Shouldn't that be the otherway round? In the UK, the VW main stealers would usually say it would void the warranty, whereas any mods or upgrades would be warrantied by the actual dealer who did the mods (which should also be covered by EU law - or is CH exempt!)
At the end of the day, even the standard GTI is a cracking car, with very sweet handling, so there should be pleanty of others to choose from.
Rgds
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Wow, thanks for the detailed reply!
I think it was 40 extra HP and can't remember how much Torque. I'm pretty sure it is a genuine ABT upgrade as there is official paperwork with it. The salesman said it would still be under warranty as the upgrade was done at/by the main VW dealer. Not quite sure how that adds up?
The blue actually looks more like black. It's fine for me.
Don't think it has DSG - not mentioned in ad which is here if you can speak French...
http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Detail.aspx?from=list&wl=1&lng=fra&id=4243796&qs=from%3dDefault%26make%3d74%26modellike%3dGOLF%26yearfrom%3d2006%26yearto%3d2006%26cur%3dCHF%26pricefrom%3d30000%26priceto%3d35000%26zipcountry%3dCH%26zip%3d1814%26radius%3d50%26total%3d10&page=1&row=7
Don't speak much German unfortunately....
Not sure what options are "usual" but I thought seats were good, steering wheel was great! Seemed to have decent enough stereo. Last car was a Nissan 350Z and the Golf didn't lose much in comparison.
Will also test driving Audi A3 2.0 as well to compare.... Let's see.
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A quick translation (a rough translation):-Manual box at 6 speeds, Differential with electronic blocking (EDS), Regulation of the skid of wheels (ASR), anti-locking System of the wheels (ABS), Assistance of braking, lowered sporting Frame, electronic Program of stability (ESP), Power-assisted steering dependent speed, System antidémarrage, light alloy Rims (Denver) 7,5x17J, Series of repair of the tire with the compressor, special Painting, tinted Panes, Rear view mirrors external right-hand side and left with de-icing and electrical regulation, side of the aspheric driver, internal Coating of the black roof, Handles external color of the body, Foglamps, 3rd brake light, Adjustment of the range of electric lighting, Temporization of extinction for the dipped headlights ' follow me home', Windscreen wiper intermittent AR with windscreen washer, Detector of rain for front windscreen wipers, central Locking with remote control, active Head-rests, 3 head-rests AR, Unlocking of the file of head offices AV with Easy-Entry function, adjustable conducting Seat in height, adjustable momentary Seat in height, File folding AR in parts, Device for seat child ISOFIX, Head offices AV of sport, Flying sporting with 3 rays, adjustable Wheel in height and depth, conducting and momentary Airbag, Airbags side for driver and passenger, Airbags curtains for the head, Airbag momentary désactivable, exchange AR, Carry-drinks AV and AR, Ashtrays and cigar-lighter, All the two lit vanity mirrors, adjustable interior Rear view mirror jour/nuit automatic, System of passage of loading, Cover of compartment of load, Prétensionneurs of belts AV, Safety belts at 3 points in all the places, Climatronic, Filter pollen (dust filter), Applications out of aluminium mattes, Computer of edge, Indicator multifunction, Indicator da the outside temperature, Rev counter, Indicator of the intervals of maintenance, Controls pressure of the tires, electric Lève-vitres AV, Radio/CD RCD 300 Plus
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Wow, thanks for the detailed reply!
OK, you're welcome.
I think it was 40 extra HP and can't remember how much Torque. I'm pretty sure it is a genuine ABT upgrade as there is official paperwork with it. The salesman said it would still be under warranty as the upgrade was done at/by the main VW dealer. Not quite sure how that adds up?
OK, some dealers do have "close" links with certain reputable tuning companies, and as Abt are actually formally recognised by Audi (part of the VW Audi Group :wink:), that should answer your confusion!
The blue actually looks more like black. It's fine for me.
Ha, it is that very dark blue - now discontinued!
Don't think it has DSG - not mentioned in ad which is here if you can speak French...
quote in English "Box at speeds - manual box"
http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Detail.aspx?from=list&wl=1&lng=fra&id=4243796&qs=from%3dDefault%26make%3d74%26modellike%3dGOLF%26yearfrom%3d2006%26yearto%3d2006%26cur%3dCHF%26pricefrom%3d30000%26priceto%3d35000%26zipcountry%3dCH%26zip%3d1814%26radius%3d50%26total%3d10&page=1&row=7
Babelfish is your friend - http://babelfish.altavista.com/ - fire up the page, then copy the full URL into the box, select the correct languages (French to English), and Bob is you know who!
Don't speak much German unfortunately....
Same here, but try some of the online translation services:
http://www.worldlingo.com/en/products_services/worldlingo_translator.html
http://www.freetranslation.com/
http://translation2.paralink.com/
Not sure what options are "usual" but I thought seats were good, steering wheel was great! Seemed to have decent enough stereo. Last car was a Nissan 350Z and the Golf didn't lose much in comparison.
OK, just noticed it only has the standard 17" rims, rather than the optional 18"s. The radio is the bog standard RCD300. No spare wheel - just an emergency repair kit.
Winter pack (heated washer jets) would have been a good option, but I can't see it!
Will also test driving Audi A3 2.0 as well to compare.... Let's see.
Ha, but the A3 feels very different, much lower, whereas the Golf is taller.