GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: NORTHERNER on 12 June 2007, 20:19
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Hi folks- I am looking to buy a second hand 05 GTi in Black with DSG and Xenons, 21k on the clock for £15.6k - seems a good deal when I research current prices... any thoughts from you more experienced folks?
Also the owner has fitted Eibach springs and a Miltek exhaust... are these benficial mods, or will these damage the performance of the car... sometimes after market mods can have detrimental affects after all.
Thanks for you help and if all goes well I hope to contribute a bit more than stupid questions to this forum.
Cheers
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That sounds like a good price to me especially with that spec. The cheapest Black GTI in Autotrader (apart from accident damaged one) is around £15.5K. Nothing cheaper.
I personally would not buy a car that's had those mods, even if they did improve the cars performance lets face it this car has probably not been used to amble down to the shops and back has it?
That might be a bit presumptive but you just never know. At that price I guess it's worth a look but I would question the sellers motive and would also check out what happens to the VW warrenty and insurance premium a result of the mod.
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Yeah - I was slightly wary too... I am not one for modding cars really, but understand why people do... guess the low mileage is a comfort, plus the fact that it is still in warranty for another 16 months or so...
I can't imagine it will have been thrashed for all 21k miles though, and if it has then that should maifest itself in problems pretty easily (or so i would hope).
Those mods seem pretty innocuous... I wouldn't touch a chipped car though... I guess its a case of see it, test drive it for a long period, and get a HPI check!!
Thanks for your feedback.
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Both items are premium aftermarket brands and may well be, arguably, better than the factory standard spec, which have to be produced as all things for all men (and women :wink:). As long as they have been professionally fitted (check with seller) and they don't void the warranty, they should be OK. Does the seller still have the original items and if so, can they be included in any sale. Only other point is that it may increase your insurance premium so check this out first.
IMHO, the Mk V GTI is a bit of a grown up car and I personally would not consider giving my car the Max power treatment, but then I am an old git now :grin:
Understandable though, as second hand cars reach this level, they are getting quite affordable for the younger element :angry:
The GTI is a great choice,new or second hand :wink:
Cass
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Cheers Cass - I am 31, so TBH I am not into the Max Power thing myelf :smiley: Don't know if that makes me old before my time or what.
The very reason I am looking at the Golf GTi is because it is a grown up car, I have also looked at the Cooper S and the Works Cooper S but I didn't feel as comfortable with the style element. Also looked at RX8's but reasecrh and chatting with various people in the Owners Club put me off a little... few teething problems with corrosion... :sick:
Anyway, what I realised I really wanted was the Golf GTi... they are a superb drive. Unfortuantely I REALLY want Xenons, I have done a fair bit of driving and know thet are important to me (my fabia vRS had them)... after market HiD are a no:no for me... plus would also like the 18 inch rims which I guess is the more showy side of me crying our for a bit of attention! Unfortuantely the Xenon option is very rare in the second handers available... limits my choice...
Anyone on these forums got these aftermarket mods installed? What does it do to the warranty...? I guess I could phone a dealer and find out...
Cheers
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Well, I'm 60yo and my car is modded. Milltek exhaust was my first mod at 1,500 miles. The exhaust is prime quality stainless steel, so what harm do you think it can do?
KoniFSD+Eibach springs and Eibach Anti-roll bars were next and fitted by a professional and checked by laser alignment. Handling and ride is greatly improved. What harm do you think that setup can do?
Most modded cars are particularly well maintained and looked after, so why shouldn't they be a good buy?
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Yeah, I agree Xenons and 18" wheels are good options to have. Once you've driven with those lights, you won't go back to the old halogens. Ride quality with the larger wheels is good too and not too harsh compared with the standard 17" - wouldn't go any bigger than 18's. Keep your eye out here for some second hand examples - price might be higher than you are currently looking at though - but it is always a buyers market out there :wink:
Good luck with the hunt.
Cass
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Well, I'm 60yo and my car is modded. Milltek exhaust was my first mod at 1,500 miles. The exhaust is prime quality stainless steel, so what harm do you think it can do?
KoniFSD+Eibach springs and Eibach Anti-roll bars were next and fitted by a professional and checked by laser alignment. Handling and ride is greatly improved. What harm do you think that setup can do?
Most modded cars are particularly well maintained and looked after, so why shouldn't they be a good buy?
Excellent case for the defence RR :smiley:
Cass
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Hi folks- I am looking to buy a second hand 05 GTi in Black with DSG and Xenons, 21k on the clock for £15.6k - seems a good deal when I research current prices... any thoughts from you more experienced folks?
Also the owner has fitted Eibach springs and a Miltek exhaust... are these benficial mods, or will these damage the performance of the car... sometimes after market mods can have detrimental affects after all.
Thanks for you help and if all goes well I hope to contribute a bit more than stupid questions to this forum.
Cheers
Both Eibach and Milltek improve your car (if it is set up properly, that is). You get sportier ride, faster throttle response, better turbo health, meatier sound, some more power, and better looks. These are the parts I will put on my car first and foremost, as well. :laugh:
Now, how the car was treated - that's a different matter.
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On another topic... why people always say things like "I hope to contribute a bit more than stupid questions..." or "sorry for askinga stupid question" and similar things? :huh:
Students sometimes ask me something and add these sentences, as well.
We are not supposed to know everything! There are NO stupid questions, in my book, especially when you learn something new!
There are no stupid questions, just stupid answers, IMHO!
Keep on asking!
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I believe Milltek exhaust IS better than the factory-fitted exhaust, especially if it is turbo-back. It has unlimited warranty. I don't think VDub overall warranty is void after exhaust installation. Milltek full exhaust is in my opinion THE best mod you can treat your GTI to, whether you are a tuner-junky or not. It only has positive sides: engine breathes better, no bottleneck at the turbo, better sound, better performance, weight saving, and emission levels are kept within limits. But it does increase your insurance premium.
Eibach springs (now I am talking about pro-kit, not sport springs) do not destroy the ride quality significantly. They are uprated 25%, but they are also progressive, so they improve handling when needed. And they do not lower the car so much that it looks like a boy-racer.
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Pic of GTI fitted with Milltek quads (Hi-flow+Downpipe) and KoniFSD+Eibach springs and ARB's - For the KoniFSD's to work properly the car is only lowered about 5-10mm.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/RedRobin_05/RED_Rear3quarter.jpg)
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Now, how the car was treated - that's a different matter.
....A car can be either badly or well treated regardless of whether it's been modded or remapped. High revving the engine from a cold start being a prime example of how to shorten an engine's life.
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Thanks for everyone's comments - most appreciated. I guess my question was born from ignorance... I have never modded a car and therefore am not sure what would be "Good Mods" for the Golf and what would be "Bad Mods" for it.
Comments so far have put my mind at rest that these (if done correctly) should be good mods :smiley:
The proof will be in the pudding I guess, a nice long test drive with a HPI check for comfort.
Cheers all - most appreciated.
P.S. Nice car RedRobin
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Now, how the car was treated - that's a different matter.
....A car can be either badly or well treated regardless of whether it's been modded or remapped. High revving the engine from a cold start being a prime example of how to shorten an engine's life.
Affirmative. That's what I ment to say.
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Yeah - I have to say, why the hell do people thrash cars that have not been warmed up?????? It must be pure stupidity or just ignorance. Surely it just ruins the car for them in the long term.
My outgoing car is a Skoda Fabia vRS.... I treated it with kid gloves from new (2 years) before I sold it... never once did I feel the urge to thrash it when cold... let it warm up, then have fun, then let it cool down a bit... simple... means that you are less likely to have a breakdown later on... doh!
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Some more details:
Milltek Back Cat - non resonated fitted
He is not 100% sure whwt Eibach springs... but reckon they were lowered by 15mm..
Any thoughts?
I plan to go and view ASAP... he is a fair distance away from me though...
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Some more details:
Milltek Back Cat - non resonated fitted
He is not 100% sure whwt Eibach springs... but reckon they were lowered by 15mm..
Any thoughts?
I plan to go and view ASAP... he is a fair distance away from me though...
15mm = Eibach Pro. They are good.
Non-resonated = more noise than normal.
Cat-back = original downpipe = bottleneck is still there = not much performance added (mostly for sound purposes).
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Thanks Peskarik - I am going to go and see it as soon as my funds clear... fingers crossed next time I post i will be the proud owner of said car :smiley:
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The Milltek Non-Resonated is only slightly louder than the Resonated version and there is absolutely no performance difference between them. Also please note that neither Cat-back nor Hi-flow will add any significant performance gains (bhp) without a remap as well. Hi-flow+Downpipe delivers the most power gains.
It's easy to change the centre section to go from Non-Resonated to Resonated and vica-versa.
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Thanks RedRobin - most appreciated.
Anyone got any tips for key checks to make? I am tempted to avoid the cost of an RAC or AA inspection, and simply rely on a long test drive, good look around the car and the manufacturers warranty... I know the usual, excessive tire wear, noisy brakes, rough idling (although the GTi I tst drove at a retailer sounded a little rough on idle, and the sale sguy advised that was normal)...
Cheers
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As discussed in another thread, the engine may sound a little tapperty at idle, especially if you have been looking (and listening to hondas). Its normal, and should die down with a slight increase in revs.
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Don't forget the basics.
Check for even gaps between panals, checking in boot for water leaks, evidence of panal beating etc.
Check VIN number, engine numbers against V5 document. Check for oversprays of paint on rubbers, lights, under wheel arch etc.
Check state of tires and knock money off if they are going to need replacing. Check for scuffs on alloys.
Check pedals for wear.
Ask for receipts of mods installation.
Check service history.
Check oil for contamination.
Check spare and tools are still there.
Sorry I appreciate you will know this already but in the heat of the moment and the anticipation of getting your mits on the new motor the basics often get forgotton.
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Thanks PabloGTi... just found that thread.
Thanks Pabs32... it is very easy to get caught up in the excitement of purchase... have to keep reminding myself that... :smiley:
Like a school kid in a sweetshop!!!