GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: roncam29 on 23 June 2007, 13:16
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Hi
I am thinking off purchasing a mk5 Golf GTI, I have been reading conflicting reports on build quality taking a dip can anyone shed any light on this and if so what should I be looking out for, I run a 1988 Golf GTI with 160.000 mls on the clock it runs like a dream.
Cheers
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I think it would be fair to say that the quality of the interior trim in my Alfa 147 was better and had a more solid feel than the GTi... and Alfa's are (or at least were) notorious for crap trim...
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i think the build quality is far superiour to any thing i've owned before...its solid through and through... and having had to run around in a polo while my gti was in the dealers... made me even more sure... you get what you paid for.
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The build quality (how well its screwed together, and designed to fit together) is not as good as the Mk2 imho.
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Did the Mark 2 golf come with buttons or switches???, or was it a steering wheel, 3 pedals and funny hand signals when you wanted to turn the corner!!! :grin:
I cant see how a mk2 that was build 15+ yrs ago being better build quality then current design tecniques that VAG group cars are now made, or we have the odd squeek or rattle, i know someone who owns a mk2 gti, and hes so excited with it, but i look at it and think :sick:, anyway just my own oppinion,
ok wheres the firing squad line up...................... :drool:
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I'd keep the old Golf, buy a new one and run them side by side anyway :evil:
The GTI does have a few niggles, however on the whole I have no complaints and if you compare it to other hot hatches being made at the moment...the GTI is leagues better :evil:
Get in one, drive it and you'll know why it gets its five stars :wink:
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I have just come from a 06 Saab 9-3 cabriolet and can say the Golf is well screwed together compared to that, was really disappointed in the Saab..
Had a mk4 Bora and the quality of that was great, after 96K miles it still felt well put together not one rattle (company car as well), had a mk3 for a while and I think the mk5 is easily as good as either.
Only car I have had that felt as good if slightly better was a 2000 325i Sport BMW, details were well engineered, mk5 has a few dubious bits around wings, rear wiper washer etc, dont think its cheapening just more weight saving.
I would definately have another and would consider a ED30 or R32.
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no problems with mine and i have just come from a new audi a4.
some people have reported squeaks and rattles but so far fo me i have none of these !
sometimes you can buy a bad apple?
good luck !
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i dont think its so much the build quality thats the problem its the materials used, the plastics in older cars are far superior quality.i run a 99 1.8 t sport passat and my partner has a 52 plate 1.8t gti and the difference is like night and day.
we have a new gti on order steel grey 18" wheels, leather zenons,armrest ,parking sensors,and highline,
i hope its atleast as good as the mk4, im getting worried now
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I've never owned a VW car before, so I can only compare my MK5 golf with other manufacturers.
So far I've owned a couple of Fords, a couple of Renaults, a couple of Hondas and a Citroen... and I can safely say the Golf is the best so far. Although there are a couple of rattles (car is a week old!! Hopefully I can get the dealer to sort them), the interior is solid feeling.
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Batracing dont worry!
Yes some of the plastics are not as pleasing as in the mk4 like the stereo surround but all in all the cars are well built.
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The Mk5 GTI doesn't have the build quality of an Audi or BMW but it's still pretty good by modern standards. Some days are squeakier than others but any interior cabin squeaks are soon forgotten as you enjoy driving her!
Because she's worth it!......
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/RedRobin_05/NatalieImb.png)
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Agreed, build quality overall is only marginally different to the Audi A3 I previously ran, main difference I think is the quality of the materials, rather than the way it is assembled. Still, I work at a Nissan/Citroen
set up and VW make both of those look shabby (plus Citroen have improved a massive amount)!! :wink:
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My previous car was a Skoda Fabia vRS, which had (IMHO) excellent build quality... solid, no squeaks, good fittings... felt very "VW"... more so than the VW Polo and the Seat Ibiza... but not quite in the same league as the Audi A2!
Similarly, the Golf is solid and well-built... ok, the number of soft touch plastics has decreased from the Mrk4... but it still feels "solid"... not up there with an A3... but then again, Audi do interiors VERY well...
All in all I am happy with the build quality... and coming from the Fabia vRS my learning curve with the switchgear...etc is reduced which is another bonus!
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My last three cars have been Audi (A4 T Sport and TT Coupe) and Porsche (Boxster). All were subperb build with quality materials.
No squeaks/rattles with the A4, a couple with the TT (seats and tailgate) and a few with the Boxster (hood up). Nothing at all with the GTI after 9 months of ownership :smiley: The build quality is pretty good IMO but the quality of some of the build (plastics and thickness of body panels) is a bit sub-standard, no doubt to reduce weight and production costs. Although it's mass produced, I was surprised to find so much flex in the roof, bonnet and lower door panels in particular. Still a great drive though :wink:
Cass
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As far as golfs go, I've had two MK4's, a 1.9TDI & R32, and in my opinion the MK5 build quality is better, both my MK4's squeaked and rattled (especially the R) from new, but my new GTI is very solid and sqeak free! Also I had issues with the dash coming apart in the R32 (the bit from handbrake to ashtray area). The MK5 materials in this area are far superior - much more solid feeling :smiley:
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If you're worried about squeeks and rattles, don't go and buy a Focus ST - my bro has one and all he does is moan about the dodgy noises - but atleast the engine noise compensates! :grin: I test drove a 54 plate gti last week and it was crappy noise free.
My BMW 2002 325ti Sport had stiff suspension but was amazingly solid and squeek/rattle free, unlike the mini cooper I swapped it in for, for the missus.
I hate rattling cars - drives me mad - My 51 plate Leon Cupra was noise free too, but that included the engine note too..... :rolleyes:
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I personally don't think the build quality is too bad, particularly when you compare it with its' comparables from say Ford, Vauxhall, Honda, Renault, etc.
What I did notice, was after spending a solid month on my RS4 (when I did my "european tour" back in May), and then getting home and jumping in the Golf, was that the Audi was a much "nicer" place to be. Some of the switchgear in the Golf, particularly the indicators/wipers and electric windows just didn't feel "quality" in the same way that Audi make them.
However, what was/is perfectly clear, is the "major mechanicals", ie, the structural rigidity of the chassis, the quality of the suspension (ride and handling), the engine (refinement and advanced technology), and the DSG 'box - these are far, far better than any of the competition above.
I think everyone agrees that some of the interior plastics on the Mk5 are no better, indeed, maybe even a step backwards, compared to the Mk4s. However, the chassis engineering on the Mk5 is a quantum leap better than the Mk4, as is much of the general technology.