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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: tedster on 25 April 2008, 20:48

Title: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: tedster on 25 April 2008, 20:48
im thinking of selling my current 03 plate 3litre z4 and getting a mk5 gti radical change i know. Anyway is there anything i should really look out for faults wise what is the most desirable 3 door or 5 door what are the best options to have, and finally what are the service costs like? ive been taking my last 3 bmws to an independent specialist who is very reasonable so are vw main dealers as pricey as bmws main dealers?
cheers :smiley:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: Hurdy on 25 April 2008, 20:55
Welcome to the forum Tedster :cool:

If you take a look at the top of this section there is a sticky topic on collecting a new car and this should stand you in good stead when looking a GTI over. :cool:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: 182_blue on 25 April 2008, 20:56
im thinking of selling my current 03 plate 3litre z4 and getting a mk5 gti radical change i know. Anyway is there anything i should really look out for faults wise what is the most desirable 3 door or 5 door what are the best options to have, and finally what are the service costs like? ive been taking my last 3 bmws to an independent specialist who is very reasonable so are vw main dealers as pricey as bmws main dealers?
cheers :smiley:

wife had a Z4, nice cars, the VW are pretty reliable by all accounts, they have minor faults like everything else, but no biggies, as for doors it depends on what you need, some like 2 door, some like 4 doors, options i would have are highline comp, Multi function steering wheel, armrest, + whatever else you fancy, servicing costs are quite reasonable too
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: tedster on 25 April 2008, 21:15
what is highline comp :embarassed:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: 182_blue on 25 April 2008, 21:21
its a fullscreen display in the dash, lets you adjust things on the car, and if you hav nav provides directions and street names etc

like in pic here
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/182_blue/16042008065.jpg)
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: NewGolf on 25 April 2008, 21:30
182_Blue is spot on, chose the Highline computer as your 1st extra, (and then armrest as your 2nd).

Xenons are excellent if you do much night driving, DSG if you want a bit more acceleration and want the ability to tour long distance in comfort, as well as town driving in ease.

Cruise can be retro fitted for about £150.

You can get rear tinted glass, an iPod adapter in the armrest, 18" wheels, which do look better but not essential as the 17's give the same grip, weigh less and give a smoother ride.

You will love the MK5 GTI, I do  :wink:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: bobotheclown on 25 April 2008, 21:31
Yeah, it depends on budget and whehter you need the convenience of 5 doors. I went for the following:

1. Luxury Pack (electric, foldable and heated wing mirrors, reverse activated kerb-view adjustment on passenger mirror and reading lights)
2. Winter Pack (Heated windscreen washer jets and low washer fluid warning light, headlight washers)
3. Cruise control
4. DSG automatic gear box
5. 5 door as I wanted the convenience and I have friends who I herd around like cattle
6. Full leather comes as standard now
7. DVD touch screen and sat nav with 6 cd autochanger. This has a 30Gb hard drive and an SD memory card reader to transfer your tunes onto the HD. Also comes with front centre arm rest that has vents for the people in the rear. Also comes with the Highline Computer. This is the top end of the dashboard computers.
8. Diamond Black Pearl paint - though white seems to be VERY popular
9. 17" Monza - a personal preference on which size alloys to go with. Not sure it makes that much of a difference in regards ride, comfort and handling

I am gadget freak so I went for the satnav/cd/dvd/hard disk option when I saw it on the options list.

sunroof might be a good option as everything is black in the cabin so some natural light would be fantastic.
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: 182_blue on 25 April 2008, 21:33
^^yeh, i have sunroof, its very  :cool:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: bobotheclown on 25 April 2008, 21:36
that's one i should have got but the dealer said it would delay the delivery even more.
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: 182_blue on 25 April 2008, 21:39
that's one i should have got but the dealer said it would delay the delivery even more.

mine had most things on it , except for sat nav (which i have retro fitted) and rear parking sensors (which i really really want), i love my toys too  :smiley:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: bobotheclown on 25 April 2008, 21:44
i toyed with the idea of parking sensors but thought them unecessary as the rear window is roughly where the rear bumper is anyway so it wouldn't be that hard to park. Now that I've said that, I've probably jinxed myself and will reverse into a wall when I pick it up. :smiley:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: NewGolf on 25 April 2008, 21:45
bleep bleep bleep, damn annoying lol!
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: 182_blue on 25 April 2008, 21:51
i toyed with the idea of parking sensors but thought them unecessary as the rear window is roughly where the rear bumper is anyway so it wouldn't be that hard to park. Now that I've said that, I've probably jinxed myself and will reverse into a wall when I pick it up. :smiley:

its the one thing i miss from the ST i had , well that and the 5 pot growl
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: bobotheclown on 25 April 2008, 21:53
Talking about retro fitting sat nav, I just saw Hurdy's thread detailing his modifications. Made laugh out loud when he showed the RCD300 face plate. Soooo funny. :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: tedster on 25 April 2008, 22:31
do i go dsg or manual how reliable is the dsg
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: 182_blue on 25 April 2008, 22:34
do i go dsg or manual how reliable is the dsg

DSG is reasonably reliable from what i hear, and getting it depends if you like autos or not
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: neg on 25 April 2008, 22:35
Options I would have again for sure (as I tend to have most  :wink: )
Xenons - without a doubt
DSG - personal choice
Highline MFD
Autolights (I think are standard anyway)
MFSW
Parking sensors

Nice to have extras:
Sunroof
Foldy mirrors
Armrest
Satnav
Cruise

As for DSG - you read some horror stories but there are loads of these boxes out there and I would have one again, love it.  Afterall a small % of anything have problems.  I would say YES its reliable.
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: Phil mcavity on 25 April 2008, 22:39
dsg is NOT an auto  :angry:

try it tedster, ive had 4 vw's with dsg, and  will never go back to a manual.(whilst with vw)

Personal preference , you must try one with, then try the manual b4 you choose which one.
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: 182_blue on 25 April 2008, 22:45
dsg is NOT an auto :angry:

try it tedster, ive had 4 vw's with dsg, and  will never go back to a manual.(whilst with vw)

Personal preference , you must try one with, then try the manual b4 you choose which one.

HAHA, keep telling yourself that, it may come true
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: Phil mcavity on 25 April 2008, 22:54
ok, who else agrees with 182, dsg is an conventional automatic  :tongue:

if you do, then stand over against that wall, while i pull the trigger!!  :nerd:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: 182_blue on 25 April 2008, 22:58
ok, who else agrees with 182, dsg is an automatic  :tongue:

if you do, then stand over against that wall, while i pull the trigger!!  :nerd:

does or does it not automatically select gears for you if you wish it to ? :shocked:, my manual stick definitely will not automatically select gears for me  ( if i wanted it to or not)
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: Hurdy on 25 April 2008, 22:59
ok, who else agrees with 182, dsg is an conventional automatic  :tongue:

if you do, then stand over against that wall, while i pull the trigger!!  :nerd:

I've got my gun and am standing at the side of you Phil :grin:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: 182_blue on 25 April 2008, 23:00
ok, who else agrees with 182, dsg is an conventional automatic  :tongue:

if you do, then stand over against that wall, while i pull the trigger!!  :nerd:
haha, had to change the quote  :grin:

im not saying theres anyhting wrong with DSG by the way, its fine if you like autos, or whatever you prefer to call it
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: Phil mcavity on 25 April 2008, 23:04
<<<<<<<<<<<asks Hurdy to open back door to kick out the trouble maker!!

To tedster, just go try it, and then tell us all ( including 182) what you think of the automatic car type, and see if you can tell the difference between the 2!.

Dont listen to the ickle voices in your head saying its an auto!!

We all love each other in this forum    honest  :kiss:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: 182_blue on 25 April 2008, 23:07
<<<<<<<<<<<asks Hurdy to open back door to kick out the trouble maker!!

To tedster, just go try it, and then tell us all ( including 182) what you think of the automatic car type, and see if you can tell the difference between the 2!.

Dont listen to the ickle voices in your head saying its an auto!!

kick me out, i cant even have an opinion on Autos ???, are you real, as said tedster, try it, you either like it or dont, but if you dont, the dont mention it on the forum for fear of ridicule !!!
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: tedster on 25 April 2008, 23:14
if i dont like it thats my choice doesnt make it an auto though ive had autos before so i aint got a problem with them anyway plus the dsg is suppose to be quicker is this true
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: Phil mcavity on 25 April 2008, 23:32
yes it it quicker to 60mph (the dsg version) by 0.3
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: bobotheclown on 25 April 2008, 23:52
DSG is a new type of automatic gear box but with clutches. Best of both worlds.
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: Hurdy on 25 April 2008, 23:58
if i dont like it thats my choice doesnt make it an auto though ive had autos before so i aint got a problem with them anyway plus the dsg is suppose to be quicker is this true

Across country, point to point and on the track a DSG is quicker than a manual in every respect. In sport mode it simply selects the gear with the most urge and goes with it. Gear changes are simply unnoticeable as there is no loss of power between shifts and they take place in under 0.02sec. You can play with the gears yourself with the paddleshifts or the gearstick and this is even more rewarding. No missed gearshifts, no hitting the rev limiter and hitting the windscreen, no fried clutch starts, no dumping it into the wrong gear ever again :nerd: :smug: :cool:
It truly is a wonderful "sequential manual" box :wink:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: illyun on 26 April 2008, 01:02
ok, who else agrees with 182, dsg is an conventional automatic  :tongue:

if you do, then stand over against that wall, while i pull the trigger!!  :nerd:


DSG is NOT an Auto
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: 182_blue on 26 April 2008, 06:14
you call it potato i call it potato ?, i dont understand why i cant call it an auto ?, i havnt said it isnt any good,i have never made a bad remark against the Auto either , you dont need to defend it to me, i know its good, i just prefer a stick shift

even VW call it an auto as i will always do  :huh:

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/182_blue/Untitled-1.jpg)

Anyway, back on topic for the topic starter
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: JonnyG on 26 April 2008, 10:03
I think VW like to call it both a manual and an automatic   :grin:

which makes sense to me as it is the best of both worlds IMHO :

http://media.vw.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=9753

The new seven speed DSG (for smaller engines) is reportedly even better with it's dry clutch system :

http://www.carbuyersnotebook.com/archives/2008/01/volkswagen_dsg_the_intell.htm
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: JonnyG on 26 April 2008, 10:07
Back on topic.... :evil:

Common faults on the Golf were discussed in this thread :

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=80556.0
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: Wilko2008 on 28 April 2008, 11:40
I have had my GTI a week and love it!!!!!!

DSG is fantastic (whether its auto or not!) and in sport mode is great.

The only extra I wish I had put on is the cruise control. I had it on my previous car & in roadworks etc it is handy to keep to the speed limits. Stops you permanently looking at the speedo. I do have the armrest and ipod dock which is very nice.

Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: NewGolf on 28 April 2008, 12:10
I have had my GTI a week and love it!!!!!!

DSG is fantastic (whether its auto or not!) and in sport mode is great.

The only extra I wish I had put on is the cruise control. I had it on my previous car & in roadworks etc it is handy to keep to the speed limits. Stops you permanently looking at the speedo. I do have the armrest and ipod dock which is very nice.



Its about £150 retro fitted from a dealer, or you can buy the stalk and install it yourself.  I think it needs a coding change, easily done if you have Vag Com. IMO its best letting the dealer fit it if you aren't confident taking off the steering wheel trim/cover.
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: NewGolf on 28 April 2008, 12:15
Thats strange, my signatures "shrunk" lol !

Fixed, silly photobucket settings!
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: DrT on 29 April 2008, 19:40
Hmmm...

I do agree with 182 on this. DSG does have an automatic function does it not. The early models didn't even come with paddles as standard, doesn't this make it pretty automatic. YES you can change up and down on the stick itself but still, come on, you only need to step on accelerator and/or break (ie no clutch to control). That is not manual is it?

I've have nothing against you auto owners. In fact, when I get a bit older, I might get one myself.  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: Wilko2008 on 16 May 2008, 09:54
Thanks NewGolf, will contact my dealer and check it out!

 :smiley:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: duffy78 on 16 May 2008, 10:05
i see the dsg argument has kicked off again,

fyi, its a manual gearbox with an automatic mode.

so its both   :tongue:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: 182_blue on 16 May 2008, 10:10
^ i dont think it has kicked off recently, the last comment on dsg was 4 weeks ago if you look above, so you started it up again  :wink:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: duffy78 on 16 May 2008, 10:16
been awhile since ive been on,

my apologies  :embarassed:

DSG ROCKS!
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: Kermit on 16 May 2008, 15:47
DSG sucks...
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: stokeballoon on 16 May 2008, 16:17
DSG is Swahili for automatic too lazy to shift it myself! did you also know that DSG is Mongolian for Short arms and I can't reach the gear lever!

 :grin:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: Phil mcavity on 16 May 2008, 17:05
DSG is Swahili for automatic too lazy to shift it myself! did you also know that DSG is Mongolian for Short arms and I can't reach the gear lever!
thats a typical comment from someone who lives in portsmouth!
 :grin:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: stokeballoon on 16 May 2008, 18:32
DSG is Swahili for automatic too lazy to shift it myself! did you also know that DSG is Mongolian for Short arms and I can't reach the gear lever!
thats a typical comment from someone who lives in portsmouth!
 :grin:

Dear Philip,

I feel I must avail you off my whereabouts - I work in Pompey and live in the very nice area of Somerset. :cool: :grin:

but I agree, it is a standard pompey type reply.

 :grin:


Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: NewGolf on 16 May 2008, 18:40
Isn't DSG German for "my car accelerates and changes gear faster than your manual equivalents"?  :rolleyes:

Sounds like a case of  "Gearbox envy" to me lol!  :wink:
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: stokeballoon on 16 May 2008, 18:42
I do like a bit of banter, and i must say that i have not driven a DSG equiped car.  something that is on the list.  But at the mo, I will have to "slum" it in my 6 Stick shift as they say.
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: Kermit on 17 May 2008, 10:59
I'm a bit self conscious about my short arms (girls don't like it, bullied at school, discriminated against at Job interviews), I did look at having surgery to extend them to enable me to change gear on a stick shifter but when I spec'd up the options on a GTI, it worked out cheaper to get DSG   :grin:

The only good point about having short arms is I can never get at my wallet in the pub...I have deep pockets... :grin:

DSG Rocks - End of!
Title: Re: advice needed please newbee to vw
Post by: stokeballoon on 17 May 2008, 11:00
I thought as much Kermit!

i always pull the "I'm just off to the toilet gag!"