Advice for potential new Mk5 owner

[Hooper]

Hello,

Taking this for a test drive tomorrow:



http://www.emgmotorgroup.com/used-cars/view/503202/Volkswagen-GOLF-20T-GTI-5dr

Any advice on what to look out for whilst driving?

Finally taking the leap and getting a GTI. Little concerned about mpg - predictable for a 2.0 petrol but general heads up on what its like to live with?



Thanks all!

[DJM]

Just your general stuff, make sure drives fine n pulls straight etc.

Id check tyres, brakes and even if cambelt has been done. All tools to haggle down the price with.

Do like the blue though.

Mpg isnt too bad, down to driving style. To and from work when kids were off school i seen high 30's average. Now i get low 30's as more traffic.
For a 2.0l turbo they are pretty good to be fair if driven eco. Obviously you put your foot down and the mpg shoots down but even mixed driving you should get mid to high 20's unless you cain it round everywhere.

good luck with the buy and welcome

[Hooper]

That's brilliant thank you.

Heard murmurings about cambelts and Golfs - what's the deal?

[DJM]

Just difference in info being given. Seems most dealerships and service books all state difference things.

I think general thing is 4yrs or 60k. I got my Golf Gti a month or two ago on 71k with full VW history. Cambelt was checked but deemed to be fine and not replaced. Im getting it done for peace of mind though.

Check for rust on the archs and boot. Tends to be a problem area. If all original paintwork i think with abit of persuasion you can get VW to do it but not sure how easy this is, few posts about it but not read too much into it as didn't find any on mine lol.

Also once bought, check with local VW dealer it has the revised coil packs. I had mine done for free as didn't have them. They say its not a recall but if you contact them they will change them if not already been done. Free of charge.

[Hooper]

This one is going to be from a franchise dealer that sells Fiats, Mazdas etc but not VW so I'll have to try my hardest to pull that off. Will be haggling price and if they decline then I'll give them the option of sorting the above items (cambelt, coil pack etc.)

Plenty of local VW garages so might just end up having to do it myself. Oh well.

Thank you once again!

[Phil1980]

You will be lucky to get them to do the cambelt for you before you buy it, the coil packs if they need doing will be done free by VW if its on a recall.  As already mentioned check for rust in the wheel arches and also where the wing meets the sill both very common spots for rust.  I have been very happy with my GTI for the three years I have had it, insurance is reasonable and running costs aren't too bad.  That blue is amazing, great choice.

[Thom89]

Hello, and welcome to the Forum   

Thom