Newbie Here

[M3 SHAM]

Good morning everyone,

Newbie here so just wanted to itroduce myself and say Hi 

Currently without a car and searching for the right Mk6 Golf 2.0 GT TDI 140bhp.  Would anyone on here be able to help with a buyers guide or just general things to look out for when purchasing.

Any help much appreciated

Sham

[dubber36]

Welcome along. It'll be good to see another GT around here when you get yours.

I can't think of anything to look out for when buying in terms of faults, other than really low mileage ones may be storing up future DPF issues if they haven't had any decent runs. Also the ride on the optional 18" wheels may feel a little firm to some people, but is by no means uncomfortable. Expect more tyre noise with larger wheels too, especially if you have Dunlops. This is common across the whole Mk6 range.

There are plenty to choose from, so spec is going to be the only difference other than mileage and price. When I went out looking for mine, all I wanted was a red 5 door with 18" Vancouvers. I've since changed the radio for an RCD510 and fitted OEM bluetooth, which makes the car pretty much complete for my needs. Oh, and chrome exhaust tips from a Skoda Yeti. At £25ish, it's they best value mod you can do.

Haggle hard with the dealer, especially if you have no px. I chipped nearly £1300 off the screen price of my car.

[M3 SHAM]

Thanks for the feedback, i really do like the look of the vancouver wheels and would like the upgraded stereo system with the bigger screen.  Prices seem strong for these at the moment, but i am lead to believe the Mk7 is only round the corner and I'm wondering if it worth holding out in case their is a price drop?

[dubber36]

The Mk6 didn't reallt effect the prices of the Mk5, so I can't see the Mk7 being any different.

Generally, people that buy Golfs do so because they are a bloody good car, not because they want the latest, spangliest thing. So to many people, a 2012 Golf will be a 2012 Golf regardless of whether it's a Mk6 or 7. I doubt if many non car enthusients will hardly notice the difference,

[p3asa]

Welcome aboard.
Just to add to what Dubber has said, I've had my 2.0 140 for 3 years now from new and loved every minute of it. Fantastic engine with great torque that cruises effortlessly on the motorway and still returns a very respectable MPG. I had it mapped and that returns even more MPG and has probably pushed the PS up to 170 with 400 torque.

The rear view camera (factory option) is probably the best option I have ever had on any of my cars. I actually got it as a gimmick but rely on it so much now. I put in the RNS510 sat nav after-market which is a lot cheaper than from the factory and it is another great toy to have that is used every day, along with the bluetooth.

My biggest complaint is the VW paintwork. I'm extremely careful with my car and always keep well behind the car in front but my bonnet looks like it has been sand-blasted in places.
I've found the ride on my 18" wheels to be absolutely fine and nobody has every complained it has been hard. The wheels can be dear to refurbish if you kerb them as they are diamond cut so that might be something you want to look out for and they can also be prone to whiteworm.

Although the car has probably been the best I have owned I'm getting rid of it and moving on to an A1 only because financially it made more sense.

What kind of prices have you been looking at? I've been offered £11,500 for the trade in (just about to turn 3 year old) guaranteed depending on when my car arrives (possibly next year).

[Mr GTD]

Welcome

Good Luck with the search...

[M3 SHAM]

Welcome aboard.
Just to add to what Dubber has said, I've had my 2.0 140 for 3 years now from new and loved every minute of it. Fantastic engine with great torque that cruises effortlessly on the motorway and still returns a very respectable MPG. I had it mapped and that returns even more MPG and has probably pushed the PS up to 170 with 400 torque.

The rear view camera (factory option) is probably the best option I have ever had on any of my cars. I actually got it as a gimmick but rely on it so much now. I put in the RNS510 sat nav after-market which is a lot cheaper than from the factory and it is another great toy to have that is used every day, along with the bluetooth.

My biggest complaint is the VW paintwork. I'm extremely careful with my car and always keep well behind the car in front but my bonnet looks like it has been sand-blasted in places.
I've found the ride on my 18" wheels to be absolutely fine and nobody has every complained it has been hard. The wheels can be dear to refurbish if you kerb them as they are diamond cut so that might be something you want to look out for and they can also be prone to whiteworm.

Although the car has probably been the best I have owned I'm getting rid of it and moving on to an A1 only because financially it made more sense.

What kind of prices have you been looking at? I've been offered £11,500 for the trade in (just about to turn 3 year old) guaranteed depending on when my car arrives (possibly next year).

Thank you very much for your input all things i will consider.  Ideally i dont really want to spend more than 10k but i suppose its going to depend on what i can get for that price, may be tempted to spend a bit more if the car ticks all the boxes but want to really try and stick to my 10k budget

[dubber36]

Have you thought about a Match? You'll be more likely to find a nicer car for your budget. The Match is an extremely well speced car, but obviously does not have the same "sporty" bits that the GT has.

[M3 SHAM]

Have you thought about a Match? You'll be more likely to find a nicer car for your budget. The Match is an extremely well speced car, but obviously does not have the same "sporty" bits that the GT has.

TBH I really do want that sporty factor, from initial research on autotrader my 10K budget should get me a 09 plate GT with around 60 - 70k on the clock.  A match would seem to get me a much lower mileage vehicle but dont think i would be satisfied without the sport factor.  Just thinking about mileage does anyone know when the timing belt needs to be changed on these?

[dubber36]

I can understand you prefering the GT. I had a Match as a courtesy car for about 3 weeks while my Passat was away for warranty paint, and whilst it was a perfectly nice car, it lacked the sportier touches.

I'll have a look in my handbook later to see if it says about cambelt intervals in there. I'm sure whatever the mileage, it should be done at 4 years old at the latest.