Gti/gtd buyers guide .?

[Scottw]

Hi,I'm thinking of getting a gti or gtd,can anyone tell me any advice or issues plz ?

I have noticed a thread on the timing chains and want to stay clear of this,is there any engine numbers or build dates ,when the new tensioners were fitted?
if I was to buy a car from a dealer I would demand one fitting !!

Gti or gtd.... Only do about 12k

[Booth11]

You already mention the timing chain issue, so thoroughly read the sticky thread in this section.  To save you some time here are the dates of the revisions, as detailed on the first page of said thread:

There was a revised tensioner fitted from engines built from 17 May 2010
A second revision of the tensioner from engines built in December 2011.
A third revision of the tensioner as quoted by Mike above from 01 May 2012.

[Poached]

12k a year? Petrol all the way.

[ab17790]

I do around 8-10K a year but preferred the Residual Value of the GTD compared to the GTI and lower road tax.
If its driving fun you are after and you want to keep the car standard i would go for a GTI

Servicing costs are very similar but of course with the GTD it will need a cambelt at some point unlike the GTI

[Jimmgc51]

GTI........ that isn't biased advice at all 

Iv'e had mine 09 from second hand and apart from the tensioner failing Iv'e had no other issues at all.

I have read somewhere about the manifolds failing and that this is a potential issue however this is usually known after a remap!

[manbearpig]

I'm in the hunt for a mk6 GTI having had a good long think about it! I just wanted to get some opinions on the VW garages compared to dealers, does buying second hand from VW offer any benefits at all? I'm based in Scotland but am willing to travel to get the right car!

[scotsgolfer]

Definitely a GtI  .  I'll be selling mine around May/June when my new car is delivered. Shameless plug.  I'm in Fife 

[Poached]

I'm in the hunt for a mk6 GTI having had a good long think about it! I just wanted to get some opinions on the VW garages compared to dealers, does buying second hand from VW offer any benefits at all? I'm based in Scotland but am willing to travel to get the right car!

Swings and roundabouts really. Approved used and trader cars with meaningful warranties give you more security but then you will pay more for the 'privilege'. Dealer mark up may mean you can save a reasonable amount by purchasing privately, I would have paid a lot more for my car if it had been Approved used.

[charlie]

I brought my last 2 gti's through a main dealer,  I think I got two good deals first car I had issues with the car and they rectified them with new parts got a servicing package with both and with a bit of bartering got good discounts as well of course you might pay less privately but you won't get the back up 

[Jimmgc51]

I bought private and due to the warranty still being on the car for 3 months, I could if paid around £330 for another year = VW approved in my book & I paid trade price saving a hell of a lot!

Just my experience but if it's under warranty then you have peace of mind, well kind of remember diagnostics isn't covered!!