Everything you need to know about the chain tensioner is in the thread:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=262793.0There was a revised tensioner introduced in May 2010. It was then revised again in December 2011 and May 2012. All failures bar one that I know of have been on 2009-2010 cars, so if you're budget allows then looking for a 2011 onwards car would be preferable (you also get the cool LED rear lights as a bonus). There is one 2011 car that had the timing chain let go at 115,000 miles but I would put this down to timing chain stretch rather than the tensioner and was probably preventable had the engine been listened too. My GTI is a 2011 car and has been perfect up to 75,000 miles. I am planning on getting the chain and tensioner changed at 80,000 and treating it as a cambelt change. Prevention is cheaper than cure! So if you get an early car, either make sure the latest tensioner has been fitted or get it done when you get the car.
As far as other issues go, water pumps can fail and leak so have a check for any leaks under cars you view. To be honest I've heard more about this on US forums rather than on here though so not sure whether it's LHD or country specific.
You say you want the larger alloys, I assume you mean the 18" Monzas? These are diamond cut and thus are very susceptible to damage and corrosion. My car had all four wheels refurbished just after I bought it and they have been lovingly cared for ever since, sealed every 6 months and never kerbed, but the whiteworm corrosion is returning on a couple of them, probably due to stones chipping the lacquer unseen. They look great but are fragile in terms of appearance like any diamond cut finish. I paid £390 for the refurb just as a guide.
The turbo wastegate can rattle on acceleration or deceleration so do part of your test drive with the window open and listen for this. Not a big issue this, VW issued a technical instruction about it and there is a very cheap clip that solves the issue.
I'd say don't be put off by the chain tensioner issue at all. They really are fantastic cars, I've put 40,000 miles on mine in the 2 years I've had it, mainly because I can't stop driving it because I enjoy it so much. None of that is commuting mileage
. Also I know the sat nav (RNS-510) looks cool but I wouldn't count out cars that have the touchscreen but no nav (RCD-510). You still get the same screen, just with 3 buttons down each side rather than four, and tbh the sat nav is dated now.
Let us know how you get on with your search!
