Golf gti mk7 or 7.5 used- high mileage question

[Npr]

Hi
Looking at getting a 2- 3 year approvrd used old mk7 or hopefully 7.5  gti manual. A few questions please
I) mileage- will ensure fsh and serviced regularly.  Looking at a couple around 40k miles but am I better to spend £500 more and get one with only 15-20k miles. Want to keep for a long time. What commonly goes wrong sooner? Clutch? Gearbox? Cam belt? What effect would it have on extended warranties. I think over 60k bmw warranties leap in price
2) test drove 245bhp & my wife thought it was noisy (rumble of exhaust- I kept in comfort whilst she was in the car) v our f30. Will test but is a 230 quieter?
3) etto but I'm not bothered about a sunroof  Car has a/c and also without less to go wrong. Seen a couple of cars with s/r. Read some negative posts re rattle and odd leak. What is general consensus though, are they ok 95% of time or am I best to stay clear , particularly as I'm not bothered about one.

Thank you

[Guzzle]

1) As long as they're priced correctly I would say buy on condition rather than age and mileage. But if £500 gets you a car in the same condition, service history etc i'd pay it if the mileage is much lower. Don't just check bodywork, interior etc, but also things like how much life the tyres have in them. GTi is chain driven rather than cambelt. GTi manual clutches aren't great, so test drive and look out for signs of slippage, high bite etc.

2) On mk7.5 you can alter the cabin noise via the Soundaktor  to eco and it will be quieter inside. On Mk7 the only way to turn the engine noise down is either by putting car into eco mode or with vagcom / obd11.

3) Sunroof is down to personal taste. I don't care for them so wouldn't pay extra to have one. It's just something else that can go wrong in my opinion.

[Popinman]

I’d be interested in how you get on with your challenge as I’ll be in exactly the same position in a couple of months. Currently been PCP’ing BMW’s over recent years but now want a GTi that’s “mine”....

I’ll be looking  at a budget around £16-£18k max, but want DCT due to mileage on slow congested motorways...

I guess it’s just a case of spending as much as you’re happy to and getting the best deal, car and spec you can haggle.

Let us know how you get on buddy.

[RM]

When considering mileage, ask how those miles were covered. I’d rather a car that had done 40k motorway miles than a 10k mile city car. The stress of city driving is a lot greater on suspension, brakes, clutch, joints, etc.

[Thedude74]

7.5 for me as it has much better up to date tech

The virtual dash options keep the car interesting but I suppose if you prefer old school then that will not matter but for me Apple car play and virtual dash compatibility are great

Also 7.5 exterior design tweaks look sharper

I came from a beemer m135i and although that was a rocket ship it was less fun to drive and more tiresome.

The 7.5 is such a great day to day car ticks so many boxes - I’m really enjoying being back in a GTI 

[Popinman]

7.5 for me as it has much better up to date tech

The virtual dash options keep the car interesting but I suppose if you prefer old school then that will not matter but for me Apple car play and virtual dash compatibility are great

Also 7.5 exterior design tweaks look sharper

I came from a beemer m135i and although that was a rocket ship it was less fun to drive and more tiresome.

The 7.5 is such a great day to day car ticks so many boxes - I’m really enjoying being back in a GTI 

Yeah, am with you there. I’ve had a M135i and a 340i. Both with stonkin’ straight 6 engines, but really looking forward to getting back in a GTi 

[Jim_mk7.5]

Hi
Looking at getting a 2- 3 year approvrd used old mk7 or hopefully 7.5  gti manual. A few questions please
I) mileage- will ensure fsh and serviced regularly.  Looking at a couple around 40k miles but am I better to spend £500 more and get one with only 15-20k miles. Want to keep for a long time. What commonly goes wrong sooner? Clutch? Gearbox? Cam belt? What effect would it have on extended warranties. I think over 60k bmw warranties leap in price
2) test drove 245bhp & my wife thought it was noisy (rumble of exhaust- I kept in comfort whilst she was in the car) v our f30. Will test but is a 230 quieter?
3) etto but I'm not bothered about a sunroof  Car has a/c and also without less to go wrong. Seen a couple of cars with s/r. Read some negative posts re rattle and odd leak. What is general consensus though, are they ok 95% of time or am I best to stay clear , particularly as I'm not bothered about one.

Thank you

Can only really help with question 2 as I’ve had both 7.5 engines. The 245 is quite a lot louder, a much better sound in my opinion with a deeper noise. The 230 non Performance model is more raspy, with the DSG farts but overall would say is noticeably quieter.

I did a comparison video but only at a standstill. You can hear the difference though. This was before I did the res delete on the 245.

https://youtu.be/IJCRKZV-7Ho

Good luck in your search, they are both great cars as is the Mk7 as well.

[Ryan90GTI]

The coolant pump is quite a common thing to go on them. Think mine went at roughly 35k.

Mine may be coming up for sale in 6 months or so but not sure yet. Been toying with the idea of going electric/hybrid to help bring commuter costs down as I'm spending the best part of £300 a month in fuel.

[Jim_mk7.5]

Mine may be coming up for sale in 6 months or so but not sure yet. Been toying with the idea of going electric/hybrid to help bring commuter costs down as I'm spending the best part of £300 a month in fuel.

Same here, contemplating a 330e as a company car as the tax is very attractive and can get to and back from work on electric 

[Ryan90GTI]

Mine may be coming up for sale in 6 months or so but not sure yet. Been toying with the idea of going electric/hybrid to help bring commuter costs down as I'm spending the best part of £300 a month in fuel.

Same here, contemplating a 330e as a company car as the tax is very attractive and can get to and back from work on electric 

I don't know what I'd go for tbh. I really liked the look of the concept 'Honda e' but the production model isn't quite as nice. Think I'll have a test drive in one though and see how I get on with it. The only thing that lets them down is the poor range.

I'd love a Tesla Model 3 performance but I don't want to spend that sort of money on a car - I'm already paranoid on where I go/park in the Golf.