about to buy - please advise...

[Bobman]

Hi all, having sold my 306 GTi-6 yesterday, I'm about to buy a 5 door, DSG MkV - all in time for the baby that started the whole process arriving in 8 weeks! So I've defected from 306gti6.com to here... hello!

I'm pretty set on a 54-plate, 5 door, DSG, paddle shift with about 30k on the clock from a VW dealer. Before I see it this week, I would be really grateful if anyone's got any advice around the following -

- anything to look out for on the older MkVs? Changes in spec etc? Classic mechanical issues?
- advice on buying from the dealer? VW-specific haggling tips?
- major maintenance issues around 30k miles i.e. that might affect the price I should pay? anything to check it's had done? anything that will need doing soon?

- any other general 'wish-I'd-known-that-when-I-bought-it' type stuff?

Thanks a lot for your help.

cheers, Rob, the wife and bump.

[2007GTI]

Hi Rob and welcome to the forum.

Firstly good choice with DSG, you wont regret it.

Make sure it has had the recent ECU update, not sure if it affects your model year, but worth asking.

One common fault with Golfs in general is noisy power steering at slow speeds.  If I was you I'd drive round in tight circles slowly and see if you can hear anything.

Make sure the tyres have a decent amount of trend and all four match.

One of my regrets is not getting factory fitted Bi-xenon headlamps, as these can't be legally retro fitted (no matter what some people will tell you).  This may not bother you, but a nice thing to have.

Are the alloys in good nick?  If they are 18" and scuffed, very expensive to get repaired, if 17", easier and cheaper. This is because the 18" wheel has two tone paint, and have to be sent away to be repaired, and so cant for instance be repaired by one of the mobile repair guys, such as Chipsaway.

Has it been serviced recently and what kind of servicing is it on, time and distance or long life?
I say this as my car left the dealer won long life, i.e. 2 years and I have since found out VW changed their minds with regards to how often a high performance car should be serviced and now suggest they are on time and distance, i.e. 1 year.

Can't think of anything else, but I'm sure everyone else will chip in. 

[Phil mcavity]

WELCOME ABOARD!!, ok things to look for, ok if your buying from a dealer on a 54 reg with 30k  should be valued at a starting price of £15995, the more extras the car has will bump up the price, ie DSG (awsome), bi xenon lights, highline dashboard computer as may not be able to update later.(midline computer only has half the digi gizmo's),.If the car has the above extra's and all alloys are in good condition,(especially if it has Monza II 18' wheels, prepared to purchase around the £17-18k mark
Things to look or listen for, knock from steering rack at parking or reversing speed,( vw warranty issue and Known fault.).Corroded alloys, ie white worms on front face and rust on wheel hubs behind them (you will see).Spec wise, the early models are really the same as current 2007 models so you wont dip out in that department.What colour is it??, and if you list the spec, we should be able to judge abit better.

MORE EXTRAS INSTALLED ON THE BETTER THE CAR!!  look at vw's extras list. you wont be disapointed, great car to own, had mine a year and still love to nip out in it for any reason!.

[Bobman]

Fantastic, thanks guys. Will take a nice list with me to question the dealer with!

Re the PAS noise – I’m not very mechanical, would the noise be obvious? How does it sound? I presume this noise is different to the ‘knock from the steering rack’ – similarly, any more of a steer (excuse the pun) on what to listen out for? (sorry, I’m not very technical)

From what I’ve found out so far, spec is:

- DSG and 5 door
- Tornado red
- MFSW (pleased about this, as handling the radio from the wheel is something I really like. Also, REALLY crucially, I am praying for paddles too. I went to drive a DSG and it turned out NOT to have paddles – assumed all DSGs had them – and it’s just pointless!)
- Headlamp wash (presume this means winter pack?)
- Heated door mirrors (is that winter pack, or connected to being ‘electrically folding’? – hope the latter as I live on a narrow street!)
- heated leather seats
- 17” (my preference – for ride and aesthetically)
- ‘Driver information system’ and ‘Trip computer’ – is this the mid/high-line?
- Xenons
- 6x CD and armrest
- DVD sat-nav (looks basic i.e. 2D plan view, compared with other ones I’ve seen – but never used one, so can’t really comment as to whether it’s any cop?)
- Cruise control
- ‘inclination sensor alarm’ – no idea what this is..?

So a pretty great spec – only other ‘nice-to-have’ would be the rear parking sensor. Also, I’ll probably get an MP3 input (not iPod), which I presume is best done NOT in the main dealer?

It’s on for 17k, but I’d dearly like to bring this down – baby on the way, hence needing 5 doors.

Btw the spec mentions an Immobiliser. For the purposes of getting insurance, I presume we have a standard factory immobiliser and alarm?

Thanks again peeps.

[TagnuT]

Paddles were an option at first if I remember correctly.

Cat1 alarm and imob as standard (check the the thatcham site).

It will have the highline comp with the sat-nav.

ok.

[Hurdy]

Hi Rob and welcome to the forum.

Nicely specced motor that

Couple more things to think about:-

At 40k miles a DSG gearbox should have its oil and filter changed - circa £200
If you are buying a car near or past this mileage either ask for it to be done before buying or check that it has been done.

Ask for the latest DVD maps thrown in for the satnav as there is nothing worse than having an out of date nav system sending you the wrong way on a one way street :embarassed:

Headlamp wash is standard with Xenon headlights

Heated door mirrors are standard on GTI

Inclination sensor is linked to the main alarm system of the car and detects if someone is trying to nick your car by loading it onto a lowloader by dragging it up a ramp.

Oh, and one more thing......enjoy!!!!!

[Phil mcavity]

yes just adding what hurdy said about sat nav cd rom, a 2007 disc costs £130!!, do try and get stealer to replace the 2004 version disc which should be in the sat nav unit. You have a similar spec to mine, that is well kitted out!!. rear parking sensors are a cheap job and can be done easily after purchase.Also check the car has had a break fluid change in its life, if not refuse car unless there is written proof in service log.(should be part of 2 year service check).Do check air con system is working well, whether it smells when in econ mode, or lack of use will cause seals to leak and loss of argon.Is it full leather or tartan interior?, have close look at seat bolsters aswell, especially drivers seat.
HTH

[Cass]

Agree with everything else here.

For my part, make sure the car has had annual services on the 'time and distance' regime as opposed to the 'longlife' option. I would not go for any car, let alone a sports hatch, that has only been serviced at 2 years or 20k miles, which is possible on the longlife.

The alloys are a key area, as the Monza's have some history of corrosion, especially around the rims - look for the white worms and insist any kerbed or damaged wheels are either replaced or refurbished prior to purchase.

The Xenons are usually relaible but check the self-leveling operation and the auto headlight sensor function. Both can be problematic. Buying from a VW dealer means you will get the balance of the 3 year warranty and at least 12 months cover. This can be extended for peace of mind - try negotiating with the dealer to throw in an extra 12 months.

Cass

[Fordy]

Hi Guys,

I will probably be getting one this week too. Thanks for the advice, I wear bear it in-mind.

Question about the servicing.. I understand if it is a longlife service, the service intervals are variable. What is they based on?

[Cass]

Basically your driving style and typical use of the vehicle - the cars computer monitors this and adjusts the longlife servicing interval accordingly.

Longlife is recommended for predominately motorway cruising at steady speeds with limited engine loads. Time and distance is for more urban stop/start and high revving driving styles - it is a GTI after all

Longlife has basically been developed to cut down servicing and running costs for the 'company driver'. Not for me thanks.

Cass

Edit - See TT's comprehensive servicing write up here:

 http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=65779.0