Advice needed for MkV or MkVI GTI for daily/track

[DamoGolf]

Hi all,

Ignoring price differences and just going on the merits of the car, would a MkV or MkVI with DSG be better for a daily which sees some track time?

I'm currently driving a MkVII wagon with DSG which I like and with Sydney start-stop traffic a manual would be too annoying. I'm new to the VW brand so looking for some guidance on the MkV vs MkVI GTI as newer doesn't necessarily mean better.

I've modified RWD cars on and off for the last 15 years but never FWD and won't be going crazy with mods (family changes all that!)

Thanks in advance for your insights.

[AdamD]

The Mk6 is essentially a heavily-revised Mk5. The Mk6 GTI however gets the newer chain-driven EA888 engine (that's still used in generation-3 guise in the Mk7 GTI and R, albeit back to belt-driven now), whereas the Mk5 GTI uses the older belt-driven EA113 (that was also used in the Mk6 Golf R and Scirocco R).

The Mk6 EA888 can suffer timing chain tensioner issues and a wastegate rattle (a wastegate clip is available), but is otherwise a solid engine. The Mk5 EA113 is also excellent; no major issues. As long as you keep up the maintenance on the Mk6 and keep an eye on the chain, it's the better engine with more tuning potential.

In pretty much every other respect the Mk6 is an improvement over the Mk5, and that includes the DSG (they share the same box, a DQ250 6-speed). VW have been updating the software that runs the DSG routinely for years, and the later-build Mk6 DSGs are pretty much rock-solid. Mk5s built prior to mid-2008 weren't so great, so if you were looking for a very reliable car, try to find a very late Mk5 GTI (mid-late 2008 build).

[DamoGolf]

Thanks - this is exactly what I was looking for. Great info.