Need help to buy a Mk V Golf

[eggles]

I didn't get any response when I posted this in the newbie thread, so I am hoping posting here might help.

Much as I would love to buy one of the new 118TSI Golfs, they are out of my price range. Researching the net and with approx $25K to spend, it appears as though I can afford a Mk V (but not a GTI or R32!!) probably from around 2007. However, the Mk Vs were made for a 5 year period and the number of models, badges and abbreviations is overwhelming. Can anyone explain the various models/terms that are available in the Mk V, including the following:

Comfortline
Trendline
Tiptronic
Pacific
Sportline
MY07, MY08, MY09

I understsand that any cars with a 'D' in the name (e.g. TDI) refers to diesel, and DSG refers to automatic (of sorts), and I would rather not consider these, unless there is overwhelming consensus that they are preferable.

Can anyone advise me on the year/model/badge I should be looking at?

[isaw]

Triptronic = auto
DSG = one of the best gearboxes available on the market today in cars under 50k
MYXX is the year model, sometimes there was a light refresh (eg MY08's have a full electronic dash, but they were made in 07. the MY07's have a half electronic dash)

Honestly a TDI is great in its bang for buck, otherwise a MY08 in any spec

[eggles]

Thanks for the (partial) clarification. And now I understand the MYxxx I think - but it doesn't necessarily have to correspond to the year of manufacture? i.e. you could have two cars made in the same year but have different designations?

[li21]

Eggles Im the same as you

Could you get any MKV in any spec: comfort, trend and sportline?

Besides those limited Pacific editions, was it only the Sportline that got the color coded handles and strips?

From what I have read:
TDI 2.0 seems nice, but slow acceleration, but huge torque(very punchy). Most of them seem to have black handles/strips?

2.0 FSI most of them seem to have color coded handles/strips.. looks nicer imho. Faster, less torque but quicker to 100 by alot over the 2.0 TDI.

Tough choices...
Was thinking going all out and leasing a GTI or new 118TSI..

Testing all the cars is hard. Dealers seem to always be reluctant to let you test drive or will take forever to get you in a test drive.

Remembering how they felt is harder

[li21]

Thanks for the (partial) clarification. And now I understand the MYxxx I think - but it doesn't necessarily have to correspond to the year of manufacture? i.e. you could have two cars made in the same year but have different designations?

That seems to be with any car , any make.
Not sure why.. maybe to separate the little changes.
eg. My bro has a MY04 Liberty even though its built in 06. (04 was when it was released)
But those Liberties designated MY06 have minor facelift .. but also built in 06. Then there are MY08 cars built at the end of 2007.. etc etc..

[gregozedobe]

Welcome aboard Eggles,

I hope you find a car you are happy with.

Comfortline, Trendline, Pacific and Sportline relate to trim/equipment levels. You would probably need to peruse the VW brochures to know which one has what. There were also Golf GTs (125 Kw 2.0 TDI or 125Kw 1.4 Twincharged petrol)

Tiptronic is a conventional auto (with torque converter), DSG is a computer controlled manual gerbox (with two clutches).

TDI engines are quite different to drive than petrol engines, some people love them, others prefer petrol engines (I have one of each, and I like them both). TDIs usually have more low rev torque but don't rev as highly as petrol engines. TDIs usually give much better fuel economy, even if you drive with some vigour. Golfs came with three different TDI engines - 1.9 (77Kw), 2.0 (103 or 125Kw).

FSI are non-turbo petrol engines, TFSI and TSI are turbo or turbo+supercharger petrol engines.

If I was looking at a secondhand Golf I would want to be certain that the regular oil changes have been carried out at the correct intervals (and with the right spec oil). If I could afford it I'd also try to buy one that was less than 3 years old.

If a VW is less than 3 years old (from the date of first registration) then it will be covered by VW's new car warranty, and you then have the option of buying extended VW warranty for a further 3 years (depending on distance covered). Most people consider buying the official VW extended warranty is well worth the outlay (approx $1,400 + depending on model).

The VW Golf MY seems to run from July to June, but running changes can be introduced anytime. Build date is the important thing most professional valuers go by (not MY or compliance date).

It is probably worth your while looking at servicing costs at the various distances for the different engines, because some of the "major" services cost quite a bit - this can affect the value of a secondhand Golf if it is due to have one of the expensive services (compared with a similar car that has just had it done).

Seeing as the new Mk 6 Golf is now out you might find some good Mk Vs on the market as a result.

Good Luck !

[Sage]

2.0 TDi with a bluefin (or alternative ecu remap) is way faster than a FSI and TSI and will only drink 6L per 100km

[eggles]

>>Comfortline, Trendline, Pacific and Sportline relate to trim/equipment levels. You would probably need to peruse the VW brochures to know which one has what.<<

Getting hold of a brochure for an older model is almost impossible. Can't even find the info online. One of the reasons all the descriptions applied to secondhand Golfs is indecipherable.

But now I understand the FSI, TFSI and TSI designations, although I don't recall ever seeing one advertised with TFSI. Is the TSI only applicable to the Mk 6s?

I wonder why when people advertise the car is 'Tiptronic' they don't just say 'automatic'?

I've never driven a diesel, which I guess is why I am not considering one. Perhaps I should rethink that? Although they do seem to be more expensive.

>>It is probably worth your while looking at servicing costs at the various distances for the different engines, because some of the "major" services cost quite a bit<<

Where would I find this sort of information? I seem to have spent ages looking online for info on older Golfs, and haven't come up with much. It's very frustrating.

Final question for the moment - are there any VW dealers people would recommend over others in Melbourne? I am on the eastern side but am prepared to travel if necessary.

[isaw]

yeah a chipped TDI is honestly a wonderful machine!

[eggles]

>>2.0 TDi with a bluefin (or alternative ecu remap)<<

Translation??

[isaw]

Bluefin = ecu chip. basically ups the amount of boost from the turbo, and in turn increases performance. eg a 'chipped' TDI would be about as fast as a stock GTI.

for service costs, http://carservice.com.au/car-service...1&modelid=3306
this is for a GTI with a DSG, but select the model your looking at and you should get a idea on service costs. if you use a independent m,echanic (eg non dealer) you can wipe about 40% of the price off.

As said, try to get a MY08 model as it'll still have factory warranty, and you can extend it for another 3 years. well worth it!

The TFSI motor is Turbo FSI (only used in the GTI) the TSI motor is used in the new MK6 golfs, its a N/A motor.

redbook should be able to tell you the differences between the models.


IMO, MY08 TDI/GT with a TDI motor would be my pick if you can handle a diesel

[CatonaPC©]

From what I have read:
TDI 2.0 seems nice, but slow acceleration . . .

My 103kw 320nm Pacific would give some V8s a run for their money. Believe me, it's hardly slow!

[isaw]

ummmmm no. just no.

sure I'm a fanboi as well, but 103kw = what, 8.5-9 sec 0-100? chipped? maybe 8 flat??

even v6 comos do that in 7.5... most v8's on the street I can play with but its pretty rare to see them do anything over a 14 on the strip, and I can *just* manage a 14.1.... your tdi might be quick to 50km/h but its wont give them a run for their money.

Look, the TDI isn't slow... its greatest strength is torque, which its got in spades. go do a hill climb or a up-mountain run in one and U'll see where the fun is.

[85turbo]

i love my TDI, and id be the first to admit it's no rocket.
but the torque is fantastic. it's the first diesel i have ever owned, and i honestly cant see myself going back to petrol again.

mine is a 2005 1.9 TDI with DSG.
on a full tank (55L) i can get 990 km. an honest Sydney to Brisbane on one fill.
i challenge any GTI or R32 to get that sort of economy.

BUT, it's all horses for courses.
it really depends upon what you want the car for.

up hills in the twisties is awesome fun.
mine is a 2005 Comfortline, that i bought second hand with 115k km on it, with a full VW service history too.

got it for the sum of $17K and im very happy.

Jason.

[STV4SYT]

Go drive a few.

Everyone has an opinion but at the end of the day you will have to drive it every day.

$25k will get you a lot of car.


Just having a look thru carsales, the options i would be following up in that price range would be a MY07 1.4TSI GT or an MY08 TDI Pacific, which was a run out model that added a few extra bits above the comfortline spec.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8040552&__sid=1212FE12FFEA&__Qpb=true&Cr=4&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294962746%204294962677%20903%204294867499%20%20396%20414&SearchAction=N&PriceFrom=396&PriceTo=414&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=13&silo=1011

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8055143&__sid=1212FE12FFEA&__Qpb=true&Cr=1&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294962746%204294962677%20903%20396%20444%204294856089&SearchAction=N&PriceFrom=396&PriceTo=444&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=23&silo=1011

There was also a higher (55k) KM GT TDI on there last week that sold for under $28k