Mk5 GTI - to sell or not to sell?

[Scourge]

Hi all,

I'm obviously new to the forum and have had a good look around - great stuff. I've been looking for info like this for quite a while and not really found it on the vortex forums.

Anyway I have a MkV Golf GTI 5 door DSG that I bought new in September 2006. The car has only done 21k and is still like new. All the servicing has been done by the dealer and log book filled out etc etc. Anyway my next service is September will be the 4 year one and to my understanding despite my low kms VW will still insist on replacing the spark plugs, cam belt and servicing the DSG if I'm to have my logbook stamped and any hope of resale. As far as I'm aware they will not allow any of this to be postponed despite most of it not really being necessary - at least IMO.

I am also up for a set of tyres so add $1200 for tyres and $1400+ approx for servicing and it sounds like I'll be up for at least $2600 (not to mention reg of course). The thing is if I sold the car in my experience it would be highly unlikely most people would take any of this into account as its really the condition of the car that people look at when buying a 2nd hand car. I know some people would disagree but I've never sold a car and had people look up when the service is due and when the tyres need changing. At present you can get a reasonable price for a mk5 as the mk6 is far from being available 2nd had. So I might get say around 33-34k for a GTI in top condition with less than 25k on the clock plus save myself from having to pay for the other stuff.

I wasn't actually planning on selling the car just yet but my long term plan is to eventually replace it with a mk6 and it seems a bit silly to spend all this money, wait for the ass to drop out of the market in a year or two and then sell the car anyway. In some ways I think financially it makes more sense to sell it now.

I don't have alot of funds available so I'd probably buy a GTI 3 door manual as I'm sick of the DSG or alternatively a 103TDI with sports pack.
What do people think? Am I nuts? Is this false economy? So far my car has been completely trouble free so reliability is not really my fear.

Another question that people may or may not know is I'm thinking about the diesel to save money and also curtail my speeding habits. My drive to work however is only 7km (no I'm not going to ride) and after driving the courtesy cars I found the diesel needs quite a bit of driving to warm up before which it's gutless. Any comments on this? Is this a good reason to avoid the diesel or do other people not experience this.

Anyway thanks if you actually made it through this bilbical post and I'd be thankfull for any input.

Cheers!

[MariusGT]

Tyres: there has been alot of talk about buying online from the US and saving a packet.

Service: as you said people don't scrutinise the book too closely- if you started getting stamps from a VW specialist mechanic rather than a VW dealer.... Most people won't be fussed. I am no expert but as you say all that work at 4 years regardless of the fact you've only done 25kms seems $$$ grabbing to me.

$$$: if you're short on funds- buy some good cheap tyres from the US, service away from dealer and keep your well looked after baby.

Wait for some more cash- and maybe even the mkVII to arrive?!!

[STV4SYT]

Only reason to service with the sealer is if you have extended warranty.

[Dyldo]

i am so far away from being an expert it just ain't funny, but with regards your comment on servicing if eel i need to mention something. First, i hate stealers so this is by no means a plug for the stealer; in fact if you want GREAT servicing go to a reputable non-dealer pro-VW guy. you'll save money and get a better service by far by a guy who cares about his business reputation rather than a 19yr old who might forget your sump plug.

Anyway, the service schedule is there for distance and time elapsed. i nearly always get my TDI serviced well before the due date because of the distances i travel, but i also had a WRX where i'd barely cover the distance travelled but would get mky services done bang on time. Why? today's engines are increasingly taking advantage of composites and plastics and degradeables and as such need renewing and servicing. Especially rubber-based products like plugs, belts and oils. I'd be getting a few quotes for servicing, and doing the servicing nonetheless.

[Nardi330]

there isn't much point getting a diesel if u're not doing the distance.

maybe go and get some quotes on a Mk6 and work out the change over value and do the sum.

[philthy]

Have you considered a 118TSI? One of these will save you a reasonable amount of fuel over a GTI and can be had new for low 30's. If you can get the amount you're talking about for a private sale of your GTI the changeover would be minimal.

Won't be quite as quick as the GTI but still not a slug. And maybe even a bit more comfy if most of your k's are commuting.

[KWICKS]

If money is tight then you need to factor in depreciation as your biggest expense. You've already taken that hit with the GTI, transferring now will incur more depreciation. It will cost you $5k to leave the lot in a new car. New cars are for people who willing accept this expense.

Keep the GTI, it's a better drive than the alternative you are considering and will save you money. You'll have the one off expense now and be well ahead for the next 4 years.

The only reason to sell the GTI is if finances are so tight repayments are an issue, in which case you sell it, repay your loan and re-finance something considerably cheaper, like a $5k runabout.

My 2c. YMMV.

[Scourge]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm not going to consider the TDI anymore as those comments pretty much confirm what I suspected - I mainly wanted it for the torque but there is no point if its going to be running cold half the time I drive it.

I think I've decided to just keep the car for another 2.5 years and spend the money on the servicing. I don't owe any money on it - I am mainly concerned about how much it will eventually cost to upgrade if prices on the mk5 drop significantly. But I guess if I calculate the loss as a yearly figure it would still be better to hang on to it. At the moment if I sell it the depreciation is about 4.5k per year and if I keep it for 2 more years the figure will be more like about 3.5k based on a resale of about 27-28k (guess).

I've honestly never heard of a car that needs the cam belt replaced every 4 years/60k - it seems ludicrous. A Toyota for example would have it replaced at 100k. I hear they have replaced it with a chain? A good idea if they want their customers to ever consider another VW after such an expensive service schedule.

[philthy]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm not going to consider the TDI anymore as those comments pretty much confirm what I suspected - I mainly wanted it for the torque but there is no point if its going to be running cold half the time I drive it.

I'm guessing your car is stock? Maybe you could have a look at a remap. Most will give you a lot more mid range torque with very little fuel economy penalty if you drive reasonably.

for example - APR stage 1 remap dyno:

[Splashalot]

I've honestly never heard of a car that needs the cam belt replaced every 4 years/60k - it seems ludicrous. .

Our Alfa 147 needed 3-yearly cambelt (and variator) replacement, irrespective of mileage. I understand the Astra is similar? So it's not uncommon on european cars.

My VW dealer told me they remove the cover and inspect the cambelt every 4 years, but usually the belts are deemed OK at that point. I'm not sure of the cost of inspection, but expect it would be a lot less than actual replacement of the belt. Probably worth talking to your service manager or independent mechanic on this one before making any decisions, as the long term costs may not be as high as feared.

[Scourge]

ahh - that would make more sense. I thought I read somewhere that there was an inspection but then people were saying it was a replacement. Sounds like there is a good chance I may get out of it cheaper than I thought - I'll ask them. Thanks for the advice.

[KWICKS]

Isn't it time based becasue rubber products deteriote/weaken over time, not use (use keeps them pliable - the opposite). Be interesting to see if it becomes an "inspection" as splashalot suggests.

[Splashalot]

Isn't it time based becasue rubber products deteriote/weaken over time, not use (use keeps them pliable - the opposite). .

True big K, but the rate of deterioration also depends on the type of driving you do, climate and other driving conditions. For example lots of short trips = increased heat cycles = earlier cambelt wear.

[gregozedobe]

You might want to investigate time vs distance for some of the items mentioned. I have a vague idea that the cam belt is a time or distance (whichever is sooner) based item, but spark plugs and DSG servicing should be straight distance based. What does your owner's manual say ?

That said, if most of the driving your car gets is only short runs in traffic then that is considered to be "severe driving conditions", so it may be worth getting some items done a bit sooner than they would be required on a car that mostly does longer journeys on free flowing freeways/highways.

[poizon]

Sell! I want to buy