Mk5 GTI - to sell or not to sell?

[glidn]

Ok first thing is go and look in you Cars Handbook/manual.

the mk5 TDi States only replace Cambelt at 120000km's. No longer a Date assigned.
I did ask VW directly in regards to this, And Yes only replace at mileage not on years.
Which personally bugs me, But oh well, If any problems in regards to that. MR VW will have to come to the party.

As for the DSG fluid, As far as my understanding goes, its Longlife fluid, not needing to be changed. Again personally I would do the DSG fluid change.

You could easilyish pull your plugs to make sure there are or are no problems with them first. That way you can tell them to stick that Idea.
I have always replaced my Plugs 15000km's or 12 months. Which ever is first. regardless if the Platinum plugs can do 100000kms.

As for tyres, thats a given on all cars, But how do you drive that you only managed 25000kms on a set? ouch. But guessing a little spirited.

[Scourge]

Thanks for the advice. I checked my manual after reading that different years of manufacture seem to have different service requirements. According to the manual with my car the 4 year service requires the spark plugs and air filter to be replaced. The cambelt and DSG is only checked at 60k and not 4 years. So it sounds like I won't be up for as much as I thought.

I queried the appauling short tyre life with the dealer and they said that it was normal and there is no way they would recommend replacing the Continentals with the same type - they are too soft for Australian roads. I do tend to take corners quicker than most people but even though I think the Continentals are an awesome tyre 25k is just too short a service life. I'll prolly buy Yokahamas or Pirellis next.

[rvlovell]

Thanks for the advice. I checked my manual after reading that different years of manufacture seem to have different service requirements. According to the manual with my car the 4 year service requires the spark plugs and air filter to be replaced. The cambelt and DSG is only checked at 60k and not 4 years. So it sounds like I won't be up for as much as I thought.

I queried the appauling short tyre life with the dealer and they said that it was normal and there is no way they would recommend replacing the Continentals with the same type - they are too soft for Australian roads. I do tend to take corners quicker than most people but even though I think the Continentals are an awesome tyre 25k is just too short a service life. I'll prolly buy Yokahamas or Pirellis next.

Did the tyres wear evenly or just on the edges. I found my local dealer quite happily let the edges where out instead of rotating the tyres to get the most out of them.

Yokahamas and Pirellis are usually pretty soft and short life as well and cost a fortune. Michelins are pretty hard wearing and have good performance.

[guest12345]

to the op...

it depends where you sell yours... most people who look at buying cars via carsales/private dealer... usually think about it alot more than you think... people go on forums like this!!! I've recently bought a gti pirelli (1st rego in july 09), but when i was initially looking, i was looking at a 06/07 gti like your one, with low kms... but found this forum and found that getting the 4th year service, tyres etc cost a fortune, most people are selling their 06 model now to avoid those costs like you, but selling it at $33-34k, which in my opinion is over priced because of the very issues you are talking about, therefore if i were to buy one i wouldn't pay anywhere near the asking price of $33-34k. As those costs should be paid by you, as you've driven it the most, you would have to be lucky to find a buyer, who doesn't do their research before buying.

The thing with golf gti is that there are so many on sale at the moment, i'm quite sure buyers would ask around, ask if what services has been done, if tyres has changed etc.

I also think buyers who do buy the golf gti, tend to be younger generation with access to all this information on the internet.

[Golf Houso]

I think the main issue is, whether or not the car is financially beyond your means. If it is, its time to sell.

[jessv3]

I know im probably chiming in a bit late but at the moment ive been looking around at mk5 GTI's privately for myself and the first thing I do is go through the service manual. Im surprised at how many people advertise a car forsale which has a service overdue or timing belt past its due date. I think people buying GTI's are more likely to be car enthusiasts who will look into this, if you were selling a TDI or regular golf you could probably get away with it but I doubt it with a GTI.

[Scourge]

I wouldn't let the car become overdue for a service but I think its expected when you buy a car that you will be up for something - whether it be tyres or an impending service. The fact is people sell cars for a reason and they aren't going to provide you with a faultless fully serviced all expenses paid car thats like new if they know they are planning on selling it. When you buy second hand you are buying something less than perfect that has wear and tear - how much less than perfect depends on what you are willing to pay (I'm sure none of this is news to anyone of course) but if it comes down to car condition I'd never put tyres and an impending service ahead of vehicle condition - tyres can be replaced but scratches, interior wear and repairs are harder to make go away. Thats why I bought a new car in the first place - sick of buying other peoples crap and I figure the way I look after cars it should be very easy to sell when I'm finished with it.

I've decided I will stick with it for now as I can't quite afford a new car and part of my reasoning was that I could sell it before the mk6 gets onto the second hand market and trashes the prices of the mk5. However the market is so saturated with mk5's It's not going to be an easy sale anyway. I'm really interested to know what some of these cars that are going from 28-35k are like condition wise - mine is still like new but I know alot of people who have cars on a lease treat them like dirt.