Buying a Golf GT. What to look for?

[muggo05]

Hi All,

hopefully off to purchase a 07 Golf GT DSG tomorrow if the figures work out with my trade in.

The car i"m looking at has 50000kms, Full leather and DSG. it is at a Dealer also.

Just wondering what i should be looking out for? had a different one for a 24hr test drive over the weekend and loved it.

So when i go to look at this car tomorrow, i would like some ammunition over the salesman for things to look at.

All comments welcome.

thanks,

Josh

[b00thiness]

Perhaps just a few cosmetic things that you could get them to change which is easy for them but does make the car look significantly better.
For instance, and its the same problem with most vee dubs of that era, is the power window / power mirror / stereo buttons tend to get worn very easily, and make the car look tired and old. They will be able to replace them for you, just get them thrown in with the deal!

I'm not to engine savvy so I don't know in which direction to point you in, but I used to work in VW passenger sales, so thats something you can look for.

[warhead]

I'd look at tire wear. See how deep the treads are and if they're using the original Continental Sport Contact 2 tires.
A few TSI owners have complained about flat spots in the power delivery where the turbo doesn't kick in after the engine has had a chance to warm up.
I think the only way to test this is to push the car enough that the turbo starts spooling and hold the accelerator steady ( don't let off even a tiny bit ) and see if boost continues pass the halfway mark on the guage when you go over 3500RPM. You can do this in 1st or 2nd gear to make sure you're under the speed limit.

Also check the wipers and see if they need replacing. And maybe even the pollon filter.

[b00thiness]

. And maybe even the pollon filter.

Pollen filter should be replaced every 30,000km's i think, so if you're car's done 50,000km's, it'd probably be due at 60,000kms.

Also, bear in mind, the 60,000km service is quite an expensive one.

[muggo05]

Hey guys,

thanks for the comments. Yeah i was reading on here about the 60,000km service. How much am i looking at for it? about $800-900?

the car looks in great nick, tyres i think are P-Zero's from the pics?? all round they look like new tyres.

so keep it flat and look and feel for a drop in boost around 3500rpm??

EDIT: yep tyres are P-Zeros and all round look brand new.

[stickshift3000]

I recently paid just shy of a grand for a 60k service, but prices will vary.

[warhead]

so keep it flat and look and feel for a drop in boost around 3500rpm??

Rather ironic that I posted about this potential problem with a VW turbo engine and I end up finding the same problem in my car.
Look at my posts in this thread to give you some ideas on what to look out and feel for. Take note that it's quite intermittent so I would be looking out for this issue the first few days of ownership so you can take it back to the dealer ASAP and get it fixed.

[TomC]

Noticing that the car is an '07, you might want to check on the replacement shedule for the timing belt. I know in the GTI it's replaced at 4yrs or 120k (whatever is first).

I just had my 60k service + DSG service + timing belt (& water pump) done. Total cost was $1700.

[b00thiness]

I just had my 60k service + DSG service + timing belt (& water pump) done. Total cost was $1700.

oooooo ouch

[poyta]

Is is a diesel GT? If so you may want to be aware of the Piezo Injector failures that seem to be common amongst the GT's. Enquire if they have been changed over recently or if there's any warranty left on the car to cover them in the event they fail because apparently its a very expensive job to fix when they go.

[warhead]

Noticing that the car is an '07, you might want to check on the replacement shedule for the timing belt. I know in the GTI it's replaced at 4yrs or 120k (whatever is first).

GT TSI's use timing chains

[TomC]

lucky son of a gun!!!

[MariusGT]

GT TSI's use timing chains

i read that somewhere. nice one!

may seem a dumb question but surely the chain would not need replacing?

[muggo05]

hey guys,

went to have a look at the one i was talking about and it was dodgy.

Had a dent in the front passenger wheel arch and a deep scratch on the passenger door.

When taking off, car stuttered and took a second or 2 to get going. once rolling and accelerating hard, it had a faint miss to it. was showing full boost but just not going anywhere.

So i walked away and the search continues. Few more i can look at but at the moment, the one i had for a 24hr test drive looks the goods. is an 08 with 81000kms, but should still have new car warranty which i can extend.

will keep you posted. thanks again for all the comments.

[poyta]

i read that somewhere. nice one!

may seem a dumb question but surely the chain would not need replacing?

They get loose after some time from stretching and start to make a racket - They need the tensioners replaced so either way, chain or belt you can't avoid the costs associated with either.