MK5 GOLF GTI- What are the known problems???

[R32 Girl]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking at buying a MK5 Golf GTI. I am looking at one from 2005-2008 preferably manual. Most of the cars i am looking at have done 90,000km+.
I want to know if there are any known problems with the car once it's a few years old. I want a car that i can get in and drive without having to many issues. Don't want to be replacing the turbo etc.

If someone could direct me to a thread regarding this it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks heaps,

R32 Girl

[brimway]

There is no guarantee that a low K car is superior to the same spec car with high Ks.


However high Ks translate to lower resale value. As a rule of thumb, 20,000ks per year seems to be acceptable, but if you intend doing low Ks per year, then a higher K car would probably suit and cost you less to buy. But if you intend doing high Ks, then look for one with low Ks.



I can only talk with some authority on my own experiences about probs with MK Vs. When the car was approaching 27,000Ks, I noticed the DSG was jerky in reverse, it was har to reverse slowly without it appearing to “bunny hop”.

I put up with it for a while but ultimately had the mechatronics replaced under warranty. I have now done 53000Ks and it has been absolutely perfect and a pleasure to use since the fix.

Others on this forum may offer advice about other potential problems, but for me that is it and I would therefore highly recommend a MKV GTI to anyone who is in the market for one.

Good luck finding the right one for you and then start the mods.

[TomC]

I've had no major problems with mine in it's 59k km life. The most major thing was having an air con pump replaced under warranty @ 45k km.

One thing I would say is to pay attention to the interior fit and finish when you test drive a car. The MK5 has beautiful soft touch materials but was/is prone to a fair few rattles (which they improved considerably in the MK6). Mine has intermittant rattles in both front doors and the dash. Not a problem for some people but it drives me crazy

[GoLfMan]

the intake clogs up with oil vapour tar and will need to be cleaned out at some point, just something to look out for. Also ask about timing belt changes, regular oil changes etc.

[jessv3]

Mine is at 125k and has been problem free, its only ever in the shop to get its routine maintenance. Which can be expensive, but no surprises as the timing belt, water pump and plugs are all a big service items.

[nutttr]

Buying a turbo car and 'not wanting to replace the turbo' is probably wishful thinking... I mean, some last AGES and others go early, how it's been treated all it's life can make a difference to this, but it's not the be-all end-all. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a turbo car, but i'd be prepared to replace a turbo, especially if it's high KM... That said, on a VW it's a very expensive prospect using genuine parts.

Another thing to steer clear of is DSG's as they have higher servicing costs and can have problems.

With a manual the flywheel tends to start rattling before the clutch wears out, but a call to ASV Spares in Brookvale (Sydney) can get you one under half of what VW wants!

Other than that, good maintenance and regular servicing (including timing belt/water pump, etc) will mean it'll last a long time!

[brimway]

Buying a turbo car and 'not wanting to replace the turbo' is probably wishful thinking... I mean, some last AGES and others go early, how it's been treated all it's life can make a difference to this, but it's not the be-all end-all. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a turbo car, but i'd be prepared to replace a turbo, especially if it's high KM... That said, on a VW it's a very expensive prospect using genuine parts.

Another thing to steer clear of is DSG's as they have higher servicing costs and can have problems.

With a manual the flywheel tends to start rattling before the clutch wears out, but a call to ASV Spares in Brookvale (Sydney) can get you one under half of what VW wants!

Other than that, good maintenance and regular servicing (including timing belt/water pump, etc) will mean it'll last a long time!

According to VW Media Services Germany, the Volkswagen Group delivered more than 6million vehicles in the first 9 months of 2011


A fair percentage of these would be either Audi, VW or Skoda fitted with DSG gearboxes. So your advice to “steer clear” is unwarranted without some qualification.

Having read your post, I reckon a newcomer would be terrified to buy a VW

[Umai Naa!!]

VWs have had gearbox problems since day dot, irregardless of auto, manual, or DSG.

It is a known fact that DSGs are a hit and miss affair. People, particularly in the USA, are drawn to 'automatic' gearboxes, and salesmen know how to sell them, too.

Oh yeah, look out for injectors, coil packs, DSGs, flywheels, high oil consumption, modifications, crash damage, and wheel bearings.

[nutttr]

According to VW Media Services Germany, the Volkswagen Group delivered more than 6million vehicles in the first 9 months of 2011


A fair percentage of these would be either Audi, VW or Skoda fitted with DSG gearboxes. So your advice to “steer clear” is unwarranted without some qualification.

Having read your post, I reckon a newcomer would be terrified to buy a VW

You have a good point - We mostly hear complaints in the forums, rather than positive stories about how good their gearboxes are, we hear the problems. I'd *personally* steer clear of a DSG because of the crazy costs associated in fixing them. They ARE nice to drive, but IF you do have problems, they are expensive.

You should expect to replace a clutch in most cars, especially high KM, but "most" cars do not need a flywheel at the same time (especially if you take it to a VW dealer as the cost is VERY high...) .

What I can recommend is to buy one which is still under factory warranty, then you can extend it... IMHO a worthwhile thing to do.

[whiteVR6]

the intake clogs up with oil vapour tar and will need to be cleaned out at some point, just something to look out for. Also ask about timing belt changes, regular oil changes etc.

This is the biggest issue with all FSI engines at the moment. There is no preventative maintenance that can fix this so regular manifold removal and cleaning is the only way to go. Sebs perfected this and can leave the intake like new and even get the valve back its polished look. Other things to do when the intake is being cleaned is cleaning of the injectors,intake manifold flap dividers,intake manifold flap and changing cam follower.

Other items include PCV,coilpacks,waterpump,DV.Turbos arent that common to go on TFSI engines.

[jessv3]

I agree, I am less concerned about my turbo requiring replacement then I am of my clutch. My previous car was a 1.8T Audi and i had hit 200k out of the engine and the turbo still did not blow any smoke or show obvious signs of wear. The key is correct warm ups and warm downs, no flogging within the last 5-10 minutes of driving etc.

[R32 Girl]

Thanks heaps for the info. Prefer a manual so that takes care if the gear box issues. As it will be my daily driver I want something reliable unlike other cars where I have had to get expensive parts replaced (fortunately under warranty). If I'm getting a car out of warranty I want to do my research before jumping into anything. Have heard a lot of positive things about them so will be a good in between car until I get an R32.
Thanks heaps

[Gene]

I tend to refer to this for any problems. Fixed 2/3 of my problems that I've had.
Common Problems

[idaho]

If you are looking for a daily car until an R32 then what about a GT Sport? For the money of a 2005-2008 GTI you might save money or find a lower km GT Sport and still have factory extended warranty available. The supercharger means the car drives very nice at lower engine speeds and for a daily car you probably don't need the top end performance of a GTI but you can have most of the looks (17" wheels, lowered suspension, different grill, etc).

[R32 Girl]

The GT looks good to. Really difficult to make a decision on what to to. Don't want to spend any extra money on top of what I will get for my car but it's proving to be difficult. Living in Victoria the cars are so much more expensive. Even if I buy interstate i have to pay stamp duty when I transfer to Vic and get a roadworthy so either way I can't win.