MK VI GTI Advice

[macchina]

Hi All,

I'm interested in getting myself a MK VI GTI Manual.

I have read on this forum about the timing chain tensioner issue and want to ask the following:

1. Is this a common problem? Or does it only effect some cars?

2. Where is the best place to get this fixed in Melbourne?

3. How much would it cost to repair (parts and labour)?

And 1 more question:

- Is there anything else I should look out for when inspecting one of these cars?

Thanks in advance.

[Reedy]

Timing chain tensioner was only an issue for pre 12.5 mk6 GTI's. I had my 2010 GTI done including chain and guides for $2000, I think LucasR just did the tensioner for just under $1000. Besides that mate I had mine for 5 years and loved it. Only issue I had was intake manifolds, I had 3.


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[macchina]

I had a number of quotes between $1,750 - $4,000 from both dealers and specialists.
I'm looking at a GTI or a Focus ST. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses so I appreciate all responses on this forum.

[AdamD]

See the GTI section of the following link for threads you should be reading:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f112/official-mk6-forum-important-threads-posts-index-**read-first-before-posting**-59253.html

You can also look at:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f112/n205-valve-replacement-mk6-gti-2-0tsi-ea888-engine-103121.html

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f112/vw-golf-vi-reliability-issues-real-not-42115.html

[Dutch77]

I had a number of quotes between $1,750 - $4,000 from both dealers and specialists.
I'm looking at a GTI or a Focus ST. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses so I appreciate all responses on this forum.

Just do what these guys did:





FWIW I had three years with my Mk6 GTI and only had a water pump go early under warranty (I think nearly every one went through this) and that was pretty much it - best car I'd owned to that point, and perhaps still is.

[Tuan]

A post 2012 built GTI seems to be safest as it would have the latest tensioner but if buying pre 2012, just factor that cost in.

As you may have noticed on the forum, not every single car with the pre 2012 gti models have had the tensioner go.

Edit:

Mk6 also has the wastegate rattle .. annoying but doesn't affect performance. There is a fix for it.

[minke]

A post 2012 built GTI seems to be safest as it would have the latest tensioner but if buying pre 2012, just factor that cost in.

As you may have noticed on the forum, not every single car with the pre 2012 gti models have had the tensioner go.

Edit:

Mk6 also has the wastegate rattle .. annoying but doesn't affect performance. There is a fix for it.

My Mark 6 09/2012 build and 01/13 delivered GTi had the rattle clip installed at factory.

[Tuan]

My Mark 6 09/2012 build and 01/13 delivered GTi had the rattle clip installed at factory.

And so it should be ! Cheap part to have been excluded from factory which caused quite a few unhappy MK6 GTI customers and countless threads on the annoying wastegate rattle.

[macchina]

Tuan - Can I ask why you went from a GTI to a Focus ST? And what are the major strengths and weaknesses of each?

[Tuan]

I've never had a GTI .. ?

Lots of reviews comparing the two cars.

[macchina]

I was hoping for a long term owner review of both. It's one thing to read the opinion of a journalist, another to read the opinion of an owner.

[Tuan]

True. But good luck finding someone that's owned both cars lol.

They are competing cars in the same market ... it would be quite rare for one person to have owned both the ST and mk6 GTI. Most of them summarise as follows:

Both are good daily drivers

ST is preferred to mk6 at the track

GTI costs more, but has a better quality / classier interior as you can get leather

Both are easy to modify (but the golf is easier to make go faster at the drags with tune and DSG) and the golf has SO many tuning options ! Not so important if you don't intend to modify though

No auto for the ST - deal breaker if your missus can't drive stick

The reviews online are good, watch them if you are cross shopping the two cars.

[macchina]

I know they both have great sporting abilities.

I'm more interested in running costs, reliability & day to day comfort.

How does your focus rate in those aspects?

[Tuan]

It's a reliable tuned daily driver. Also, most "sport" cars these days are pretty cheap to service, but this is of course depending on your kms.

$330 for Ford A type servicing and I would say easily under $300 for an outside mechanic. 12 mths/15,000 km interval. Uses a timing chain. 235/40/18 tyres which are cheap as nowadays.

[macchina]

Thanks for that. It's a help.

I am happy to go for either the GTI or the Focus ST and possibly even a BMW 118i (F20). It's a matter of getting the best deal on any one of those now.