He has no idea what he's talking about. There is a reason why these are so popular and even going to be stolen. The generalizing part is just flatout retarded.
Those 2.0 FSI Turbo engines are fantastic. They can never go wrong. My dads VRS has more than a 140k miles and the engine is still sweet, tip top. It purrs.
I've got an 06 Audi A3 2.0TFSI with 115,000 miles on the clock and I'm a bit worried it's gonna give up at any point, are you saying it's still got plenty of life left? I get it regularly serviced at my local audi specialist so I'm doing everything I can! I love my car but it isn't the most fun car in the world, but it does still pull well
@@crimblycrimbo6332 you've got pretty much same engine as my dad albeit a few years difference. His engine burns oil a bit, which there known for so now and again in needs topping up. Its getting fed fresh oil here and there plus the full yearly service. It will last easily to 200k. If your mileage isn't high between servicing, you have nothing to worry about. As long you don't rag it about like a boy racer, you can sleep easy
@@crimblycrimbo6332 Unless you've been skipping on maintenance there is no reason to be worried about any modern engine not lasting virtually as long as you want it to. Things like fuel injectors, turbos, fuel pumps etc they all give out eventually, as long as you don't mind replacing them when they do the block itself lasts forever, broken camshafts or polished cylinders are extremely rare these days. Most likely the reason you'd ever trade in a car is not because the engine is done for but simply because the maintenace costs are no longer worth it for such an old car.
These cars are good. They're very reliable but you need to look after them. I enjoyed owning mine, but I feel the cars have been dumbed down a bit and tamed because of all the electronics the earlier golfs had less so they were more of a raw car and required more driver interaction I agree with your comments about service history. It's especially true for all cars, but if you buy a VW (or any car in the vag range), service history is worth it's weight in ownership. The more service history the better the lifespan of the car. Other things you should look out on these cars - White worm on alloys, it can cause slow punctures because it's creating micro air leaks between the tyre / alloy - Rust - yes, they're still plagued by it, primarily around the boot badge, the front arches (there's a sponge there which needs removing) and the front/rear of the door sills, they rust very bad there - ABS sensors (if the ABS/ESP button lights up, and doesn't go out when pressed), chances are the ABS pump needs replacing or repairing (£200-500) - G201 sensor - Power steering racks - These fail on earlier models, and bring up an orange/red light on the dashboard, you need to replace them . If brand new from dealer it's around £1500+, if you go from somewhere like EuroCarParts it's about £200, but you will need to recode it to the vehicle at vw for about £100 - Brake calipers, the rear brake calipers always seem to seize on these things. Definitately a maintenance item you should add to your list of constant greasing and checking - Bonnet locks - they seize up, cheap to replace, but a pain in the arse when they go wrong Handling wise, these cars are OK, but they're a load of shit without the ABS/ESP package they feel too wobbly. With lowering kit, you're probably a lot better off I owned the diesel version of these vehicle, they're a pain in the arse when they go wrong, but look after them and they will last you forever. I'd get another one of these cars in a heartbeat (preferably a 4motion one). Too many people don't look after them, or simply don't want to stump up the money for the repairs, they work on the basis. It's cost £500 to fix, what if another £500 to fix . These cars work out cheaper to maintain the longer you own them, they're not good cars if you plan on chopping/changing vehicles often and they haven't been maintained because you're going go pay for the cost of repairs www.andrewhope.co.uk/automotive/px54wwt-service-history.html That's the above service history of my old car. If anyone wants to review and considering buying one of these vehicles
You are spot on. I've owned the diesel variants. You'll definitely need to spend quite a bit maintaining it but once it's all sorted it'll last you. Chopping and changing definitely isn't ideal
2:10 "To impress the gal dem" absolutely killed me 😂😂😂 You're not wrong though! Doubled edged sword with these, strong residuals make them incredibly expensive for an old hot hatch regardless of what a decent all rounder they are, on the flip side - you benefit from the slow depreciation if you own one!
'Looks like a regular Golf with a bit more power' (that is kinda of the point), never really been a Mk5 fan but traded my CL500 (2004) for a MK6 Golf Gti and was pleased with it (ran it for a couple of years). Been running a M140i for the past 2yrs but now you've got me looking at XKR's :)
I'm a old codger but I had a Mk1 Golf GTI and Mk3 Escort XR3 not even the XR3i, love them two cars but everything changed when I got a Audi GT coupe 5cyl quattro. Met red with wide arches, now that was a hot hatch. Great review as always. Mick
Owner description spot on (still laughing) but I think the GTI golf is iconic in the hot hatch market. Any car which makes you grin while (and after) you drive it is a winner in my book.
I LOVE your generalisations about hot hatch drivers and sadly they are completely on point👍👍 We have a neighbour who drives a Golf R and he is a complete meathead devoid of charm, social graces and intelligence.
I have a hot hatch but I dont do any of those things 😂😂😂 I bought it because I enjoy driving and I cant insure a proper sports car. Loved the video still! 👍🏼👍🏼
I've owned one of these for a few years and love it. It does everything I need it to, but it does break every now and again. The mechatronic control unit for the DSG gearbox can be difficult to find and is expensive, the antilock braking control unit is also fragile. It's not so expensive to replace, but it also controls the traction. No problems at all driving around town with the DSG and the manual change is quick and easy when you want it. You will only have trouble with understeer if you aren't a competent driver and the heated seat can be turned up, down, or off in seconds, so isn't an issue. If you don't like hot hatches, fine. I do, because they do what I want, they're a lot more fun point to point than a diesel Jaguar XF (yes, I've driven two) and a heck of a lot cheaper to run.
Certainly wouldn't call my FK8 boring to look at. You should drive one, Matt. Amazing handling, wonderful gearbox and quick. Also a very practical car, space for 4 adults and generous boot.
I owned a 2.8 VR6 for 5 years and bought it specifically because it didn't have any go-faster bits on it but was fast and it was perfect daily runaround for commuting. 5-door practicality too.
I drive a 2006 dsg on 52k miles. It is regularly serviced and maintained. You have to check the oil on these regularly. It’s a good car to own. Much better than leasing a new one for £350/month and having to hand it back in 3-4 years
I have one of these and I love it. 7 years tomorrow actually. I got it remapped so it should be at around 240BHP now and it defo feels faster. Bit thirstier on petrol too but only when you drive her on. Also, I replaced the brakes with Mtec drilled grooved discs and Greenstuff pads. Stops so hard now, my glasses might come off my face lol. Alloys are powder coated in dark grey which on a black car looks fantastic. You couldn't buy this car off me now lol. Not parting with her til one of us dies!
I have basically the same car - the Mk5 R32. And the just looks like a Golf thing is basically the point. I want a car I can park at the shops, lend to mates if they need it, just treat like a normal car. But one that also comes alive when you sink your foot and one that feels just a bit more special than the every day.
The edition 30 mk5 gti is the one you want. I had one as my last car, very similar engine to the 8p audi s3 with the k04 turbo so a simpe stage 1 map takes it from 230bhp to 300+. Plus it looks better aswell
@@TobyKnights My one was just stage 1 but had the revo induction kit and a res-delete so reckoned it was 310-320 ish and that was quick. Have an m140i now which is a different beast. I had a go in a st2+ s3 a while ago and that pinned you to your seat
Seems that's you've tried your best to hate this car. I'm no huge fan of the aesthetics but I can appreciate what it was in the design, functionality, performance context of it's time - early 2000s was a poor period for the warm hatch, most n/a in that period. History should be judged in its historical backdrop, so easy to put a current day lens and form a view of something being 'shit', 'laughable'. The golf GTI perhaps wasn't designed to be the fastest, most racy looking, hard as nail best handling, but it performs well as a collective of all those things and that's is its raison d'etre. Judging on its component parts is missing the point
Totally. He left all subjectivity behind in this vid. Had it have had a Jag or RR badge on it, it would have been different. Only two cars have broken down and shafted me in the last 12 years and both were JLR product. Never again.
The hot hatch segment isn't meant for drag racing so no, it won't snap your neck as it throws you into your seat when you stomp on it but it will snap your neck when it takes a corner and you hit your head on the passenger window 😉
I had one of these but had it tuned to around 270bhp with a cold air intake and Apr remap! Honestly it was wicked, 70bhp up and it was a bit of a monster and with the Bridgestone tyres I bought would do 0-60 in less than 6 seconds! It never went wrong and would touch 40mpg on a run! Drive a tuned one - it's how it should've been!
I've had my golf gti a fews years now, but I've been working abroad mostly so even now it only has 85k miles on it, and full service history, incl 4 times in the last 10k (once a year). It is so solid, completly stock and drives perfectly. It holds exactly 10 gallons or 56L. As someone who always measure the mpg i can tell u max mpg is 32mpg or 320 miles per tank and my car has an easy life with plenthy of long journeys. I was considering selling it and upgrading to a 5 or 6 series, CLS, or A8 more befitting a man in his 50s, but maybe will instead opt for a good remap which will inject new life into it. I've always wanted to try this.
Memories. I had a B Reg Mk2 with the Pirelli alloys back in the late 80s that had been lowered with Spax suspension and Janspeed exhaust by the previous owner. One great car and amazing for reverse lock steering at high speed. Street based rally car. That said I was 25 at the time. My daughter has a Golf TDI and it's very competent but a little bit dull. For me cars are about character and the power to surprise. 30+ years later I can honestly say that few of my cars made me smile as much or have any affection for as the GTi over the years - other than my Range Rovers and fast, late 90s Merc estates. Love these reviews for the dry humour and they're pretty much on the money.
I like it’s smallish size. It’s practicality. The fact that it is not loud looking, you go unnoticed - I like that. It’s performs ok. It is well built. It is a light airy interior. The fact that it is a gti means you get nice seats and a nice steering wheel - that’s the main reason I like ‘gt’s’. So all the things he doesn’t like, is the reasons I like the car, and maybe the reasons it is one of the biggest selling cars, ever.
The most impressive thing about the video was that you put some new Pirellis on the front not LingLongs or Evergreen crappie like a lot of traders would. First thing I check on a used car ...the tyres. It's a quick way of telling how well it's been looked after.
The problem with the DSG is that in 1st gear it feels like it doesn't know what to do. You'd be standing at a red light, you get green, put your foot down, and for about 1.5 seconds absolutely nothing happens and then the gearbox kicks in and you start moving. It works great on the highway, but in the city it's a bit of pain with that delayed jerky start
The mk5 gti is a gem if looked after properly. the 2.0 tfsi is a peach of an engine with a few wee niggles like the cam followers on the fuel pump (not the fuel pump themselves) need changed eventually maybe between every 10 and 20000 miles on tuned cars , the diaphragm diverter valves split especially on tuned cars. Cheap fixes make them part of maintenance. If you are going to try one make it a manual and go down a back road don't know what he means about understeer it's at home on corners when it's dry (fwd) and there shouldn't be a lot of lag either so i would have a look to make sure your not losing boost. The engine is designed for more power so a remap will work wonders on these. My suggestion would be to try one. think it got a wee bit of bad press here. Ps. I am not a fan boy😂😂🙈
Good review. So really it's a hotish hatch that in the mid 00s was accessible to most and fast enough to keep up with the type R. These were £24k new if memory serves. By contrast to today's world where all hot hatches have 300bhp and a £35K + price . As a side note and back to the mid 00s any luck finding a (manual) spec b subaru legacy? the sti for grown ups!!
I had a Mark 5 GT also in silver, it was a cracking car, best gearbox in a car i ever had, traded it for a BMW 1 series 2 litre sport. I have a bit of a thing for German cars on my 4th now. Haha they can be a yob car, mind you in 50 odd years old and not a yob, they are solid cars, with a wee bit of poke, and you are right, they are always being stolen even with the best alarm on them. Another fine video.
great functional all rounder - I had the v7.5 for long distance commutes (4 hrs 1 way) and was glad of the safety functions and performance. The laser headlights were the best.
Great review Matt. Never heard anyone put into words how I felt about the 2014 GTI we had. I swapped it for a Mini JCW, fabulous car, might have another one yet. Weirdly we've always liked the Focus ST with the 2.5 engine......AND we're currently running an UP GTI! Spooky. It's a bit disappointing actually. Having major boot leak probs with my 2017 Mercedes E400 coupe. Been in and they replaced (warranty), new rear lights, new rear wiring loom, boot seal etcetc. Not putting £30k in to replace it at same level when warranty runs out 08/20. What should I do? Keep up the good work! Should add, leak still there!
I've not had a new shape E class coupe but always fancied one because they look stunning. Shame about the leak, you'd expect better. Thanks for watching :)
We will pick up a mk5 on the weekend. We had a mk6 for a week a few years ago and really liked it. Thanks for the review. Didn't realise the timing chain needed changed.
I have to agree with your generalized golf GTi grievances. They used to be fantastic many years ago, but now hot hatches practical, big and safe. I miss the nova 🥰
😂 golf stereotypes spot on, but, these car on rural/b roads are perfect...what’s the point of a hot hatch in a city. Practical , easy to work on and you can throw them into corners at speed. That’s why you buy one
High Peak Autos the 1.9 engine was such a tank of an engine. You’re spot on - the 130pd 1.9 Mk4s are the best for sure. I prefer the way the mk5 drives but the mk4s are better built and were so class for their time. Thanks for the vids btw - always love a High Peak update!
Ive got one of these... And i dont vape or own one peice of clothing from Stone Island!! My is remapped and has an intercooler fitted and is now 260bhp. It goes really well and its good on fuel for what it is... I really love it! P.s cheers for the great video 😁
you're becoming a real personality now, loving it! your videos started off slightly robotic and strictly to the facts but now you've introduced a little controversy. keep it coming!
Back in 2007 I test drove a new Golf GTI, Astra VXR, Civic Type R and Focus ST3. The Astra was mental quick but felt cheap, the Civic felt slow unless you ringed its neck, the Golf was pretty much perfect but in the end the looks and the endless grunt of the ST engine made choose that as my new car.
Enjoyed the video, although I've been on same page for I think your other reviews, I have to disagree on this one 😁 I think the Golf GTI MK5 is a great all rounder and hard to find a car that ticks so so many boxes. Yes, it's not a rocket ship and they're pretty much on every street corner but it's a good all round proposition and when you come to sell it you'll not struggle at all. With all that said, I've been in the sales dept. in a Volkswagen dealership for just over 20 years so have a just little of the GTI Golf in my blood now! My son has MK6 version with nearly 150k on the clock and it runs like a Swiss watch...
The Mk5 gti was considerably better than the Mk4 (a rolly polly) and so relatively, was a very good car. Unfortunately, age happens and the gti improved further - which is a good thing.
I think everything being “okay” about this car is why people love it so much as it’s a good all rounder. The exception of performance is because these are highly modified you’ll struggle to find a mk5 golf gti that hasn’t been messed with
The GTI is the wrong Golf to have the Golf R or the R32 is the car to have 👍 and you mentioned the DSG gearbox which is a very very good box your the first person I’ve heard give negative comments about it. The SMG in your m3 e46 is the worst and most unreliable gear box known to man.
leevwe leevwe except the younger ones (including me, I’m 19) can’t afford a Golf R, unless you deal in drugs. I’m looking for a GTI because I like the way it looks and it’s pretty affordable. For the money you pay for a mk5 gti here in the Netherlands you can get ugly Peugeot’s, old Audi’s and other cars that aren’t really my thing. I’d love to own a R32 one day but for now I’ll try and save up for a nice GTI.
Im glad ive got your input on what this car is like, i planned to buy this and remap it to stage 1 for that extra push it might need. Haven't driven 1 yet but i think my expectations would be similar to how you think this car is like to drive. You didnt kiss the golfs ass in other words lol
Name I picked one up for £8k, with 35,000 on the clock.Had a stage 1 remap straight away and it’s the most fun I’ve had in a car for ages.Highly recommend 👍🏻
Struck a nerve? Hardly. Where i live golf is a legend. Where so many people have no money to buy something more expensive. Golf here was driven by many generations. In our family we had almost every generation of Golf. It has never failed us. If i had more money of course id buy lets say Audi RS6. But life doesnt work that way for some people. Cheers.
Loved the generalisations! I'd say the same! They're just kinda 'meh' or 'blah' I think, especially that mark. To be honest, I owned a golf R..for 6 months and then I reverted back to a landy! They're a bit of fun but short lived in my opinion, plus my backside is not designed for those bucket seats! Keep the reviews coming!
Hi Pal, thanks for the content excellent 👍 I have owned 2 Golf MK5 GTIs - 1st was Identicle to your silver one in the vid except it was a manual - it was going back to 2012 it was a 2007 I’m a car dealer here in Dublin and I actually swapped it for a 350z 2005 year that’s how I got it and I grabbed it as the 350z wasn’t selling anytime soon at the time - sold the 07 Silver Gti after 2 weeks and did really well out of it. 2nd one I had was about 2018 it was a 2006 model black with cream leather with only 53k miles 1 owner from new fvwsh it was a peach we just did a alloy Wheels Refurb and cambelt and dsg service sold that also quickly it was snapped up I have to be honest I think the DSG is the one to have the one I had burbled between gear changes and went like stink i love mk5 gti’s I think they are a great second hand buy these days - they respond very well to a remap and makes a massive difference to the performance (watch the cam follower for ware if it’s not been checked / changed at some point ) all the best from sunny Dublin 👍 Colin..
Hilarious Hot Hatch stereotypes 🤩🤣 Fortunately I’m none of what you’ve describe despite having owned over 15 Golfs ... from MK2s GTi 8V & 16v through some MK3 GTis (8V & 16V) & MK4 GTD/ GTi & a V5 ... having skipped two generations of the Golf GTI family I’m currently in a Mk7.5 Golf R DSG having bought it New in 2018. Speaking of DSG gearboxes... they are Automated ... not Automatic. ( common misconception so don’t feel too bad about it 😉) DSG has no torque converter as per traditional Automatics... and as you said it yourself, DSG has two clutches 👍🏼
I think the people who buy Golfs new are the polar opposite of Mr High Peak's stereotype of used buyers. Often very middle class types wanting to go somewhat under the radar in their city daily driver, or they live in a luxury city centre apartment and only want one car for mainly city/motorway use, but that they can also enjoy on the occasional B-road blast. These people normally value the understated looks and comfy/roomy/practical interior, along with a quality feel. Only problem is the new MK8 Golf is significantly down on quality and the dash design is horrible and low rent looking. Might just get more buyers looking at the likes of the i30N and the new Mazda3, but then again, many will probably up their budgets to an Audi S3 Sportback.
Absolute perfect description of Golf GTI,S totally agree, I'm not much of a vw fan, but many people are..Having driven most cars I can compare them with one another. I actually prefer to drive a Fiat Panda to a Golf.... All the Best, Brilliant video As Always, Thank You...?
The underwhelming performance is so true. I have a 5 litre supercharged Range Rover (big body, not even a sport). The other day I raced a Golf 7 GTI from the lights and I killed it. Both myself and the guy in the GTI couldn't believe that my country club on wheels beat him at the lights!
You should try and pick up a Jetta tfsi sport. Admittedly they are a lot rarer than the gti but they have the same engine without the typical owners as mentioned in the video. Plus they don't look like a golf and for a slight practicality tradeoff they are in my opinion THE pick of this generation of golf platform
Matt Boulton very ironic, I own a golf mk4 (it’s my first car) and the first time I almost got in an accident was with a golf mk7 trying to kiss my bumper. I started driving a little faster to get rid of him but he kept on pushing me. I had to slam the brakes for an old caddy rushing to the left. Everything went well but man that was close.
To be fair, I think hot hatches work better with a manual and you’re caning it. The stuff like the RS3 and A45 are essentially small high speed motorway cars in my mind. A properly set up hot hatch should have minimal understeer. From the mk5 gti i drove, it handles more neutrally than understeer, and some of them, like the EP3 type R and the 205 GTi will lift off oversteer.
Hi Matt I once had a 2003 golf 2.3 v5 which had an ok,ish engine but was shockingly bad on the fuel and I only. Had it 6 months before I off loaded it for yet another jaguar xk6 sport and I soon as I got back into the jag I thought “heaven” I’m like you not really a hot hatch person great video hope you’re well best wishes ian.
Usually I'm with you but not here. I had a new 55 plate Mk5 just like yours. First VW for me and was a fantastic car. For 2005 it WAS quick, yet comfy enough for journeys. I had it 3 years/70k and it never missed a beat. In Oct, fed up with my Velar 3.0D HSE with its barmy touchscreens and total unreliability....I jumped into the plunge pool and traded it for a rather special Golf R. Which I expect you would also hate given it's super conservative styling (looks good in special Nada Grey, black wheels, Akrapovic quad pipes) but has to be the supreme all rounder car to live with daily. I'm 60 in August btw and live in NE London.
Love the honest if not pc review 🤣🤣. Just one question what is more interesting for around the same sort of money as the Golf you drove for this review
I’ll admit the golf doesn’t do much for me either personally. But the ‘pure’ high revving nature of a civic type r in brilliant I think. Obviously I’m talking about the older ones.
One of the best channels i've seen... i can't believe i hadn't encountered it sooner... Well done mate well done...and keep it going,this channel deserves much more subs but i have no doubt you will get there...
Yes, it doesn't look as striking as new Civic Type R, but for many that is exactly the point, I am 43, can't see myself driving something like that. And, if you don't find the power impressive, these engines respond very well to tuning: mine has an APR Stage 2, 270hp, 400N/m, pulls like a train, people always grin like idiots every time I floor it (except some that throw up, of course). The engine is bulletproof, most parts common with the normal Golf, so easy to find... To summarise, best car I had till now and you described it as average... ;(
The most honest (honestest?) review of a Golf GTi I've ever watched. And, it's absolutely spot on. Thank you far saying what many don't.
@@tigerleikong7445 Spoken like a true moody school boy Kong, quite the irony there.
You don't think a GTI is Fun to Drive?
This guy is thinks he’s above a GTI, he doesn’t “get it”….
I've seen him gushing over a modified Land Rover ffs! He's no right to judge the drivers of these cars.
He has no idea what he's talking about. There is a reason why these are so popular and even going to be stolen. The generalizing part is just flatout retarded.
Those 2.0 FSI Turbo engines are fantastic. They can never go wrong. My dads VRS has more than a 140k miles and the engine is still sweet, tip top. It purrs.
I've got an 06 Audi A3 2.0TFSI with 115,000 miles on the clock and I'm a bit worried it's gonna give up at any point, are you saying it's still got plenty of life left? I get it regularly serviced at my local audi specialist so I'm doing everything I can! I love my car but it isn't the most fun car in the world, but it does still pull well
@@crimblycrimbo6332 you've got pretty much same engine as my dad albeit a few years difference. His engine burns oil a bit, which there known for so now and again in needs topping up. Its getting fed fresh oil here and there plus the full yearly service. It will last easily to 200k. If your mileage isn't high between servicing, you have nothing to worry about. As long you don't rag it about like a boy racer, you can sleep easy
@@viktorahmed7978 Awesome! I actually forgot about the oil issue because I'm so used to topping it up every other month it just feels the norm now
@@crimblycrimbo6332 those engines are shite. My 2010 A4 was done after 160k miles
@@crimblycrimbo6332 Unless you've been skipping on maintenance there is no reason to be worried about any modern engine not lasting virtually as long as you want it to.
Things like fuel injectors, turbos, fuel pumps etc they all give out eventually, as long as you don't mind replacing them when they do the block itself lasts forever, broken camshafts or polished cylinders are extremely rare these days.
Most likely the reason you'd ever trade in a car is not because the engine is done for but simply because the maintenace costs are no longer worth it for such an old car.
These cars are good. They're very reliable but you need to look after them. I enjoyed owning mine, but I feel the cars have been dumbed down a bit and tamed because of all the electronics the earlier golfs had less so they were more of a raw car and required more driver interaction
I agree with your comments about service history. It's especially true for all cars, but if you buy a VW (or any car in the vag range), service history is worth it's weight in ownership. The more service history the better the lifespan of the car.
Other things you should look out on these cars
- White worm on alloys, it can cause slow punctures because it's creating micro air leaks between the tyre / alloy
- Rust - yes, they're still plagued by it, primarily around the boot badge, the front arches (there's a sponge there which needs removing) and the front/rear of the door sills, they rust very bad there
- ABS sensors (if the ABS/ESP button lights up, and doesn't go out when pressed), chances are the ABS pump needs replacing or repairing (£200-500) - G201 sensor
- Power steering racks - These fail on earlier models, and bring up an orange/red light on the dashboard, you need to replace them . If brand new from dealer it's around £1500+, if you go from somewhere like EuroCarParts it's about £200, but you will need to recode it to the vehicle at vw for about £100
- Brake calipers, the rear brake calipers always seem to seize on these things. Definitately a maintenance item you should add to your list of constant greasing and checking
- Bonnet locks - they seize up, cheap to replace, but a pain in the arse when they go wrong
Handling wise, these cars are OK, but they're a load of shit without the ABS/ESP package they feel too wobbly. With lowering kit, you're probably a lot better off
I owned the diesel version of these vehicle, they're a pain in the arse when they go wrong, but look after them and they will last you forever. I'd get another one of these cars in a heartbeat (preferably a 4motion one). Too many people don't look after them, or simply don't want to stump up the money for the repairs, they work on the basis. It's cost £500 to fix, what if another £500 to fix .
These cars work out cheaper to maintain the longer you own them, they're not good cars if you plan on chopping/changing vehicles often and they haven't been maintained because you're going go pay for the cost of repairs
www.andrewhope.co.uk/automotive/px54wwt-service-history.html
That's the above service history of my old car. If anyone wants to review and considering buying one of these vehicles
You are spot on. I've owned the diesel variants. You'll definitely need to spend quite a bit maintaining it but once it's all sorted it'll last you. Chopping and changing definitely isn't ideal
2:10 "To impress the gal dem" absolutely killed me 😂😂😂 You're not wrong though! Doubled edged sword with these, strong residuals make them incredibly expensive for an old hot hatch regardless of what a decent all rounder they are, on the flip side - you benefit from the slow depreciation if you own one!
Translation for Australian viewer required please.
Mike G to impress the girls 😭😂
He added a little Jamaican sauce to that 😂😂😃
Yes, the Mk5 is one of the best Gti VW have ever made, and now they are superb value for money
Pheasant Pluckers son I had a mk5 Jetta loved it so much I’m gonna get. Mk5 gti :)
“To impress the gal dem” 😂😂😂😂😂
'Looks like a regular Golf with a bit more power' (that is kinda of the point), never really been a Mk5 fan but traded my CL500 (2004) for a MK6 Golf Gti and was pleased with it (ran it for a couple of years). Been running a M140i for the past 2yrs but now you've got me looking at XKR's :)
Drove Mk5 gtis for 10 years..absolute belters ..have a Mk7 now and preferred the mk5s by far.....wished I'd never sold them.
Lovely Jubbly, still my favourite of VW Golf GTI era's, despite the negative review.
I'm a old codger but I had a Mk1 Golf GTI and Mk3 Escort XR3 not even the XR3i, love them two cars but everything changed when I got a Audi GT coupe 5cyl quattro. Met red with wide arches, now that was a hot hatch. Great review as always.
Mick
Cheers Mick. That was some car in its day
S2 Quattro
@@HighPeakAutos what would yo buy for sub 3k
The GTI is fun when you take corners too fast and magically stick to the road.
Thats just the Golf. All Golfs drive like that.
@@emiliospowerballer1441 golfs a re just wicked cars 🤣🤣
@@emiliospowerballer1441 mk6 1.4 tsi was my first car and it was lovely
Owner description spot on (still laughing) but I think the GTI golf is iconic in the hot hatch market.
Any car which makes you grin while (and after) you drive it is a winner in my book.
“ One can only assume it’s to impress the gal dem” on the floor 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I LOVE your generalisations about hot hatch drivers and sadly they are completely on point👍👍
We have a neighbour who drives a Golf R and he is a complete meathead devoid of charm, social graces and intelligence.
I have a hot hatch but I dont do any of those things 😂😂😂 I bought it because I enjoy driving and I cant insure a proper sports car. Loved the video still! 👍🏼👍🏼
Haha I was generalising admittedly
Nick Simpson yeah getting a 2000$ ticket and my car impounded for a week isn’t worth going 50km over the limit :)
Best car I ever owned!
I've owned one of these for a few years and love it. It does everything I need it to, but it does break every now and again. The mechatronic control unit for the DSG gearbox can be difficult to find and is expensive, the antilock braking control unit is also fragile. It's not so expensive to replace, but it also controls the traction. No problems at all driving around town with the DSG and the manual change is quick and easy when you want it. You will only have trouble with understeer if you aren't a competent driver and the heated seat can be turned up, down, or off in seconds, so isn't an issue. If you don't like hot hatches, fine. I do, because they do what I want, they're a lot more fun point to point than a diesel Jaguar XF (yes, I've driven two) and a heck of a lot cheaper to run.
Aww I love a good Mrk 5 Golf
Certainly wouldn't call my FK8 boring to look at. You should drive one, Matt. Amazing handling, wonderful gearbox and quick. Also a very practical car, space for 4 adults and generous boot.
I owned a 2.8 VR6 for 5 years and bought it specifically because it didn't have any go-faster bits on it but was fast and it was perfect daily runaround for commuting. 5-door practicality too.
I drive a 2006 dsg on 52k miles. It is regularly serviced and maintained. You have to check the oil on these regularly. It’s a good car to own. Much better than leasing a new one for £350/month and having to hand it back in 3-4 years
Love your generalisations of GTi owners (from a 55 yr old solicitor with a mk5 GTi and a mk7 GTi TCR). Great vid.
Hahah you’re the minority there. Thanks for watching
I have one of these and I love it. 7 years tomorrow actually. I got it remapped so it should be at around 240BHP now and it defo feels faster. Bit thirstier on petrol too but only when you drive her on. Also, I replaced the brakes with Mtec drilled grooved discs and Greenstuff pads. Stops so hard now, my glasses might come off my face lol. Alloys are powder coated in dark grey which on a black car looks fantastic. You couldn't buy this car off me now lol. Not parting with her til one of us dies!
Pleased to hear it. I imagine with the extra horse power it feels more like a hot hatch should :)
I have basically the same car - the Mk5 R32. And the just looks like a Golf thing is basically the point. I want a car I can park at the shops, lend to mates if they need it, just treat like a normal car. But one that also comes alive when you sink your foot and one that feels just a bit more special than the every day.
I think you'd enjoy a M135/140 - try and get one on the channel, i think it could change your mind on a hot hatchback
I've never driven one of those. I'll try and get hold of one
RWD and 10k in diff!
@@NA-gf1zy"faux" wheel drive vs RWD? You're nuts. RWD, hands down
The edition 30 mk5 gti is the one you want. I had one as my last car, very similar engine to the 8p audi s3 with the k04 turbo so a simpe stage 1 map takes it from 230bhp to 300+. Plus it looks better aswell
Sean Pirie I had one with 365bhp and that certainly pinned you into your seat!
@@TobyKnights My one was just stage 1 but had the revo induction kit and a res-delete so reckoned it was 310-320 ish and that was quick. Have an m140i now which is a different beast. I had a go in a st2+ s3 a while ago and that pinned you to your seat
Seems that's you've tried your best to hate this car. I'm no huge fan of the aesthetics but I can appreciate what it was in the design, functionality, performance context of it's time - early 2000s was a poor period for the warm hatch, most n/a in that period. History should be judged in its historical backdrop, so easy to put a current day lens and form a view of something being 'shit', 'laughable'. The golf GTI perhaps wasn't designed to be the fastest, most racy looking, hard as nail best handling, but it performs well as a collective of all those things and that's is its raison d'etre. Judging on its component parts is missing the point
Totally. He left all subjectivity behind in this vid. Had it have had a Jag or RR badge on it, it would have been different. Only two cars have broken down and shafted me in the last 12 years and both were JLR product. Never again.
Spot on mate just look at that driving position rofl!!!
The hot hatch segment isn't meant for drag racing so no, it won't snap your neck as it throws you into your seat when you stomp on it but it will snap your neck when it takes a corner and you hit your head on the passenger window 😉
I had one of these but had it tuned to around 270bhp with a cold air intake and Apr remap! Honestly it was wicked, 70bhp up and it was a bit of a monster and with the Bridgestone tyres I bought would do 0-60 in less than 6 seconds! It never went wrong and would touch 40mpg on a run! Drive a tuned one - it's how it should've been!
James Barlow was it reliable? Im looking to buy one and tune it too
I've had my golf gti a fews years now, but I've been working abroad mostly so even now it only has 85k miles on it, and full service history, incl 4 times in the last 10k (once a year).
It is so solid, completly stock and drives perfectly. It holds exactly 10 gallons or 56L. As someone who always measure the mpg i can tell u max mpg is 32mpg or 320 miles per tank and my car has an easy life with plenthy of long journeys.
I was considering selling it and upgrading to a 5 or 6 series, CLS, or A8 more befitting a man in his 50s, but maybe will instead opt for a good remap which will inject new life into it. I've always wanted to try this.
" A bit bland and boring". I'm surprised you don't like it - suits your personality down to the ground.
Impress the galdem, hahaha, caught me off guard with that
Memories. I had a B Reg Mk2 with the Pirelli alloys back in the late 80s that had been lowered with Spax suspension and Janspeed exhaust by the previous owner. One great car and amazing for reverse lock steering at high speed. Street based rally car. That said I was 25 at the time. My daughter has a Golf TDI and it's very competent but a little bit dull.
For me cars are about character and the power to surprise. 30+ years later I can honestly say that few of my cars made me smile as much or have any affection for as the GTi over the years - other than my Range Rovers and fast, late 90s Merc estates.
Love these reviews for the dry humour and they're pretty much on the money.
Another excellent no B/S review and some of the references to scallywags etc were priceless lol
I like it’s smallish size. It’s practicality. The fact that it is not loud looking, you go unnoticed - I like that. It’s performs ok. It is well built. It is a light airy interior. The fact that it is a gti means you get nice seats and a nice steering wheel - that’s the main reason I like ‘gt’s’. So all the things he doesn’t like, is the reasons I like the car, and maybe the reasons it is one of the biggest selling cars, ever.
This is the first time I have watched one of your videos and NOT wanted to buy the car! 😂😂😂
The Kia SUV was pretty dull.
Hahaha
Same 🤣 they use to be 1 of my favourite hot hatches
The most impressive thing about the video was that you put some new Pirellis on the front not LingLongs or Evergreen crappie like a lot of traders would. First thing I check on a used car ...the tyres. It's a quick way of telling how well it's been looked after.
The car of the angry yob and the chavy road man 😂
The problem with the DSG is that in 1st gear it feels like it doesn't know what to do. You'd be standing at a red light, you get green, put your foot down, and for about 1.5 seconds absolutely nothing happens and then the gearbox kicks in and you start moving. It works great on the highway, but in the city it's a bit of pain with that delayed jerky start
I’ll genuinely buy it off you!! Been after a standard golf like yours for a while!!
The mk5 gti is a gem if looked after properly. the 2.0 tfsi is a peach of an engine with a few wee niggles like the cam followers on the fuel pump (not the fuel pump themselves) need changed eventually maybe between every 10 and 20000 miles on tuned cars , the diaphragm diverter valves split especially on tuned cars. Cheap fixes make them part of maintenance.
If you are going to try one make it a manual and go down a back road don't know what he means about understeer it's at home on corners when it's dry (fwd) and there shouldn't be a lot of lag either so i would have a look to make sure your not losing boost. The engine is designed for more power so a remap will work wonders on these. My suggestion would be to try one. think it got a wee bit of bad press here.
Ps. I am not a fan boy😂😂🙈
Good review. So really it's a hotish hatch that in the mid 00s was accessible to most and fast enough to keep up with the type R. These were £24k new if memory serves. By contrast to today's world where all hot hatches have 300bhp and a £35K + price . As a side note and back to the mid 00s any luck finding a (manual) spec b subaru legacy? the sti for grown ups!!
Love the reviews mate, we need more of these!
Evidently he's been driving the wrong hot hatches
He obviously hates the car this is a shitty review
Tay P yep
I had a Mark 5 GT also in silver, it was a cracking car, best gearbox in a car i ever had, traded it for a BMW 1 series 2 litre sport. I have a bit of a thing for German cars on my 4th now. Haha they can be a yob car, mind you in 50 odd years old and not a yob, they are solid cars, with a wee bit of poke, and you are right, they are always being stolen even with the best alarm on them. Another fine video.
High peak mandem
best comment!!!!
Brrappp
Must have been listening to Aitch
Brett Field Not a chance 😂
great functional all rounder - I had the v7.5 for long distance commutes (4 hrs 1 way) and was glad of the safety functions and performance. The laser headlights were the best.
Gyal dem 🤣🤣🤣
Asbo CCJ 😂😂😂
Bum-bag, North Face jacket, one hand on the crotch and a vape on the other hand 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
So many stereotypes in 60 secs
I literally rolled myself laughing when you described the hot hatch owner starter pack. Top bantz, please don’t ever change 😂
Great review Matt. Never heard anyone put into words how I felt about the 2014 GTI we had. I swapped it for a Mini JCW, fabulous car, might have another one yet. Weirdly we've always liked the Focus ST with the 2.5 engine......AND we're currently running an UP GTI! Spooky. It's a bit disappointing actually. Having major boot leak probs with my 2017 Mercedes E400 coupe. Been in and they replaced (warranty), new rear lights, new rear wiring loom, boot seal etcetc. Not putting £30k in to replace it at same level when warranty runs out 08/20. What should I do? Keep up the good work! Should add, leak still there!
I've not had a new shape E class coupe but always fancied one because they look stunning. Shame about the leak, you'd expect better. Thanks for watching :)
We will pick up a mk5 on the weekend. We had a mk6 for a week a few years ago and really liked it. Thanks for the review. Didn't realise the timing chain needed changed.
Have fun!
From the description I think my son is Grand Theft Auto itself
I have to agree with your generalized golf GTi grievances. They used to be fantastic many years ago, but now hot hatches practical, big and safe. I miss the nova 🥰
😂 golf stereotypes spot on, but, these car on rural/b roads are perfect...what’s the point of a hot hatch in a city. Practical , easy to work on and you can throw them into corners at speed. That’s why you buy one
I have a mk5 1.9 Bluemotion. 151k miles and never put a foot wrong. Service them every 9k and they last forever 👍
My favourites were the MK4 TDI's
High Peak Autos the 1.9 engine was such a tank of an engine. You’re spot on - the 130pd 1.9 Mk4s are the best for sure. I prefer the way the mk5 drives but the mk4s are better built and were so class for their time. Thanks for the vids btw - always love a High Peak update!
Hot Hatch, it says it in the name. Thats what it it is.
I had a manual 2006 and bloody loved it!!
So Matt ...am I right in thinking ...you don't like hot hatches? 😉
Cheers
Mike
Haha Yes, you're right
Ive got one of these... And i dont vape or own one peice of clothing from Stone Island!! My is remapped and has an intercooler fitted and is now 260bhp. It goes really well and its good on fuel for what it is... I really love it!
P.s cheers for the great video 😁
When you get bored of reviewing cars you could always become a stand up comic 😂 great review as usual 👍
Wouldn’t say no to one. Honest and amusing review. Great scenery too.
you're becoming a real personality now, loving it! your videos started off slightly robotic and strictly to the facts but now you've introduced a little controversy. keep it coming!
Cheers... I will but the trouble is, whenever I say anything too negative, I get lots of angry comments (USUALLY IN CAPS LOCK)
You know you've really rustled their jimmies when the caps lock comes on hahaha
Back in 2007 I test drove a new Golf GTI, Astra VXR, Civic Type R and Focus ST3. The Astra was mental quick but felt cheap, the Civic felt slow unless you ringed its neck, the Golf was pretty much perfect but in the end the looks and the endless grunt of the ST engine made choose that as my new car.
Enjoyed the video, although I've been on same page for I think your other reviews, I have to disagree on this one 😁 I think the Golf GTI MK5 is a great all rounder and hard to find a car that ticks so so many boxes. Yes, it's not a rocket ship and they're pretty much on every street corner but it's a good all round proposition and when you come to sell it you'll not struggle at all. With all that said, I've been in the sales dept. in a Volkswagen dealership for just over 20 years so have a just little of the GTI Golf in my blood now! My son has MK6 version with nearly 150k on the clock and it runs like a Swiss watch...
Haha fair enough. Thanks for watching
Mk5 gti is one of the best got hatches.. it’s still gold even in 2020.. why the hate ?😳
The Mk5 gti was considerably better than the Mk4 (a rolly polly) and so relatively, was a very good car. Unfortunately, age happens and the gti improved further - which is a good thing.
I think everything being “okay” about this car is why people love it so much as it’s a good all rounder. The exception of performance is because these are highly modified you’ll struggle to find a mk5 golf gti that hasn’t been messed with
The GTI is the wrong Golf to have the Golf R or the R32 is the car to have 👍 and you mentioned the DSG gearbox which is a very very good box your the first person I’ve heard give negative comments about it. The SMG in your m3 e46 is the worst and most unreliable gear box known to man.
leevwe leevwe except the younger ones (including me, I’m 19) can’t afford a Golf R, unless you deal in drugs. I’m looking for a GTI because I like the way it looks and it’s pretty affordable. For the money you pay for a mk5 gti here in the Netherlands you can get ugly Peugeot’s, old Audi’s and other cars that aren’t really my thing. I’d love to own a R32 one day but for now I’ll try and save up for a nice GTI.
Love to see a 135i review to see if your mind could be swayed. Another good vid! 👍🏻
Im glad ive got your input on what this car is like, i planned to buy this and remap it to stage 1 for that extra push it might need. Haven't driven 1 yet but i think my expectations would be similar to how you think this car is like to drive. You didnt kiss the golfs ass in other words lol
Name I picked one up for £8k, with 35,000 on the clock.Had a stage 1 remap straight away and it’s the most fun I’ve had in a car for ages.Highly recommend 👍🏻
Excellent work Matt - very honest - and funny! You must have struck a nerve with a lot of folk judging by all the negativity!
Thanks! Yeah it didnt go down well with a lot of people - they should lighten up :)
Struck a nerve? Hardly. Where i live golf is a legend. Where so many people have no money to buy something more expensive. Golf here was driven by many generations. In our family we had almost every generation of Golf. It has never failed us. If i had more money of course id buy lets say Audi RS6. But life doesnt work that way for some people. Cheers.
Loved the generalisations! I'd say the same! They're just kinda 'meh' or 'blah' I think, especially that mark. To be honest, I owned a golf R..for 6 months and then I reverted back to a landy! They're a bit of fun but short lived in my opinion, plus my backside is not designed for those bucket seats! Keep the reviews coming!
James Shephard GTIs are for young guns who bag them and put a APR stage 2 tune on em to gap STIs 😂
Hi Pal, thanks for the content excellent 👍 I have owned 2 Golf MK5 GTIs - 1st was Identicle to your silver one in the vid except it was a manual - it was going back to 2012 it was a 2007 I’m a car dealer here in Dublin and I actually swapped it for a 350z 2005 year that’s how I got it and I grabbed it as the 350z wasn’t selling anytime soon at the time - sold the 07 Silver Gti after 2 weeks and did really well out of it.
2nd one I had was about 2018 it was a 2006 model black with cream leather with only 53k miles 1 owner from new fvwsh it was a peach we just did a alloy Wheels Refurb and cambelt and dsg service sold that also quickly it was snapped up I have to be honest I think the DSG is the one to have the one I had burbled between gear changes and went like stink i love mk5 gti’s I think they are a great second hand buy these days - they respond very well to a remap and makes a massive difference to the performance (watch the cam follower for ware if it’s not been checked / changed at some point ) all the best from sunny Dublin 👍 Colin..
I do like the noise the DSG's make between gear changes, always sounds good. Cheers :)
Great review, and very funny. Love your generalisations......as a seat cupra goes flying past my front ...lol.
Very good/honest review keep more coming👍
Big up the gyel dem 😂😂😂
Great and honest review as per bloody normal Mr Matt 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌
Cheers! Thanks for watching :)
Hilarious Hot Hatch stereotypes 🤩🤣 Fortunately I’m none of what you’ve describe despite having owned over 15 Golfs ... from MK2s GTi 8V & 16v through some MK3 GTis (8V & 16V) & MK4 GTD/ GTi & a V5 ... having skipped two generations of the Golf GTI family I’m currently in a Mk7.5 Golf R DSG having bought it New in 2018. Speaking of DSG gearboxes... they are Automated ... not Automatic.
( common misconception so don’t feel too bad about it 😉) DSG has no torque converter as per traditional Automatics... and as you said it yourself, DSG has two clutches 👍🏼
I think the people who buy Golfs new are the polar opposite of Mr High Peak's stereotype of used buyers. Often very middle class types wanting to go somewhat under the radar in their city daily driver, or they live in a luxury city centre apartment and only want one car for mainly city/motorway use, but that they can also enjoy on the occasional B-road blast. These people normally value the understated looks and comfy/roomy/practical interior, along with a quality feel.
Only problem is the new MK8 Golf is significantly down on quality and the dash design is horrible and low rent looking. Might just get more buyers looking at the likes of the i30N and the new Mazda3, but then again, many will probably up their budgets to an Audi S3 Sportback.
Absolute perfect description of Golf GTI,S totally agree, I'm not much of a vw fan, but many people are..Having driven most cars I can compare them with one another. I actually prefer to drive a Fiat Panda to a Golf.... All the Best, Brilliant video As Always, Thank You...?
Does your M3 get gyaldem??
Pritesh Patel Not yet... maybe I need to get myself a bum-bag
@@HighPeakAutos lol
The underwhelming performance is so true. I have a 5 litre supercharged Range Rover (big body, not even a sport). The other day I raced a Golf 7 GTI from the lights and I killed it. Both myself and the guy in the GTI couldn't believe that my country club on wheels beat him at the lights!
Haha yes I can believe it
2:13 😂😂😂
You should try and pick up a Jetta tfsi sport. Admittedly they are a lot rarer than the gti but they have the same engine without the typical owners as mentioned in the video. Plus they don't look like a golf and for a slight practicality tradeoff they are in my opinion THE pick of this generation of golf platform
.No joke.. Every nearmiss Ive had on the road has nearly involved a head on collision with someone driving a golf.
They're all murderers.
Matt Boulton very ironic, I own a golf mk4 (it’s my first car) and the first time I almost got in an accident was with a golf mk7 trying to kiss my bumper. I started driving a little faster to get rid of him but he kept on pushing me. I had to slam the brakes for an old caddy rushing to the left. Everything went well but man that was close.
Good to see an honest warts and all review.
You are misguided my friend. The Golf is an icon. Always will be.
unloved examples beware ! steering rack £1500 ,cambelt kit £749 @vw dsg gearbox repair £2000,do your homework
The best car review in youtoube, love from Sweden
To be fair, I think hot hatches work better with a manual and you’re caning it. The stuff like the RS3 and A45 are essentially small high speed motorway cars in my mind.
A properly set up hot hatch should have minimal understeer. From the mk5 gti i drove, it handles more neutrally than understeer, and some of them, like the EP3 type R and the 205 GTi will lift off oversteer.
Hi Matt I once had a 2003 golf 2.3 v5 which had an ok,ish engine but was shockingly bad on the fuel and I only. Had it 6 months before I off loaded it for yet another jaguar xk6 sport and I soon as I got back into the jag I thought “heaven” I’m like you not really a hot hatch person great video hope you’re well best wishes ian.
Cheers Ian
Usually I'm with you but not here. I had a new 55 plate Mk5 just like yours. First VW for me and was a fantastic car. For 2005 it WAS quick, yet comfy enough for journeys. I had it 3 years/70k and it never missed a beat. In Oct, fed up with my Velar 3.0D HSE with its barmy touchscreens and total unreliability....I jumped into the plunge pool and traded it for a rather special Golf R. Which I expect you would also hate given it's super conservative styling (looks good in special Nada Grey, black wheels, Akrapovic quad pipes) but has to be the supreme all rounder car to live with daily. I'm 60 in August btw and live in NE London.
Thats fair enough. I do see the appeal of an AWD 'R' (sort of).
Love the honest if not pc review 🤣🤣. Just one question what is more interesting for around the same sort of money as the Golf you drove for this review
The review i have been waiting for! Ty 🤩👍
I’ll admit the golf doesn’t do much for me either personally. But the ‘pure’ high revving nature of a civic type r in brilliant I think. Obviously I’m talking about the older ones.
psp0guy Yes I agree with that. The EP3
I don’t even drive any more but I love the social commentary
One of the best channels i've seen... i can't believe i hadn't encountered it sooner... Well done mate well done...and keep it going,this channel deserves much more subs but i have no doubt you will get there...
Thanks for your comments! I appreciate it
Yes, it doesn't look as striking as new Civic Type R, but for many that is exactly the point, I am 43, can't see myself driving something like that. And, if you don't find the power impressive, these engines respond very well to tuning: mine has an APR Stage 2, 270hp, 400N/m, pulls like a train, people always grin like idiots every time I floor it (except some that throw up, of course). The engine is bulletproof, most parts common with the normal Golf, so easy to find...
To summarise, best car I had till now and you described it as average... ;(
Mate you are honest(a rare quality for a car salesman) and funny.
This brought the GTI back to the Golf...🚗💨🙂
Im going to be honest, I haven’t laughed so much at a video in a long time!!😂. You hit the nail on the head
Haha thanks, pleased to hear it
Just being boiled alive passing through the Panama Canal those views of the Peak have quite cooled me down!!
Haha pleased I can help