Upgrade - MK7 Golf GTI

[Clocke00]

In the market for a new motor. Had my my 7 fiesta zetec s for 7 years now. Done me very well as my first car. Looking to updragde to a MK7 GTI, but curious on recommendations for a hot hatch.

A nice example has come up in my area. 80K miles FSH performance pack 10K

My only concern is potential lack of DSG service. Buyer hasn’t had it done in his ownership and is unsure whether it was performed prior. Is there anything to look out for on the DSG box when I got to view and test drive?

[Tony_T]

That is worrying, Otherwise it sounds like a very good price. However these gearboxes (DQ250) usually fail when they aren't maintained properly and it will be a big bill - 2kish.

What is your budget?

Edited by Tony_T on Tuesday 12th August 15:46

[ZX10R NIN]

Also take a look the Leon Cupra:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501117...

Although it's more warm than hot the Megane GT is a good buy at 10k:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401135...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507094...

A250:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508035...

[Clocke00]

Tony_T said:

That is worrying, Otherwise it sounds like a very good price. However these gearboxes (DQ250) usually fail when they aren't maintained properly and it will be a big bill - 2kish.

What is your budget?

Edited by Tony_T on Tuesday 12th August 15:46

My thoughts to. Roughly 10-12K I can see some MK7s around but they seem to be pushing 100K

[zedx19]

Find another, isn't worth the risk if the DSG oil change isn't documented, twice for that mileage. I have a mk7 Golf GTi, DSG, 2017 plate on 80k now which I've had for 4.5 years and put 40k on. DSG service done twice, no problems with anything other than coolant housing weeping a tad (happens on all EA888 engines), utterly reliable and solid car which I still love driving.

[Clocke00]

Yeah thought so. Guys going to check the history again as it’s advertised with “FSH” so I’d assume that would cover the DSG as a major service item. Shame if not as it’s a lovely example!

[paul_c123]

Worth carefully looking through the service book (I think VW went digital in 2015, so an early Mk7 could still be on service book) to see if they've made notes alongside the other info in the boxes.

[DUBS73P]

Seems a very good price, I sold my 2015 PP manual for just over 12k last month on 80k!

[119]

And the digital history on a lot of cars is a work of fiction a lot of the time and do not always include everything that has been done. It’s only as good as the person inputting the info.

If you have the reg number, you can call any VW dealer and most will email you the history.

As I said in the R thread, it took us many months to find a decent example and paid a huge amount more than our budget.

100k miles?

Not sure I would tbh, knowing how hateful the gearboxes are if not looked after.

Clutch packs and flywheel around £2k Indy to replace. Mechatronic unit around £1k and I think that is for a refurbished unit.

We initially found a GTD with 70k miles and after a couple of weeks ownership, it became evident the clutch packs were fked aling with the DMF.

They are cracking cars but eyes wide open

[AddyT.]

119 said:

And the digital history on a lot of cars is a work of fiction a lot of the time and do not always include everything that has been done. It’s only as good as the person inputting the info.

If you have the reg number, you can call any VW dealer and most will email you the history.

As I said in the R thread, it took us many months to find a decent example and paid a huge amount more than our budget.

100k miles?

Not sure I would tbh, knowing how hateful the gearboxes are if not looked after.

Clutch packs and flywheel around £2k Indy to replace. Mechatronic unit around £1k and I think that is for a refurbished unit.

We initially found a GTD with 70k miles and after a couple of weeks ownership, it became evident the clutch packs were fked aling with the DMF.

They are cracking cars but eyes wide open

Yep, call a VW dealer and they should be able to bring up the history. Like others have said, DSG services are a MUST so definitely walk away if it's not clear if they have had them. Absolute no go if there is any doubt!

My mechatronic failed on my 7R a couple of years ago. Was covered under VW approved used warranty and think it was £750 at the time. But a pain as needed fixing immediately.

Can only speak from a 7R perspective but if properly serviced, you should be OK. Bar my mechatronic replacement have had no other issues at all in 5 years of ownership.

[dmsims]

IME VW dealers are incredibly uncoopereative on service history and just hide behind GDPR

Look in ther boot for service stickers

[119]

dmsims said:

IME VW dealers are incredibly uncoopereative on service history and just hide behind GDPR

Look in ther boot for service stickers

I had one try that, so I just called another dealer.

There is absolutely no personal data on the VW printout at all, and in some instances, the dealer isn’t even listed by the service listing.

[Deerfoot]

paul_c123 said:

Worth carefully looking through the service book (I think VW went digital in 2015, so an early Mk7 could still be on service book) to see if they've made notes alongside the other info in the boxes.

Without supporting evidence a line of handwritten biro in a service booklet is worth the square root of fk all I'd have thought..

[paul_c123]

Deerfoot said:

Without supporting evidence a line of handwritten biro in a service booklet is worth the square root of fk all I'd have thought..

What is convincing supporting evidence though? An entry on a digital service record is going to be the equivalent - a human being has entered it. Same with an invoice, a human being has created and printed it. The only real way to know is to drain the oil out of the DSG again, then analyse the fluid. If its less than 40k miles old, you'll be able to tell.

[zedx19]

paul_c123 said:

Worth carefully looking through the service book (I think VW went digital in 2015, so an early Mk7 could still be on service book) to see if they've made notes alongside the other info in the boxes.

My 2017 is still a physical book, fully stamped and documented with receipts to back up.

I'd look for another though, the DSG service is so critical, not particular expensive but the borkage potential runs into thousands if the DSG service is missed. Lack of DSG service hints to a car not properly maintained as a whole as well.

Extremely popular car, so plenty to pick from, just keep looking and don't give up, they are brilliant all rounders. I got mine as a stop gap as I'd sold my Focus ST and needed something, mate offered me his GTi cheap as he needed funds to start a business. 4.5 years later the stop gap GTi is still my daily drive and no plans on swapping it.

[JD82]

DSG oil change is cheap too so points to lack of knowledge and/ or care…

[Clocke00]

Any objections on a Japanese import? Seen a few pop up now?

[paul_c123]

Check out insurance costs before committing. Not saying it will automatically be more, but worth knowing what it might be - I've heard that many companies won't cover imports or will load them.

[Tony_T]

Clocke00 said:

Any objections on a Japanese import? Seen a few pop up now?

I've got a Jap import MK5. No problems with insurance and when i last checked it was the same price as non import.

Please note Tax is charged at a flat rate though, currently £360 ish which i'm guessing is more than what you would pay for a non import.

Otherwise they generally tend to have been very well looked after in Japan.

I've been considering importing a MK7 Gti for a while now, using an agent on the Japan side. If this interests you and you don't mind doing some of the admin yourself it can get you a nice example for a few grand less than you'd pay here.