The winter hack - a 2006 Mk5 Golf GTI DSG
Discussion
I had a brilliant dream. I was going to buy an early 996 C2 Manual coupe and daily drive it.
I did that, and I've been using it daily since I got it in April 2022. However, I'm conscious that last winter wasn't kind on it - and a 90s sports car in winter isn't much joy when it has a sports exhaust and you need to clear the windscreen in -6 weather.
So, man maths started to be used. I've got a knee surgery due that means I may well end up being unable to drive the 911 for 3-4 months anyway, and I need an auto ... so I started looking.
A few things came to mind, but I found a Golf GTI a little trek down the road. A 2006 DSG 3 door car in Tornado Red with just Leather Upholstery on the options list (yes, original bill of sale is included).
It's a 1 owner car, inches of history, previous owner appeared to be pretty fastidious. Good MOT history. Decent tyres all round, regular cam belt & water pump changes, regular DSG oil changes.... and 173,000 miles.
We'd just swapped out our Discovery (a Discovery 3 on 176,000 miles for a 'new' 2015 D4 with 96,000), and with my 996 having 143,000 miles... I'm not put off high mileage heroes.
Car was being sold by a sole trader who had a nice selection of other sporty cars sub 10k, and he sent some great photos of the history for me to pour over as well as a great walk around video.
It, obviously, isn't perfect. There is some peeling lacquer on some pieces of plastic trim, headlining is loose around the ceiling glasses holder, but it's in what I'd risk saying is superb condition for its mileage.
I took it for a drive today, and I was genuinely impressed. Surprisingly refined, no knocks or bangs, pulls smoothly. Suffice to say, it's now sat on our drive.
I'll grab some photos in the next few days and try to keep its journey to 200k and beyond logged here.
I did that, and I've been using it daily since I got it in April 2022. However, I'm conscious that last winter wasn't kind on it - and a 90s sports car in winter isn't much joy when it has a sports exhaust and you need to clear the windscreen in -6 weather.
So, man maths started to be used. I've got a knee surgery due that means I may well end up being unable to drive the 911 for 3-4 months anyway, and I need an auto ... so I started looking.
A few things came to mind, but I found a Golf GTI a little trek down the road. A 2006 DSG 3 door car in Tornado Red with just Leather Upholstery on the options list (yes, original bill of sale is included).
It's a 1 owner car, inches of history, previous owner appeared to be pretty fastidious. Good MOT history. Decent tyres all round, regular cam belt & water pump changes, regular DSG oil changes.... and 173,000 miles.
We'd just swapped out our Discovery (a Discovery 3 on 176,000 miles for a 'new' 2015 D4 with 96,000), and with my 996 having 143,000 miles... I'm not put off high mileage heroes.
Car was being sold by a sole trader who had a nice selection of other sporty cars sub 10k, and he sent some great photos of the history for me to pour over as well as a great walk around video.
It, obviously, isn't perfect. There is some peeling lacquer on some pieces of plastic trim, headlining is loose around the ceiling glasses holder, but it's in what I'd risk saying is superb condition for its mileage.
I took it for a drive today, and I was genuinely impressed. Surprisingly refined, no knocks or bangs, pulls smoothly. Suffice to say, it's now sat on our drive.
I'll grab some photos in the next few days and try to keep its journey to 200k and beyond logged here.
Edited by conanius on Wednesday 1st November 11:13
911Spanker said:
How's the DSG box in these? An expensive worry or not an issue in the real world?
Also does it need any remap/upgrade?
As far as i'm aware pretty reliable as long as you keep up with the DSG oil changes (Every 40k miles). Easy to DIY them but will cost £120 or so in parts. Also does it need any remap/upgrade?
Remap definitely helps, will go from 200 to 250bhp with no supporting mods. A lot of people gut out the pre cat/add a downpipe/air intake aswell.
Like Conanius, I too have a Porsche I’d rather not use through the winter - in my case a 997.2 and I’ve just done something very similar by buying a 2006 MkV GTi although I’m sure it isn’t in anything like the condition the OP’s car is in.
I bought mine from a friend who’d had it from new and I’ve every service receipt and bill including the supplying dealer’s sales invoice. This has a piffling 115K miles but has suffered damage to every body panel and alloy and has definitely had more than a few visits to some very average body shops judging by the lack of clear coat finish on two of the doors. It’s also a less than exciting 5 door in Diamond Black pearl btw. Option wise it’s actually almost fully loaded; DSG, xenon’s, 18” wheels, sunroof, heated Vienna leather, Multi Functional Steering wheel, SatNav, parking sensors etc. I’ve replaced the front drop links and the ‘supposedly’ chocolate fuel pump cam follower and one CV joint needs doing but otherwise it drives really well. This is my 2nd MkV GTi and my 6th VW GTi which included 2 Mk1 Campaigns and a Mk2. I had an Mk V Edition 30 10 years ago which I loved and sold on for a Mk7 R but didn’t really bond with it. This GTi feels a little slower than it’s Edition 30 cousin but so far it feels more than capable of getting me though the winter months and beyond!
I bought mine from a friend who’d had it from new and I’ve every service receipt and bill including the supplying dealer’s sales invoice. This has a piffling 115K miles but has suffered damage to every body panel and alloy and has definitely had more than a few visits to some very average body shops judging by the lack of clear coat finish on two of the doors. It’s also a less than exciting 5 door in Diamond Black pearl btw. Option wise it’s actually almost fully loaded; DSG, xenon’s, 18” wheels, sunroof, heated Vienna leather, Multi Functional Steering wheel, SatNav, parking sensors etc. I’ve replaced the front drop links and the ‘supposedly’ chocolate fuel pump cam follower and one CV joint needs doing but otherwise it drives really well. This is my 2nd MkV GTi and my 6th VW GTi which included 2 Mk1 Campaigns and a Mk2. I had an Mk V Edition 30 10 years ago which I loved and sold on for a Mk7 R but didn’t really bond with it. This GTi feels a little slower than it’s Edition 30 cousin but so far it feels more than capable of getting me though the winter months and beyond!
Don’t recall driving my last one in the snow ….but I kind of agree on the seats; the ½ leather Edition 30 seats were fantastic but the grey Vienna is ‘meh’ and at high mileage has gone a bit baggy looking. I’ve used some leather cleaner to reduce the shine and I’ll feed it to add some suppleness back. Wonder why VW didn’t offer black.
Thanks for all the replies folks
So firstly, pictures as promised.
Lifted from the advert ....
These are actually surprisingly fair. It really does look like this. There's a funny lacquer blemish on a small section of the bonnet, some peeling lacquer on some of the side plastic colour coded door trims, and ditto on the wing mirrors... interior wise the light switch is a bit funky but I've ordered a replacement already.
And then an obligatory "I've got a 'hot hatch' so here it is in a super market carpark
Great to hear peoples tales of other MK5's - especially yours galaxie500. I'd have happily bought one that was 'well used' in its look from a known source. Still will do the job of keeping your 997.2 away from the salt.
In terms of other points
- The car has reports of every DSG oil change being done that was required for its age and mileage. It seems great at the moment.
- Seats wise, all of the cloth seat cars I saw looked, well, exhausted. I actually like the seats, they feel lovely.
- Winter driving. The Conti's it has on all round still have a fair amount of tread. I will however eventually swap them out for some all seasons I imagine (I won't be going to the effort of separate winters I doubt).
- Remap is a high possibility. I've got a spare Bluefin device from a previous car... and they've just sent me an offer email....
Car is booked in for a cam belt & water pump change in a couple of weeks. I'll report back what they advise me of....
So firstly, pictures as promised.
Lifted from the advert ....
These are actually surprisingly fair. It really does look like this. There's a funny lacquer blemish on a small section of the bonnet, some peeling lacquer on some of the side plastic colour coded door trims, and ditto on the wing mirrors... interior wise the light switch is a bit funky but I've ordered a replacement already.
And then an obligatory "I've got a 'hot hatch' so here it is in a super market carpark
Great to hear peoples tales of other MK5's - especially yours galaxie500. I'd have happily bought one that was 'well used' in its look from a known source. Still will do the job of keeping your 997.2 away from the salt.
In terms of other points
- The car has reports of every DSG oil change being done that was required for its age and mileage. It seems great at the moment.
- Seats wise, all of the cloth seat cars I saw looked, well, exhausted. I actually like the seats, they feel lovely.
- Winter driving. The Conti's it has on all round still have a fair amount of tread. I will however eventually swap them out for some all seasons I imagine (I won't be going to the effort of separate winters I doubt).
- Remap is a high possibility. I've got a spare Bluefin device from a previous car... and they've just sent me an offer email....
Car is booked in for a cam belt & water pump change in a couple of weeks. I'll report back what they advise me of....
Edited by conanius on Friday 3rd November 07:36
Great shots! Car looks in fine fettle. Apologies btw. Feel like I rather hijacked your excellent thread with my scribbling.
If I may ask, How do you rate your Pioneer head unit? Does it have Apple CarPlay? Having had CarPlay in my Mk 7 Golf R a few years ago and driven countless cars with it since I’ve been weighing up the options as I feel it makes light work of phone integration in the most user friendly way possible. VW make a CarPlay head unit my pal has in his Caddy van which I’m sure would suffice but your unit looks very neat indeed.
Thanks for starting this thread.
Looking forward to your next instalment!
If I may ask, How do you rate your Pioneer head unit? Does it have Apple CarPlay? Having had CarPlay in my Mk 7 Golf R a few years ago and driven countless cars with it since I’ve been weighing up the options as I feel it makes light work of phone integration in the most user friendly way possible. VW make a CarPlay head unit my pal has in his Caddy van which I’m sure would suffice but your unit looks very neat indeed.
Thanks for starting this thread.
Looking forward to your next instalment!
galaxie500 said:
Great shots! Car looks in fine fettle. Apologies btw. Feel like I rather hijacked your excellent thread with my scribbling.
If I may ask, How do you rate your Pioneer head unit? Does it have Apple CarPlay? Having had CarPlay in my Mk 7 Golf R a few years ago and driven countless cars with it since I’ve been weighing up the options as I feel it makes light work of phone integration in the most user friendly way possible. VW make a CarPlay head unit my pal has in his Caddy van which I’m sure would suffice but your unit looks very neat indeed.
Thanks for starting this thread.
Looking forward to your next instalment!
Nonsense - it’s a forum. It’s great to hear other perspectives If I may ask, How do you rate your Pioneer head unit? Does it have Apple CarPlay? Having had CarPlay in my Mk 7 Golf R a few years ago and driven countless cars with it since I’ve been weighing up the options as I feel it makes light work of phone integration in the most user friendly way possible. VW make a CarPlay head unit my pal has in his Caddy van which I’m sure would suffice but your unit looks very neat indeed.
Thanks for starting this thread.
Looking forward to your next instalment!
It was quite nice to know another 911 owner had trodden this path !
This unit does have Apple CarPlay. Former owner had it fitted in 2020 I believe.
It’s the first CarPlay unit I’ve had and I’m very impressed with it. It just…. Works. Which I presume is the point !
It’s making me realise I should fit one to the 996. I’ve found a nice frameless one that looks very similar to the PCCM Classic unit but a fair chunk cheaper !
Bobupndown said:
I take it the alloys were previously diamond cut and have been refurbished?
I thought, but could be wrong, that in 17" size the Monza wheels were all painted, and it was only the 18" that had a diamond cut option..... Edit - bit of googlefu suggests that I was right:
Monza = 17 inch silver powdercoated alloy wheel, standard fit on a mk5 or mk6 GTI.
Monza II = 18 inch grey powdercoated inner with polished and lacquered face, factory option on a mk5 GTI
Monza Shadow = 18 inch black powdercoated inner with polished and lacquered face, factory option on a mk6 GTI
Detroit is the commonly used in the UK name for a matte black powdercoated version of the 18'' Monza with a polished lip, originally fitted to a Euro spec Edition 30 GTI but also available as a VW accessory wheel.
Denver is what VW calls the 17'' Monza in most other countries and Detroit is the 18'' Monza II in most other countries should you require any further confusion.
Edited by conanius on Sunday 5th November 15:04
conanius said:
Bobupndown said:
I take it the alloys were previously diamond cut and have been refurbished?
I thought, but could be wrong, that in 17" size the Monza wheels were all painted, and it was only the 18" that had a diamond cut option..... Edit - bit of googlefu suggests that I was right:
Monza = 17 inch silver powdercoated alloy wheel, standard fit on a mk5 or mk6 GTI.
Monza II = 18 inch grey powdercoated inner with polished and lacquered face, factory option on a mk5 GTI
Monza Shadow = 18 inch black powdercoated inner with polished and lacquered face, factory option on a mk6 GTI
Detroit is the commonly used in the UK name for a matte black powdercoated version of the 18'' Monza with a polished lip, originally fitted to a Euro spec Edition 30 GTI but also available as a VW accessory wheel.
Denver is what VW calls the 17'' Monza in most other countries and Detroit is the 18'' Monza II in most other countries should you require any further confusion.
Edited by conanius on Sunday 5th November 15:04
Absolutely brilliant thing. I worked for VW through the mk3-mk7 and the mk5 gti is still my favourite.
I had a 55 plate 5 door in tornado red and it was my perfect spec:
5 door (kids)
Xenons
17s (having driven hundreds, the ride on the 17s I've always preferred)
Highline dash
Centre armrest
Winter pack (heated seats)
Cloth interior.
I was the 2nd owner and it came with full history. I bought it with about 100k on it and it was my daily driver for 4 years.
I took it to 144k and loved every minute and only sadly sold it as out of nowhere the cam chain snapped. (They have a chain linking both cams).
To this day I still miss it
I had a 55 plate 5 door in tornado red and it was my perfect spec:
5 door (kids)
Xenons
17s (having driven hundreds, the ride on the 17s I've always preferred)
Highline dash
Centre armrest
Winter pack (heated seats)
Cloth interior.
I was the 2nd owner and it came with full history. I bought it with about 100k on it and it was my daily driver for 4 years.
I took it to 144k and loved every minute and only sadly sold it as out of nowhere the cam chain snapped. (They have a chain linking both cams).
To this day I still miss it
galaxie500 said:
Here’s mine! Did I mention it’s got a sunroof. Don’t really like them - extra weight, reduced headroom & potential leaks but it does reduce the darkness in the cabin with the blind back, which then highlights my lack of hair! 
Ah tooting bec. Grew up 2 roads down from there.Edited by galaxie500 on Thursday 2nd November 10:13
My bro had a Mk5 GTi. Drove down to Cornwall in it and it was surprisingly comfortable. Great all rounder.
This was my Edition 30:
I fitted original Xenon headlights - massive improvement on the rather poor Halogen units and I think look great too and also fitted a Votex front spoiler in place of the original Edition 30 one which purists might dislike but I thought improved the look and painted the inner part gloss black. Same at the rear. Pescara wheels were painted a darker gunmetal too. Otherwise totally stock. Sold the car in May 2016.
I fitted original Xenon headlights - massive improvement on the rather poor Halogen units and I think look great too and also fitted a Votex front spoiler in place of the original Edition 30 one which purists might dislike but I thought improved the look and painted the inner part gloss black. Same at the rear. Pescara wheels were painted a darker gunmetal too. Otherwise totally stock. Sold the car in May 2016.
Edited by galaxie500 on Thursday 9th November 05:36
Thought I'd piggy back onto here, rather than add on to my post.
Bought myself an 09 GTi last weekend. Having now driven it to work a few times I've noticed a few things :
I miss heated seats! This seems a right palaver to retro fit, has anyone done it?
The ICE is woeful, has anyone fitted an Android Auto thing to these? Any recommendations?
And finally I have a rattle from the rear left area; it's going in to be looked at on Tuesday and if it's something major a call to Taylormade classics will be have to be made.
The ride : it's on the wrong side of firm for me. It's on h+r lowering springs, would this make the ride firmer or is it more likely to be the 18 inch Monzas?
That's the bad stuff out the way, apart from the aforementioned rattle it drives well, although getting used to driving a petrol again after the torque of a diesel is taking its time.
Bought myself an 09 GTi last weekend. Having now driven it to work a few times I've noticed a few things :
I miss heated seats! This seems a right palaver to retro fit, has anyone done it?
The ICE is woeful, has anyone fitted an Android Auto thing to these? Any recommendations?
And finally I have a rattle from the rear left area; it's going in to be looked at on Tuesday and if it's something major a call to Taylormade classics will be have to be made.
The ride : it's on the wrong side of firm for me. It's on h+r lowering springs, would this make the ride firmer or is it more likely to be the 18 inch Monzas?
That's the bad stuff out the way, apart from the aforementioned rattle it drives well, although getting used to driving a petrol again after the torque of a diesel is taking its time.
I've fitted a few android auto things to VW's, fitted this a couple of weeks ago to my new (old) passat
And for the money it's great, it just works like wireless AA/CP should, it takes a little while to fully boot up but apart from that it's brilliant, no crashing, no rebooting, integrates with canbus so all the wheel buttons work, parking sensors still work etc etc
Easy to fit too, recommended by me.
And for the money it's great, it just works like wireless AA/CP should, it takes a little while to fully boot up but apart from that it's brilliant, no crashing, no rebooting, integrates with canbus so all the wheel buttons work, parking sensors still work etc etc
Easy to fit too, recommended by me.
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