Mk6 gti ownership

[JS1902]

So I have had my 2010 Mk6 gti for almost 4 months now, it is a fun daily driver. The car has ~130k on the clock but the engine was replaced back in 2013 by VW due to timing chain issues so the engine mileage is about 85k. The previous owner had the clutch (but not flywheel) replaced along with the intake manifold. I’ve replaced the spark plugs, fuel filter and pcv valve all with genuine parts. Is there anything else I should be watching out for or changing in terms of preventative maintenance?

Can other owners here please also comment on mpg? I seem to get in the low 20s around town does that seem right? Thank you

[rickygolf83]

My friend with a mk5 gti sees low 20s mpg around town too

[JS1902]

I was expecting better to be honest, I don’t even thrash the car!

[martin mrt]

That’s low, my mk6 GTI averaged high 20s to low 30s in town

[JS1902]

Maybe something to investigate then. I am also surprised at how black the exhaust tips get, cleaned them with autosol last week and they are black again.

[williamp]

Might it be chipped??

It's very unusual to get black soot etc on a modern petrol engine. That said, maybe the injectors need a clean

[TonyTony]

It seems low, I got about 28mpg in my FR+ when I was booting it around on short journeys and I think thats the same engine.

I get low 20s in my 280 Cupra on heavy throttle short journeys.

[JS1902]

I don't believe the car is remapped, no plans to either.

Well I do spend a lot of time in stop/start traffic maybe that's why. My 9 mile drive into work gets me around 35mpg which isn't too bad.

I originally wanted a Mk7 GTI but this one came up for a good price with good spec.

[TonyTony]

JS1902 said:

I don't believe the car is remapped, no plans to either.

Well I do spend a lot of time in stop/start traffic maybe that's why. My 9 mile drive into work gets me around 35mpg which isn't too bad.

I originally wanted a Mk7 GTI but this one came up for a good price with good spec.

When I got my last car (Leon FR+) I wanted a MK6 GTI really but I couldn't justify the extra probably £10k I would have had to pay for the same spec and mileage.

Same again when I got my Cupra I wanted a MK7 GTI really, I saw a few at a good price but now they are through the roof.

[JS1902]

I seem to recall Mk7 GTI prices for 2013/14 models with ~90,000 on the clock dropping to £10500 almost a year ago or so. Now they are up at £12k. I'm sure they drive better but I do prefer the looks of the Mk6.

[Tony1963]

There’s no way that anyone here can say whether your mpg around town is normal, there are just too many variables.

[anonymous-user]

I use mine for pizza deliveries (so tons of start stop driving around town).

Rebuilt engine, DSG I got 82 miles for £20 (Tesco Momentum @ £140.9)

But soon as I drive a bit more "GTi", it plummets.

Life's too short for MPG worries on top of chain tensioner, water pump, coil pack, DV, PCV, cylinder head, oil pump etc etc worries!

[JS1902]

Yeah I shouldn't be thinking of mpg much to be honest, ruins the enjoyment of the car.

I thought the diverter valve was only an issue on the Mk5 gti, are they prone to splitting on the Mk6 also?

[Don Veloci]

Seem to recall the urban MPG of my mk6 being a bit greedy! Expected that though and if I genuinely had to worry about it I wouldn't have bought it.

More like 40mpg on long runs which is reasonable.

[anonymous-user]

JS1902 said:

Yeah I shouldn't be thinking of mpg much to be honest, ruins the enjoyment of the car.

I thought the diverter valve was only an issue on the Mk5 gti, are they prone to splitting on the Mk6 also?

Tbh I just had it changed whilst the engine was out anyways.

[scoey1001]

Does the car get up to temp as it should? On the mk5 it should hit 90 in minutes and stay bang on 90. Mine needed the thermostat changing and mpg went up by 4-5.

[JS1902]

Think I'll change the diverter valve anyway.

Car gets up to temp in no time and stays there, so think thermostats are fine. Another potential cause could be binding caliper, I've had that with previous Mk5 and A3, so will have a look.

[jam_up]

Mid 20’s in town when I had mIne with mixed driving (DSG). Low 30’s on a motorway blitz… touching 40’s if going at lorry pace Regret getting rid of mine as I feel its the best looking golf but heyho, sacrificed for a mk7.5 GTD due to my commute which hits 60 mpg but so dull to drive… :/

[JS1902]

Agreed that the mk6 looks the best. Sitting inside a friends mk7 TDI and the interior quality isn't as good as the Mk6 well in my opinion anyway. On the mpg front, I've been filling up with V Power recently and to my pleasant surprise, it has made a positive difference. Maybe the only regret I have is that I should have got DSG..

[JS1902]

There is quite a bad knock coming from the rear when going over bumps and potholes. The MOT is due soon so that will hopefully pick up the culprit but I was planning to overhaul the suspension anyway as the mileage is approaching 130k. The car has electronically adjustable dampers which makes things complicated (and expensive!) but after doing some research and cross-referencing of part numbers I have found that Monroe do OEM front dampers which are very reasonably priced on autodoc as are all four springs which are Sachs, a good brand I think? The rear dampers unfortunately are available from VW only, at something like £300 each but I may have to bite the bullet on them, let's see. Should control arms or anything need replacing, I'll stick to TRW or Lemforder.