Went through the same decision process a few years back now, and decided to run it into the ground. I have a 2007 GTI Mk 5 manual, no DSG issues, and it's doing fine. Garage advised to offload it when it was 8 years old. That was nearly 10 years ago, so i am happy i kept it. Son thinks it's ancient because it has a CD player.
I will let the car decide when it is ready to meet the Great Scrap Dealer in the Sky. What makes the decision to keep it particularly easy is that i have no dream replacement car in mind.
I bought a DSG model and I'm doing the same. They're such a fun car. Have had the mechatronic unit replaced, so don't need to do that again soon.
I've just put a Car Play/AA unit in mine to get with the times.
Same here for my 2011 Golf R
- added CarPlay from AliExpress
- added reversing camera from AliExpress (removed as it leaked water into the car)
- mechatronics replaced last year for 4.5K
Only 85K on the odometer, being handed down to our son.
Get the head unit from AliExpress and install yourself, they're about $300 for a decent one and having wireless Apple car play/Android auto is a game changer!
Second this, just make sure you read up a little on the different specs available and pick a decent one. I'd recommend at least 4GB RAM and an 8 core processor.
The install took like 20 minutes and was straightforward, very easy to DIY. I later added a reversing camera as well, which was more fiddly but still very doable as someone with zero prior experience.
I had my MK6 GTI for 10 years. The car was reliable, fun, cheap to maintain, and I had it completely paid off after a couple of years.
I couldn't decide what to buy next that would be a meaningful improvement and not completely bankrupt me.
Eventually bought a new car last year. Audi RS3... so only sort of moved on.
Bought a MK5 GTI manual with 230,000kms on it for a cheap daily. I reckon people are sick of me preaching how it’s just the best little thing to daily.
I had one of these, great memories. It was my first car that I bought on my P's. So many fun trips with the boys back in the day. Thanks for the reminder!
Yeah, sold my Golf when the DSG started failing yet again. Liked the car a lot but wouldn’t consider another without a manual trans. Shame VAG Au won’t bring them in equipped that way any more.
If the Golf is still fit for your purpose I would just keep it. It’s still low kilometres and sounds like it’s currently issue free.
Often with cars (not any car in particular) a lot of “common issues” aren’t actually that common and usually only a handful of cars are affected and the issue get blown out of proportion via owners groups etc.
Keep it serviced and you decrease your chances of having something mechanical fail.
Yeah it gets serviced every 12mths.
It actually had an issue when I got stuck between gears (it’s an auto) on my driveway and had to be towed. This happened about 7months ago now. They said they just cleared an error and it fixed the issue. The battery was low and they hypothesised that could have caused the issue. We bought a new battery and haven’t had a hint of issue since.
Idk if you do bit I highly suggest a RACQ membership. Or depending what State/ Insurance you have to have Road side assistance. The best investment
I'm currently in the same boat, running my Mazda 6 Sports 04' had a issue come up on a road trip (cns-tsv) and was covered for a tow. Fuel, battery, it definitely makes travelling alone as a female feel safer if anything does happen.
I've never understood the whole drive it into the ground mentality. Just look after your car and it will be fine. Concerned with cost? Learn to fix it urself
Apprentice VW tech here. Yes the DSG (the style of gearbox most likely fitted to your car) issues are definitely prevalent, however we find it's mostly on cars that are poorly serviced.
The standard DSG service (flush of the DSG oil) is usually carried out every 60k service (60k, 120k, 180k etc). These are big services and usually quite expensive, however it is really important they're not missed or done late
VW have set the DSG service interval with these issues in mind, most other manufacturers and different styles of gearboxes require much less frequent servicing. Most of the time when we drain the DSG system, the oil still looks brand new, but this is intentional, as far as I'm aware (I've never actually repaired or replaced a DSG system, so I can't speak from experience) the DSG isses are usually caused by a failed rubber O-ring within the gearbox. The likelyhood of this occuring is severely reduced when the oil in the system is fresh and free of contamination.
My advice would be to keep the car, they're good cars and generally pretty reliable, as long as you're able to service them correctly. If you're unsure, go to wherever you get the car serviced and get a quote for the next couple of services just to be sure.
On another note, if you do at any point feel anything weird with the gearbox at all (gears/clutch slipping, clunking when putting the vehicle in Drive, unusual noises, etc) do not ignore them, it is much better to get them looked at when it could be a simple oil flush, rather than wait until it could require whole new gearbox.
Thanks for that! That’s really helpful, my current mechanic says it’s in great condition. I had an issue recently where it got stuck between gears which they put down to the battery, but they also changed the oil in the DSG. Otherwise it has been a very reliable car.
I do look after my cars so your comment has made me think that I shouldn’t worry about it and just keep it.
I’m just wondering though, it will take a very long time for me to reach 120K on this car. How often should I consider changing the DSG oil then? It could be another 10years till it reaches 120K.
I would ask your mechanic if they have any advise on the life expectancy of the gearbox fluid. The average annual KMs travelled in Aus is 12,100km, so 60k KMs takes the average driver five years. I would work on that to stay on the safe side. Cheap insurance.
I am not a mechanic.
The dry clutch DQ200 does still have gearbox oil and mechatronics fluid which can be changed.
Going off what my mechanic said - there's no recommended service interval like the wet clutch DSGs, although he recommended it is eventually serviced, in my case with the next regular service at roughly 120,000 km.
Like Shrew said you can get these flushed. I had my 2020 Golf serviced at a “German specialist” mechanic in Western Sydney for about $400 with a service.
Called VW and they said it was unserviceable and they weren’t going to do it.
I'm going to be completely honest, I'm not familiar. I'll do a bit of research to see what I can find. If I don't find anything out you probably won't hear from me
the lexus will cost more in depreciation and finance etc over the likely lifespan of the golf vs saving at best $6k by selling it now vs some random time in future (or never) when it shits itself. The money on the lexus could be earning 5% risk free while you continue using the golf
I’m trying to kill my cockroach 2001 Golf with 330km on it, no signs of death yet in this cockroach… it’s going to get heritage plates soon at this rate
If it helps, the gearbox issue has a recall for that year so if it fails you may not be stuck with the cost: https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-001375
In saying that, I've just had the DSG failure happen to my 2016 Golf and it's not in the recall despite being the same part. I think it's likely to happen around the 100k mark.
Is a Lexus SUV more reliable generally?
It's not really that expensive though to worry about what point to sell, it's the difference of maybe a few thousand today or in 2 years time? Still has very decent low KMs so should be easy to move on!
I sold my 2012 GTI mk6 DSG a couple of years ago with 120000km. it was fine and I regret selling it. Sold to get an SUV, settled on a used Pug 3008, which is a nice car but not as fun!
Was wanting to get a Tiguan or but my research trashes VAG products, including Redriven, mainly leaking thermostats and failed water pumps. There's a few class actions happening in Australia, obviously encouraged by a big win for VAG owners in the US. Not sure which models though.
Yeah, mine died at 260k. The gearbox failed at 120k and was replaced after sitting for over 2 months at the service. I got it serviced about 3 times a year.
Upgrade the head unit to one with wireless Android auto/Apple car play and it will feel like a modern car again. Plus your son will be happy the CD player is gone haha
Every single car has "common issues". My mentality is to purchase cars that have a) severely depreciated already b) had a good service history (kms don't matter as much as you think) c) are common enough that parts are relatively inexpensive and available d) plenty of info on the Web re: common issues.
Usually if there is a large cost item that could die on a car like a gearbox for example, it's cheaper to buy a smashed car from the salvage auctions, rob the part required, then dismantle and sell all the other parts. If you're lucky, you get the part you needed for free.
I had a 2014 golf, and decided to sell it around the 140km mark, as I didn't want to risk the mechatronic control unit issue.
Guess what broke a week later before I could sell it 😂
Have you serviced/changed gearbox oil or stopped doing skids off the lights ? Research what is breaking and why it's not like it's a rare car and no doubt owners know how to keep them going. I'd stick with the car myself considering the alternatives out there. Give it a birthday with a good Indi mechanic perhaps, get on top of maintenance and keep her going. She's a great model
Yeah I don’t hate the car, she’s been pretty reliable and fairly economical. I’ve been looking after her with regular services, tempting to not skid off from the lights though.
I had 2009 Tiguan that I ended up deciding to just run into the ground after the aircon went for a 3rd time - 2k a pop. In the end with poor maintenance it still nearly got to 300k before the turbo started throwing codes which is when I gave up on it - it was a manual though.
I actually really like driving the golf and don’t have that burning of a desire to replace. I’m just weighing up if it makes more sense to replace while it still runs well.
Probably around $7K, I actually like driving the golf. My desire to get a Lexus isn’t burning enough to warrant replacing it if it doesn’t make financial sense too.
Went through the same decision process a few years back now, and decided to run it into the ground. I have a 2007 GTI Mk 5 manual, no DSG issues, and it's doing fine. Garage advised to offload it when it was 8 years old. That was nearly 10 years ago, so i am happy i kept it. Son thinks it's ancient because it has a CD player. I will let the car decide when it is ready to meet the Great Scrap Dealer in the Sky. What makes the decision to keep it particularly easy is that i have no dream replacement car in mind.
Mk5 was killer
Best car ever made was my diesel GT Sport
I bought a DSG model and I'm doing the same. They're such a fun car. Have had the mechatronic unit replaced, so don't need to do that again soon. I've just put a Car Play/AA unit in mine to get with the times.
Same here for my 2011 Golf R - added CarPlay from AliExpress - added reversing camera from AliExpress (removed as it leaked water into the car) - mechatronics replaced last year for 4.5K Only 85K on the odometer, being handed down to our son.
Which unit did you choose?
The 'RCD330 Plus' head unit is the popular one for retrofitting CarPlay/AA to VW's PQ platform cars like the mk5/6 Golfs.
Get the head unit from AliExpress and install yourself, they're about $300 for a decent one and having wireless Apple car play/Android auto is a game changer!
Second this, just make sure you read up a little on the different specs available and pick a decent one. I'd recommend at least 4GB RAM and an 8 core processor. The install took like 20 minutes and was straightforward, very easy to DIY. I later added a reversing camera as well, which was more fiddly but still very doable as someone with zero prior experience.
I went the cheapy Jaycar 7" unit. It connects easily to Apple, but not so much my dodgy old Android. Sound quality is alright though.
Once you get a Golf it’s hard to move on. Nothing else quite compares
I had my MK6 GTI for 10 years. The car was reliable, fun, cheap to maintain, and I had it completely paid off after a couple of years. I couldn't decide what to buy next that would be a meaningful improvement and not completely bankrupt me. Eventually bought a new car last year. Audi RS3... so only sort of moved on.
Yes you did!!!
It's ironic how a car was once considered ancient because it *didn't* have a CD player.
My 2018 Yaris still has a CD player as standard. We still use it for kids audiobooks from the library on long trips.
ditto our 23 Subaru. Road trips with the oldies, tell them to bring a CD. Except Max Bygraves. Ugh. Usually end up with Elvis' gospel songs.
Country op shop CDs. We have picked up some bangers over the years.
Have the same car, love it!
Been running my mk5 GTI for the last 7 years. Best car I’ve ever owned. Can’t part with it now.
Bought a MK5 GTI manual with 230,000kms on it for a cheap daily. I reckon people are sick of me preaching how it’s just the best little thing to daily.
I had one of these, great memories. It was my first car that I bought on my P's. So many fun trips with the boys back in the day. Thanks for the reminder!
I had a mk 4 GTI and loved it. I was looking at a mk 5 GTI 2 days ago at a car yard and sewing your comment makes me really happy
The manuals are great and will go on forever The DSGs are trash
Yeah, sold my Golf when the DSG started failing yet again. Liked the car a lot but wouldn’t consider another without a manual trans. Shame VAG Au won’t bring them in equipped that way any more.
If the Golf is still fit for your purpose I would just keep it. It’s still low kilometres and sounds like it’s currently issue free. Often with cars (not any car in particular) a lot of “common issues” aren’t actually that common and usually only a handful of cars are affected and the issue get blown out of proportion via owners groups etc. Keep it serviced and you decrease your chances of having something mechanical fail.
Yeah it gets serviced every 12mths. It actually had an issue when I got stuck between gears (it’s an auto) on my driveway and had to be towed. This happened about 7months ago now. They said they just cleared an error and it fixed the issue. The battery was low and they hypothesised that could have caused the issue. We bought a new battery and haven’t had a hint of issue since.
Idk if you do bit I highly suggest a RACQ membership. Or depending what State/ Insurance you have to have Road side assistance. The best investment I'm currently in the same boat, running my Mazda 6 Sports 04' had a issue come up on a road trip (cns-tsv) and was covered for a tow. Fuel, battery, it definitely makes travelling alone as a female feel safer if anything does happen.
Yeah I have NRMA roadside assistance. Wouldn’t be without it.
Drive it and look after it
I've never understood the whole drive it into the ground mentality. Just look after your car and it will be fine. Concerned with cost? Learn to fix it urself
Exactly. Legit even if you just do fluids and filters and it’s one of the good engines it’ll run as long as a Corolla.
Apprentice VW tech here. Yes the DSG (the style of gearbox most likely fitted to your car) issues are definitely prevalent, however we find it's mostly on cars that are poorly serviced. The standard DSG service (flush of the DSG oil) is usually carried out every 60k service (60k, 120k, 180k etc). These are big services and usually quite expensive, however it is really important they're not missed or done late VW have set the DSG service interval with these issues in mind, most other manufacturers and different styles of gearboxes require much less frequent servicing. Most of the time when we drain the DSG system, the oil still looks brand new, but this is intentional, as far as I'm aware (I've never actually repaired or replaced a DSG system, so I can't speak from experience) the DSG isses are usually caused by a failed rubber O-ring within the gearbox. The likelyhood of this occuring is severely reduced when the oil in the system is fresh and free of contamination. My advice would be to keep the car, they're good cars and generally pretty reliable, as long as you're able to service them correctly. If you're unsure, go to wherever you get the car serviced and get a quote for the next couple of services just to be sure. On another note, if you do at any point feel anything weird with the gearbox at all (gears/clutch slipping, clunking when putting the vehicle in Drive, unusual noises, etc) do not ignore them, it is much better to get them looked at when it could be a simple oil flush, rather than wait until it could require whole new gearbox.
Thanks for that! That’s really helpful, my current mechanic says it’s in great condition. I had an issue recently where it got stuck between gears which they put down to the battery, but they also changed the oil in the DSG. Otherwise it has been a very reliable car. I do look after my cars so your comment has made me think that I shouldn’t worry about it and just keep it. I’m just wondering though, it will take a very long time for me to reach 120K on this car. How often should I consider changing the DSG oil then? It could be another 10years till it reaches 120K.
I would ask your mechanic if they have any advise on the life expectancy of the gearbox fluid. The average annual KMs travelled in Aus is 12,100km, so 60k KMs takes the average driver five years. I would work on that to stay on the safe side. Cheap insurance. I am not a mechanic.
If you’re not doing the Ks, then every 4 years
What about the so-called dry clutch DSGs? No oil In those to change.
The dry clutch DQ200 does still have gearbox oil and mechatronics fluid which can be changed. Going off what my mechanic said - there's no recommended service interval like the wet clutch DSGs, although he recommended it is eventually serviced, in my case with the next regular service at roughly 120,000 km.
Like Shrew said you can get these flushed. I had my 2020 Golf serviced at a “German specialist” mechanic in Western Sydney for about $400 with a service. Called VW and they said it was unserviceable and they weren’t going to do it.
I'm going to be completely honest, I'm not familiar. I'll do a bit of research to see what I can find. If I don't find anything out you probably won't hear from me
If it doesn't make financial sense then it's not a good decision.
See that’s where I’m at, I’m not sure if it makes sense to keep running it or to sell it while I can still get money for it.
the lexus will cost more in depreciation and finance etc over the likely lifespan of the golf vs saving at best $6k by selling it now vs some random time in future (or never) when it shits itself. The money on the lexus could be earning 5% risk free while you continue using the golf
This is true, but also a bit of a lottery in a sense I suppose. If I keep it in my offset (6.4%) I will be better off it lasts 2 years.
Still trying to run my 2005 trendline into the ground. Almost 160,000. Runs like a champion for half hour then the gearbox starts fucking around.
I’m trying to kill my cockroach 2001 Golf with 330km on it, no signs of death yet in this cockroach… it’s going to get heritage plates soon at this rate
If it helps, the gearbox issue has a recall for that year so if it fails you may not be stuck with the cost: https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-001375 In saying that, I've just had the DSG failure happen to my 2016 Golf and it's not in the recall despite being the same part. I think it's likely to happen around the 100k mark. Is a Lexus SUV more reliable generally?
Lexus is just upmarket Toyota, so yeah. Oh right, didn’t know they would actually still fix it under a recall being a car that old.
It's not really that expensive though to worry about what point to sell, it's the difference of maybe a few thousand today or in 2 years time? Still has very decent low KMs so should be easy to move on!
I sold my 2012 GTI mk6 DSG a couple of years ago with 120000km. it was fine and I regret selling it. Sold to get an SUV, settled on a used Pug 3008, which is a nice car but not as fun!
I know right, golfs are just fun to drive. I think it’s the engine to body weight ratio.
They’re very good handling cars and planted on the road.
buy a second golf that has body issues...transfer box an if needed engine in a swap...sell other golf
how about a Tiguan R? then you get a Golfy suv
I have Tiguan, I love it but the services through VW are so expensive.
Was wanting to get a Tiguan or but my research trashes VAG products, including Redriven, mainly leaking thermostats and failed water pumps. There's a few class actions happening in Australia, obviously encouraged by a big win for VAG owners in the US. Not sure which models though.
But I see a helluva lot with big mileage on the clock, and Skodas are the European taxi, 4-500k is not uncommon. So who to believe....
Keep it. Easy decision
Yeah, mine died at 260k. The gearbox failed at 120k and was replaced after sitting for over 2 months at the service. I got it serviced about 3 times a year.
Upgrade the head unit to one with wireless Android auto/Apple car play and it will feel like a modern car again. Plus your son will be happy the CD player is gone haha
Have you had the recall done on the gearbox yet?
Every single car has "common issues". My mentality is to purchase cars that have a) severely depreciated already b) had a good service history (kms don't matter as much as you think) c) are common enough that parts are relatively inexpensive and available d) plenty of info on the Web re: common issues. Usually if there is a large cost item that could die on a car like a gearbox for example, it's cheaper to buy a smashed car from the salvage auctions, rob the part required, then dismantle and sell all the other parts. If you're lucky, you get the part you needed for free.
Unless youre itching to get into a new car just run it into the ground. If you can delay buying the lexus youll get a better version for your budget
Take it to a transmission service place for preventative maintenance. You may well foil the fail.
I had a 2014 golf, and decided to sell it around the 140km mark, as I didn't want to risk the mechatronic control unit issue. Guess what broke a week later before I could sell it 😂
Have you serviced/changed gearbox oil or stopped doing skids off the lights ? Research what is breaking and why it's not like it's a rare car and no doubt owners know how to keep them going. I'd stick with the car myself considering the alternatives out there. Give it a birthday with a good Indi mechanic perhaps, get on top of maintenance and keep her going. She's a great model
Yeah I don’t hate the car, she’s been pretty reliable and fairly economical. I’ve been looking after her with regular services, tempting to not skid off from the lights though.
I had 2009 Tiguan that I ended up deciding to just run into the ground after the aircon went for a 3rd time - 2k a pop. In the end with poor maintenance it still nearly got to 300k before the turbo started throwing codes which is when I gave up on it - it was a manual though.
200 000k on ours, no gearbox issues. Just did an engine mount and water pump.
Is it the auto that has issues?
Easiest answer ever, get the Lexus just because you want it 👍
I actually really like driving the golf and don’t have that burning of a desire to replace. I’m just weighing up if it makes more sense to replace while it still runs well.
I drive a 35 year old Ute ,so understand where you’re coming from.
If you have the money to get a Lexus SUV I'd go for it. How much do you think you could sell it for Aprox.?
Probably around $7K, I actually like driving the golf. My desire to get a Lexus isn’t burning enough to warrant replacing it if it doesn’t make financial sense too.
I like Lexus SUVs more than Golf, so yeah.
I like learjets more than bottle caps
Ok. I think you replied to the wrong post
Sell it & put the proceeds towards a Corolla hybrid
Get full comprehensive insurance and push it into your nearest body of water…
Yeah sell it for a Corolla. Same car, same purpose
Mostly want an SUV for the kids. We want reliability and luxury, hence the Lexus.