Hi chaps,

After discovering that my Passat is a balance shaft engine, with all the dramas that is causing at present (oil pump just went), I am now thinking about my other cars. I've got a horrid Renault Megane Convertible I'm going to ditch in the spring, and replace with a nice old Golf TDI. Probably 2005 ish, around the £3k mark at most. Nothing too exciting!

When I'm looking, what are the common faults with the MK5? I last had a W reg Petrol GTi, so a bit out of date on the Golf. I realise some have the same engine as my 05 Passat B6 - does this mean the balance shaft issue is relevant? or is there something else that will go clunk expensively?

any tales of woe much appreciated - nice to know what I've got to look forward to...

Cheers,

Jim