Golf V5 2.3?

[Gee]

My current car is a golf 1.6 SE, superb car, never had a problem with it apart from one.... Power!!

So i have had an idea to purchase the V5 either 150ps or the 170ps.

I originally wanted the v6 but thought the v5 would be ample power and save cash on the insurance.

I was then wondering would it be more sensible to get a GTI as insurance maybe cheaper due to the 1.8 engine but similair power?

However i have sound knowledge of how reliable a GTI is but i dont see many V5's about and just wondered if anyone has had one and what are your experiences/knowledge of the model, or weather you would scrap the idea and get the GTI??

Any info welcome, thanks in advance, Andy.

[v6dub]

Sorry to correct you but the power of a V5 is 150Bhp or 170bhp not 250/270, both the V5s are in the same IG which is 15 and the 180bhp 1.8t is in IG 16.
When i was looking to get my golf it was between the v6 4motion and the 1.8t, i went for the v6 4motion. However if it was me that had to pick between the V5 and 1.8t, the 1.8t is the one i would go for, i always found the V5 to be a bit weak, not really the smoothest of engines. you can do more with the engine of the 1.8t.

[Gee]

Woops, my mistake, there would be no question if the V5 was that powerfull!

I have read some reviews on the V5 and as you mentioned the engine is a bit rough.

I also considered the opportunity of tuning and the fact that the GTI has more benefits.

I checked prices on insurance and they are virtually the same, on the downside i would imagine that the V5 would drink like a fish and the tax would be pretty extortionate.

I suppose the GTI looks like the best option, i have a while before i make my choice so i will keep my opinion open until the time comes.

What insurance group is your V6 if you dont mind me asking? and also tax, fuel consumption etc...? Has it served you well?

Cheers for the info.

[v6dub]

The Gti i think would be better,
i think my car is in IG 17 so only one above the Gti. fuel consumption is not that bad really, i do most of my driving on country roads and i still manage to get 27.1 MPG, which i think is good because my 1600cc 306 i had before only got 31MPG. Tax is £99 for 6 month, which is the same as my mate pays for his 94 (J) 1800cc mk3 golf. I had the car for just over a year now, No major problems, had afew things changed such as rear disks and pads, a oil level sensor and rear anit roll bar link arms and bushes. I have a major service once a year and a 6 month oil service, so it is dew a major service end of this month, i only covered 6000 miles last year.
Hope this is of help, where abouts are you, if your not far from me i could reccomend a good vw garage.

[Gee]

Jesus, i pay £99/6 months on my measly 1.6!

Think i've made a decision on the GTI, i've always wanted one anyway, plus the stated 35mpg is excellent as that is also the same as my 8V trojan.

I shall be getting it remapped also and i believe that it has the potential of producing 192 BHP with 270Nm torque!

I will be transferring my exhaust system over aswel hopefully with tha aid of a few mods so i should be sorted power wise.

I'm from St Helens matey!

thanks again for info, Andy.

[v6dub]

Yeah i know tax does not make much sence,
i live in chichester, all i was going to say was if where close there is a place called chichester car company which manly deals with vw golfs, and they have some good examples there at the moment, it is where i get my cars from. http://www.chicarco.com/ ( i dont work for them). good luck with the hunting.

[V5_170Mk4driver]

How about a reply from a V5 owner.
If you want something different that has a really distinctive sound and some individuality then get a V5. The 170bhp is ample and there is plenty of mid range tourque. As for a rough engine, its one of the smoothest well ballanced engines I've ever driven. Some people have problem with the very sensitive drive by wire throttle control but it only takes you a few miled to get used to it. Its basically a chopped off version of the old 2.8 VR6 engine. Yes it does use a bit of fuel but if you want to generate 170bhp the you have to burn the calories. I get 30mpg round the doors and 35mpg on the motorway at 70mph with cruise control.
If you can find one try to get the "highline" trim level. Its got full heated leather interior, nice.
I really like my V5 although I am considering selling it (my journey to work just got much longer).
If its tuning you are after then get a 1.8t. There isn't much you can do to a V5 other than induction kit and remap. The best figures I've seen for this at 190-195bhp and more tourque.
Mine is srandard apart from K+N induction kit for a bit of nice noise.
My tip would be to drive both and then decide.
Enjoy.

[Gee]

Cheers for your info, the reason why i wanted the V5 was for that exact reason.

I dont see many about and wanted something special, although im planning on tuning whatever car i decide on and for that reason im opting for the GTI!

Its also better on fuel consumption which is always good!

[v6dub]

yeah i think that you are better off getting 1.8t, more power to start with. better to tune.