MK VI GTI Advice

**macchina** · 14-11-2016, 04:02 PM

Hi All,

I'm interested in getting myself a MK VI GTI Manual.

I have read on this forum about the timing chain tensioner issue and want to ask the following:

1. Is this a common problem? Or does it only effect some cars?

2. Where is the best place to get this fixed in Melbourne?

3. How much would it cost to repair (parts and labour)?

And 1 more question:

- Is there anything else I should look out for when inspecting one of these cars?

Thanks in advance.

**Reedy** · 14-11-2016, 06:41 PM

Timing chain tensioner was only an issue for pre 12.5 mk6 GTI's. I had my 2010 GTI done including chain and guides for $2000, I think LucasR just did the tensioner for just under $1000. Besides that mate I had mine for 5 years and loved it. Only issue I had was intake manifolds, I had 3.

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**macchina** · 14-11-2016, 09:25 PM

I had a number of quotes between $1,750 - $4,000 from both dealers and specialists.
I'm looking at a GTI or a Focus ST. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses so I appreciate all responses on this forum.

**AdamD** · 15-11-2016, 07:38 AM

See the GTI section of the following link for threads you should be reading:

The Official MK6 Forum Important Threads & Posts Index **READ FIRST BEFORE POSTING**

You can also look at:
N205 valve replacement on Mk6 GTI 2.0TSI (EA888) engine
VW Golf VI: reliability issues ? real or not ?

**Dutch77** · 15-11-2016, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by macchina

I had a number of quotes between $1,750 - $4,000 from both dealers and specialists.
I'm looking at a GTI or a Focus ST. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses so I appreciate all responses on this forum.

Just do what these guys did:

FWIW I had three years with my Mk6 GTI and only had a water pump go early under warranty (I think nearly every one went through this) and that was pretty much it - best car I'd owned to that point, and perhaps still is.

**Tuan** · 15-11-2016, 08:53 AM

A post 2012 built GTI seems to be safest as it would have the latest tensioner but if buying pre 2012, just factor that cost in.

As you may have noticed on the forum, not every single car with the pre 2012 gti models have had the tensioner go.

Edit:

Mk6 also has the wastegate rattle .. annoying but doesn't affect performance. There is a fix for it.

**minke** · 15-11-2016, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Tuan

A post 2012 built GTI seems to be safest as it would have the latest tensioner but if buying pre 2012, just factor that cost in.

As you may have noticed on the forum, not every single car with the pre 2012 gti models have had the tensioner go.

Edit:

Mk6 also has the wastegate rattle .. annoying but doesn't affect performance. There is a fix for it.

My Mark 6 09/2012 build and 01/13 delivered GTi had the rattle clip installed at factory.

**Tuan** · 15-11-2016, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by minke

My Mark 6 09/2012 build and 01/13 delivered GTi had the rattle clip installed at factory.

And so it should be ! Cheap part to have been excluded from factory which caused quite a few unhappy MK6 GTI customers and countless threads on the annoying wastegate rattle.