A couple of questions from a soon to be used GTI owner

[shredflanders]

I test drove a beautiful MKVI GTI on the weekend. I was very happy with how it was presented and drove, but for peace of mind had a pre-purchase inspection carried out by State Roads. The check came back generally positive with only a few points of concern.

A quick bit of information before I bombard with questions. It's a 2010 model with 142,000 km on it. Yes, it's high - but the car really is in great condition (aside from the usual stone chips) and drove beautifully. It has a majority long distance KM on it (previous owner drives from Gerringong to Woolongong every day).

I went for this model instead of a lower KM example closer to me for four beautiful reasons - 3 door, manual, sunroof, white. A majority of GTI's going around (especially true in Sydney) are 5 door DSG models and I just wasn't keen on that, it had to be perfect.

1) Servicing intervals and costs. The car has a complete service history. However, I'm having a hard time figuring out whether a major service has been completed? More importantly, when is a major service due? I was under the impression is was 120,000 km and the previous owner has confirmed that a major service has been completed, but I'm having a hard time finding it in the log books. I wanted to see if the water pump has been replaced as I hear that is an important one. Also, the sticker on the window says major due at 150,000km. So I'm quite confused and don't want to be up for a major service in 8,000km.

I've uploaded all of the pages below. If someone could make sense of them that would be excellent:
Log books - Album on Imgur

2) A few things need to be looked at. The main one being the brakes. I'll need to do the pads and rotors all around, what brands are recommended? I've read DBA are quite good. Additionally, the engine mounts are showing signs of wear (expected). I believe that's a fairly large job? Is there anything else I should do whilst changing the mounts? It has an APR stage 1 tune + air intake. The only other mods I'd consider are a down pipe + exhaust system, do I need to tune for these? (I come from Subaru land where I needed to tune whenever something was modified).

3) The diagnostic scan ran by State Roads brought up a few codes. I don't think I should be overly worried about them? But how can I get those cleared? Codes are in the same album found here: Log books - Album on Imgur

That's about all the questions I have for now until I bring it home! Any help would be greatly appreciated. : )

[Lucas_R]

Major service every 4 years or 60,000km. Given this is a high km vehicle, it should have had both of these major services done.

Brakes - go for DBA T2 or T3 disks with a low dust pad like Remsa or Akebono. Brakes Direct in QLD is the place to get the brakes.

Error codes can be cleared with a scan tool. Your local VW specialist could do it for a small fee, otherwise you can buy cheap scan tools on ebay.

If you upgrade the downpipe you will need to upgrade to a stage 2 tune. If you leave the downpipe alone and just change the catback you do not need to change anything.

[shredflanders]

Major service every 4 years or 60,000km. Given this is a high km vehicle, it should have had both of these major services done.

Brakes - go for DBA T2 or T3 disks with a low dust pad like Remsa or Akebono. Brakes Direct in QLD is the place to get the brakes.

Error codes can be cleared with a scan tool. Your local VW specialist could do it for a small fee, otherwise you can buy cheap scan tools on ebay.

If you upgrade the downpipe you will need to upgrade to a stage 2 tune. If you leave the downpipe alone and just change the catback you do not need to change anything.

Thank you Lucas, I really appreciate the response.

So safe to say the previous owner would be right in saying the major services have been done? Do either of those services mandate the water pump be changed, or is it one of those "change it when it breaks" things? I would presume the former as it's pretty critical. Regardless, I'll make sure to get all invoices from the previous owner.

I'll check Brakes Direct out! Is there are preferred VW specialist in Sydney (I'm in the Sutherland Shire for reference) for servicing/tuning/mechanical ?

The scan tool, is that just an ODB2 dongle?

Good to know about the tune. Might look into Stage 2 down the line and kill all birds with the one pay check so to speak. : )

[Lucas_R]

I would be checking myself if the services have been done - i wouldnt trust what the seller is saying.

The water pump was a service item on the older Mk5 engine, but not (as far a sim aware) on the Mk6 GTI engine. Its tucked away right up under the inlet manifold, so not an easy thing to check/access. If it hasnt broken by now id say you are safe.

With the car being a manual, you dont need to stress about the DSG services which are important and expensive. If your gearbox oil hasnt been changed yet then that is something i would be doing sooner rather than later.

Brake fluid/clutch fluid should have been changed multiple times by now. Coolant/radiator fluid should have been changed at least once by now. You might want to check the accessory belts for wear too. Fuel filter should have been replaced twice by now. But the most important thing is that it has hopefully had regular and consistent oil and filter changes with a VW approved oil.

I'll post up a link later for a scan tool.

As for mechanics, Exoticars at Parramatta, VW village at Kensington, BWA auto at Seven Hills.....theres a few around.

[shredflanders]

I would be checking myself if the services have been done - i wouldnt trust what the seller is saying.

The water pump was a service item on the older Mk5 engine, but not (as far a sim aware) on the Mk6 GTI engine. Its tucked away right up under the inlet manifold, so not an easy thing to check/access. If it hasnt broken by now id say you are safe.

With the car being a manual, you dont need to stress about the DSG services which are important and expensive. If your gearbox oil hasnt been changed yet then that is something i would be doing sooner rather than later.

Brake fluid/clutch fluid should have been changed multiple times by now. Coolant/radiator fluid should have been changed at least once by now. You might want to check the accessory belts for wear too. Fuel filter should have been replaced twice by now. But the most important thing is that it has hopefully had regular and consistent oil and filter changes with a VW approved oil.

I'll post up a link later for a scan tool.

As for mechanics, Exoticars at Parramatta, VW village at Kensington, BWA auto at Seven Hills.....theres a few around.

Well the log books were complete, they're just a little hard to decipher which was a major and which was a minor (I posted a link to the pics). I'll be getting invoices for the major services today.

Coolant was fine, and accessory belt was showing signs of wear as described in the State Roads report.

Thanks for the info. Those shops seem a bit out of the way (not that I'm against travelling extra for better service) - I'll check around and see if there are any recommended shops closer to me.