We have reached the climax of my argument, and I am trying ahead to debating it additional within the feedback, particularly with these of you with sufficient data of the Mk5 GTI to think of its many faults (together with cam follower, oil pump, high-pressure gas pump, water pump, and PCV failures). However first, let’s discuss why the others have not made it right here.
The Mk1 was and is a splendidly easy distillation of low-performance enjoyable, however it would not maintain as much as trendy calls for. The Mk2, with its comparable rust and electrical issues, is in an analogous camp. The Mk3 and Mk4 are too heavy and compromised. The Mk6 is a wannabe Mk5 that copied its large brother’s homework, and the Mk8 is simply too disconnected and digital. The Mk7 is near perfection, however it would not be what it’s with out the success of the boldly and brilliantly styled 5.
The 197-hp fifth-generation moved expertise and luxurious ahead however felt lighter than its predecessor. It wasn’t, however these vehicles are about emotion, and the Mk5 was dripping with character. And when anniversary fashions received the S3’s K04 turbo, we received pretty fluttering noises that might make a thousand-horsepower Supra blush. The Mk5 was constructed properly, it engaged with you, and you could possibly educate a teen to drive in it. It might do every thing.
A sure stage of nostalgia has clearly jaded my opinion, however the Mk5 was an thrilling, environment friendly, helpful, and globally aggressive sizzling hatch, and it rekindled my private love affair with the nameplate. I do know I wasn’t the one one.
