Stuart's Volkswagen Golf Mk 5/V Forum

Hi Stuart, Thanks for the great information about your Golf. I have just purchased the same model from 2005. Identical, apart from the L.Pack.
I have been trying to find out the name of the colour, as it just says Blue in my paperwork.
Thanks to you, I now know it is Shadow Blue. 8o)

The only other info I don\'t have is the manual for the audio equipment. (All my manuals and log book were printed in 2007) which is strange. Do you know if the audio manual is available online?

Also my main manual does not show the ECON button either, but I have worked out its function via your pages. i.e. just leave it turned off.

Keep up the good work!
I am really enjoying my first Golf.

Regards, Alex.

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the email. Always nice to know when people find the information
on my website useful. Glad I was able to help.

I am not aware of any Mk V manuals being available online. I am sure your
2007 versions will describe your car's audio system ok. It's not a
particularly complicated system and is relatively intuitive to use. But if
you need any info from the manual I got with my car, let me know.

They really are great cars. I'm sure you, like me, will continue to enjoy
our first golfs. I haven't written any new articles for my website recently
because all I would go on about would be how nice it is, how new and modern
it still feels, how easy it is to own, etc, etc.

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for your reply.
My folder doesn't even mention the audio side of things, so I guess its a separate booklet and its missing. The only thing I really wanted to know was if the volume was speed related and if so, can it be turned on/off or adjusted?

I have had the car a week now. We bought it from a (non VW) dealer who we have a good relationship with.
Because the golf was only 3 years old and looked perfect, I must admit, I forgot to check the log book (Bad Alex) 8o(
It had one previous owner and has 52000 on the clock. I just assumed it would have a full history. It was £8499 (£1000 under standard book price), which I guess is about right for the miles on it. We just fell in love with it, especially the colour.

Because the books are new, the only service listed in the book is Service two at 42709 miles (Dec 07). The delivery and first service reports are just blank. 8o(

I must admit I am a bit worried that it didn't have its first oil change, which I guess is the most important to get rid of production debris.
My dealer just says that the car is ok and it would have only have needed two services up till now. That seems a bit odd to me.

The first owner was a lease company, so perhaps the original books were held by them and the servicing recorded on a database. When the details come back with the owner log, I may write to them and ask. I guess a lease company would be quite good about servicing correctly. ???

I am afraid I am quite fussy about making sure everything is in order!! I hate mysteries !! lol...
On your site you mentioned about a complaint regarding service intervals. I am wondering if perhaps your second service was not really required? That would make more sense when it comes to what my dealer has told me.

I must say that apart from your car, I haven't seen another Golf in Shadow Blue. Its good to be a bit different 8o)
I do envy your electric mirrors!, getting mine in the garage is very tight (about an inch each side)

anyway, would be interested to hear your opinion on my servicing side of things.

Best Regards,
Alex.

Hi Alex,

The audio system is indeed described in a separate manual. It's not a big manual and as I said, the radio's use is pretty straight forward but I've scanned page 6 for you which covers the speed-dependent volume control.

Like you, I don't think a leasing company would have skimped on servicing. They might just have not bothered updating the service schedule booklet. Looks like someone has procured a new service schedule booklet to give to you but has only recorded the most recent service. I'm pretty sure your car would have had at least a couple of other services BEFORE the one actually recorded as the Mk V can only go about 18,600 miles max between services. Basically, if the car runs fine now, it's probably been looked after and you shouldn't have anything to worry about. You could try popping into any VW dealer and see if they can give you the car's service history from the car's registration number. They seem to record everything in a central database.

I hadn't thought of a Shadow Blue Mk V as being particularly exclusive but I do agree it is a very nice colour. I have to admit to not being that bothered about the colour initially. I just wanted a Mk V Golf. I just really liked the look of them both inside and out. Was never such a fan of the Mk IV.

My car's electrically folding mirrors are nice but they don't really help me getting into or out of my narrow garage. They don't fold in much and I like to be able to see out of them when reversing out.

Let me know if I can help with any other queries,
Stuart

Hi Stuart,

Many thanks for the scan. I've printed it out so I can go and play!
Shadow blue must just be rare down in Norfolk 8o)

The car came with only one key, our dealer has ordered another one which arrived today. We will need to take it to VW to have it coded.
I will ask them about the service history when I go. Thanks for the tip. I'ts put my mind at rest a bit.
I may also see if they can recode the whole car. I don't like to think that another key exists somewhere...

Will let you know how my service quest goes 8o)

Alex.

Hi Stuart,

I have been in touch with the lease company. They have told me it was a "non service" lease, so the responsibility would have been with the driver.
I also checked with my VW dealer. they all have separate databases for servicing, so no way of tracking mine.

The trail ends there I think. I will just assume that it had its first service and that the book was lost. (I just hope the person didn't not get it done and then chucked the book away & claimed it was lost)

The car is in very good condition, so I guess who ever had it did look after it. I guess Diesels are strong engines too.
I wonder what long term damage a non oil change would do?

I took a look at the rest of your site. very good.
You are a brave man flying on your own!! + nice house.
We just finished a two story extension last year. The builder did the shell & I finished it. (was a good experience)

I was sorry to read about your mum. I also lost my mum to cancer, 4 years ago.

Anyway, take care & I am sure I will have more questions for you regarding Golf's 8o)
Diesel is all new to me and it is a very different experience to Petrol...

Hi Alex,

I think you are worrying over nothing with your car. Like you said, the car appears to have been well looked after and so there's a good chance it was serviced as necessary. Not everyone is a stickler for up-to-date paperwork like I guess you and I.

Glad you enjoyed looking around my website. You probably contributed to my website getting the highest number of page views this year last month!

Have a good week,
Stuart

Hi Stuart,

Sorry to keep bothering you!

I'm just sorting out buying some oil ready for top up's. My book (being the 2007 version) talks about 77Kw TDi (105bhp) , so I assume thats mine, although I thought mine was 100bhp.

It talks about oil for long life service being; High-lubricity multigrade oil VW507 00 or VW506 01.

Can you offer me any advice as to what I need to buy? I was expecting to read something like 10W40 etc... (thats what I have seen in the shops etc)

Many thanks,
Alex.

PS, My mate has just ordered a golf. I directed him to your tips page and he was very impressed.

Hi Alex,

Happy to help.

I think all Mk V 1.9 TDI's have been 77KW/105bhp.

You just have to make sure that whichever oil you choose meets the appropriate VW spec for whichever service regime (fixed interval or flexible/variable) you wish to follow. I'm not too sure about the fixed regime as my car has always been on the flexible/variable regime. Originally the oil was called Castrol Longlife II but was superseded by Castrol Edge about 2 years ago. From memory I think it's 5W30 but the important thing is that is mentions the appropriate VW spec on the back. I'm not sure if there are any other oils which meet the same VW spec.

The flexible/variable longlife oil is expensive but has the advantage that you can go 18,600 miles or 2 years between services if you use and drive the car right. When my VW dealer started charging £17 for a 1 litre bottle of oil I bought a 5 litre bottle of the same oil from Halfords for about £43. However, if you happen to be a member of Costco, they're currently running a promotion of 3x1litre bottles for just £12! Yes, £12! I bought 6 litres last time I was in for topping up and also to be used when my car next needs a service. (Last time my car was serviced at my VW dealer they told me I could take in my own oil for them to use)

That should be enough info for you for one day ;-) Glad to hear your mate was impressed by my site.

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for the info. I checked online and I don't have a Costco in Norfolk 8o(
Tesco are doing 2x 1l of Edge 0W30 for £15. Close but I guess not close enough.
I will take a trip to Halfords.

PS, my mate got Golf No 1 today. The dealer is loaning him one for 2 months until his delayed order is ready. (Problems with sat-nav availability)
The loan is a 2008 1.4 petrol but would you believe someone has broken the joystick off the drivers door for mirror control!!!
He has to take it back on Sat and they are giving him a different car.
Some people! lol

take care,
Alex.

Hi Alex,

I was interested by your Tesco 2 for £15 Edge 0W30 find. That would have been a good price but after a little research I'm not sure it's suitable for a Mk V on the flexible/interval servicing regime. It doesn't appear to meet the 506 or 507 specs.

Also, to correct an earlier comment of mine, the predecessor of Castrol Edge 5W30 was Castrol SLX II Longlife.

What model Mk V has your mate ordered? Is he joining the discerning purchasers' 1.9 TDI fold? ;-)

Stuart

Hi,

Yes, he is going for the 1.9TDi basic + lights pack, center arm rest with I-Pod dock and Sat-Nav (In red)
He was a little dissapointed that the Mk6 comes out soon, but I looked at it and it doesn't seem much different. In fact, I prefered the Mk 5 look. The Mk6 looks a little angry from the front and the back lights are a bit boring.

We get the new key on saturday & when we go to the main dealer for programming, I will buy some front mats.
I am hoping they can recode the whole car, thus voiding the "missing" key. (well stop it from starting the car anyway)

fingers crossed 8o)

Alex.