Hi,

I'm a regular on mk5golfgti.co.uk, I own a 55 plate laser blue GTi currently on Revo Stage 1, but I'm looking for a wagon for work that is also going to be good fun to drive. I went in to Hersham Skoda today and the boot is mahooosive, and the seats fold flat if the bases are put in the forward position.

My only dilemma is whether to chop in my Golf which would then give me a total budget of 11-12K, which will get me into a facelifted 10 plate example (gotta be reace blue!) or keep my Golf for weekends and modding, and then get a 56 or 07 pre-facelift model with around 50k on the clock. Are there any real advantages to the facelifted model other than a fresher face? Any differences mechanically? Is this the 197bhp TFSI lump as per my car?

Here's my Golf:

Facelift vrs all day ive had mine 3 months best thing i ever bought the face lift model is so much nicer with the wrap around headlights and drl's they make the front end a rear view monster

The TFSI engine is the same as yours. FL have TSI engines, same power and virtually same performance as TFSI but cam chain rather than belt. The model and age you're looking at has newer dash clocks, touch screen stereo, steering wheel. Only MFSW as standard on DSG. It's a question of how much you want to spend for similar standard performance and if you prefer the frontal appearance and Neptune wheels then the FL is for you. If you do a search there are very similar threads which detail faults of each car. Both are good, I'm sure there are fans for each version as well as the guys who've had a bad experience.