Mk5 vs Mk4 build

[shawrod]

I've ordered a Mk5 kit and I'm excited to get started! This my first kit build, however I have done a number of partial restorations.

There is a wealth of great information from you all here on the forum. The excellent community was defiantly one of the biggest selling points for me.

Most of the info out there is on the Mk4, understandable since it has been out for 15 years.

Does anyone have some insight to share on the differences with the Mk5 build yet? Would you all say it is "close enough" to the Mk4, in that most of the info and advice out there still holds up?

[2nd2none]

Where about in CA are you? I'm in San Diego and am attending the build school in Dec and will order my Mk5 kit around that time when there is hopefully some kind of Xmas sale going on. I've been following on a few of the Mk5 build threads on here to get an idea of what I'm in for as this will be a first build for me

[Jeff Kleiner]

Although the chassis and aluminum panels are entirely different the processes are very similar, especially as far as the suspension goes. You can gain some insight on chassis assembly by checking out some of the Gen3 Coupe builds because they have quite a bit of commonality. The Mk5 body is greatly improved; I cut the actual bodywork time by 60% vs the average Mk4 on mine.

Jeff

[shawrod]

Hey, I'm up in the bay area. I'll check out the other Mk5 build threads. In general do you get the sense the Mk5 is a decent improvement?

[shawrod]

Although the chassis and aluminum panels are entirely different the processes are very similar, especially as far as the suspension goes. You can gain some insight on chassis assembly by checking out some of the Gen3 Coupe builds because they have quite a bit of commonality. The Mk5 body is greatly improved; I cut the actual bodywork time by 60% vs the average Mk4 on mine.

Jeff

Wow, 60% faster is great! What did you do for an engine in your Mk5?

[CW_MI]

Where about in CA are you? I'm in San Diego and am attending the build school in Dec and will order my Mk5 kit around that time when there is hopefully some kind of Xmas sale going on. I've been following on a few of the Mk5 build threads on here to get an idea of what I'm in for as this will be a first build for me

I've got my fingers crossed for that as well.

[Jeff Kleiner]

...In general do you get the sense the Mk5 is a decent improvement?

Absolutely. Don't get the idea that there's anything wrong with the Mk4 but the Mk5 improved on that with a larger cockpit, more rigid chassis, things like an expanded trunk and self cancelling turn signal as standard plus the aforementioned improved body.

Jeff

[TrackDay17]

I just attended the build school last weekend and it was interesting to compare the MK4 sitting nearby to the MK5.
I see some very nice improvements in the MK5, the frame looks great and the new body looks like a big step in quality up.
So much room in the cockpit us shorter guys are going to have to raise the seat a little I think, bigger guys will fit much better.
The turn signal part is a bit fiddly and might need to be adjusted a little as did the one we worked on but it worked when we got it adjusted properly.

I decided on a 347 from Blueprint and got it ordered there, I've got my kit configured and I'll call and order my MK5 kit tomorrow.

Even though I consider myself to have fairly good mechanical skills from racing karts, mini sprints and motorcycles I must say the build school was definitely worth it.
It gave me a good overall view of the steps involved and pitfalls to avoid.
I describe it as getting a drone shot from above of the entirety of the project.

Nothing wrong with a MK4 but I'd say unless your budget just won't allow it I'd go for the MK5.

[rickshank]

TrackDay - good to hear! I'm attending the build school in a few weeks for my MKV. I just unloaded it yesterday, but I won't be able to touch it after this weekend until the build school due to some conflicts. Looking forward to it, even though like you, I'm pretty mechanically inclined with my motorsports background.

[TrackDay17]

TrackDay - good to hear! I'm attending the build school in a few weeks for my MKV. I just unloaded it yesterday, but I won't be able to touch it after this weekend until the build school due to some conflicts. Looking forward to it, even though like you, I'm pretty mechanically inclined with my motorsports background.

rickshank, a notebook is handy for taking notes and take plenty of pictures.
I rarely picked up a wrench because we had several teenagers with their families who attended.
All of us guys with some experience kind of all wanted to see these young kids get experience with turning wrenches and building so we guided them on how to do things, the instructors even taught them how to set a torque wrench and properly torque bolts and why its important.

To me that was one of the best parts is watching the boys and the young lady learn and get more comfortable picking up the wrenches and getting more excited and involved as the build went on.

[rickshank]

Good stuff. Your approach will likely mimic mine - I want to learn the tips/tricks/gotchas. Mechanically, done most everything required the build minus fiberglass work.

A bit of a techie, so I'll bring an ipad/phone and make notes on the iPad, photos on phone. Bring them together later or in the evenings.

[cv2065]

If I were to buy a kit today, I’d definitely pickup an MKV for the Godzilla accommodations. I tried to do it with the MKIV but it was a little more fabrication than I wanted to take on.

That said, and to put on my devil’s advocate hat for anyone on the fence and/or budget restrained, the MKIV is still a great value. $4K difference in complete kits is a nice little chunk, although the MKV does have some features that you’d have to buy 3rd party with the MKIV like the drop trunk and turn signal, they don’t equate to that delta. Although they will have their differences. One might also be able to make up some of that difference in body work as Jeff said it cut down 60% of his time.

Also, I’m a big fan of the 4” tubed frame. I know the MkV is structurally more rigid, I don’t track the car so not sure how that additional rigidity benefits me, but from a visual perspective, I love the big tubes. That sounded awkward. ;)

If you are a new builder, the threads for the MKIV are miles long with virtually every topic covered over the years thanks to forum members. I’m sure the MKV will get there as well, especially with guys like Paul trail blazing with a new build thread, but will take some time. Same goes for after market support.

Although I haven’t seen an MKV in person, but based on the pics, I think I’m more of a fan of the MKIV console area. I’m not tall and wouldn’t have a need for the larger seating area which I ‘think’ comes at a little expense of engine bay room? Someone feel free to correct me there as these cars are strapped for room no matter how you slice it.

So again, the MKV is the latest and greatest with lots of improvements, but one just has to determine what will benefit them the most in terms of feature set and build experience when choosing which path to go.

[Jeff Kleiner]

...I’m not tall and wouldn’t have a need for the larger seating area which I ‘think’ comes at a little expense of engine bay room? Someone feel free to correct me...

Consider yourself corrected Chad! There is actually more engine bay room---for proof take a look at a Coyote in each. Credit goes to the replacement of the round tubes with other (stronger) structure.

Jeff

[cv2065]

Consider yourself corrected Chad! There is actually more engine bay room---for proof take a look at a Coyote in each. Credit goes to the replacement of the round tubes with other (stronger) structure.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff! :p I thought I saw another post on that but wasn’t sure. That makes sense. Is there also a space savings front to back and is the chassis longer to compensate?