MK5 Golf R32 - number 3…
Discussion
I did over 100k in mine and loved it, but always felt it was very much a large engine in a chassis with under pinnings that were not up to it. Maybe I had a lemon but the DSG was always clunkly even with a new mechatronics and it went through several steering racks and dual mass flywheels. A manual like yours was perhaps the better car. Sadly mine looks to have been written off after I sold it.
My mum used to have one in the mid-80s in dark blue, great cars! Was the car pictured a manual?
Master Bean said:
That Daylesford Farm looks like it could compete with the Old Butchers in Stow on the Wold for being peak Cotswold.
I'll have to compare and let you know, do they charge £10 for a tomato there too 
good to see you at the SS, sorry I had to rush off, little ones were getting a bit hungry! Good luck in the new car search..
When the car was in for an oil service 4k miles ago the mechanic reported issues with tightening up the sump plug to the required torque. Apparently, it's quite common on the Mk 5 platform as they age. This was not good news as I had opted to wait whilst it was being serviced. With a wife miles away on a business trip and no courtesy car, rubbish public transport links etc we agreed they would do a semi permanent fix by helicoiling the sump and trying again. Thankfully this worked and I drove home. Over the coming weeks I noticed a few drips appear on the drive, scratch and sniff revealed fresh Amber nectar so I've had to bite the bullet and get a new sump and fresh oil.
I've seemed to rack up about 1k business miles this month which is more than usual, on 1 particular journey down the M40, what sounded like a meteor hit the windscreen from a 4x4, guessing its not repairable and i will have to claim via insurance. With a hectic family life it really pains me to see the old girl looking filthy, I couldn't get into an office car park which opens the barrier using stored registrations on an anpr system! My plan is to give it to a good friend at On Track Detailing soon, they can work their magic but not before I've washed all the crud off, I'm not a complete monster
I've seemed to rack up about 1k business miles this month which is more than usual, on 1 particular journey down the M40, what sounded like a meteor hit the windscreen from a 4x4, guessing its not repairable and i will have to claim via insurance. With a hectic family life it really pains me to see the old girl looking filthy, I couldn't get into an office car park which opens the barrier using stored registrations on an anpr system! My plan is to give it to a good friend at On Track Detailing soon, they can work their magic but not before I've washed all the crud off, I'm not a complete monster
Edited by si_xsi on Sunday 26th February 21:56
3 days after getting the car back with a nice shiny new sump and fresh oil, all was going well until I was on the M40 coming back from a meeting in Staines. I noticed what sounded like a paper bag flapping underneath the car, promptly followed by a battery warning light come on. As I was less than a mile from the Oxford motorway services I thought I would try and limp it there and see what the crack was. After reducing speed and moving into the inside lane I happened to look in the rear view mirror and see a belt fly off behind me! Quickly remembering this was the ancillary belt which not only does the alternator and air con, but water pump too, I pulled straight over onto the hard shoulder and turned off.
Much swearing and a 3hr wait for the RAC ensued, in the pitch black, and freezing cold - priority recovery my arse. After eventually getting the car home, I had a battle the next day with the RAC to get the car recovered to my garage of choice at no cost, despite having full bells and whistles cover. The RAC tried to bill me £250 recovery to said garage as I had 'chosen' to take the car home and not to directly to the garage the night before. Their computer definitely said no, clearly it was my fault that it took 3 hours to get recovered and I should of course have dropped it off at one of those garages that are open at 10pm to take the car and keys, and then find a way 1.5hrs back home.
After 3 separate, repetitive conversations with different teams, they gave in, but not before I had to unnecessarily waste some more of my time and theirs - by effectively logging a fresh break-down, getting one of their patrols out to my driveway to inspect the car and confirm it needed to go to a garage.
Anyway, VRS were legends as usual, fitted me in despite a fully booked up schedule, fully checked the car over, including cooling system, pulleys, water pump etc. They fitted the new belt, conducted a thorough test drive and were happy all was ok. One of the more cheaper invoices for once. Phew. As for the cause who knows, probably just an old belt/wear and tear, it didn't look worn on my regular checks.
Here's hoping to some trouble free motoring...
Much swearing and a 3hr wait for the RAC ensued, in the pitch black, and freezing cold - priority recovery my arse. After eventually getting the car home, I had a battle the next day with the RAC to get the car recovered to my garage of choice at no cost, despite having full bells and whistles cover. The RAC tried to bill me £250 recovery to said garage as I had 'chosen' to take the car home and not to directly to the garage the night before. Their computer definitely said no, clearly it was my fault that it took 3 hours to get recovered and I should of course have dropped it off at one of those garages that are open at 10pm to take the car and keys, and then find a way 1.5hrs back home.
After 3 separate, repetitive conversations with different teams, they gave in, but not before I had to unnecessarily waste some more of my time and theirs - by effectively logging a fresh break-down, getting one of their patrols out to my driveway to inspect the car and confirm it needed to go to a garage.
Anyway, VRS were legends as usual, fitted me in despite a fully booked up schedule, fully checked the car over, including cooling system, pulleys, water pump etc. They fitted the new belt, conducted a thorough test drive and were happy all was ok. One of the more cheaper invoices for once. Phew. As for the cause who knows, probably just an old belt/wear and tear, it didn't look worn on my regular checks.
Here's hoping to some trouble free motoring...
Lovely looking R32 OP. Good to see another Mk5 being looked after. My GTI is nudging 160k miles now but still feel they look right. I wasn’t as lucky with the rear wash wipe last month and needed a new one. Still have great memories of following a mate in his 2006 manual across the brecons a few years ago. His “angry wasp” analogy was spot on
Lovely account of your ownership to date. Found your thread via a search as I'm looking around at R32s. I sold my Corrado VR6 and kept my mk2 16v (easier on parts and liked the colour better being oak green and not white). I was only considering mk4 R32s but must admit after looking at the pictures in this thread I am being swayed to a mk5.
The VED stings but jap imports are still only £295/annum. Only trouble is they are DSG and I want manual. Still some thinking to do.
The VED stings but jap imports are still only £295/annum. Only trouble is they are DSG and I want manual. Still some thinking to do.
cwoodsie2 said:
Lovely looking R32 OP. Good to see another Mk5 being looked after. My GTI is nudging 160k miles now but still feel they look right. I wasn’t as lucky with the rear wash wipe last month and needed a new one. Still have great memories of following a mate in his 2006 manual across the brecons a few years ago. His “angry wasp” analogy was spot on
Thanks, I did the evolution triangle and a few nearby roads a couple of years ago in my previous R32, imagine the GTI would be just as fun and a bit more nimble. The wasp apology is accurate, when the flaps in the exhaust open its sublime!I've just come back from a 300mile round trip today with work, seems to be all OK after my belt issue a few weeks ago. Even averaged 32mpg at a steady 80mph most of the day.
VeeReihenmotor6 said:
Lovely account of your ownership to date. Found your thread via a search as I'm looking around at R32s. I sold my Corrado VR6 and kept my mk2 16v (easier on parts and liked the colour better being oak green and not white). I was only considering mk4 R32s but must admit after looking at the pictures in this thread I am being swayed to a mk5.
The VED stings but jap imports are still only £295/annum. Only trouble is they are DSG and I want manual. Still some thinking to do.
Thanks, glad it's providing some inspiration! I guess the Mk4 is the natural progression after the Corrado but they are so expensive now. I wasn't aware the Jap import Mk5s were all dsg. Yes the VED is a killer and I've heard it's about to go up by another £55 per year, I try not to think about it as it gets used frequently, but as an occasional weekend toy I'd probably feel different. There are far more interesting weekend toys to be driving than an R32, but as a daily driver it ticks a lot of boxes for me. The VED stings but jap imports are still only £295/annum. Only trouble is they are DSG and I want manual. Still some thinking to do.
The R32 has been laid up at home for 3 weeks whilst we went to see family in Australia.
When I got back, the combination of a lot of rain and warm brakes when I parked up meant the pads were well and truly binded onto the discs. Whilst I managed to get the car off the drive, they were making an awful noise, not the sort that normally clears after a few applications of the brake. I limped it to a local garage to investigate and make sure it was safe to drive, the calipers were OK and they said it was just a massive build up on the front discs. Sure enough after about 10 miles of repeated braking it got better. But it was clear the discs and pads were well used and so I booked it in to VRS for OEM replacements, including fresh brake fluid. They are Brembo 345mm.
You know you're in a proper workshop when there's an engine block and crank on the front desk. This assortment of suspension and drive terrain is destined for Wills Sierra Cosworth..
Some classics on the ramp
When I got back, the combination of a lot of rain and warm brakes when I parked up meant the pads were well and truly binded onto the discs. Whilst I managed to get the car off the drive, they were making an awful noise, not the sort that normally clears after a few applications of the brake. I limped it to a local garage to investigate and make sure it was safe to drive, the calipers were OK and they said it was just a massive build up on the front discs. Sure enough after about 10 miles of repeated braking it got better. But it was clear the discs and pads were well used and so I booked it in to VRS for OEM replacements, including fresh brake fluid. They are Brembo 345mm.
You know you're in a proper workshop when there's an engine block and crank on the front desk. This assortment of suspension and drive terrain is destined for Wills Sierra Cosworth..
Some classics on the ramp
I still miss it. Car is running well, finally managed to get round to giving it a decent scrub and coat of wax. The deep blue pearl paintwork really looks great when clean. Unfortunately the clean has revealed the very start of some rust bubbles on the drivers front wing (they all do that sir etc). This is rather annoying as I thought they had already been replaced - replacement wings are made in Germany and say as much under the bonnet, whereas originals were apparently made in Italy! The rust issue is well documented and affects all Mk 5's, caused by VW inserting a foam/sponge pad in between the inside arch and wing to reduce noise. Awful design and they should never have done it. All mark 5's are outside the 12 year corrosion warranty now, so its down to owners to sort this out. Replacement wings are about £200 each plus labour, plus painting - needs to be blended into the doors really.
Will probably end up doing them at some point further down the line depending on how bad its got when I decide to sell.
I sense the drivers side top mount is a bit grumbly (thanks potholes) so thats on the list, been quoted couple hundred to supply and fit, but may as well do both sides. Then do I do the shocks as well, suspect they are original? So yes, not cheap keeping it in a good condition, especially when you don't have the time or ability to replace things yourself. But I'm committed to the cause now. Someone will benefit from my expense when I come to sell, I do sometimes wonder about swapping it for something else - and Passat R36 Estates are on the radar, just a shame they were DSG only.
Managed to get to The Cotsworld Motor Hub German classics event on Sunday with my 2 girls (5 yr old and 1.5 yr old), I tried to educate them on the finer details of 70s and 80s Alpinas/BMWs but in reality they were just bored as hell
Will probably end up doing them at some point further down the line depending on how bad its got when I decide to sell.
I sense the drivers side top mount is a bit grumbly (thanks potholes) so thats on the list, been quoted couple hundred to supply and fit, but may as well do both sides. Then do I do the shocks as well, suspect they are original? So yes, not cheap keeping it in a good condition, especially when you don't have the time or ability to replace things yourself. But I'm committed to the cause now. Someone will benefit from my expense when I come to sell, I do sometimes wonder about swapping it for something else - and Passat R36 Estates are on the radar, just a shame they were DSG only.
Managed to get to The Cotsworld Motor Hub German classics event on Sunday with my 2 girls (5 yr old and 1.5 yr old), I tried to educate them on the finer details of 70s and 80s Alpinas/BMWs but in reality they were just bored as hell
Nice photos.
Shame on the wing - assume you removed the foams? An annual wheel liner out clean and spray of some lanoguard or similar will help out no end in future (or present to slow the rust down perhaps).
RE approach to repairs like you i start to think if I'm doing X then it makes sense to do ABC. I suppose it comes down to your plan for the car: are you planning to keep it forever or a long time then in that case it does make sense to spend up front and save the labour later on. If you've got itchy feet I'd recommend just doing what is needed (but do replace in pairs).
Shame on the wing - assume you removed the foams? An annual wheel liner out clean and spray of some lanoguard or similar will help out no end in future (or present to slow the rust down perhaps).
RE approach to repairs like you i start to think if I'm doing X then it makes sense to do ABC. I suppose it comes down to your plan for the car: are you planning to keep it forever or a long time then in that case it does make sense to spend up front and save the labour later on. If you've got itchy feet I'd recommend just doing what is needed (but do replace in pairs).
The Cardinal said:
Looking good! Must be very satisfying continuing to run what is now definitely a "gone forever" format of large engine in a compact car.
I've just changed cars again and was drawn to R32s, but a Mk7 GTD is where I've alighted for now (will do a thread soon).
Yes it still evokes a special feeling when you turn the key and open the taps, certainly a rare sight on the roads around me. I've just changed cars again and was drawn to R32s, but a Mk7 GTD is where I've alighted for now (will do a thread soon).
It was a shame to see the RS3 has gone, such a unique colour too. Hope the new wheels are working out and look forward to seeing the thread.
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