MK5 Golf R32 - number 3…

The R32 has just ticked over 125k miles this month. It continues to burble me around in comfort and never fails to put a smile on my face whether it be to work meetings around the M25 or on a weekend blast across the Cotswolds.

I made sure to give both cars a good wash over Christmas and we took a drive over to the Wye Valley to some waterfalls for a walk. I wish I hadn't followed my sat nav which took me up what can only be described as a goat track, very steep, rocky and narrow. With the rain it was pretty muddy too but stuck it in 1st and crawled up slowly, not once did it lose traction.






With the suspension refresh on the rear it now really handles so well on twisty A roads, the ride is perhaps a smidge firmer if you are sat in the back.












With all the crud on the road, the deep blue pearl paint was more a deep blue poo, not helped but a rear washer jet which dribbled a pathetic amount of water down the boot rather than up the window. Quick deassemble of the jet and soak in warm water, coupled with a pin and piece or wire to unblock and all working again.

I've got to say i would love one of these, I remember back in the day when you heard a MK3 VR6 setting off into the distance, that sound always stuck with me and these are no different.

Possible appreciating classic in years to come?

The R32 has been working hard this week. Multiple trips to the hospital following birth of our new baby daughter, through storm and heavy rain. I had the pleasure of bringing her home in the R32. The gentle rumble of the Vr6 had her asleep before we even left the car park! It was history repeating itself as I collected our first daughter 4.5 years ago in my black R32.

And who needs an estate. Broken fence panels and concrete run to tip. Added bonus of hearing the exhaust when backing up to the bins with the boot up (I realised I had parked at the wrong end)..

I worked out I've owned 10 cars in 20 years, 8 of which have been manual.

Needs a damn good clean but struggling with time as usual.

Congratulations on the arrival of your daughter

I loved mine so much I've made greetings cards out of it

They are expensive cars to run without doubt. Handling wise they are 1500kg, people say they are heavy but I don't notice it. Very comfortable but it's not a Megane RS or Mini Cooper S in the corners. More of a cruiser than B Road hero, but still enjoyable on a sweeping A road.

Brilliant and sure footed in the wet.

Reliability is good, chain tensioners are the main things to check, some issues with dsg gearboxes. Usual maintenance, oldest cars are now 17 years old (mk 5), so suspension refreshes are worth looking out for.

Looks great, I miss mine!

Have you done the exhaust flapper ‘mod’ of pulling the tube off to keep the valve open all the time?

Boring update alert! It's due a service and MOT this month. I'm planning to take the car back to VRS for a service and for them to investigate an annoying creak coming from the rear at slow parking speeds over undulating levels. Bit frustrating considering it's had a full on subframe drop and bush replacment not less than 12 months ago.

Talking of annoying rattles, I had a go at tracking one down coming from the centre dash ventilation area. Pulled it all out, couldnt replicate noise, so greased up and reassembled and bobs your uncle, rattle seems to have gone. Will reserve judgement completely until I take it out for a longer run and all the plastics have cooled down!

130k miles and still runs like a dream.

The R32 failed it's MOT on a tyre which had a cut down to the cord. They were pretty low anyway and had date codes of 2017/18 so I decided it was worth doing all 4. I went for Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and a proper 4 wheel alignment. So far so good other than the garage who did the tyres reporting a split outer CV boot. Hhmmm, no mention of that on the MOT a few days before. So I got that done when I booked it in for the MOT retest.

I managed to get to the final Classic Motor Hub Sunday coffee meet of the year today, some lovely cars as usual, but highlight for me qas a B9 Alpina. Automotive perfection.

Definitely go for it, take your time looking, you've had one so you know what to look for! There are alot of tired ones out there now, some with 8+ owners. I was a bit concerned going for one with 117k miles on but given the service history and buying privately, it put my nerves at ease as you see the car has had an easy life.

I've never tried a Miltek non res, they sound a bit too asbo for me but comes down to personal preference. My supercharged one had a Resonanted miltek and that sounded glorious and probably the sweet spot.

I think its safe to say most R32s have a bit of chain rattle, start off by finding one thats had a regular oil changes. Loud rattle from cold is not good. You will tell if its overly noisy but best bet is to find someone with vcds to check measuring blocks 208 and 209. As close to 0c as possible for both readings, and ideally less than 3 between both otherwise this indicates stretch. So mine was 0 and -2. If its -7 and +4 you have a problem and new chains are needed.

Also check for rust now, wings, cills and rear subframe.

Mines going great, just back from a minor service and check over. Engine is smooth as anything. The creak noise I was getting turned out to be a few loose sub frame bolts needing an extra quarter turn. Only downer was when doing up the oil sump plug it decided to thread itself. Quite common I'm told especially when people over torque the bolt. A new sump was £340 but the garage were able to carry out a permanent repair on the old one by rethreading. It torqued up OK so all good.

Just wish Thames Water would remove the hosepipe ban...

Good luck in the search, you know it makes sense