VW Golf R32 MK5

[Twin1]

Having posted a few times over the years I thought it would be good to start a thread about my new car and actually keep it updated and interesting this time!

My previous car was a Eunos VR Limited, lovely thing, one of 700 in the world and I loved every minute of ownership. Unfortunately despite only paying £1600 for it I spent well over £3500 in parts, modifications etc in a little over a year. It was looking like another big spending spree as I wanted a respray, suspension re-fresh etc and, as nice as it would've been, couldn't quite justify spending another £4000+ and never seeing it again. Time to move on.

My twin brother (Twin2 on here) has a BMW 325ti and it's a brilliant little car. We drove from Glasgow to Hockenheim and back this summer for the German Grand Prix and it was the perfect tool - comfortable big thrones to sit in, great engine, very quick on the autobahn and returned nearly 40mpg over 2500 miles. I started looking and thought I could get a pristine, low miles, high spec one of those for really good money - perfect all rounder so budget set at £3-4000. That didn't last long

Classic situation unfolded and each of my friends that are into cars tried to convince me 'their choice' was the right one. I was being pulled in all directions and kept thinking of the budget. Then I heard an R32. OH MY DAYS they sound incredible, even in stock form! I previously found this part of VW's marketing campaign for them and thought it was a bit pretentious but they are so so right:



I also kept comparing it to my brother's 325ti and thinking it was along the same line, except with a bigger boot, bigger engine, better spec and, for me, a little je ne sais quoi. Plus it's probably one of the last hot hatches that'll be NA, a V6 and adhere to the 'shoehorn a big engine into a small car' formula. What's not to like?

My R32

The search began and eventually I found the perfect one, or at least the one I bought. I found it at the beginning of my search and refused to view it because it looked really good and I was forcing myself to really take my time. I viewed some others until I felt informed enough and went to see it. Here's a picture at my mate's after the first wash:



It's a 2007 Manual in Deep Blue Pearl, currently on 53k miles with two previous owners and FSH. Great spec too: winter pack (standard on the R32s but gives heated seats and mirrors), convenience pack, MFSW, cruise control, auto lights, auto wipers and... Recaro Wingback buckets The previous owner fitted the RNS510 headunit upgrade which is amazing and saved me a job. It's remarkably similar to my friend's brand new Leon, with 7 digit postcode entry on the Nav and voice control (not that it understands a Glaswegian accent). Bluetooth will be added soon as I can't live without Spotify. He also fitted a resonated Milltek cat back system which really brings the sound to life - 3-5000rpm gives this fantastic VR6 rattle that I can't stop using. Probably also explains why I got 14mpg on the first drive home.

Initial Thoughts and Plans

I've had the car for two weeks now and covered nearly 600 miles so got some views. First of all it is a fantastic machine, just so capable! It'll go straight anywhere you point it and it feels very quick in-gear. It's also a very high spec Golf with the Mk5 build quality so it's a really nice place to be. That said I'm probably just spoiled because of my previous car - it didn't even have cup-holders!

There are some issues though that I'll be sorting very soon, and which led to me getting a BIG discount on it, even factoring in the private sale! It has a couple of bits of bodywork that, while they're not awful, I'm not happy having on my car. The wheels also definitely need a refurb - I think I'll have them done Anthracite to match the interior but think I'll lose the diamond-cut lip as I was quoted £108 a corner for that. With the windows down at high speed the wind makes a slight whistling sound which distracts me from the exhaust (which actually sits a little off centre so I'll need to get it in the air and sort that out). I'd also like to get the steering wheel re-trimmed to match the interior, maybe with blue stitching to match the exterior paint.

Given my previous history of spending money on needless upgrades and mods I'm trying to take it slowly with this car but there are lots of minor things I'd like to do, as well as some performance modifications. An induction kit is definitely on the cards, to further enhance the sound more than anything else.

I'll keep this up to date as and when things develop. Thanks for reading!

[Obi Wan]

Congrats. I love the mk5 especially in its signature blue. Could you please post some pictures of the recaros? Most I've seen have the standed seats. Also how do you find the insurance? I'm hoping to get one at some point.

[Twin1]

Obi Wan said:

Congrats. I love the mk5 especially in its signature blue. Could you please post some pictures of the recaros? Most I've seen have the standed seats. Also how do you find the insurance? I'm hoping to get one at some point.

Thanks! The colour is really brilliant in the sun. I initially didn't want a DBP car because it was too common but, as with my decision to get an R32 based on hearing it, I saw one in this colour and loved it!

Insurance is okay actually, worked out at £700 for the year. Bear in mind though I'm only 22 and wrote off a car in 2014. It's about £100 a year more expensive than my Eunos. Road tax stung a little, that was £505 I think, but I'd say it's worth it.

Here's a quick picture I took of the seats - same ones that came on lots of fast VAG cars and I think they're lovely, add a real wow factor to the interior:



They're relatively rare as I think they were quite an expensive option but I think they are worth it. They're still heated although you don't get the lumbar support that comes on the standard seats.

Good luck with your search!

[JoeMarano]

Love these, they sound Mega!

Whenever I see one I know my humble Polo is just as quick on paper (will have to do a test with someone with an r32) but I know deep down it sounds like st in comparison and these have that awesome exotic sound.

[Ved]

Wonderful stuff. I should never have parted with mine. I found that putting the fronts up to 38 PSI stopped all understeer other than hamfisted cornering.

Truly a classic waiting to be appreciated and there will never be another NA V6 in such a great overall package. Never sell it.

[ManicMunky]

Very jealous! Enjoy it

[Twin1]

JoeMarano said:

(will have to do a test with someone with an r32)

This would be interesting... I think there wouldn't be as much in it as I'd have liked! Maybe off the line the R32 might have an edge but on the move that Polo has a good chunk of torque!

Ved said:

Wonderful stuff. I should never have parted with mine. I found that putting the fronts up to 38 PSI stopped all understeer other than hamfisted cornering.

Truly a classic waiting to be appreciated and there will never be another NA V6 in such a great overall package. Never sell it.

I've got mine up at the recommended 2.8bar/40psi and haven't had a hint of understeer so far! Tonight was the first time I've driven it in the rain and it stuck like glue as usual. Think I'll have to get a little more boisterous to break traction in it!

I'm going to try and hold on to this one for a good few years, but I've said that about every car so far and 15 months has been the longest. I think the total package this gives me should edge it and help it stay! Plus I hate adding unnecessary owners to these - there are so many I saw for sale with 10+. You're definitely right though, this sort of car isn't going to happen again so really one to enjoy while it exists!

ManicMunky said:

Very jealous! Enjoy it

Thanks, I'm sure it'll be difficult not to!

Edited by Twin1 on Thursday 1st September 23:59

[JoeMarano]

I completely forgot the R32 was 4wd! Does weigh almost 250kg more though so would be very close I think. Torque is exactly the same too although the R32 does have around 40 bhp advantage!

[si_xsi]

Very nice, welcome to the club! The recaros were a £2.5k option when new!! I'm on my 2nd R32 now, my first was supercharged, love them but as you say there are a lot out there which have bee abused or 10 plus owners because whilst parts aren't too expensive, fuel and road tax are a killer and people sell them on quickly. Also I get very dubious about some people on other forums who insist on trying to fix things themselves when it's clear by the questions they ask that they haven't got a clue where to start or what to do. Pay some money and take it to a garage ffs.

They make great long distance cruisers though, did 2200 miles around France this year and currently in Bruges in the new one. The in gear acceleration and off the line is quite deceiving until you look down and see what speed you're going.

Look forward to the updates.

[anonymous-user]

Love the seats and love the car! I was misinformed until recent that R32's were slow, I know different now.

They shift on very well, the illusion of being slow is because it's such a smooth ride...the sound of a 6cyl can't really be beaten (minus v8 obviously)

Enjoy!
Might I suggest the golf tee mod, leaves your butterfly valve open so more noise 😎

[Leins]

Very nice OP, and especially with those Recaros

Learn2MergeInTurn said:

I was misinformed until recent that R32's were slow, I know different now

Yes people love to trot out that old line about all sorts of "slow" cars. Very few own the likes of a Veyron I find though

[JoeMarano]

I found out the hard way when I had a Clio 172 that these are a lot.....faster. Quite a lot actually!

[zeDuffMan]

Good choice, I loved my R32. Had it in the same colour as well, it's absolutely stunning in the sun. Got used to the speed quite quickly so plumped for an RS3 to replace it, it's the same experience only more... well except for the noise. For the money it's hard to think of many better sounding cars.

[Twin1]

si_xsi said:

Very nice, welcome to the club! The recaros were a £2.5k option when new!! I'm on my 2nd R32 now, my first was supercharged, love them but as you say there are a lot out there which have bee abused or 10 plus owners because whilst parts aren't too expensive, fuel and road tax are a killer and people sell them on quickly. Also I get very dubious about some people on other forums who insist on trying to fix things themselves when it's clear by the questions they ask that they haven't got a clue where to start or what to do. Pay some money and take it to a garage ffs.

They make great long distance cruisers though, did 2200 miles around France this year and currently in Bruges in the new one. The in gear acceleration and off the line is quite deceiving until you look down and see what speed you're going.

Look forward to the updates.

Thanks! Yes they were pricey so pretty rare and seem to hold their value well second hand, although I wonder if those listen on ebay for £2k-ish ever sell at that. I actually read your thread before, sorry to hear about the trouble you had with the supercharged one - it seemed well cared-for by the previous owner and must have been ballistically fast! Funnily enough I was complaining about the price of V-Power to my friend the next day (an accountant, of course), he suggested Momentum...

I enjoyed doing maintenance on my Eunos and learned a great deal but I think the R32 is a bit specialist/expensive to work on myself and it actually has some value to hold! Don't worry, it'll be treated right

Learn2MergeInTurn said:

Love the seats and love the car! I was misinformed until recent that R32's were slow, I know different now.

They shift on very well, the illusion of being slow is because it's such a smooth ride...the sound of a 6cyl can't really be beaten (minus v8 obviously)

Enjoy!
Might I suggest the golf tee mod, leaves your butterfly valve open so more noise ??

Thanks! I'll definitely try the golf tee mod although I'm not sure if the Milltek back box kept the valve system. One to investigate tomorrow.

Interesting comments about speed from all the above - perhaps those who usually say they're slow aren't willing to do it on someone's build thread What I would say it that it's very quick and probably faster than the 0-62mph time indicates. Certainly compared to my brother's 325ti it seems to be a complete step up and I'd say a bigger jump than you'd expect given the difference on paper of less than 1s.

Obviously the usual competitor whipped out in these conversations is R32 v GTI/Edition30/Remapped. The acceleration is very linear on the R32 and there's a (relative) lack of torque so you don't get the same shove in the back that you might from one of the turbo two litre lumps and it perhaps doesn't 'feel' as fast. However I agree with Learn2MergeInTurn and so often find myself exiting a roundabout/slip road thinking I'm legal and being very very wrong! Also, arguing that it's not as fast as a remapped GTI/Edition30 brings modifications into the conversation and you can't limit how far you go with that.

The other argument that gets rolled out against the R32 is how heavy it is. I've yet to check the figures and someone may correct me but I'd be surprised if there's more than 100-120kg in it, say 10% extra. It doesn't feel unduly heavy for the size and quality of car that it is - running a high spec, AWD, 3.2 litre car means you have to accept it won't weigh 950kg. And let's not forget it has 250bhp - that's plenty!

Anyway, all of this is overshadowed by the sound - it's sonorous and enchants me every time I drive. It'll be a sad day indeed when I stop enjoying the level of aural pleasure the R32 provides.

Edited by Twin1 on Friday 2nd September 20:55

[si_xsi]

It looms like you have got a good one. They weigh a smidge over 1500kgs so about 150kg more than a GTI, not much in it. The supercharged one was running fine after I threw a load of money at it..then a few weeks ago someone drove into the back of me at 50mph whilst I was stationary in traffic. I will update my thread soon and probably start one on the new one. I remember a great shoot out I had with an audi b7 RS4 convertible, let's just say he didn't get past me until after about 120 leptons! I never got a chance to pitch it against a Mk 7 R but I think it would of been close.

Ps check inside the front wheel arch liners for leaves and other debris, they get stuck in the bottom and the rot can make the already rust prone wings worse. Also worth getting it scanned using vagcom software to see if there are any fault codes. Personally I don't think you can do the golf tee mod with a miltek, you don't need to with one of those anyway!

[KennyGT]

Had mine 4 years now, same colour as yours and has the Recaros
Can't bring myself to sell it, kept it longer than I thought I would, it's just a great car.
It's nowhere near as quick as today's hot hatches etc but it's a lot more special

Enjoy

[Mike1990]

That's pretty much a perfect '32, the Seats really do make the Interior, its a shame they are not an option on the Mk7 Golf R.

Its funny you should mention the E46 325Ti, i was reading Modern Classics Magazine before, that and the E36 323Ti, you just don't see then anymore and totally of the Hot Hatch rader for people not in the know.

[Twin1]

si_xsi said:

It looms like you have got a good one. They weigh a smidge over 1500kgs so about 150kg more than a GTI, not much in it. The supercharged one was running fine after I threw a load of money at it..then a few weeks ago someone drove into the back of me at 50mph whilst I was stationary in traffic. I will update my thread soon and probably start one on the new one. I remember a great shoot out I had with an audi b7 RS4 convertible, let's just say he didn't get past me until after about 120 leptons! I never got a chance to pitch it against a Mk 7 R but I think it would of been close.

Ps check inside the front wheel arch liners for leaves and other debris, they get stuck in the bottom and the rot can make the already rust prone wings worse. Also worth getting it scanned using vagcom software to see if there are any fault codes. Personally I don't think you can do the golf tee mod with a miltek, you don't need to with one of those anyway!

Nightmare - an unlucky car to say the least... Are you considering supercharging your new one?

Interesting that you mention the RS4. One of the dealers where I viewed a R32 claimed it was much faster than the RS4 they had too. I took it with a pinch of car-dealer brand salt but maybe they're closer in real life than on paper...

[Twin1]

KennyGT said:

Had mine 4 years now, same colour as yours and has the Recaros
Can't bring myself to sell it, kept it longer than I thought I would, it's just a great car.
It's nowhere near as quick as today's hot hatches etc but it's a lot more special

Enjoy

Thanks! I'm really going to try to keep this one for a while - can't see any good reason to get rid, although it has only been two weeks...

Mike1990 said:

That's pretty much a perfect '32, the Seats really do make the Interior, its a shame they are not an option on the Mk7 Golf R.

Its funny you should mention the E46 325Ti, i was reading Modern Classics Magazine before, that and the E36 323Ti, you just don't see then anymore and totally of the Hot Hatch rader for people not in the know.

I guess they had to stop adding the same seats to their performance models at some point - I've seen these Recaros on fast VAG machinery for as long as I can remember. They are excellent though. Even my gran says they're her favourite seats of any car in the family, and she's 93!

I don't want to turn this into another 325ti appreciation thread but they really are brilliant cars, especially for the money you can pick them up at.

[Dave Hedgehog]

Still love these

I can't believe it was 10 years ago this month I picked mine up from my dealer