RE: Tell Me I'm Wrong: VW Golf R32 (Mk4)
Discussion
I've driven the 5th gen one on a test drive, v6 makes a nice sound, but doesn't really feel quick and for the thirst, their so many better options, at that time it was about £18k second hand.
I also tested the S3, which I thought felt quicker and more responsive, but with both of them, I just don't like the part time AWD system.
I'd rather get an older S4 with a proper AWD system, or a jap alternative of which their are many.
I also tested the S3, which I thought felt quicker and more responsive, but with both of them, I just don't like the part time AWD system.
I'd rather get an older S4 with a proper AWD system, or a jap alternative of which their are many.
handbraketurn said:
I've driven the 5th gen one on a test drive, v6 makes a nice sound, but doesn't really feel quick and for the thirst, their so many better options, at that time it was about £18k second hand.
Thats the important bit though, due to silly tax & rubbish mpg, the considerably higher specced R32's are generally much better value than their spartan Gti counterparts. My '56 plate with all the options bar Recaros/Sunroof, was just over £7.5k!! Great VFM imho.F*ck spending the £30k on it that the original buyer did though
St John Smythe said:
It's half term week. Just come back after 6pm when sootyrumble has been sent to bed 
Lol funny, however my point stands firm PH has been brainwashed into rear drive is best no matter what if its front drive it must be worse, i have a stripped out caged street legal car for hooning around in and 6 months ago i had the r32 too, and it was fantastic at what it was designed for WHICH IS NOT driving liking a hoon, but being quick and GT'esque.Just because a car is designed to be comfortable, slower and torquier than its rivals does not make it a bad car just different and there are people who those qualities may appeal too and for me it fitted perfectly into what i wanted, my car before this was a Focus RS mk1 which was monstously fast but very compromised for daily use and so a true track weapon and the r32 was a more pleasant and rewarding way for me to live. I appreciatte the qualities of rear drive cars after owning an S2000, Mazda RX8 and a Nissan S14, but in england with our roads and weather 80% of the time they are not as much fun as a well setup front drive or 4wd car due to the conditions and so thats now where i like to keep my driving experience.
I have huge respect for BMW's dynamically and performance wise, however they are not my cup of tea outside of the M range, i truly would prefer to drive an R32, than be seen driving a 325i, in my R32 i had people come and talk to me in petrol stations and car parks, however never seen that kind of enthusiasm for a 325i.
I would also like to clarify i never said 325i drivers were poor just they couldn't afford the 330ci they really wanted but c'est la vie on PH the general mass just like to flame from behind a screen, rather than making informed comments about subjects that they actually have experience with. If you read my previous comments i have stated that the R32 is inert just also tried to highlight the facts about the core market it was intended for and also the reason some of the design choices were made.
Now wheres that homework :-P
im lookin to pick a mk5 r32 up soonish, and like most you say theres prob plenty cars out there will give more fun, audi s3 renault megane 225 clio, even an edition 30 gti... but the fact of the matter is 3.2 whole litres in a family size hatch a car thats unique and cant be confused with a 118i m sport like the 130i. its got the noise, like a few people are sayin its not a hot hatch compare it more to a american muscle car. a mates brother had a subaru wrx sti ppp 300hp allegedly (never got it dyno'D) we once raced an r32 mk5 and we was 2 man up he was by himself but if we didnt max each gear in the revs wudent of one so cormfortable.... too many people blinded by figures, drive the cars and make ur own decision!!
The R32 is indeed a thirsty little b~gger, but it does improve with a remap. As does the unnecessarily savage throttle response.
For what it's worth, I thought the original 350Z also felt slow for it's engine size and on-paper credentials. The chassis is a LOT more entertaining than the Golf's though
There's no escaping physics. Modest power and hefty bulk rarely = fun.
For what it's worth, I thought the original 350Z also felt slow for it's engine size and on-paper credentials. The chassis is a LOT more entertaining than the Golf's though
There's no escaping physics. Modest power and hefty bulk rarely = fun.
doogz said:
Not everyone spends everything they can scrape together on a car you know. Just because someone drives a 325i, doesn't mean it's because they couldn't afford the 330ci.
Likewise, I could have bought a lot more "interesting" metal than my R32, including a lot from the M stable. But, 99% of the time, the R32 suits my needs better. Most entertaining car in the world, probably not, most suitable for what I want, certainly.Perhaps now is not the time to say my mate with a Z4M is selling it after spending a weekend in my R32.
doogz said:
Not everyone spends everything they can scrape together on a car you know. Just because someone drives a 325i, doesn't mean it's because they couldn't afford the 330ci.
No-one's flaming you from behind a screen, so calm yourself.
Interesting though that the reason you quote is that you wouldn't want to be seen in one. Says a lot.
Also, I don't recall them making an E36 330ci? You follow that up with a comment about making informed comments
Outside of the E36 M3, the 328i is supposedly the pick of the bunch, but the 2.5L engined 323 compact has the earlier E30 rear suspension, which whilst less 'refined' results in something a bit more tail happy and less understeery.
WRT your comments about the handling and core market, I agree. I said as much earlier. I'd still rather have the RWD car. And no, I'm not some brainwashed sheep, I've just sold my Impreza, have 2 4x4s, an MR2 and one of the most fun (IMO) FWD cars ever made.
If you read the original story CH compared the E36 325i to the equivalent year gold the VR6 i was referring to the E46 range which is the same year as the R32 and funnily enough with more airbags etc, is a heavier more inert car than the E36. No-one's flaming you from behind a screen, so calm yourself.
Interesting though that the reason you quote is that you wouldn't want to be seen in one. Says a lot.
Also, I don't recall them making an E36 330ci? You follow that up with a comment about making informed comments
Outside of the E36 M3, the 328i is supposedly the pick of the bunch, but the 2.5L engined 323 compact has the earlier E30 rear suspension, which whilst less 'refined' results in something a bit more tail happy and less understeery.
WRT your comments about the handling and core market, I agree. I said as much earlier. I'd still rather have the RWD car. And no, I'm not some brainwashed sheep, I've just sold my Impreza, have 2 4x4s, an MR2 and one of the most fun (IMO) FWD cars ever made.
The E36 wipes the floor with a VR6 but the Mki4 is a different prospect
doogz said:
I'm not that into the whole interior plastics quality thing, and 'toys'.
Mix that with visiblity, rear seats, usable boot, a bonnet thats not the titanic, and you may start to get the picture.I got more fun out of watching him try get his mountain bike into the car than he had in the next series of corners, especially when he wasnt running away from me either.
I completely concur with Chris Harris on this one.
The R32 Golf has always been a bit overweight to be sporting in a car of Golf dimensions. All that weight up front blunts the driving experience and in my opinion the Haldex system has never been that great when you really need it.
The engine sounds lovely but the rest...
The R32 Golf has always been a bit overweight to be sporting in a car of Golf dimensions. All that weight up front blunts the driving experience and in my opinion the Haldex system has never been that great when you really need it.
The engine sounds lovely but the rest...
Chris youre missing the point.
Its not supposed to be fast or dynamically thrilling.
Its a throw back to a byegone era when dropping big lumps with lungs into pokey cars was the stuff that got us all excited - not whether or not your car does the 'ring quicker than a white transit van driven by a jovial german lady
Unequivocally its got more soul that james brown and more kerb appeal than a buxom blonde mancunian ho with fishnet tights.
That for me is why is why i do, and continue to, love owning this car more so than the 968 CS that i had before it and almost more than the 964 before that.
Its not supposed to be fast or dynamically thrilling.
Its a throw back to a byegone era when dropping big lumps with lungs into pokey cars was the stuff that got us all excited - not whether or not your car does the 'ring quicker than a white transit van driven by a jovial german lady
Unequivocally its got more soul that james brown and more kerb appeal than a buxom blonde mancunian ho with fishnet tights.
That for me is why is why i do, and continue to, love owning this car more so than the 968 CS that i had before it and almost more than the 964 before that.
SuperchargedVR6 said:
WreckedGecko said:
SuperchargedVR6 said:
Lowtimer said:
The Corrado VR6 was a lovely thing with just FWD, after all, and could probably have handled the more powerful engine of the R32.
Having done such a conversion myself, I can tell you it can Its awesome fun.
Even without 2nd gear...
A lot of people on this forum hold VAG in contempt, but what I like about them is their insessant platform sharing means all manner of tasty modern motors can be slotted into older cars
Corrado TDI anyone? lolI have been the owner (and seller) of a MkV GTI Edition 30, I have driven (and sold) the MkV R32. But I have only seen Mk1V R32's and my mate has a MK1V GTI (which is pretty rapid with only 180PS)
The R32 is a completely different beast to the GTI (even the edition 30). There is something thrilling about having a stupidly big engine in a little car - plus the noise is heavenly.
I guess the handling won't be great but the R32 lives up to everything VAG fanatics stand for.
Cars like this, you buy with your heart, and let your head go play 'accountant' elsewhere.
As such... I think you are wrong.
The R32 is a completely different beast to the GTI (even the edition 30). There is something thrilling about having a stupidly big engine in a little car - plus the noise is heavenly.
I guess the handling won't be great but the R32 lives up to everything VAG fanatics stand for.
Cars like this, you buy with your heart, and let your head go play 'accountant' elsewhere.
As such... I think you are wrong.
Edited by JuniorJet on Tuesday 30th October 15:50
Interesting that on a forum where normally people are more than happy to start quoting Evo magazine views on cars that the Golf R32 is a car that got a fantastic review in Evo, made their best £10k Hot hatch list and their best £10k cars that won't cost a fortune in depreciation list.
Note in terms of speed the mk4 R32 managed a 1:33.3 around the Top Gear track, faster than FN2 Civic Type R, A Megane 225, Alfa 147 GTV
The MK5 R32 managed a 01:30.4 around TG track which puts it faster than a VX220 Turbo and only 0.3s slower than a Monaro VXR which according to PH and my own experience is a rapid motor!
Note in terms of speed the mk4 R32 managed a 1:33.3 around the Top Gear track, faster than FN2 Civic Type R, A Megane 225, Alfa 147 GTV
The MK5 R32 managed a 01:30.4 around TG track which puts it faster than a VX220 Turbo and only 0.3s slower than a Monaro VXR which according to PH and my own experience is a rapid motor!
After recently joining twitter, the first person I followed was you Chris. The main reason being I agree with you. Not that I have driven a lot of the cars in question, unless I've had the opportunity, but mainly I rely on reviews. The VR6 now is a popular boy-racer machine, boasting a great sound and torque to match - but that's it. It's for shallow, superficial people who imo have no interest in driving as an entity.
The golf has always been too expensive, not particularly desirable and performance lacking from a 3.2 (intentionally limited?)
Given the other cars on offer for the same price and driving experience, no way. Wasn't the Escort Cosworth a similar price when it came out? Not as discreet/elegant, but a damn sight more fun.
The golf has always been too expensive, not particularly desirable and performance lacking from a 3.2 (intentionally limited?)
Given the other cars on offer for the same price and driving experience, no way. Wasn't the Escort Cosworth a similar price when it came out? Not as discreet/elegant, but a damn sight more fun.
aka_kerrly said:
Interesting that on a forum where normally people are more than happy to start quoting Evo magazine views on cars that the Golf R32 is a car that got a fantastic review in Evo, made their best £10k Hot hatch list and their best £10k cars that won't cost a fortune in depreciation list.
Note in terms of speed the mk4 R32 managed a 1:33.3 around the Top Gear track, faster than FN2 Civic Type R, A Megane 225, Alfa 147 GTV
The MK5 R32 managed a 01:30.4 around TG track which puts it faster than a VX220 Turbo and only 0.3s slower than a Monaro VXR which according to PH and my own experience is a rapid motor!
That my friend is very interesting. Good stats.Note in terms of speed the mk4 R32 managed a 1:33.3 around the Top Gear track, faster than FN2 Civic Type R, A Megane 225, Alfa 147 GTV
The MK5 R32 managed a 01:30.4 around TG track which puts it faster than a VX220 Turbo and only 0.3s slower than a Monaro VXR which according to PH and my own experience is a rapid motor!
(no I am not being sarky).
WreckedGecko said:
I cant remember the exact details but the R32 (mk4) lump that was dropped in was about 15kg lighter then the old VR6 job!
The engine block is the same weight as the old VR6 as it's identical dimensionally (just bore and stroke changes), but the 24V head is a fair chunk heavier. But overall the R32 is a bit lighter thanks to the plastic intake. It's still 170kg ahead of the front axle though, which dynamically is less than ideal. If it were developed further with an alloy block, more weight would have been shaved.
Love or hate the R32 as a car, there's no denying it's engine is a design and packaging master piece
Designed by Cosworth I believe. Packing a 3.2 litre with 4 variably timed valves per cyl and a dual plenum intake into a little Golf does deserve a little credit, even if it didn't deliver on it's promises. Technically, I love it Geeba said:
18T remapped GTI
Nothing to do with cars depresses me more than this sentence. It seems to be the default comparison compared to every other hot hatch and is hailed as the greatest thing since sliced bread when really it's a dull characterless engine that's no more tunable than any other turbo lump and the 'bargain big power' certainly isn't as easy to get as people think. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff