Mk5 Golf R32 or Audi S4 estate (2005)

[Hark]

Anyone owned or driven both and care to comment?

I'm guessing R32 running costs would be a fair bit lower in terms of maintenance (2 less cylinders), and running costs from mpg. You can fit alot more crap in an S4, but it'll also weigh more so possibly less fun to drive. I'm not after rwd, this is a daily and the weekend toy is staying.

I only do 11 miles a day so fuel isn't really a major issue, both are 05 plates so would be £280 tax, insurance similar I'm guessing.

Thoughts...

[Mik001]

Ummm
Estates are gross

[Pebbles167]

Mik001 said:

Ummm
Estates are gross

Fantastic contribution there!

Completely irrespective of handling, I'd go for the R32. Running costs of the S4 and potential repairs would scare me off. But I guess that's based on my budget, and fear of the unknown, having never worked on the V8.

[DanielSan]

Given how notoriously atrocious the V6 is on fuel can the V8 be any worse in day to day driving? Avoid auto's on the V8 and things don't seem to bad reliability wise I believe (my knowledge on this is far from extensive, purely bits I've read)

[scarebus]

I never gelled with my R32, it never felt quick and I didn't quite get what all the hype was about.
The S4 is a much quicker car, sounds fantastic and has a proper four wheel drive system....

[PorkRind]

scarebus said:

I never gelled with my R32, it never felt quick and I didn't quite get what all the hype was about.
The S4 is a much quicker car, sounds fantastic and has a proper four wheel drive system....

Yes , dull !

[Hobojim]

Yes, stick to manual s4. If it has been service properly and is a cared for car I don't think you should have any problems. Running costs will be similar I imagine as you have to wind up the V6 to get the go while the V8 will give you go from a bit lower. Servicing, the s4 will be marginally more expensive, bigger brake discs, extra 2 spark plugs, etc. and if you service it at a good independent that reduces the difference even more. Go for the Audi. Consider a Passat R36 as well maybe?

[rb5er]

V8 wins easily.

[anonymous-user]

Both great cars but the S4 is in a different league! My old S4 Avant is the only car I have ever owned that I miss.

[Axionknight]

I'd chose the S4 personally for the increased space.

I like the mk5 GTI and think it's a far better steer than the R32, unless you really MUST have a 4WD Golf I'd look at the GTI, it's a cracking all rounder and it's hardly any slower considering how much cheaper they are to run, you could always remap it for some extra power too.

[Hark]

I was after something noisey which is why I was looking at the R32 rather than the gti.

[scarebus]

Hark said:

I was after something noisey which is why I was looking at the R32 rather than the gti.

Other than its looks noise is the only other thing going for it...

[LA167]

S4 all day long! It's a V8, what more do you want!? Not a bland Volkswagen, that's for sure!

[k-ink]

The R32 is not that quick. But they do sound great. The S4 will be on another level all together. I'd opt for an S4 saloon out of those options.

[scherzkeks]

I'd take the R. It is rarer and more interesting. It would also be a better drive than a B6 S4. The R had Bilstein shocks and H&R manufactured springs right from the factory. Furthermore, aside from Haldex II's tendency to see-saw with it's overly rapid power shuffling in slow corners, it will be far more entertaining than the Torsen S4 of that gen. Weight balance should be better too, with the transverse engine mounted farther back and lower than the very forward position of the old S4 chassis.

[anonymous-user]

scherzkeks said:

I'd take the R. It is rarer and more interesting. It would also be a better drive than a B6 S4. The R had Bilstein shocks and H&R manufactured springs right from the factory. Furthermore, aside from Haldex II's tendency to see-saw with it's overly rapid power shuffling in slow corners, it will be far more entertaining than the Torsen S4 of that gen. Weight balance should be better too, with the transverse engine mounted farther back and lower than the very forward position of the old S4 chassis.

you haven't driven either have you?

[E63M6]

The R32 sounds nice but it's not as fast as you'd think it would be. I would go for the V8 but then you do have to factor in the running costs which would be considerably higher on the Audi.

[anonymous-user]

I've driven both and own an R32. Both cars were on my shortlist but S4 B7 saloons are very rare.
Not a deal of difference performance wise between the two but R32 feels lighter on its feet regarding steering response and quick direction changes.
Both sound great too. You can't go wrong with either.
Ps both cars have reports of timing chain stretch/rattle (maybe more so on the S4) and it isn't a cheap fix.

[Vladimir]

S4 is very nose heavy; a mate traded his mk4 R32 in for one and hated it.
The R32 may not be the fastest car around but it's still quick, that free revving NA engine is unstressed and bombproof, the grip is immense and they still look quite good.

R32 every time.

[Spoof]

Had an s4, really nice car.

Mine handled very nicely I thought, very un-Audi like, had an RS3 a few years later and loathed the thing.

Clarkson seemed to like it, I know he's a bit of a tool, but he used to do semi decent reviews

http://vimeo.com/45161277