Mk5 Golf R32 or Audi S4 estate (2005)
Discussion
Just sold a 2005 B7 S4 for my son in law (I've drove it loads in the 3 years he owned it, and I had the job of keeping him right with all things maintenance)
Totally refute all the 'nose heavy' comments from those that obviously hasn't driven one (default Audi comment on here). The handling is one of the best out of any Audi I've ever driven. Steering sharpness/gearing is also pretty good. His had a Miltek cat-back and it sounded f
king brilliant!!! Bit like a NASCAR - very deep V8 rumble.
There's no Timing Belt to worry about either, but check that it's had regular oil changes as the only thing that can go wrong if not, is the
Cam Chain Tensioners. They're not expensive, but the engine has to almost be lifted out to get at them (right at the back of the engine). Nothing else really to worry about in the engine bay if well maintained.
Very good torque low down but when the engine hits 4000 rpm it really flys (in a different league to the R32) when the variable valve timing kicks in.
Driven reasonable on longer journey's, it will do mid to high 20's MPG wise.
Get a B7 if you can (they are much more rare), they mainly start about 05 plate and as long as it's not after March 2006, it will be in the lower tax band.
I too would go for a manual (again, rarer). The 6 speed box is light and precise.
Whilst never having owned a R32, I know a mate with one, really nice car, but will be every bit as much on fuel and costs generally and almost 100bhp down. Whilst it does sound good, it doesn't match the S4 with a Miltek!
Good luck!
Totally refute all the 'nose heavy' comments from those that obviously hasn't driven one (default Audi comment on here). The handling is one of the best out of any Audi I've ever driven. Steering sharpness/gearing is also pretty good. His had a Miltek cat-back and it sounded f
king brilliant!!! Bit like a NASCAR - very deep V8 rumble.There's no Timing Belt to worry about either, but check that it's had regular oil changes as the only thing that can go wrong if not, is the
Cam Chain Tensioners. They're not expensive, but the engine has to almost be lifted out to get at them (right at the back of the engine). Nothing else really to worry about in the engine bay if well maintained.
Very good torque low down but when the engine hits 4000 rpm it really flys (in a different league to the R32) when the variable valve timing kicks in.
Driven reasonable on longer journey's, it will do mid to high 20's MPG wise.
Get a B7 if you can (they are much more rare), they mainly start about 05 plate and as long as it's not after March 2006, it will be in the lower tax band.
I too would go for a manual (again, rarer). The 6 speed box is light and precise.
Whilst never having owned a R32, I know a mate with one, really nice car, but will be every bit as much on fuel and costs generally and almost 100bhp down. Whilst it does sound good, it doesn't match the S4 with a Miltek!
Good luck!
Edited by Nors on Friday 9th January 08:56
Nors said:
Whilst never having owned a R32, I know a mate with one, really nice car, but will be every bit as much on fuel and costs generally and almost 100bhp down. Whilst it does sound good, it doesn't match the S4 with a Miltek!
Have you heard an R32 with a milltek? Edited by Nors on Friday 9th January 08:56
I'd say R32 op ... only because I love the looks/sound. I'm just looking into the S4 now and is does seem a very well rounded package
im an '09 R32 owner and I would say...R32 ha.
The r32 in my eyes is a more exclusive car. Yes as mentioned several times its not as fast as it should be for a 3.2, but im not quite sure that the R32 was designed to be a super raw hot hatch - its an effortless mile muncher, which has plenty of grunt (from low down aswell) which will always put a smile on your face should you feel the need to get enthusiastic. and the noise. while its 'just' a noise, It was a big selling point for me as it just adds to the overall experience..it sounds chuffing brilliant in standard form.
I now have a milltek non res and can honestly say it sounds freaking amazing.
A b7 s4 in comparison may be mechanically better and more powerful, but for me personally they haven't aged aswell as a MKV R32 has..id say they look pretty dated. Id also say the interior would be a bit of a nicer place to be than an S4 especially if you found an example with the Recaro Buckets. That, and seeing an RS4 when owning an S4 would always play with me in the back of my mind ha.
Petrol wise, theres too many people assuming their terrible on petrol when they have never lived with one. On my commute every day I never average below 29/30mpg on a mixed drive of start and stop...which really isn't bad for a heavy 3.2! Even when you get lively it still hasn't dropped below 25mpg..which again considering isn't terrible at all.
The r32 in my eyes is a more exclusive car. Yes as mentioned several times its not as fast as it should be for a 3.2, but im not quite sure that the R32 was designed to be a super raw hot hatch - its an effortless mile muncher, which has plenty of grunt (from low down aswell) which will always put a smile on your face should you feel the need to get enthusiastic. and the noise. while its 'just' a noise, It was a big selling point for me as it just adds to the overall experience..it sounds chuffing brilliant in standard form.
I now have a milltek non res and can honestly say it sounds freaking amazing.
A b7 s4 in comparison may be mechanically better and more powerful, but for me personally they haven't aged aswell as a MKV R32 has..id say they look pretty dated. Id also say the interior would be a bit of a nicer place to be than an S4 especially if you found an example with the Recaro Buckets. That, and seeing an RS4 when owning an S4 would always play with me in the back of my mind ha.
Petrol wise, theres too many people assuming their terrible on petrol when they have never lived with one. On my commute every day I never average below 29/30mpg on a mixed drive of start and stop...which really isn't bad for a heavy 3.2! Even when you get lively it still hasn't dropped below 25mpg..which again considering isn't terrible at all.
Nors said:
Just sold a 2005 B7 S4 for my son in law (I've drove it loads in the 3 years he owned it, and I had the job of keeping him right with all things maintenance)
Totally refute all the 'nose heavy' comments from those that obviously hasn't driven one (default Audi comment on here). The handling is one of the best out of any Audi I've ever driven. Steering sharpness/gearing is also pretty good. His had a Miltek cat-back and it sounded fking brilliant!!! Bit like a NASCAR - very deep V8 rumble.
There's no Timing Belt to worry about either, but check that it's had regular oil changes as the only thing that can go wrong if not, is the
Cam Chain Tensioners. They're not expensive, but the engine has to almost be lifted out to get at them (right at the back of the engine). Nothing else really to worry about in the engine bay if well maintained.
Very good torque low down but when the engine hits 4000 rpm it really flys (in a different league to the R32) when the variable valve timing kicks in.
Driven reasonable on longer journey's, it will do mid to high 20's MPG wise.
Get a B7 if you can (they are much more rare), they mainly start about 05 plate and as long as it's not after March 2006, it will be in the lower tax band.
I too would go for a manual (again, rarer). The 6 speed box is light and precise.
Whilst never having owned a R32, I know a mate with one, really nice car, but will be every bit as much on fuel and costs generally and almost 100bhp down. Whilst it does sound good, it doesn't match the S4 with a Miltek!
Good luck!
I don't know. Chassiswise, I always found the B6/B7 to feel best with the 1.8t up front.Totally refute all the 'nose heavy' comments from those that obviously hasn't driven one (default Audi comment on here). The handling is one of the best out of any Audi I've ever driven. Steering sharpness/gearing is also pretty good. His had a Miltek cat-back and it sounded f
king brilliant!!! Bit like a NASCAR - very deep V8 rumble.There's no Timing Belt to worry about either, but check that it's had regular oil changes as the only thing that can go wrong if not, is the
Cam Chain Tensioners. They're not expensive, but the engine has to almost be lifted out to get at them (right at the back of the engine). Nothing else really to worry about in the engine bay if well maintained.
Very good torque low down but when the engine hits 4000 rpm it really flys (in a different league to the R32) when the variable valve timing kicks in.
Driven reasonable on longer journey's, it will do mid to high 20's MPG wise.
Get a B7 if you can (they are much more rare), they mainly start about 05 plate and as long as it's not after March 2006, it will be in the lower tax band.
I too would go for a manual (again, rarer). The 6 speed box is light and precise.
Whilst never having owned a R32, I know a mate with one, really nice car, but will be every bit as much on fuel and costs generally and almost 100bhp down. Whilst it does sound good, it doesn't match the S4 with a Miltek!
Good luck!
Edited by Nors on Friday 9th January 08:56
Even by road car standards, the S4, for all it's good points is a bit nose-heavy with the V8, and the MQ350 always felt a tick rubbery to me.
The 4.2 V8 in the S4 is a peach. Just try not to think about the fuel it needs.
Even from the factory, the engine/exhaust sound is great...I never felt the need to fit a Milltek or similar, as its a bit of a sleeper.
Certainly the grippiest car I've driven in the wet, if not the most fun.
Even from the factory, the engine/exhaust sound is great...I never felt the need to fit a Milltek or similar, as its a bit of a sleeper.
Certainly the grippiest car I've driven in the wet, if not the most fun.
Contary to the opinion of a poster above the S4 has a far nicer and better finished interior than the Golf. It also makes a much nicer noise, and is faster.
Both drive like big heavy cars and like a drink, so I think its a no brainer that the S4 is better than the R32 in every conceivable way.
Both drive like big heavy cars and like a drink, so I think its a no brainer that the S4 is better than the R32 in every conceivable way.
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