Buying an mk5 r32

[Obi Wan]

I'm looking at buying an mk5 r32. I was wondering what I should look for? I've come across this example which is pretty tempting.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

Any help would be appreciated.

[SuperchargedVR6]

Looks nice enough. Nothing really to worry about with those at that age. Engine is bomb proof and the rest of the mechanicals is standard Haldex stuff, so look for evidence of regular servicing on that.

Personally I would get the DSG version. The manual isn't a great partner with that engine imo.

[catso]

I don't know if this is a potential issue on later models? but I have a 2004 A3 3.2 (same engine) which is and has been great but I had the camchain tensioner fail at around 45k. Was out of warranty and Audi originally wanted £1,600 to do it but in the end goodwilled most of the cost as I had bought it new/had it serviced by the local dealer.

Other than that, at 90k it still pulls as well as it ever did.

[SuperchargedVR6]

The chain gear was upgraded in 2006 on all 3.2s.

[catso]

Useful to know.

[Obi Wan]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

Looks nice enough. Nothing really to worry about with those at that age. Engine is bomb proof and the rest of the mechanicals is standard Haldex stuff, so look for evidence of regular servicing on that.

Personally I would get the DSG version. The manual isn't a great partner with that engine imo.

Thanks.

I know that the haldex should be serviced every 40k miles. Coilpacks should have the latest recall done. Plugs changed every 40k miles. Is there anything else?

I be looking for a manual as there's less to go wrong.

[SuperchargedVR6]

Obi Wan said:

SuperchargedVR6 said:

Looks nice enough. Nothing really to worry about with those at that age. Engine is bomb proof and the rest of the mechanicals is standard Haldex stuff, so look for evidence of regular servicing on that.

Personally I would get the DSG version. The manual isn't a great partner with that engine imo.

Thanks.

I know that the haldex should be serviced every 40k miles. Coilpacks should have the latest recall done. Plugs changed every 40k miles. Is there anything else?

I be looking for a manual as there's less to go wrong.

Not really. I never had any reliability issues with my R32s in the powertrain department.

A lot can go wrong on any car. I wouldn't let a fear of the unknown put you off DSG. It really transforms the car.

[MattS5]

That dealer you've linked to is very decent too.
He bought my old S3 and had some really nice stock, very fussy about the cars he buys.

A really decent chap to deal with too.

[Mr-captain]

I have an 09 plate 5-Door DSG. Engine wise they are pretty bullet proof, the chains are supposedly sorted on the later R32 engines and as long as they are given quality oil and looked after should be fine.

I have had to have a couple of things sorting under Warranty on mine, the ABS pump failed (well actually a sensor in the pump) and the ignition barrel broke stopping me from using the key until the AA butchered it to get me home. Both were eventually fixed by VW under warranty after lots of arguing!

As said above Haldex and DSG need servicing every 40k, and normal servicing at 10k/1yr intervals for time and distance or upto 20k/2years for long life. Brake fluid every 2 years, and maybe coolant at 5 years. There was a recall for coil packs and most will have been done, if not then a call to VW will sort it out as they will still swap them if it has been missed. Some have issues with the subframe moving around due to the stretch bolts stretching, I think VW have a TPS for this which replaces them with passat bolts. Mine likes to chew up the outer edge of the front tyres, I thought it was due to alignment etc but they all do it as its quite heavy up front.

Running costs are high compared to other hatches as its not the most efficient of cars, I am averaging around 25MPG mostly dual carriage way driving, but who cares when they sound as good as they do.

[dogbucket]

I can list the issues I had with mine over 7 years and 130k miles but that might put you off!


DSG Mechatronics replaced under warranty
Coil packs replaced under warranty/recall (the extender fractures and snaps in half)
Knocking from steering rack (replaced twice)
Lower front control arm bushes replaced (car pulling slightly on acceleration)
Dual mass flywheel replaced (noisy on idle)
Front CV boots at various times
Fuel filter pin hole leak
Rusty front wheel arches (very common on all mk5 Golfs of a certain age now)


I personally think the large engine and stiffer suspension does put strain on what is mostly standard golf parts so causes more wear. But still the best car I have owned :-)

[anonymous-user]

Plenty of advice here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

And lots and lots here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[catso]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

A lot can go wrong on any car. I wouldn't let a fear of the unknown put you off DSG. It really transforms the car.

Indeed, my A3 is one of the earlier DSG models. At 12 years old and 90k miles the gearbox performs as good as ever, in fact the car runs as good as when it was new, which is one reason I've kept it so long as it's just so capable. OK It's not an R32 but it is essentially the same platform.

I'd get the DSG as it really does work very well and suit the engine.

[Bigbox]

I really regret selling my low mileage 55 plate A3 3.2 DSG.. it really was mint and the grass wasn't greener!

[Obi Wan]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

The chain gear was upgraded in 2006 on all 3.2s.

Are you referring to r32's here? I'm still doing research and the one thing that bothers me is talk of timing chains failing and lunching engines. As far as I know it can happen at any time which is really off putting.

[SuperchargedVR6]

Obi Wan said:

SuperchargedVR6 said:

The chain gear was upgraded in 2006 on all 3.2s.

Are you referring to r32's here? I'm still doing research and the one thing that bothers me is talk of timing chains failing and lunching engines. As far as I know it can happen at any time which is really off putting.

All 3.2s, so R32, A3, Cayenne and any VAG that used it.

The chain actually snapping is so rare, it's barely even worth mentioning.

The chain just wears out like all other chain driven engines, and on the 3.2 it can wear to the point where the ECU can no longer correlate the cam / crank position and throw the EML, but that is rare as well.

At least with the R32 you can monitor the chain wear with diagnostic software before it ever gets that bad.

[Obi Wan]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

All 3.2s, so R32, A3, Cayenne and any VAG that used it.

The chain actually snapping is so rare, it's barely even worth mentioning.

The chain just wears out like all other chain driven engines, and on the 3.2 it can wear to the point where the ECU can no longer correlate the cam / crank position and throw the EML, but that is rare as well.

At least with the R32 you can monitor the chain wear with diagnostic software before it ever gets that bad.

If I were to buy one it would be from third party dealer who I doubt has the required software to detect such an issue. Even if an issue was found I've read anything from £1000 to £4000 for a repair. The whole thing seems to be a time bomb. Did the 2008 model finally fix this?

Edited by Obi Wan on Tuesday 4th October 16:29

[SuperchargedVR6]

Obi Wan said:

SuperchargedVR6 said:

All 3.2s, so R32, A3, Cayenne and any VAG that used it.

The chain actually snapping is so rare, it's barely even worth mentioning.

The chain just wears out like all other chain driven engines, and on the 3.2 it can wear to the point where the ECU can no longer correlate the cam / crank position and throw the EML, but that is rare as well.

At least with the R32 you can monitor the chain wear with diagnostic software before it ever gets that bad.

If I were to buy one it would be from third party dealer who I doubt has the required software to detect such an issue. Even if an issue was found I've read anything from £1000 to £4000 for a repair. The whole thing seems to be a time bomb. Did the 2008 model finally fix this?

Edited by Obi Wan on Tuesday 4th October 16:29

Any post 2006 should be fine, but always worth a check. Do you know anyone with VAG-COM who could go with you?

[Obi Wan]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

Any post 2006 should be fine, but always worth a check. Do you know anyone with VAG-COM who could go with you?

Afraid not.