Discussion
Legend83 said:
I would love one of these but having owned a Civic with a cavernous 485 litre boot I am not sure how I would cope with such a poxy luggage compartment with two kids...
My brother drove to bristol airport last week, with 3 kids,and luggage for a week in lanzarote,mk7 golf,same boot prob,I'll have to ask him him how he managed,beside if you had one of these,any thoughts of fuel ,road fund,gets quickly forgoten about once you've turned the key
Well Basil, you may be pleased to hear that your reader's ride thread has finally persuaded me to bite the bullet and purchase an R32. I went to see a pearl blue DSG today and instantly fell in love with the thing. It really is a breath of fresh air amongst a sea of diesel saloons and recession white SUVs. And that noise...BWWWWAAAARRRRR!!
jc84 said:
Well Basil, you may be pleased to hear that your reader's ride thread has finally persuaded me to bite the bullet and purchase an R32. I went to see a pearl blue DSG today and instantly fell in love with the thing. It really is a breath of fresh air amongst a sea of diesel saloons and recession white SUVs. And that noise...BWWWWAAAARRRRR!!
Welcome to the noise,get on the r32oc lots of good stuff and members always giving good advice if needed.
I'm sure with a bit of man maths you could make it work...
Boring hack + weekend toy = twice the depreciation, tax, servicing, storage, insurance... Or 1 car that does 25-30mpg, assuming your 25k is mainly m/a roads...
There are a few out there with mega mileage, and there are stories online of some guy using a few to transport diamonds around Europe...
Boring hack + weekend toy = twice the depreciation, tax, servicing, storage, insurance... Or 1 car that does 25-30mpg, assuming your 25k is mainly m/a roads...
There are a few out there with mega mileage, and there are stories online of some guy using a few to transport diamonds around Europe...
I've just sold my 2007 R32 and I can safely say it was one of the best cars I've ever owned. Despite the keyboard warriors who have never owned one harping on about the fact it's not that fast, it's a bit heavy/thirsty etc. there is something special about these cars that gets under your skin. It just has a character and all round brilliance that is hard to find in many modern cars.
I will miss it, but am pleased that it has sold to someone who was an enthusiast and will look after just as well as I did. Im currently running round in his 2 owner, 61k mile 96 VR6 which I couldn't turn down in part ex! What I will replace the R with though is something I still haven't decided on
I will miss it, but am pleased that it has sold to someone who was an enthusiast and will look after just as well as I did. Im currently running round in his 2 owner, 61k mile 96 VR6 which I couldn't turn down in part ex! What I will replace the R with though is something I still haven't decided on
I've had the car for 3 days now so I thought I would give my initial thoughts for anyone who is interested. I have wanted an R32 for years and saved up for a long time to get one. My previous car was a Leon Cupra R but the car I have owned which is closest in comparison is probably an impreza turbo. Some thoughts:
DSG gearbox: This was one of the things I was really unsure about. To be totally honest, I'm still not sure! In many ways it is absolutely remarkable. Gear changes are all but imperceptible which as I suspected is a good and bad thing! In full auto mode the car is so refined, smooth, extremely quick off the line and just lovely to drive. Where I am struggling to bond with it is in full manual mode. The truth is, pulling a small paddle on the back of the steering wheel at 6500rpm just isn't as rewarding as the getting the perfect manual change. Not for me anyway. Changing gear manually is a very physical thing and I do miss it a bit already. I am finding myself driving around in either D (economy) or S (NOISE!) modes. I have to say I read a lot about how the gearbox drops into first at junctions and throws you down the road, but I am yet to experience this, in fact it is much smoother than I was expecting! Maybe this is because I am aware of how the gearbox actually works (I read the entire DSG manual..) so am sympathetic to it's foibles,I don't know. Time will tell. One thing is for sure, a full bore start in S mode is a real experience! I haven't been brave enough to try the launch control yet but I will report back soon when I have. I'll give manual mode more time too and hopefully things will start to click.
Engine: Wow. Just stunning every way. Very smooth, seemingly effortless acceleration, incredible noise, it's a deep burble which becomes an angry howl at higher revs. Very very addictive! The noise doesn't quite match the actual acceleration but I can honestly say it doesn't matter. I have had faster cars than this but nothing which sounds as good. Its a petrol head's wet dream, plain and simple. I can see why everyone struggles to replace their R32's as virtually no modern hatch back sounds as good. When you open the taps you forgive the car anything and everything. :-)
Four wheel drive system/handling: I haven't driven the car in bad weather yet so all I can say is it feels extremely composed. I've tried one or two roundabouts and you can just accelerate out of them with no bother whatsoever. No wheelspin. Nothing! Immensely capable but enjoyable? I need more time to decide (and some torrential rain!). I nearly bought a GTi edition 30 but was swayed by the R32's noise, looks and kit so hopefully some bad weather will help confirm my choice.
Equipment: One of the reasons I bought this over the GTi. It has practically everything as standard but some highlights are:
Heated leather seats. Very comfortable and essential for window down driving which I am doing a lot of at the moment, anyone guess why?!
Bi-xenons. Brilliant, very bright and much better on the eyes for night time driving. Also look extremely cool. I hope they don't go wrong...
Launch control. Always nice to have! Will report back on this.
Cruise control. Useful for economy every now and then. The VW system on the stalk is not the most user friendly but does the job. Doubt it will get used much but nice to have.
Auto lights and wipers. This is the first car I have had with these believe it or not. Just so convenient and one less thing to worry about (lazy I know).
Park Distance Control. Not sure how I got by without it to be honest! Very useful in this modern age where everyone has colour coded bumpers costing thousands.
Favourite gadget so far are the coming/leaving home lights. Unlock the car in the night and it lights up like a Christmas tree, xenon's and all! It really sets the scene for a great night drive. The night is where I usually enjoy my cars and this one will be no exception.
Well that's it for the minute, thanks for listening to my rambling and sorry for the thread hijack Basil, I just thought it appropriate to put my thoughts on this thread at is is mainly you who inadvertently got me to pick up one of these lovely things.
P.s. No Ved I haven't done the flapper mod. And yes I will do it soon :-)
DSG gearbox: This was one of the things I was really unsure about. To be totally honest, I'm still not sure! In many ways it is absolutely remarkable. Gear changes are all but imperceptible which as I suspected is a good and bad thing! In full auto mode the car is so refined, smooth, extremely quick off the line and just lovely to drive. Where I am struggling to bond with it is in full manual mode. The truth is, pulling a small paddle on the back of the steering wheel at 6500rpm just isn't as rewarding as the getting the perfect manual change. Not for me anyway. Changing gear manually is a very physical thing and I do miss it a bit already. I am finding myself driving around in either D (economy) or S (NOISE!) modes. I have to say I read a lot about how the gearbox drops into first at junctions and throws you down the road, but I am yet to experience this, in fact it is much smoother than I was expecting! Maybe this is because I am aware of how the gearbox actually works (I read the entire DSG manual..) so am sympathetic to it's foibles,I don't know. Time will tell. One thing is for sure, a full bore start in S mode is a real experience! I haven't been brave enough to try the launch control yet but I will report back soon when I have. I'll give manual mode more time too and hopefully things will start to click.
Engine: Wow. Just stunning every way. Very smooth, seemingly effortless acceleration, incredible noise, it's a deep burble which becomes an angry howl at higher revs. Very very addictive! The noise doesn't quite match the actual acceleration but I can honestly say it doesn't matter. I have had faster cars than this but nothing which sounds as good. Its a petrol head's wet dream, plain and simple. I can see why everyone struggles to replace their R32's as virtually no modern hatch back sounds as good. When you open the taps you forgive the car anything and everything. :-)
Four wheel drive system/handling: I haven't driven the car in bad weather yet so all I can say is it feels extremely composed. I've tried one or two roundabouts and you can just accelerate out of them with no bother whatsoever. No wheelspin. Nothing! Immensely capable but enjoyable? I need more time to decide (and some torrential rain!). I nearly bought a GTi edition 30 but was swayed by the R32's noise, looks and kit so hopefully some bad weather will help confirm my choice.
Equipment: One of the reasons I bought this over the GTi. It has practically everything as standard but some highlights are:
Heated leather seats. Very comfortable and essential for window down driving which I am doing a lot of at the moment, anyone guess why?!
Bi-xenons. Brilliant, very bright and much better on the eyes for night time driving. Also look extremely cool. I hope they don't go wrong...
Launch control. Always nice to have! Will report back on this.
Cruise control. Useful for economy every now and then. The VW system on the stalk is not the most user friendly but does the job. Doubt it will get used much but nice to have.
Auto lights and wipers. This is the first car I have had with these believe it or not. Just so convenient and one less thing to worry about (lazy I know).
Park Distance Control. Not sure how I got by without it to be honest! Very useful in this modern age where everyone has colour coded bumpers costing thousands.
Favourite gadget so far are the coming/leaving home lights. Unlock the car in the night and it lights up like a Christmas tree, xenon's and all! It really sets the scene for a great night drive. The night is where I usually enjoy my cars and this one will be no exception.
Well that's it for the minute, thanks for listening to my rambling and sorry for the thread hijack Basil, I just thought it appropriate to put my thoughts on this thread at is is mainly you who inadvertently got me to pick up one of these lovely things.
P.s. No Ved I haven't done the flapper mod. And yes I will do it soon :-)
Edited by jc84 on Friday 13th March 07:30
Edited by jc84 on Friday 13th March 07:33
Edited by jc84 on Friday 13th March 07:38
Popped the R32 in to my local garage today for a quick air con regas and door lock module replacement. Unfortunately they had to get an extra part which couldn't be delivered until Monday. I'm suddenly faced with 3 days without the car and I'm devastated! It has made me realise how much I have bonded with it already, it just does everything so well. Jumping back in to the Cupra really highlights what a quality bit of kit the VW is. Even my three year old daughter is missing it! She has told me "not to worry as I will get my blue car back soon" :-)
Month 13
Oh dear...
My wife was hit by a minibus, while waiting for it to pass her on a narrow street. I've told the insurance company, but I'm not enormously hopeful of a positive outcome - so have booked it in to have the work done by the middle of next week, plus the kerbed wheels.
Only 2 weeks until it goes in to have the supercharger and other bits and bobs done. Although it's an extra (unexpected) cost, at least the car will look 100% when it's all done.
I just hope that this doesn't prove complicated when changing insurers, which I will be doing to coincide with the modifications.
Oh dear...
My wife was hit by a minibus, while waiting for it to pass her on a narrow street. I've told the insurance company, but I'm not enormously hopeful of a positive outcome - so have booked it in to have the work done by the middle of next week, plus the kerbed wheels.
Only 2 weeks until it goes in to have the supercharger and other bits and bobs done. Although it's an extra (unexpected) cost, at least the car will look 100% when it's all done.
I just hope that this doesn't prove complicated when changing insurers, which I will be doing to coincide with the modifications.
Oh dear! Maybe stop letting the wife drive it now, she does seem a little accident prone! I have now had mine for a few weeks and am really starting to bond with it, especially the DSG. Manual gearboxes just seem a bit of a chore once you get used to the speed and smoothness of DSG. The thing I like best about the R32 which I didn't see mentioned in any reviews etc. is the way you can nip out in gaps at junctions and roundabouts. See a gap, go. It is laughably brisk off the line, especially for a heavy old thing. I have also finally driven it in torrential rain and it is extremely composed with no noticeable slip even when provoked. In the interest of balance, some negatives are: the air conditioning is not blowing cold despite a regas (possible expensive repair which luckily I factored into sale price), it is desperate to get into 6th gear in D mode, so you often enter roundabouts with a touch of understeer, this is of course cured via a bit of manual shifting via the paddles! And the brakes, despite practically tearing my face off when I use them, squeak. Other than that I am currently residing on cloud number 9. I would urge anyone to try one of these things, character is a rare thing these days.
Looking forward to the supercharger updates Basil. I do wonder how much extra power the car really needs though. I prefer to keep my cars factory standard but will watch this with interest!
Looking forward to the supercharger updates Basil. I do wonder how much extra power the car really needs though. I prefer to keep my cars factory standard but will watch this with interest!
), it's all about:
8 years and it's still as clean hats off to you,mine needs a good detail and wheel refurb,but I'm tying the knot in June so after that little expense is gone ,lots of stuff to be done to car,it's having a major service next week inc haldex and pre mot check ,so anything they pik up will be done,my local friendly mot guy is pretty sound but I don't want anything overlooked on the R, so after June there will prob yet another R32 thread as i don't want to hijack too much of Basil's .
Insurance now sorted, at £640.
The damage was repaired at a cost of £672, including 3 wheels. Unfortunately, the chances of getting anything back from the other party involved look minimal, so I've had to lump that cost. It has also made changing the insurance policy a little more challenging and - I suspect - expensive.
Nevertheless, the car into Turner Race Developments for its supercharger and other work tomorrow - and I have peace of mind that everything is ready to go and above board.
The damage was repaired at a cost of £672, including 3 wheels. Unfortunately, the chances of getting anything back from the other party involved look minimal, so I've had to lump that cost. It has also made changing the insurance policy a little more challenging and - I suspect - expensive.
Nevertheless, the car into Turner Race Developments for its supercharger and other work tomorrow - and I have peace of mind that everything is ready to go and above board.
Looks like it's coming along nicely:
I don't know what's been done (other than the suspension and exhaust) so far, but I'm hoping it's still on track to be ready for Friday.
It's being done at the same time as another R32, which is having the more extensive Stage 3 supercharger conversion (cooling mods = more boost).
I don't know what's been done (other than the suspension and exhaust) so far, but I'm hoping it's still on track to be ready for Friday.
It's being done at the same time as another R32, which is having the more extensive Stage 3 supercharger conversion (cooling mods = more boost).
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