Discussion
Great car! I had one for just under two years and loved it to bit (rattles aside). You really don't need to get a new exhaust, the standard one is the best sounding and performing. All you need to do is the flapper mod which takes 60 seconds and the price of a self tapping screw or a golf tee. It'll make the car sound even better.
Week Two
I've really enjoyed my first fortnight with the car. My wife is using it more than me at the moment - which I take as an endorsement of sorts!
The R32 has only done 150 miles or so during that time, but it's coincided nicely with the decent weather we've had. The car gets a lot of compliments: a positive blend of people who know what it is and those who don't.
I've not yet had the occasion to put it through its paces, but I really like the way it drives at 0-40% effort: the throttle response and sound are wonderful.
It's booked at a local family-run garage to have the discs, pads and brake fluid replaced - and to sort the somewhat stiff handbrake. They're not a VAG specialist, but are only 300 metres from my house and I'd like to strike up a relationship with them.
I have a few long work trips coming up. It makes financial sense for me to do the first few thousand business miles (mileage rate threshold) in the R32 and then transfer to a hire car. I'll see how I get on, but suspect the cruise control I was thinking of might be relegated to the "nice to have" category if I'm not doing too many miles.
I've really enjoyed my first fortnight with the car. My wife is using it more than me at the moment - which I take as an endorsement of sorts!
The R32 has only done 150 miles or so during that time, but it's coincided nicely with the decent weather we've had. The car gets a lot of compliments: a positive blend of people who know what it is and those who don't.
I've not yet had the occasion to put it through its paces, but I really like the way it drives at 0-40% effort: the throttle response and sound are wonderful.
It's booked at a local family-run garage to have the discs, pads and brake fluid replaced - and to sort the somewhat stiff handbrake. They're not a VAG specialist, but are only 300 metres from my house and I'd like to strike up a relationship with them.
I have a few long work trips coming up. It makes financial sense for me to do the first few thousand business miles (mileage rate threshold) in the R32 and then transfer to a hire car. I'll see how I get on, but suspect the cruise control I was thinking of might be relegated to the "nice to have" category if I'm not doing too many miles.
Week Three
Discs, pads and brake fluid replaced at a cost of £460.
I've intermittently had the ESP and tyre pressure loss lights come on together - I had that investigated at the same time. The codes were inconclusive (i.e. more than one!), so I've agreed to go back in a few weeks.
I did my final trip in the V60 yesterday, having cleaned it before collection by the lease company. Damn, I am going to miss the Volvo. Compared to the R32, its seats feel like they are made from cotton wool; the general interior ambience, quality and ability to soothe are way out of the Golf's league.
The R32 makes up for it with entertainment and a totally sharp driving manner. It's a very easy car to place on the road after driving the V60, much easier to park and generally more controlled.
Discs, pads and brake fluid replaced at a cost of £460.
I've intermittently had the ESP and tyre pressure loss lights come on together - I had that investigated at the same time. The codes were inconclusive (i.e. more than one!), so I've agreed to go back in a few weeks.
I did my final trip in the V60 yesterday, having cleaned it before collection by the lease company. Damn, I am going to miss the Volvo. Compared to the R32, its seats feel like they are made from cotton wool; the general interior ambience, quality and ability to soothe are way out of the Golf's league.
The R32 makes up for it with entertainment and a totally sharp driving manner. It's a very easy car to place on the road after driving the V60, much easier to park and generally more controlled.
Edited by Basil Hume on Friday 21st March 21:27
Lovely car and handy thread. We are looking into Golf ownership after a house purchase and are keen on getting a R32, missus wants the GTD. Your pictures have confirmed that grey is a great colour (our favorite; closely followed by blue) especially after a good detail. In your 3 weeks what's your MPG been? It shouldn't worry me as I only cover 4000 miles pa. As you note the Road Tax is outrageous; up there with RS6 Taxing!
Any interior shots? Would be appreciated.
Any interior shots? Would be appreciated.
AddledDad said:
Lovely car, well done! The sound of these is awesome I agree. When did they run them out? Are they 4wd?
Someone on this thread said they go sideways everywhere - surely not?
they are haldex 4wd, if you turn in on a trailing throttle you can get the back to go where ever you want, extremely easy to do Someone on this thread said they go sideways everywhere - surely not?
Dave Hedgehog said:
AddledDad said:
Lovely car, well done! The sound of these is awesome I agree. When did they run them out? Are they 4wd?
Someone on this thread said they go sideways everywhere - surely not?
they are haldex 4wd, if you turn in on a trailing throttle you can get the back to go where ever you want, extremely easy to do Someone on this thread said they go sideways everywhere - surely not?
Week Five
I've now done some more extensive miles in the R32, clocking-up 700 miles since the weekend and 1,100 since I collected the car. All the original attractions of the car are still valid, to which I'd now add:
- Strong acceleration at all engine speeds, with no lag (like a turbo diesel initially, but with immense top end);
- Very grunty at motorway speeds (think that's to do with engine displacement and overcoming inertia);
- Better than expected fuel economy.
With work, I'm usually cruising on the motorway between 60-70mph and getting journey averages of c.33mpg - a nice surprise. Overall fuel economy, while abysmal around town, is the same as my old 8P S3 overall.
I was surprised to find on Monday morning that the coolant level was low - not what you want when you have 2 days and 500 miles of business miles ahead of you!
I'm not planning to do more than c.3,500 work miles this year, but that will consist of a small number of long journeys where reliability is key.
Handily, I had a bottle of water with me (not de-ionised of course) and topped-up the level. Looking back through the car's history holder, it looks like a small leak from the radiator had been noticed at a service last October (just prior to the car's trade-in). Another job added to the list then!
I've continued to have the ESP and TPM lights from time to time. It happens especially in the wet, when it feels like the ESP stops working (suspect it's related to the ABS unit).
I'll book the car back into my local garage again and report back...
I've now done some more extensive miles in the R32, clocking-up 700 miles since the weekend and 1,100 since I collected the car. All the original attractions of the car are still valid, to which I'd now add:
- Strong acceleration at all engine speeds, with no lag (like a turbo diesel initially, but with immense top end);
- Very grunty at motorway speeds (think that's to do with engine displacement and overcoming inertia);
- Better than expected fuel economy.
With work, I'm usually cruising on the motorway between 60-70mph and getting journey averages of c.33mpg - a nice surprise. Overall fuel economy, while abysmal around town, is the same as my old 8P S3 overall.
I was surprised to find on Monday morning that the coolant level was low - not what you want when you have 2 days and 500 miles of business miles ahead of you!
I'm not planning to do more than c.3,500 work miles this year, but that will consist of a small number of long journeys where reliability is key. Handily, I had a bottle of water with me (not de-ionised of course) and topped-up the level. Looking back through the car's history holder, it looks like a small leak from the radiator had been noticed at a service last October (just prior to the car's trade-in). Another job added to the list then!
I've continued to have the ESP and TPM lights from time to time. It happens especially in the wet, when it feels like the ESP stops working (suspect it's related to the ABS unit).
I'll book the car back into my local garage again and report back...
Edited by Basil Hume on Wednesday 2nd April 10:37
Just for reference, the Golf speedo overreads by at least 10%, so if you are cruising at 65-70 thats actually more like 59-64, hence your mpg is "ok", if you sit at 80-85 on the speedo, ie more normal speeds, it plummets quickly!!
Also, keep an eye on those coolant levels, it can be an indication of a porous/cracked block, an issue that has reared its ugly head on the Mk5's.
Also, keep an eye on those coolant levels, it can be an indication of a porous/cracked block, an issue that has reared its ugly head on the Mk5's.
Lovely car Neighbour's son has one and the sound is divine.
If you want to change the exhausts then a local wizard by the name of Martin has worked on a lot of PHers cars from my wee X-type to JDs Paul's new AMGs and all sorts of things in between. Always top quality work. Mine is just a tweak above standard and gives a lovely burble (and a decent howl at high revs) but noting intrusive when cruising.
http://www.infinity-exhausts.co.uk/
Neighbour's son has one and the sound is divine.If you want to change the exhausts then a local wizard by the name of Martin has worked on a lot of PHers cars from my wee X-type to JDs Paul's new AMGs and all sorts of things in between. Always top quality work. Mine is just a tweak above standard and gives a lovely burble (and a decent howl at high revs) but noting intrusive when cruising.
http://www.infinity-exhausts.co.uk/
Basil Hume said:
Thanks Six Fiend.
I know Infinity quite well! I'm really happy with the standard exhaust, although I was wondering whether they would be able to replace the exhaust tips (seen better days)?
I know Infinity quite well! I'm really happy with the standard exhaust, although I was wondering whether they would be able to replace the exhaust tips (seen better days)?
Always worth a chat to see if he can do that. I say chat, you know how quiet he is!
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