2009 Tornado Red MKV R32
Discussion
small update.
Took the R32 in for an interval service & brake fluid change at Capital VW, Merthyr.. all is well! needed two new rear tyres so ive decided to replace all four kumho's with Michelin Pilot Sport 3's...ive read some cracking reviews so i hope htye live up to the hype!
Next up is wheel alignment after the tyres are fitted. ive gone off the idea of buying some nice wheels for it now, so i will leave wheel choices till the new year. Im also restraining myself from buying a Milltek or custom catback.
ive also started using Superunleaded where ever i can find it...just to see what/if theres a difference from using regular 95RON.
Irfan
Took the R32 in for an interval service & brake fluid change at Capital VW, Merthyr.. all is well! needed two new rear tyres so ive decided to replace all four kumho's with Michelin Pilot Sport 3's...ive read some cracking reviews so i hope htye live up to the hype!
Next up is wheel alignment after the tyres are fitted. ive gone off the idea of buying some nice wheels for it now, so i will leave wheel choices till the new year. Im also restraining myself from buying a Milltek or custom catback.
ive also started using Superunleaded where ever i can find it...just to see what/if theres a difference from using regular 95RON.
Irfan
Andy RV said:
Looks lovely, I had a 09 3 door in 'r32 blue' until a few months ago.
It wasn't the fastest, crap on fuel and even worse on tax but it had character and what a noise!
The day before I pxed I'd been driving a dull hire car, (Citroen / Vauxhall / Peugeot given up on life mobile) getting back into the golf I really wasn't sure I'd done the right thing.
I had but I still miss it.
thanks mate. i agree its not 'that' fast for a 3.2 when you consider something like a m3's 3.2..but..for everyday driving theres not many regular cars that will keep up or bother challenging it. other than bog standard a4 and 3 series diesels driven by reps who seem to take a liking to my rear bumper on motorways!It wasn't the fastest, crap on fuel and even worse on tax but it had character and what a noise!
The day before I pxed I'd been driving a dull hire car, (Citroen / Vauxhall / Peugeot given up on life mobile) getting back into the golf I really wasn't sure I'd done the right thing.
I had but I still miss it.
what have you replaced it with out of curiosity? i often ask ex r32 owners this because I'm still struggling to imagine what i would own for the money if it wasn't an R32, as i really do think its a cracking all-rounder considering performance, styling, kit/options, practicality, exclusivity and a car with such an entertaining character!
Really getting on with the Michelin Pilot Sport 3's up front. What a cracking piece of rubber..will defo be changing the rears to michelins too when their due a change after xmas! The wet grip is phenomenal. ( yet to try them in snow and /or ice!)
Just ordered a Lucifer Catback Exhaust with Milltek GT100 tailpipes. It'll be non resonated too ( i gave in!) and just thought what the hell...if i don't like it il just sell it on hopefully easily enough. My neighbours are going to hate me when i return home from my set at 4am on Sunday mornings though...! Stock noise sounds fantastic although at times i just want to hear it a smudge more.
Lastly, Rear brake pads will be a due a change after xmas.
No more mods now though, exhaust is done and thats that! well, just maybe some spacers to push the wheels out a little....
Just ordered a Lucifer Catback Exhaust with Milltek GT100 tailpipes. It'll be non resonated too ( i gave in!) and just thought what the hell...if i don't like it il just sell it on hopefully easily enough. My neighbours are going to hate me when i return home from my set at 4am on Sunday mornings though...! Stock noise sounds fantastic although at times i just want to hear it a smudge more.
Lastly, Rear brake pads will be a due a change after xmas.
No more mods now though, exhaust is done and thats that! well, just maybe some spacers to push the wheels out a little....
mikeyscott said:
I pick up an 09 plate shortly to replace my 123d.
Tyre wise I'm mulling the Michelin PSS
Mods, Bluetooth, MDI with update centre storage.
Maybe, just maybe a resonated milltek
congrats mate! the PSS's are meant to be a cracking tyre with a slightly less wet grip compared to the PS3's from what ive read.Tyre wise I'm mulling the Michelin PSS
Mods, Bluetooth, MDI with update centre storage.
Maybe, just maybe a resonated milltek
Wouldn't bother with a resonated Milltek as their quieter than standard - they were designed to reduce the boom found on stock rear box's around 2-3k revs..i'd either stick with standard or go non res!
Wee update.. its been an expensive month so far!
Insurance was renewed last week, down to £680 now after a bit of pull and push ( was £800 last year @ 23 with 4ncb and no accidents). Pretty happy with that!
Front discs seem to be warped as I get an annoying vibration/jiggle through the steering wheel when braking after 40 odd mph onwards.. so ive just ordered a front set of Mtec Black edition grooved front discs along with Brembo pads.
and finally it Sailed through the MOT last week with no issues.
hopefully next month will be slightly easier on the piggy bank! all in all, still love the car entirely.
Insurance was renewed last week, down to £680 now after a bit of pull and push ( was £800 last year @ 23 with 4ncb and no accidents). Pretty happy with that!
Front discs seem to be warped as I get an annoying vibration/jiggle through the steering wheel when braking after 40 odd mph onwards.. so ive just ordered a front set of Mtec Black edition grooved front discs along with Brembo pads.
and finally it Sailed through the MOT last week with no issues.
hopefully next month will be slightly easier on the piggy bank! all in all, still love the car entirely.
finally some pictures after clearing up my photo bucket account!
here are the new discs and pads fitted today up front, standard size 345mm Grooved MTEC discs in special edition black, compliment with new Brembo pads:
While the car was up on the ramps i had the Milltek Non Res removed and...replaced with the standard exhaust. Thought i could put up with the drone in the cabin but i honestly can't, particualry at 4am on a sunday morning after 8 hours of banging music in a club, the last thing i want to hear is my exhaust, so unforunetly off it comes. i forgot how bloody fantastic the standard exhaust is..if it aint broke don't fix it and all that! will keep this cutback just incase i change my mind during the summer.
also a good few months ago i enabled the US Running lights, which are basically the indicators running @ 30% illumination but they flash at 100% as normal when needed;
and finally found some random pics from when we had the snow january time, where i turned into a child! testing out the R32's haldex in the light dusting of snow with traction off was some interesting moments at 4am after work haha.
that is all for now! Hopefully can enjoy the car with little expenses other than running it for the summer now..fingers crossed ey. only thing on the list for the summer is a wheel refurb or if some nice BBS CH/CK/LMs pop up il take the plunge!
Irfan
here are the new discs and pads fitted today up front, standard size 345mm Grooved MTEC discs in special edition black, compliment with new Brembo pads:
While the car was up on the ramps i had the Milltek Non Res removed and...replaced with the standard exhaust. Thought i could put up with the drone in the cabin but i honestly can't, particualry at 4am on a sunday morning after 8 hours of banging music in a club, the last thing i want to hear is my exhaust, so unforunetly off it comes. i forgot how bloody fantastic the standard exhaust is..if it aint broke don't fix it and all that! will keep this cutback just incase i change my mind during the summer.
also a good few months ago i enabled the US Running lights, which are basically the indicators running @ 30% illumination but they flash at 100% as normal when needed;
and finally found some random pics from when we had the snow january time, where i turned into a child! testing out the R32's haldex in the light dusting of snow with traction off was some interesting moments at 4am after work haha.
that is all for now! Hopefully can enjoy the car with little expenses other than running it for the summer now..fingers crossed ey. only thing on the list for the summer is a wheel refurb or if some nice BBS CH/CK/LMs pop up il take the plunge!
Irfan
another expensive month for the R32!
-I've had a coolant leak in the car since March, every 4 weeks required me to top my coolant up so I knew there was a leak somewhere. Turns out its the Rad according to my VW Dealer, so £440 later its all sorted.
-Osram Nightbreaker D2S Xenon bulbs fitted
-Treated the car to a new set of shoes too - Genuine BBS CH-R , 19 x 8.5'' all around finished in Satin Anthracite with the stainless steel rim protector. Two wrapped in Falkens, and ive ordered two Goodyear Eagle F1's for up front too all in 225/35/19.
Safe to say, touch wood, next month will be..er..a cheaper one!
-I've had a coolant leak in the car since March, every 4 weeks required me to top my coolant up so I knew there was a leak somewhere. Turns out its the Rad according to my VW Dealer, so £440 later its all sorted.
-Osram Nightbreaker D2S Xenon bulbs fitted
-Treated the car to a new set of shoes too - Genuine BBS CH-R , 19 x 8.5'' all around finished in Satin Anthracite with the stainless steel rim protector. Two wrapped in Falkens, and ive ordered two Goodyear Eagle F1's for up front too all in 225/35/19.
Safe to say, touch wood, next month will be..er..a cheaper one!
Podie said:
Worth the money?
I Only tested them Saturday night after work at 4am. Cracking bulbs - the throw they give out is much much better especially on the near side where the cut off kicks upwards to illuminate signs. with the full beams on (if you have bi xenons) their fantastic.Its actually so bright on reflective signs they gave me a headache, but that's probably down to my tiredness too!
worth the upgrade if your bulbs are a few years old, definitely. They look a bit yellow now but I believe after x hours of useage they'll get a bit whiter.
Podie said:
Good to know, thanks.
No complaints with the bulbs in the Focus - which makes me wonder how much better these could be!
I defo think you'll appreciate the brightness of these bulbs compared to standards, especially if yours are a few years old! If its a newer car then I wouldn't jump at these just yet really, il report back when ive done some night driving this weekend as I have sets all weekend, so il test them out with some pics in the early hours.No complaints with the bulbs in the Focus - which makes me wonder how much better these could be!
VW Called yesterday to say they've fitted my brand new radiator only to find the shroud that goes around the fans is wrong on the car..so now a new radiator is ordered which should hopefully be fitted today. Il definitely be haggling on that £440 asking price now.
Ordered Goodyear Eagle F1's for the new BBS wheels, which il get fitted tomorrow..need the car back first. The Courtesy Golf SV (sports van, hahaha) is getting on my pip to drive. its so slow on pull of its actually quite dangerous! It'll beat the UP! they were originally going to give though.
but it does have a sports mode.
Wheels fitted yesterday! i absolutely love them. Too Early to tell if the Eagle F1s are any good (i had pilot sport 3's up front on the standard wheels prior to these).
i love the way the wheels look.. they suit the car so much better than i thought they would! also cleaned up the callipers as they stick out so much behind the wheels, blue callipers shouldn't work on a red car but these seem too! the only annoying part is the retainer clips are a bit rusty, so these need a lick of paint or i will change them for the black R retainer clips if i come across any.
i love the way the wheels look.. they suit the car so much better than i thought they would! also cleaned up the callipers as they stick out so much behind the wheels, blue callipers shouldn't work on a red car but these seem too! the only annoying part is the retainer clips are a bit rusty, so these need a lick of paint or i will change them for the black R retainer clips if i come across any.
minor update, fitted a new oem aluminium auto light switch last night by accident! By accident i mean it was actually intended to replace the switch in our Transporter Sportline - but the connectors were wrong on the back of the transporters current wire loom, but it was the correct one on my R...so on it went! actually really like it.
Back on the hunt for one for the transporter, but anyway..
small things eh!
Next on the list is a full paint correction, and another leather treatment with Gliptone.
Back on the hunt for one for the transporter, but anyway..
small things eh!
Next on the list is a full paint correction, and another leather treatment with Gliptone.
TotalControl said:
That sits really well on those wheels. I wouldn't change anything on the exterior as it looks pretty much spot on.
What's your MPG like these days?
Thanks mate, im pretty content how it sits now! needs a full detail now to top it off!What's your MPG like these days?
on average I see between 27-32mpg. This is a combination of my commute in the mornings (8 mile, stop start traffic, short bursts of acceleration) to motorway driving on the weekend with my second job cruising at 70/80.
Generally I get 300 miles to a tank, any more and its a bonus, any less and I know i've been heavy footed!
...This is perfect preparation for a C63 next summer haha.
Edited by irfan1712 on Wednesday 17th June 09:11
All good with my car, the only thing on the shopping list is rear pads as the sensor light has just come on the dash.
This week my R32 gets a well deserved rest, and I am lucky enough to be baby sitting (lol) my best mates car for a week while he's away:
...initially I went with him to pick it up from Swansea, so we had a car swap on the way home so I could have a go - it just felt like a much faster version of the R32 - a very linear power band which needed the car to be really giving it beans for it to be hauling ass - at times, similar to the R32, it felt it was more noise than actually going fast. These where very long boring straight roads so I settled that it wasn't really the ideal 'real world' testing ground.
But I was very wrong. A few days of living with it, its made me realise what a fantastic car the RS4 is. The grip is sensational, the sheer in-gear grunt and acceleration is addictive. The noise - there's no need for me to even prove why a 4.2 N/A V8 sounds good, especially on this car where both exhaust flaps are permanently open. The noise at idle and low revs is beastly, the noise at higher revs is one i've never really heard before, mainly because high revving V8s are rare beasts, and being the first manual V8 I've driven I am ten times more glad it hasn't come with an auto box of some sort. Snapping through the gears on a burst, the car surges forward after every gear change with proper eagerness (I love this although I wont experience this too much!) which is something my R32 definetly doesn't do.
For obvious reasons, I think the car is so much more special than most V8 bruisers because its a manual V8. They seem to be a thing of the past in high performance saloons which I think is a shame.. I think the 6 speed manual is a perfect match for a high revving V8. A manual C63 would a dream car.
The interior is almost identical to my mums old 3.0 A4 cabrio of the same era - its aged pretty well, but there are signs its 9 years old in certain areas- the MMI system being a bit clumsy and slow to use, no 'comfort' features like auto wipers or lights, but these are petty (and makes me realise what I take for granted on my R32). On such a premium car (especially at the time) the plastic aluminium look bits found on the bottom of the flat bottom steering wheel are a bit disappointing and seem like a bit of a cost cutter. The recaro's however are fantastic - the bolsters are pretty worn on the drivers side as in most cases, and for a very broad person like myself and the owner they 'round' your shoulders forward which does make you fidget about a little bit to get comfy, but by no means unbearable. They do look fantastic. The driving position does seem a bit cramped/close and took a fair bit of fettling with the seat to get right.. but now its perfect and it inspires confidence to press on when allowed.
As a side note, £20 gave me 100miles range which is crap but to be honest no shocker at all, and I averaged 24mpg to work this morning on an 8 mile stop start commute - my R32 does 27mpg which in the real world is naff all. I can get 300 miles out of babying an R32's tank, the RS4 looks like it'll be more like 250 miles to a tank.
This car only has 49k on the clock with a full dealer history, so its been babied from new. I'm going to say it does suffer from coking issues and would need the de-coking by a specialist done to reap the full benefits of that utterly beautiful V8.. The engine is a master piece and ensures the RS4 deserves the respect it has for being the thinking mans all-rounder super car.
..My next car MUST be a V8.
This week my R32 gets a well deserved rest, and I am lucky enough to be baby sitting (lol) my best mates car for a week while he's away:
...initially I went with him to pick it up from Swansea, so we had a car swap on the way home so I could have a go - it just felt like a much faster version of the R32 - a very linear power band which needed the car to be really giving it beans for it to be hauling ass - at times, similar to the R32, it felt it was more noise than actually going fast. These where very long boring straight roads so I settled that it wasn't really the ideal 'real world' testing ground.
But I was very wrong. A few days of living with it, its made me realise what a fantastic car the RS4 is. The grip is sensational, the sheer in-gear grunt and acceleration is addictive. The noise - there's no need for me to even prove why a 4.2 N/A V8 sounds good, especially on this car where both exhaust flaps are permanently open. The noise at idle and low revs is beastly, the noise at higher revs is one i've never really heard before, mainly because high revving V8s are rare beasts, and being the first manual V8 I've driven I am ten times more glad it hasn't come with an auto box of some sort. Snapping through the gears on a burst, the car surges forward after every gear change with proper eagerness (I love this although I wont experience this too much!) which is something my R32 definetly doesn't do.
For obvious reasons, I think the car is so much more special than most V8 bruisers because its a manual V8. They seem to be a thing of the past in high performance saloons which I think is a shame.. I think the 6 speed manual is a perfect match for a high revving V8. A manual C63 would a dream car.
The interior is almost identical to my mums old 3.0 A4 cabrio of the same era - its aged pretty well, but there are signs its 9 years old in certain areas- the MMI system being a bit clumsy and slow to use, no 'comfort' features like auto wipers or lights, but these are petty (and makes me realise what I take for granted on my R32). On such a premium car (especially at the time) the plastic aluminium look bits found on the bottom of the flat bottom steering wheel are a bit disappointing and seem like a bit of a cost cutter. The recaro's however are fantastic - the bolsters are pretty worn on the drivers side as in most cases, and for a very broad person like myself and the owner they 'round' your shoulders forward which does make you fidget about a little bit to get comfy, but by no means unbearable. They do look fantastic. The driving position does seem a bit cramped/close and took a fair bit of fettling with the seat to get right.. but now its perfect and it inspires confidence to press on when allowed.
As a side note, £20 gave me 100miles range which is crap but to be honest no shocker at all, and I averaged 24mpg to work this morning on an 8 mile stop start commute - my R32 does 27mpg which in the real world is naff all. I can get 300 miles out of babying an R32's tank, the RS4 looks like it'll be more like 250 miles to a tank.
This car only has 49k on the clock with a full dealer history, so its been babied from new. I'm going to say it does suffer from coking issues and would need the de-coking by a specialist done to reap the full benefits of that utterly beautiful V8.. The engine is a master piece and ensures the RS4 deserves the respect it has for being the thinking mans all-rounder super car.
..My next car MUST be a V8.
Edited by irfan1712 on Monday 13th July 09:38
Edited by irfan1712 on Monday 13th July 09:38
My wallet has taken a hiding for the R this month.
x3 new tyres ( Goodyear Eagle F1, 225/35/19) @ £415
Tax @ £505 for the year
and it returned from a service yesterday at Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr @ £415, which was a full service including spark plugs, haldex oil, etc. This apparently was with £150 discount applied as VW accepted liability for putting a crack in the front grille last time it was there. I feel like ive been done though - surely a full service including haldex oil change on an R32 is not £600 normally? or is it?
Irfan
x3 new tyres ( Goodyear Eagle F1, 225/35/19) @ £415
Tax @ £505 for the year
and it returned from a service yesterday at Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr @ £415, which was a full service including spark plugs, haldex oil, etc. This apparently was with £150 discount applied as VW accepted liability for putting a crack in the front grille last time it was there. I feel like ive been done though - surely a full service including haldex oil change on an R32 is not £600 normally? or is it?
Irfan
1275 GT said:
Hi, love the R32.
Big fan of the colour and wheel combo!
Just to add my experience with the servicing. I'm running a 3.2 A3 (almost identical running gear) just had my 80k service so the same major service with haldex oil and the likes. Mine came to £520 at a main audi dealer, with absolutely nothing extra picked up on. So yours doesn't sound to redicous.
Joe
Big fan of the colour and wheel combo!
Just to add my experience with the servicing. I'm running a 3.2 A3 (almost identical running gear) just had my 80k service so the same major service with haldex oil and the likes. Mine came to £520 at a main audi dealer, with absolutely nothing extra picked up on. So yours doesn't sound to redicous.
Joe
ManOpener said:
Haldex oil and filter is between £80-100 from a specialist, usually.
Thanks chaps...I guess its about right then. Nick78 said:
Stunning R mate love the way it looks on ch-r's, i've got service tax and insurance on mine in the next 2 months not looking forward to seeing my bank balance after that !
Thanks mate! I think the BBS's really finish it off, I do love them. Drive was isn't that different to running the 18s which is also a bonus. Tax is theonly bummer on the >06 cars, but its worth every penny for that noise and in-gear grunt it has.After xmas the hunt will begin for a C63 though, still have my heart set on one and while the R32 is a fantastic all-rounder the 6.2 ownership is an itch il need to scratch while their still around in low mileage, good condition forms.
Nick78 said:
I hear you mate ! If I ever swap the golf the two cars that top my list at the moment are the C63 and the RS4 but I think it will be a couple of years away yet.
Well having spent a few weeks with the B7 RS4, I like it, but couldn't honestly say its a humungus leap forward from my car. I feel a C63 with that characterful 6.2 V8 will tick all my boxes, it just annoys me a little how many C Class's there currently are with AMG spec styling which to the untrained eye makes them all look the same.Either way, I'm really,really going to miss this car when i do come to sell it. Its just so fantastic in everyway, everyday.
The time has sadly come 
I've written my ad up for the car lastnight and hopefully have someone coming to buy the BBS Wheels this weekend. Private plate is now on certificate and its returning back to the standard plate.
Breaks my heart as i really have become quite attached to it, its not the fastest car in the world, it has no tuning potential, its heavy, Tax is extortinae, chavs try racing you, everyone who hasnt owned one will say an ED30 is better blah blah.. but it just has so much soul..its such a perfect all-rounder. The noise, the looks, the grunt, the grip, the gadgets, practicality.. a 3.2 N/A V6 shoe horned into a car designed to take you to the shops really is the last of a breed.. i will miss the car greatly and im glad to say i bought one at 23. But..im 25 now, and its time for two more cylinders
Ad will be up this weekend.
I've written my ad up for the car lastnight and hopefully have someone coming to buy the BBS Wheels this weekend. Private plate is now on certificate and its returning back to the standard plate.
Breaks my heart as i really have become quite attached to it, its not the fastest car in the world, it has no tuning potential, its heavy, Tax is extortinae, chavs try racing you, everyone who hasnt owned one will say an ED30 is better blah blah.. but it just has so much soul..its such a perfect all-rounder. The noise, the looks, the grunt, the grip, the gadgets, practicality.. a 3.2 N/A V6 shoe horned into a car designed to take you to the shops really is the last of a breed.. i will miss the car greatly and im glad to say i bought one at 23. But..im 25 now, and its time for two more cylinders
Ad will be up this weekend.
5harp3y said:
ever been in a turbo'd / supercharged one?
no, but given the cost of such conversions would be (in my eyes) daft. id rather sell the car, spend the conversion cost, and buy something better. Of the ones ive followed on the R32 forum that have had conversions, it seems to be a minefield of problems there after - i havent got the head or patience for that, but i dont doubt that some have charged or turbo'd thier R's with minimal fuss. its not for me.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff