Magnum's Mk5 Golf R32

[T S Magnum]

[thread screwed by Photobucket. I have replaced some of the pics.]

Owned since August 2013, replacing a much loved but too slow Merc 190E.

I've always had a thing for Golfs - my mum had a Mk1 until it burnt to the ground(!), my first car was a Mk2 1.6 and my wife had a Mk5 diesel. Due to preceding black cars / bike it is known as 'Black Thunder 4'. Originally, I didn't want another black car but couldn't resist this particular example in the end.

I like ticking-off car boxes and this is my first 4WD, first >4 cylinders and first 'flappy paddle'. I am very impressed with the DSG, smooth motor and traction.







It's the 4th more practical stablemate my supercharged Eunos has had.



Bits the previous owner did:

'Awesome GTi' remap
Induction kit (more for sound I think)
Milltek cat-back exhaust (sound and looks)
H&R springs
Window tints
Full satnav/DVD media from the Mk6 Golf

Bits I have done:

Removed silly wheel spacers and tacky German style number plates
P Zeros all round
Aux lead in the glove box (media software would not accept a proper iPod connection after many attempts )
Replaced a dead radiator fan (common problem)
Pro detailed to start with and plenty of OCD cleaning and waxing since then
Improved the rusty wheel hubs with black caliper paint
Bilstein B8 shocks (see below)
OEM cruise control retro-fit (see below)

Other than the fan issue it's never let me down. It's a very capable and practical car but also has character. Sounds great and looks fairly subtle. I like that you don't see many of them about, unlike the GTi.

Main drawbacks are the fuel and tax but at least these keep them out of the hands of scrotes Also, like my Clio 182, it does seem to draw the unwanted attentions of boy racers and rep-mobile drivers with inadequacy issues.

Edited by T S Magnum on Tuesday 6th February 13:00

[T S Magnum]

Thanks.

The car sounds great but I've never been in another one so not sure of how it is improved (or not) by the mods. It was the previous owner's 2nd R32 and he said he did the same mods to both; more money than sense maybe but I assume the benefits are noticeable.

Pretty sure it is this Neuspeed job.

Plans beyond the above will depend on the next car strategy. I'll maybe keep tinkering but I now have another prey in my sights

[T S Magnum]

Congrats. You make a good point about the shifting methods - it bugs me that the stick seems to be the wrong way (forwards for up). Have fun and keep it on the black stuff

[T S Magnum]

Last week I visited the good people at Awesome GTi. It was a hassle free morning for the Bilstein dampers and OEM cruise stalk to be fitted. They even washed the car.







The drive back via the Hartside Pass was fantastic. The dampers give a much more controlled, measured, classier ride. Very impressed and well worth the cost.

Edited by T S Magnum on Wednesday 24th September 15:57

[T S Magnum]

Excellent road trip completed:

Newcastle - Amsterdam - Rotterdam - Calais - Guildford - Stroud - Newcastle

756 miles at 27.2MPG. The Golf was a great device for the job, very capable when munching motorway miles and a lot of fun round the Cotswold lanes. The Newcastle ferry is good fun too.

Edited by T S Magnum on Sunday 1st March 08:52

[T S Magnum]

We are midway through another great trip. Staying in a health spa hotel in Daun it would be rude not to visit this place:

(still closed for the winter but behind-the-scenes tour was excellent)

Edited by T S Magnum on Friday 8th May 17:59

[T S Magnum]

Another faultless and very entertaining trip completed. 600 miles at 25.5 MPG.

A fantastic car in snowy or wet conditions.

[T S Magnum]

Busy period for the Golf. Partial respray to get it looking top notch then sadly off to temporary storage to make way for an exciting new arrival. Can't bring myself to sell it but common sense will probably win in the end!

Some amazing machines in the storage barn, fascinating place.

[T S Magnum]

Thanks Butterface it is great! PM me what you can afford!

In storage because I just collected my 335d and have the summer toy filling the garage already.

Storage is £72 per month.

[T S Magnum]

Sorry, bit delayed!

Always had H&R springs so not sure what fully standard is like. Def better to do springs and dampers of course. Felt wrong when only springs done. Pogoing all over the shop.

[T S Magnum]

The wheels are a bugger to clean but look good when finished.

[T S Magnum]

Recently pro detailed with Diamondbrite protection on top:





I'm happy with the results so far.

[T S Magnum]

Thanks.

The ride is great now it has the Bilsteins, very planted without being crashy. You can feel the weight in the nose but grip is excellent. I don't claim to be a driving guru but love driving it.

[T S Magnum]

Nice day for swapping the cars in / out of storage

[T S Magnum]

Sadly the car is no longer with me after a silly accident. The main thing is nobody was hurt of course.

It was an insurance write-off but only front end damage so I like to think many of the parts will live on in other vehicles.

So long PK07, it was fun.

[T S Magnum]

Thanks all. Yes, first proper smash in 17 years driving. It was an eye-opener as to how easily things can turn messy. Character building for sure. Drive safe all.

This was my first form of any non-manual gearbox so I enjoyed the experience of paddle shifting as a novelty. It worked well as an auto for the labour saving in traffic but was way to keen to change up in normal driving so I always used the paddles (no chore to). The shifts were beautifully punchy and it felt very well engineered.

That said, replacement will be a manual Audi S1 because I miss the engagement. The cars are purely for fun though - no painful commute etc to consider.

Hope that helps!

[T S Magnum]

Hey, small world Thanks for comments.

The buy-back offer was very fair but sadly I couldn't take it up as I am mostly overseas. Someone will be making a decent return on breaking the car. Hey ho.

The H&Rs certainly help the look but I recommend uprated dampers to partner them. I ran without for a year or so and the car was very bouncy. Could even get itself pogoing on the motorway

Very similar cars, I will definitely keep a look out for you. We're in Cullercoats. When the Golf replacement comes in Feb we could have a run out.

[T S Magnum]

The Bilsteins were about £700 I think. Beautiful set-up with these and the H&Rs.

[T S Magnum]

I dug out my notes. It was £800 with fitting. Yes, looks better at that height and no big speed bump issues.