Stick with my E90 or swap to an R32?
Discussion
ITT;
"Buy an old M car"
"I don't want an old M car"
"Have you considered an old M car?"
I too was hoping this would be about the really exciting R32, the Skyline GTR. However, the VW R32 is not bad either. Neither is cheap to run, but from what I gather, the Skyline really demands you to have a substantial savings pot, and a big tube of lube, to pay for it to be fixed it something goes wrong. Two turbochargers, dual intake system, HICAS 4 wheel steering, there is a lot to go wrong on these and it's not every-day stuff! If I was shopping for a Golf R32 though (and this will go against what you have specified so far) I'd want the older Mk4 version rather than the Mk5. I think they look vastly better, and there is probably little difference in performance between the two generations.
Also, the Mk5 version iirc comes with a valve in the exhaust that closes to choke the noise at low revs, making the car sound flat and lifeless during everyday driving, and opening at higher revs. When open, the car sounds great, when closed it's rubbish. I'm not sure if the MK4 had this valve fitted, or if the ones I've heard had merely been modified to have a valve bypass, but they sounded absolutely glorious from the moment the key was turned, from pulling away, right up to flooring it through the gears. They give a really nice V6 growl, and they have so much presence. Given that the looks of both versions of the R32 are hardly outlandish, I think the incredible soundtrack I've heard from the Mk4 really sells it. That said, if you can bypass the valve in the Mk5, you could potentially be onto a winner again, though it's even more "sleeper" than the Mk4 in that it really does look quite a lot like a boggo diesel Golf until you spot the wheels (which only a PH-style nerd would spot) or the dual exhaust tips.
It seems to me the older version just has a bit more character and flavour. But if you are really set on the newest car you can get, I suppose you are probably willing to sacrifice that for the "nearly new car" feeling and possibly better reliability.
"Buy an old M car"
"I don't want an old M car"
"Have you considered an old M car?"
I too was hoping this would be about the really exciting R32, the Skyline GTR. However, the VW R32 is not bad either. Neither is cheap to run, but from what I gather, the Skyline really demands you to have a substantial savings pot, and a big tube of lube, to pay for it to be fixed it something goes wrong. Two turbochargers, dual intake system, HICAS 4 wheel steering, there is a lot to go wrong on these and it's not every-day stuff! If I was shopping for a Golf R32 though (and this will go against what you have specified so far) I'd want the older Mk4 version rather than the Mk5. I think they look vastly better, and there is probably little difference in performance between the two generations.
Also, the Mk5 version iirc comes with a valve in the exhaust that closes to choke the noise at low revs, making the car sound flat and lifeless during everyday driving, and opening at higher revs. When open, the car sounds great, when closed it's rubbish. I'm not sure if the MK4 had this valve fitted, or if the ones I've heard had merely been modified to have a valve bypass, but they sounded absolutely glorious from the moment the key was turned, from pulling away, right up to flooring it through the gears. They give a really nice V6 growl, and they have so much presence. Given that the looks of both versions of the R32 are hardly outlandish, I think the incredible soundtrack I've heard from the Mk4 really sells it. That said, if you can bypass the valve in the Mk5, you could potentially be onto a winner again, though it's even more "sleeper" than the Mk4 in that it really does look quite a lot like a boggo diesel Golf until you spot the wheels (which only a PH-style nerd would spot) or the dual exhaust tips.
It seems to me the older version just has a bit more character and flavour. But if you are really set on the newest car you can get, I suppose you are probably willing to sacrifice that for the "nearly new car" feeling and possibly better reliability.
Mastodon2 said:
ITT;
"Buy an old M car"
"I don't want an old M car"
"Have you considered an old M car?"
I too was hoping this would be about the really exciting R32, the Skyline GTR. However, the VW R32 is not bad either. Neither is cheap to run, but from what I gather, the Skyline really demands you to have a substantial savings pot, and a big tube of lube, to pay for it to be fixed it something goes wrong. Two turbochargers, dual intake system, HICAS 4 wheel steering, there is a lot to go wrong on these and it's not every-day stuff! If I was shopping for a Golf R32 though (and this will go against what you have specified so far) I'd want the older Mk4 version rather than the Mk5. I think they look vastly better, and there is probably little difference in performance between the two generations.
Also, the Mk5 version iirc comes with a valve in the exhaust that closes to choke the noise at low revs, making the car sound flat and lifeless during everyday driving, and opening at higher revs. When open, the car sounds great, when closed it's rubbish. I'm not sure if the MK4 had this valve fitted, or if the ones I've heard had merely been modified to have a valve bypass, but they sounded absolutely glorious from the moment the key was turned, from pulling away, right up to flooring it through the gears. They give a really nice V6 growl, and they have so much presence. Given that the looks of both versions of the R32 are hardly outlandish, I think the incredible soundtrack I've heard from the Mk4 really sells it. That said, if you can bypass the valve in the Mk5, you could potentially be onto a winner again, though it's even more "sleeper" than the Mk4 in that it really does look quite a lot like a boggo diesel Golf until you spot the wheels (which only a PH-style nerd would spot) or the dual exhaust tips.
It seems to me the older version just has a bit more character and flavour. But if you are really set on the newest car you can get, I suppose you are probably willing to sacrifice that for the "nearly new car" feeling and possibly better reliability.
I sold one of the first MK4 R32's in the country back in either 2002 or 2003, I can't quite remember. I have driven a few of them but have never had a MK5, I really liked the MK4 and the newer car is supposed to be much better dynamically."Buy an old M car"
"I don't want an old M car"
"Have you considered an old M car?"
I too was hoping this would be about the really exciting R32, the Skyline GTR. However, the VW R32 is not bad either. Neither is cheap to run, but from what I gather, the Skyline really demands you to have a substantial savings pot, and a big tube of lube, to pay for it to be fixed it something goes wrong. Two turbochargers, dual intake system, HICAS 4 wheel steering, there is a lot to go wrong on these and it's not every-day stuff! If I was shopping for a Golf R32 though (and this will go against what you have specified so far) I'd want the older Mk4 version rather than the Mk5. I think they look vastly better, and there is probably little difference in performance between the two generations.
Also, the Mk5 version iirc comes with a valve in the exhaust that closes to choke the noise at low revs, making the car sound flat and lifeless during everyday driving, and opening at higher revs. When open, the car sounds great, when closed it's rubbish. I'm not sure if the MK4 had this valve fitted, or if the ones I've heard had merely been modified to have a valve bypass, but they sounded absolutely glorious from the moment the key was turned, from pulling away, right up to flooring it through the gears. They give a really nice V6 growl, and they have so much presence. Given that the looks of both versions of the R32 are hardly outlandish, I think the incredible soundtrack I've heard from the Mk4 really sells it. That said, if you can bypass the valve in the Mk5, you could potentially be onto a winner again, though it's even more "sleeper" than the Mk4 in that it really does look quite a lot like a boggo diesel Golf until you spot the wheels (which only a PH-style nerd would spot) or the dual exhaust tips.
It seems to me the older version just has a bit more character and flavour. But if you are really set on the newest car you can get, I suppose you are probably willing to sacrifice that for the "nearly new car" feeling and possibly better reliability.
Zwoelf said:
One of these: http://pistonheads.com/sales/2390515.htm
Plus one of these: http://www.birdsauto.com/quaife/parts.aspx?make=BM...
I think the op would prefer something with a touch more styling , i certainly would.Plus one of these: http://www.birdsauto.com/quaife/parts.aspx?make=BM...
Urban Sports said:
Tonberry said:
So in conclusion, get the Golf and fit a tracker. 
Are they really that desirable for theft?
.ClintonB said:
IIRC, they are rather desirable for certain sections of society. Aside from the normal desires around why people might lift certain cars, they're quite a good getaway vehicle. Reasonably quick, AWD, available in 5dr form and, of course, to most witnesses, they're just a common as muck Golf. Moreso if the blingy grille is removed.
Would of thought there is better cars for the job. Saloons would be my choice. 330d and the likes. There quick but not particularly manouverable. Celt said:
ClintonB said:
IIRC, they are rather desirable for certain sections of society. Aside from the normal desires around why people might lift certain cars, they're quite a good getaway vehicle. Reasonably quick, AWD, available in 5dr form and, of course, to most witnesses, they're just a common as muck Golf. Moreso if the blingy grille is removed.
Would of thought there is better cars for the job. Saloons would be my choice. 330d and the likes. There quick but not particularly manouverable. 98C4S said:
I couldnt agree more.
Have driven an R32 extensivly, and found it very dull, and not actually that quick.
Theres no denying they sound absolutely gorgeous though. Never been in one but have pricked my ears up on several occasions on hearing one on the over run or moderate acceleration. Have driven an R32 extensivly, and found it very dull, and not actually that quick.
Personally i'd go for the golf but purely because the BMW is a tad boring.
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