Help.. BMW M3 E46 Or Vw Golf R32 MK5
Help.. BMW M3 E46 Or Vw Golf R32 MK5
Author
Discussion

j555CDM

Original Poster:

1 posts

147 months

Sunday 29th June 2014
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Hey Guys all new to the forum side of ph and currently in a situation where help is needed

ive recently sold my bmw e46 330ci m sport as im finally in a position to replace her and making the descion of what to replace it with has been a hard one i always have been a bmw fan from being in my teens so the first choice was to go with the e46 m3 as it had everything i wanted and more.

but at the same time ive always had a soft spot for the mk5 r32 golf i know the difference between them is like night and day but just something ive always wanted to own. Ive got roughly a 10k limit and would preferably like either a m3 e46 vert or coupe or a 3dr R32. if anyone has any other contedenders please let me know thoughts and suggestions welcome and appreciated

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

253 months

Sunday 29th June 2014
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You obviously haven't driven both?

Drive them and then you will realise that is a question that didn't need to be asked. wink

cheddar

4,637 posts

203 months

Sunday 29th June 2014
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R32: Oh, is that the redline already........

M3: Crikey O'Reilly my ears are bleeding and I've still got 2000rpm to go ! !

Jimmy No Hands

5,100 posts

185 months

Sunday 29th June 2014
quotequote all
cheddar said:
R32: Oh, is that the redline already........

M3: Crikey O'Reilly my ears are bleeding and I've still got 2000rpm to go ! !
R32: Aural orgasm overides everything can't think straight noise noise noise

Mik001

9 posts

162 months

Sunday 29th June 2014
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M3 it is. I guess that wraps this one up.

Mik001

9 posts

162 months

Sunday 29th June 2014
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M3 it is. I guess that wraps this one up.

DukeDickson

4,984 posts

242 months

Sunday 29th June 2014
quotequote all
cheddar said:
R32: Oh, is that the redline already........

M3: Crikey O'Reilly my ears are bleeding and I've still got 2000rpm to go ! !
Is that the point at which you buy a Honda or a bike?


The fat lad has a strong voice and if it wasn't for the tea leaf love, would be a great all-rounder.


Basil Hume

1,381 posts

281 months

Sunday 29th June 2014
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Unless you're unlucky, the R32 will be a lot cheaper to run.

The R32 seems to straddle the gap between hot hatches and more exotic cars due to its engine, which invites comparison with the latter. It's clearly no M3-beater, but if you just want some soul in your life - then go ahead.

Have a look at my Garage entry / ownership thread for my R32.

cheddar

4,637 posts

203 months

Sunday 29th June 2014
quotequote all
DukeDickson said:
cheddar said:
R32: Oh, is that the redline already........

M3: Crikey O'Reilly my ears are bleeding and I've still got 2000rpm to go ! !
Is that the point at which you buy a Honda or a bike?


The fat lad has a strong voice and if it wasn't for the tea leaf love, would be a great all-rounder.

Not knocking the R32 - I love them as a smooth quick grand tourer but always felt like they were pitched as a hotter version of the MK5 GTI (which they're not) and were so refined that they lacked sparkle.

Joeguard1990

1,217 posts

155 months

Monday 30th June 2014
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cheddar said:
Not knocking the R32 - I love them as a smooth quick grand tourer but always felt like they were pitched as a hotter version of the MK5 GTI (which they're not) and were so refined that they lacked sparkle.
The R32 is the hotter version that the GTI (one above) is it not?

cheddar

4,637 posts

203 months

Monday 30th June 2014
quotequote all
Joeguard1990 said:
cheddar said:
Not knocking the R32 - I love them as a smooth quick grand tourer but always felt like they were pitched as a hotter version of the MK5 GTI (which they're not) and were so refined that they lacked sparkle.
The R32 is the hotter version that the GTI (one above) is it not?
Kind of - the R32 has more power and torque but they weigh around 170kgs more and aren't as nimble, other than initial traction off the line they're no quicker and MK5 GTI's produced more power than the quoted figures.

jezhumphrey75

335 posts

177 months

Monday 30th June 2014
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wheres the RWD brigade/tts?

Zod

35,295 posts

287 months

Monday 30th June 2014
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M3 is RWD, so more fun. laugh (but it's true)



stugolf

480 posts

232 months

Monday 30th June 2014
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Had a R32 and a 3.2 A3 Audi (same engine)

Buy the M3....no contest, it's a different league in terms of drive ability and performance

p1tse

1,412 posts

221 months

Monday 30th June 2014
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The r32 is fun with the best sounding v6 this side of Porsche
Useable power all the way and more of the time which makes it fun

Not that quick but its a growl of a distinct exhaust note

Fastest on paper is m3 if you want blistering quick although I assume harder to use within national speed limits

I would say get the r32 and then try the m3 as moving up in power

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

253 months

Monday 30th June 2014
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jezhumphrey75 said:
wheres the RWD brigade/tts?
Here comes someone to back you up.......

stugolf said:
Had a R32 and a 3.2 A3 Audi (same engine).........
Opps! Maybe not. wink

stugolf said:
..........Buy the M3....no contest, it's a different league in terms of drive ability and performance

Leemcd

246 posts

161 months

Monday 30th June 2014
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Head - R32
Everything else - M3

Nice quandary to have!

Mastodon2

14,324 posts

194 months

Monday 30th June 2014
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The Golf is a nice enough GT hatch, can sound decent with a good exhaust, but doesn't rev high enough to really sound amazing, nor does the performance match the running cost. I think that is because it's expected to be a hot hatch, when in reality it's pretty heavy and muted. The E46 is an amazing car on the other hand, it needs to be revved to get the power out of it but that just makes it more rewarding to drive. Get an E46 and a hardpipe induction system and you'll have one of the best sounds in 4 wheeled motoring.

Driver101

14,451 posts

150 months

Monday 30th June 2014
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That's not really a serious choice.

The M3 is on a different planet.

Pulse

10,922 posts

247 months

Monday 30th June 2014
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Driver101 said:
That's not really a serious choice.

The M3 is on a different planet.
I have to agree.

The Golf R32, whilst lovely, would feel incredibly ordinary compared to the M3.