Volkswagen Golf R32 (Mk4) | PH Auction Block
We've all seen plenty of R32s over the past 20 years; probably not many as nice as this one
Nope, we still aren’t done with fast VW Golfs just yet. There aren’t many performance car nameplates that make it to 50, and the GTI’s half-century looks all the more impressive in 2025 given the state of the hot hatch market. It’s going to be a pretty threadbare group test for the Edition 50 when it arrives. And when thinking about five decades of sporty Golfs, inevitably the non-GTIs come up as well. The G60s, Rallyes, and recent Rs of this world, to name a few. From VR6 to that incredible W12-650 concept, you can’t say that the quick Golf hasn’t been given a good go by VW. Long may it continue.
A little more than 20 years ago, evolving the 2.8-litre VR6 into the 3.2-litre R32 made a lot of sense. The former had shown there was an appetite for a large engine in a smallish car with a premium badge, and the R32 was perfectly timed for the hot hatch’s great renaissance, arriving ahead of cars like the BMW 130i, while also looking a lot more interesting than a standard 2.8, as well as being usefully faster than the GTI.
Perhaps nobody, however, could predict just what a cult classic the Mk4 Golf R32 has become. There was a Mk5 version with a little extra power, though with the GTI usefully improved by then it didn’t have quite the same appeal as before; definitely didn’t look as cool, either. After that the VR6 was dropped, and no Golf since has quite been able to match the Mk4’s unmistakable style. The combo of the engine and the design has made the first R32 extremely desirable. There are Mk5 R32s with the same engine for £5k, and Mk4 GTIs that look a bit like the 3.2-litre car for less; but there’s currently not a Mk4 R32 on PH for less than £15k. In case you weren’t aware just how collectable they’ve become.
This one ought to please the R32 enthusiasts. It’s a Deep Blue Pearl five-door, one that’s been owned by just three keepers since 2003. Two service books have been filled up in that time, along with plenty of recent maintenance by the current custodian. It’s still showing fewer than 100,000 miles.
The Golf has also survived 22 years without any modification beyond a smartphone-compatible stereo and an induction kit. So there’s no daft exhaust, silly suspension or oversized BBS on stretched rubber; just the same suave aesthetic that’s always marked these R32s out. There’s never going to be a time where a well-preserved one doesn’t look absolutely fantastic.
Indeed it’s probably the condition of this one that really marks it out. The wheels and paint look fantastic in the images, surely a testament to how well it’s been kept. It can’t be far off show quality, if that’s something of interest. The interior wears its miles well also. It’s easy to imagine this R32 as both a semi-regular daily driver, a reminder of the time when ordinary cars could have interesting engines, or improved further and kept for best. It’s guaranteed to draw a crowd at any classic meet, because R32s are loved even more than you think. Bidding starts at the weekend…
From a time when VAG didn't mind throwing out W8 Passats and V10 diesels just 'because'.
One of these to daily and a W12 A8L would be a pretty oddball 2 car solution.
Just.. not this one with its 5 flappy bits (personal opinion, sorry).
Kudos on the quality and number of pics in the ad, though.
OK, its VR6 makes a nice noise and the cabin’s not bad, although at first glance its fat chairs look like eBay ‘finds’ (ie, nicked from another make of car).
Then there was the alarmingly nose-heavy handling, crashy ride, thirst vs. relative lack of poke and the Herman Munster-homage styling.
And an owners’ forum full of pathetically status-conscious and insecure proto-incel tosspots.
All of which is why anyone with half a brain opted for its prettier, much faster, sweeter steering / handling, more supple, better braked and less thirsty cousin – the Leon Cupra R.
No where near the cult following (And therefore cult following prices). but essentially the same.
Consequently, I wonder if values will start to creep upwards?
No where near the cult following (And therefore cult following prices). but essentially the same.
Consequently, I wonder if values will start to creep upwards?
ks modern cars are the things that made it a bit st when new aren't relevant and the things that make it interesting matter more than ever in 2025.If you're just obsessed with figures go get an EV, and there is a certain sort of joy wrestling an inert pig like one of these around in a cloud of wicked six cylinder noise that can't be captured on paper.
I do think they're overpriced though, ironically the six pot A3 and TT are usually way cheaper, no VW scene bellend tax I guess?
Suspect an R32 would still be on the road - the Alfa is SORN'd according to DVLA. The ECU starting playing up just before I sold it!
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