Golf R32 - What to look out for?
Discussion
I might be in the market for a Golf R32, thank you to those who helped in my other thread and narrowing down choices.
I've decided I think that I'll change my abarth 500 for a Golf R32.
Now I know that I should look out for rust on the boot badge area, sills and arches and timing chain, make sure that's done.
I'll check make sure it has full service history and haldex is done too but is there anything else on these that I must check?
I'm debating whether to look for a manual or dsg and leaning towards a manual as the dsg is another component that could go wrong and it's also a early version of the dsg so manual will be safe bet.
Hope you Golf R32 owners and previous owners can help.
I've decided I think that I'll change my abarth 500 for a Golf R32.
Now I know that I should look out for rust on the boot badge area, sills and arches and timing chain, make sure that's done.
I'll check make sure it has full service history and haldex is done too but is there anything else on these that I must check?
I'm debating whether to look for a manual or dsg and leaning towards a manual as the dsg is another component that could go wrong and it's also a early version of the dsg so manual will be safe bet.
Hope you Golf R32 owners and previous owners can help.
If you're looking for a Mark V then from my understanding the drive train is quite solid - it's the standard Mark V stuff which will be annoying if my 2008 GTI is anything to go by.
This includes air con system refresh
Rear wipers are fragile and give up
Sticking rear door locks
Thermostats give up
Carbon cannister (if relevant)
Not a huge list but definitely noticed costs have risen on mine over the last few years and it's just cos they're 15 years old now. Rust on front wings also an issue as the liner rubs. If go DSG it should be serviced every 40k miles. Mine's been faultless.
Big tax on the R32 unless you go import. Wing back recaros and xenons tend to be sought after.
Lot of them are very sparsely specced (heard was due to the 2008 financial crisis but not sure how true that is).
They do sound epic though! Just probably don't expect faultless reliability as they're all getting on now and need TLC.
This includes air con system refresh
Rear wipers are fragile and give up
Sticking rear door locks
Thermostats give up
Carbon cannister (if relevant)
Not a huge list but definitely noticed costs have risen on mine over the last few years and it's just cos they're 15 years old now. Rust on front wings also an issue as the liner rubs. If go DSG it should be serviced every 40k miles. Mine's been faultless.
Big tax on the R32 unless you go import. Wing back recaros and xenons tend to be sought after.
Lot of them are very sparsely specced (heard was due to the 2008 financial crisis but not sure how true that is).
They do sound epic though! Just probably don't expect faultless reliability as they're all getting on now and need TLC.
cwoodsie2 said:
If you're looking for a Mark V then from my understanding the drive train is quite solid - it's the standard Mark V stuff which will be annoying if my 2008 GTI is anything to go by.
This includes air con system refresh
Rear wipers are fragile and give up
Sticking rear door locks
Thermostats give up
Carbon cannister (if relevant)
Not a huge list but definitely noticed costs have risen on mine over the last few years and it's just cos they're 15 years old now. Rust on front wings also an issue as the liner rubs. If go DSG it should be serviced every 40k miles. Mine's been faultless.
Big tax on the R32 unless you go import. Wing back recaros and xenons tend to be sought after.
Lot of them are very sparsely specced (heard was due to the 2008 financial crisis but not sure how true that is).
They do sound epic though! Just probably don't expect faultless reliability as they're all getting on now and need TLC.
Many thanks, appreciate all the advice. Yeah the sound they make is epic.This includes air con system refresh
Rear wipers are fragile and give up
Sticking rear door locks
Thermostats give up
Carbon cannister (if relevant)
Not a huge list but definitely noticed costs have risen on mine over the last few years and it's just cos they're 15 years old now. Rust on front wings also an issue as the liner rubs. If go DSG it should be serviced every 40k miles. Mine's been faultless.
Big tax on the R32 unless you go import. Wing back recaros and xenons tend to be sought after.
Lot of them are very sparsely specced (heard was due to the 2008 financial crisis but not sure how true that is).
They do sound epic though! Just probably don't expect faultless reliability as they're all getting on now and need TLC.
I am bit concerned in getting a car that is older than my abarth by about 3-4 years but I suppose if I am careful and buy carefully using the advice you mentioned I suppose nice examples are out there still.
Have you driven one?
I liked mine on the test drive, but after some weeks just found it a bit s
t really.
They do sound epic but only from outside. Not useful if you’re driving it.
The engine is also a bit of a turd. Horrible mpg and could almost be a turbo at lower rpm such was the response.
Also they’re fwd with rwd when needed. Quite often they suffer with all the issues a fwd normally would with regards dynamics, so not that great being awd vs fwd.
I’d deffo deffo try a remapped GTi alongside an R32.
I bet they’re better in almost every measure… bar of course that awesome sound… for observers
I liked mine on the test drive, but after some weeks just found it a bit s
t really.They do sound epic but only from outside. Not useful if you’re driving it.
The engine is also a bit of a turd. Horrible mpg and could almost be a turbo at lower rpm such was the response.
Also they’re fwd with rwd when needed. Quite often they suffer with all the issues a fwd normally would with regards dynamics, so not that great being awd vs fwd.
I’d deffo deffo try a remapped GTi alongside an R32.
I bet they’re better in almost every measure… bar of course that awesome sound… for observers
I'm on my 3rd R32, what do you need to know 
Prefer manual but if going dsg they need fluid change every 40k or 4 years. Check for suspension wear, rear springs snap at bottom, noisey steering racks, noisey rear diff not serviceable item but recommended to change the oil after 100k or 10 years or so. Rear sub frames can rust quite badly too. Check air con works. Headliners starting to sag around sun glass holder as glue deteriorates with age.
Not sure how many miles you do but imagine running costs will be biggest change coming from an Arbath.
Prefer manual but if going dsg they need fluid change every 40k or 4 years. Check for suspension wear, rear springs snap at bottom, noisey steering racks, noisey rear diff not serviceable item but recommended to change the oil after 100k or 10 years or so. Rear sub frames can rust quite badly too. Check air con works. Headliners starting to sag around sun glass holder as glue deteriorates with age.
Not sure how many miles you do but imagine running costs will be biggest change coming from an Arbath.
Mr Whippy said:
Have you driven one?
I liked mine on the test drive, but after some weeks just found it a bit st really.
They do sound epic but only from outside. Not useful if you’re driving it.
The engine is also a bit of a turd. Horrible mpg and could almost be a turbo at lower rpm such was the response.
Also they’re fwd with rwd when needed. Quite often they suffer with all the issues a fwd normally would with regards dynamics, so not that great being awd vs fwd.
I’d deffo deffo try a remapped GTi alongside an R32.
I bet they’re better in almost every measure… bar of course that awesome sound… for observers
No not driven one yet, I do plan to shortly just to see if it's for me, I think it will.I liked mine on the test drive, but after some weeks just found it a bit s
t really.They do sound epic but only from outside. Not useful if you’re driving it.
The engine is also a bit of a turd. Horrible mpg and could almost be a turbo at lower rpm such was the response.
Also they’re fwd with rwd when needed. Quite often they suffer with all the issues a fwd normally would with regards dynamics, so not that great being awd vs fwd.
I’d deffo deffo try a remapped GTi alongside an R32.
I bet they’re better in almost every measure… bar of course that awesome sound… for observers
Yeah I'll consider thr GTi too, just not sure on the remapped aspect, I tend to like my cars mainly stock or near stock. I suppose it can be stock with a remap maybe?
What I like about the R32 is the quirky nature, certainly won't be made again.
si_xsi said:
I'm on my 3rd R32, what do you need to know
Prefer manual but if going dsg they need fluid change every 40k or 4 years. Check for suspension wear, rear springs snap at bottom, noisey steering racks, noisey rear diff not serviceable item but recommended to change the oil after 100k or 10 years or so. Rear sub frames can rust quite badly too. Check air con works. Headliners starting to sag around sun glass holder as glue deteriorates with age.
Not sure how many miles you do but imagine running costs will be biggest change coming from an Arbath.
You must like them if you are on your 3rd 😁. Is the oil on rear difful easy to change if not serviceable item?Prefer manual but if going dsg they need fluid change every 40k or 4 years. Check for suspension wear, rear springs snap at bottom, noisey steering racks, noisey rear diff not serviceable item but recommended to change the oil after 100k or 10 years or so. Rear sub frames can rust quite badly too. Check air con works. Headliners starting to sag around sun glass holder as glue deteriorates with age.
Not sure how many miles you do but imagine running costs will be biggest change coming from an Arbath.
Cheers for tips on the interior, will look out for that.
I only do between 3000 and 3500 currently in my abarth. It's a daily car for work and odd journey round town with odd long journey so the R32 would be the same.
Believe it or not the Abarth isn't overly cheap to run, yes the smaller engine etc is cheaper but parts and maintenence is quite high due to it having abarth name.
Our family car is Skoda VRS 230 so use to the fuel economy aspect etc
The obvious thing to me is that I think 56 plate onwards the road tax increased quite a bit, so if you buy an earlier one you'll avoid the increase.
I had an intermittent 4WD issue where it would only engage 2WD, the fault would be cleared but randomly came back, couple of years later one of the places that looked at it had discovered it was an ABS module failure, so something else to think about.
I had an intermittent 4WD issue where it would only engage 2WD, the fault would be cleared but randomly came back, couple of years later one of the places that looked at it had discovered it was an ABS module failure, so something else to think about.
Lots to be said for a good R32. They’re great allrounders and certain never to be seen again.
Nonetheless, the greatest issue will be overcoming the variety of condition found with the cars being 15-18 years age.
As others say, drivetrain tends to be robust and much of what you’re looking for is Golf mk5 rather than R32 specific. However, one R32 particular not mentioned so far is cam chain stretch.
Early cars are taxed at a lower rate, all will peak at 35mpg though low to mid 20s is realistic.
The noise is as good inside as out, with a very instantaneous power delivery that you don’t get with turbos.
Nonetheless, the greatest issue will be overcoming the variety of condition found with the cars being 15-18 years age.
As others say, drivetrain tends to be robust and much of what you’re looking for is Golf mk5 rather than R32 specific. However, one R32 particular not mentioned so far is cam chain stretch.
Early cars are taxed at a lower rate, all will peak at 35mpg though low to mid 20s is realistic.
The noise is as good inside as out, with a very instantaneous power delivery that you don’t get with turbos.
Ive had an Edition 30 with a Stage 1 remap and it was a very quick car but ive always hankered after an R32.
It wont set the world alight performance wise but the noise will make up for it.
Rust is common, certain paint colours can degrade, worn suspension, steering rack noises, air con problems to name a few that plagued the Mk 5.
It wont set the world alight performance wise but the noise will make up for it.
Rust is common, certain paint colours can degrade, worn suspension, steering rack noises, air con problems to name a few that plagued the Mk 5.
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