My MKV Golf R32
Discussion
I've admired the looks and sound of the R32s for a long time. When they first came out I used to own a 1998 Golf Vr6 and cherished it until the day it went to scrapyard heaven after 11 years of fun. A Nissan 350Z followed that but I had to reluctantly let her go to keep my house when I got divorced. I've been driving a 2005 Corsa 1.2 for a couple of years as my divorce car and to be fair it hasn't let me down and has done the job of ferrying me and my 2 kids, bikes and dog around.
I've been keeping an eye out in the classifieds for a steel grey, leather, DSG, Zolders and 5 door with less than 50k mileage. This one appeared with the right spec so I test drove it last bank holiday monday and agreed a price based on a satisfactory AA vehicle inspection. It flew through the inspection so I did the deal on Saturday.
It's got 33,000 miles on the clock and a full VW service history and seem to be an original car. The wheels are a bit kerbed so my first job is to get them restored and I'd like to upgrade the stereo to get Sat Nav, bluetooth and Ipod connectivity added. It's only the RCD300 unit at present and it doesn't recognise my iPod classic for some reason?
I've been for a couple of shortish drives over the weekend and impressed with how planted it feels on the road. I'd read a few people complaining about cabin squeaks and rattles but mine seems well put together so far. Or maybe I'm just listening to that gorgeous engine note instead
. Anyway, this morning was the first monday morning commute I've enjoyed in a long time. Here's some pics -
I've been keeping an eye out in the classifieds for a steel grey, leather, DSG, Zolders and 5 door with less than 50k mileage. This one appeared with the right spec so I test drove it last bank holiday monday and agreed a price based on a satisfactory AA vehicle inspection. It flew through the inspection so I did the deal on Saturday.
It's got 33,000 miles on the clock and a full VW service history and seem to be an original car. The wheels are a bit kerbed so my first job is to get them restored and I'd like to upgrade the stereo to get Sat Nav, bluetooth and Ipod connectivity added. It's only the RCD300 unit at present and it doesn't recognise my iPod classic for some reason?
I've been for a couple of shortish drives over the weekend and impressed with how planted it feels on the road. I'd read a few people complaining about cabin squeaks and rattles but mine seems well put together so far. Or maybe I'm just listening to that gorgeous engine note instead
. Anyway, this morning was the first monday morning commute I've enjoyed in a long time. Here's some pics -stu1984 said:
Welcome to the club 
I bought mine about 6 weeks ago and absolutely love it!! Yours looks to be a tidy example - well worth holding off to get a good one (as it looks like you did) with the right spec for you, as although the low mileage ones are rare, they do come up now and again!!
It's hard being sat in work and just wanting to go for a drive isn't it? I bought mine about 6 weeks ago and absolutely love it!! Yours looks to be a tidy example - well worth holding off to get a good one (as it looks like you did) with the right spec for you, as although the low mileage ones are rare, they do come up now and again!!
Instead I'm on R32OC looking what upgrades other people have got Pommygranite said:
Nice.
How does it compare to a 350z and which do you prefer?
To be honest driving the Z felt like more of an occasion. It's difficult to compare them because they're so chalk and cheese, 2 seater sports and RWD against more practicality and 4WD. I know they're not to everyones tastes stylewise but I used to enjoy looking at the Z more and got more of a buzz sat in it the cabin and driving it too. How does it compare to a 350z and which do you prefer?
The golf feels more planted and stable and quicker when you put your foot down even though it isn't. With the DSG it's quite happy to dawdle along in 6th gear everywhere and then you accelerate a bit and it transforms into a rocket.
The heavens have just opened outside so I'll be able to test the grip a little on the way home... I've never been a PH driving god so I won't be taking it to the limit but will try and make good progress.
Edited by cliffe_mafia on Monday 2nd June 14:40
aspirated said:
Looks great, RNS510 is one o the best upgrades you can do
I've done some research online but need to have a chat at an ICE shop I've found nearby to get it to do everything I want and get it fitted. I like the look of the Pioneer ones that can audio stream like the AVIC-F950BT but I'm not sure if the RNS510 has got all the newest wizardry?aspirated said:
The exhaust looks suspicously non-standard though, sticks out too much?
You could be onto something there - I'll have to investigate. It's also got a sticker under the bonnet for a BMC air filter but it looks standard apart from the sticker (no fancy induction kit).cliffe_mafia said:
aspirated said:
The exhaust looks suspicously non-standard though, sticks out too much?
You could be onto something there - I'll have to investigate. It's also got a sticker under the bonnet for a BMC air filter but it looks standard apart from the sticker (no fancy induction kit).cracking R and very rareto have such low miles!
ive had my tornado red R32 for 3 months now, and it still makes me smile everytime i start it.
Defo look into the altest version (F?) of the RNS510, and then just get an Aux lead and an input installed in your center console for yur ipod, unless you want full integration. Mine came factory standard, and with the optionl bluetooth module. Because it has a 20gb HD, you can use an SD card to copy and paste music and save it to the HD- absoultely no need for your ipod anymore then!
Defo recommend the flapper mod. The valve is always open on the exhaust instead of being closed and opening after 3k revs. Get under your backbox, and to the left is a small black vacuum pipe attached to a black actuator. simply pull the pipe off and plug it witha screw so no dirt gets in to it..and enjoy! and if you dont like it just bang it back on.
ive had my tornado red R32 for 3 months now, and it still makes me smile everytime i start it.
Defo look into the altest version (F?) of the RNS510, and then just get an Aux lead and an input installed in your center console for yur ipod, unless you want full integration. Mine came factory standard, and with the optionl bluetooth module. Because it has a 20gb HD, you can use an SD card to copy and paste music and save it to the HD- absoultely no need for your ipod anymore then!
Defo recommend the flapper mod. The valve is always open on the exhaust instead of being closed and opening after 3k revs. Get under your backbox, and to the left is a small black vacuum pipe attached to a black actuator. simply pull the pipe off and plug it witha screw so no dirt gets in to it..and enjoy! and if you dont like it just bang it back on.
irfan1712 said:
cracking R and very rareto have such low miles!
ive had my tornado red R32 for 3 months now, and it still makes me smile everytime i start it.
Defo look into the altest version (F?) of the RNS510, and then just get an Aux lead and an input installed in your center console for yur ipod, unless you want full integration. Mine came factory standard, and with the optionl bluetooth module. Because it has a 20gb HD, you can use an SD card to copy and paste music and save it to the HD- absoultely no need for your ipod anymore then!
Defo recommend the flapper mod. The valve is always open on the exhaust instead of being closed and opening after 3k revs. Get under your backbox, and to the left is a small black vacuum pipe attached to a black actuator. simply pull the pipe off and plug it witha screw so no dirt gets in to it..and enjoy! and if you dont like it just bang it back on.
Thanks for the comments irfan ive had my tornado red R32 for 3 months now, and it still makes me smile everytime i start it.
Defo look into the altest version (F?) of the RNS510, and then just get an Aux lead and an input installed in your center console for yur ipod, unless you want full integration. Mine came factory standard, and with the optionl bluetooth module. Because it has a 20gb HD, you can use an SD card to copy and paste music and save it to the HD- absoultely no need for your ipod anymore then!
Defo recommend the flapper mod. The valve is always open on the exhaust instead of being closed and opening after 3k revs. Get under your backbox, and to the left is a small black vacuum pipe attached to a black actuator. simply pull the pipe off and plug it witha screw so no dirt gets in to it..and enjoy! and if you dont like it just bang it back on.
. I'm getting a Clarion NX502E
http://www.clarion.com/xe/en/products/2012/navigat...
installed tomorrow. Can't wait - I feel like a kid at Christmas!
I've heard a lot about the flapper mod so I'll give it a try - it sounds easy enough to do. I'll add it to the list of things I need to get around to. The next job is the wheels refurb and funds permitting a blue Forge induction kit.
I've also bought some R32 sill protectors and seat inserts (a bit of bling!) but haven't put them on yet. I'll post up some new pictures when I do.
Clarion NX502E
I'm really chuffed with this - streaming music from my phone via Bluetooth from YouTube works a lot better than I thought it would. I've got a 120gb Ipod Classic connected to it and it has struggled when the iPod is full, iPod and/or headunit crashing so I'll remove a few gb and see if this improves.
I've had all 4 wheels refurbed @ £60 each. I'll put some better pictures up when I've had her cleaned. She's not had a bath for a couple of weeks and I did about 300 miles over the weekend and killed a lot of flies
Added some bling! Seat inserts and sill protectors.
More bling - rear sill protectors.
Other purchases have been a sidelight bulb (I got a warning light after she had been washed), rear wiper blade and a boot protector for my dog to sit on.
I've had a quote to get all dents (small ones on the bonnet and drivers door) and stone chips sorted plus a bonnet respray and will be getting this done as soon as I have chance to borrow another car to get to work.
I'm also lusting for a Forge induction kit with blue HT leads too for some under bonnet porn like this -
After a month I'm still enjoying every second and even though I rarely get to floor the loud pedal on my commute it's still a buzz to drive around. With the DSG Drive/Sport mode it's like driving two different cars. The former pootles you around in 6th gear everywhere barely making a sound and the latter is 2nd gear and a cacophony of noise that makes me turn the tunes down and open the windows.
I'm really chuffed with this - streaming music from my phone via Bluetooth from YouTube works a lot better than I thought it would. I've got a 120gb Ipod Classic connected to it and it has struggled when the iPod is full, iPod and/or headunit crashing so I'll remove a few gb and see if this improves.
I've had all 4 wheels refurbed @ £60 each. I'll put some better pictures up when I've had her cleaned. She's not had a bath for a couple of weeks and I did about 300 miles over the weekend and killed a lot of flies
Added some bling! Seat inserts and sill protectors.
More bling - rear sill protectors.
Other purchases have been a sidelight bulb (I got a warning light after she had been washed), rear wiper blade and a boot protector for my dog to sit on.
I've had a quote to get all dents (small ones on the bonnet and drivers door) and stone chips sorted plus a bonnet respray and will be getting this done as soon as I have chance to borrow another car to get to work.
I'm also lusting for a Forge induction kit with blue HT leads too for some under bonnet porn like this -
After a month I'm still enjoying every second and even though I rarely get to floor the loud pedal on my commute it's still a buzz to drive around. With the DSG Drive/Sport mode it's like driving two different cars. The former pootles you around in 6th gear everywhere barely making a sound and the latter is 2nd gear and a cacophony of noise that makes me turn the tunes down and open the windows.
nice head unit, very handy your able to stream yout tunes via BT.
flapper mod takes two seconds and i bet you wont put it back to standard once you've done it!
£60 p/wheel for refurbing is a cracking price aswell. not too sure if im keen on those sill protectors, how are they stuck down?
and more imporstnaly whats next on the list!
flapper mod takes two seconds and i bet you wont put it back to standard once you've done it!
£60 p/wheel for refurbing is a cracking price aswell. not too sure if im keen on those sill protectors, how are they stuck down?
and more imporstnaly whats next on the list!
Like it, and I really like the noise with the right exhaust!
Sorry for thread hi-jack, but I've seen a few owners in here so i thought about asking:
my air intake plastiky bit seems to be flexing more than what i'd like it to do. I've read "upgrading" to short intake manifold is not really an upgrade as you lose power? Does anyone has any idea?
Sorry for thread hi-jack, but I've seen a few owners in here so i thought about asking:
my air intake plastiky bit seems to be flexing more than what i'd like it to do. I've read "upgrading" to short intake manifold is not really an upgrade as you lose power? Does anyone has any idea?
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