RE: Volkswagen Golf R32 (Mk5): Spotted
Discussion
If the R32 were any quicker it’d be less exciting.
As it is you can kinda use a lot of rpm and the first four gears and not be going silly speeds.
All it’s missing for me is more sensation of speed.
My E85 Z4 felt smooth and fast but it also made you know about it when you wound it out to 6000rpm and 80mph in 3rd gear.
That’s kinda what’s missing in the R32, rather than speed, which imo it has plenty of!
As it is you can kinda use a lot of rpm and the first four gears and not be going silly speeds.
All it’s missing for me is more sensation of speed.
My E85 Z4 felt smooth and fast but it also made you know about it when you wound it out to 6000rpm and 80mph in 3rd gear.
That’s kinda what’s missing in the R32, rather than speed, which imo it has plenty of!
The MK5 R32 is a pure LEGEND, the last Golf equipped with a VR6.
My first one was stolen several years ago. I bought an other one two weeks later, that shows how much I loved the car.
The engine is such a masterpiece. The noise and the feeling are unbeatable, as long as I respect 147 GTA and 130i which I test drove, I stick with the R32.
Yes, this is not the fastest car. Yes, the fuel economy is not the best but, so what ? You buy an R32 for its engine, its soul, its appeal and its look.
The car is still fast enough to get a nice start from a standing still. I don't care if a MK5 GTi is almost as fast as my car. I didn't buy it for its performance.
When you drive the MK5 R32, the car feels solid, planted (especially with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4) and perfectly rounded. Of course, you get a bit of understeer if you go hard in a tight corner but overall the balance and grip are exceptional even though the car is not the lightest of the category.
I've had both with DSG gearbox which suits the VR6 perfectly. Even by today standards, this double-clutch (actually the first double-clutch introduced in a production series vehicle with the MK4 R32 if I'm not mistaken - sorry if I am) shifts pretty fast and is pretty reactive in auto mode.
Both have been 5 doors, pretty practical. I think the car still looks good (mine is stock, in Magic Black with the standard MK5 R32 wheels, not the ones of the 2008 model-year which, in my opinion, don't look as good as the original ones from 2005-2007).
No doubt the value will keep increasing as it's becoming harder and harder to find a good one on the market with less than 50 000 miles.
For those who are interested in buying an MK5 R32, do no hesitate : do it !
I've had mine for 6 years and I don't have the intention to sell it because I know I would regret it.
I don't care if I can get a faster, more economical and more modern car for the same amount of money.
I just want to push that legendary 3.2L naturally-aspirated VR6 for it glorious sound that makes me smile every time... and a true head turner.
My first one was stolen several years ago. I bought an other one two weeks later, that shows how much I loved the car.
The engine is such a masterpiece. The noise and the feeling are unbeatable, as long as I respect 147 GTA and 130i which I test drove, I stick with the R32.
Yes, this is not the fastest car. Yes, the fuel economy is not the best but, so what ? You buy an R32 for its engine, its soul, its appeal and its look.
The car is still fast enough to get a nice start from a standing still. I don't care if a MK5 GTi is almost as fast as my car. I didn't buy it for its performance.
When you drive the MK5 R32, the car feels solid, planted (especially with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4) and perfectly rounded. Of course, you get a bit of understeer if you go hard in a tight corner but overall the balance and grip are exceptional even though the car is not the lightest of the category.
I've had both with DSG gearbox which suits the VR6 perfectly. Even by today standards, this double-clutch (actually the first double-clutch introduced in a production series vehicle with the MK4 R32 if I'm not mistaken - sorry if I am) shifts pretty fast and is pretty reactive in auto mode.
Both have been 5 doors, pretty practical. I think the car still looks good (mine is stock, in Magic Black with the standard MK5 R32 wheels, not the ones of the 2008 model-year which, in my opinion, don't look as good as the original ones from 2005-2007).
No doubt the value will keep increasing as it's becoming harder and harder to find a good one on the market with less than 50 000 miles.
For those who are interested in buying an MK5 R32, do no hesitate : do it !
I've had mine for 6 years and I don't have the intention to sell it because I know I would regret it.
I don't care if I can get a faster, more economical and more modern car for the same amount of money.
I just want to push that legendary 3.2L naturally-aspirated VR6 for it glorious sound that makes me smile every time... and a true head turner.
Niffty951 said:
The R32 mk5 was the first car I ever bought new. I was sold by the sound.
It was a fabulous car to do big miles in. At night the dash and headlights were fantastic. The road noise was low the engine note sweet but unobtrusive when cruising.
In the light of day it was probably not the best built golf model. The interior materials and finish felt worse than any Golf before or after.. not bad.. but not up to vw's usual high standards.
As for the engine, I think it is probably the best sounding sports car at this price point but no sports car I've ever owned at any price point has ever managed to use so much fuel to go so slowly. I think the problem was it was slow enough to be able to keep it pegged in the high rpms for a very high percentage of time, but large enough capacity to consume more fuel than is possible for anything less powerful. I found myself filling it 2-3 times every week for my 500-600 mile use. Yet.. it was still lovable.
p.s. To those comparing it to a Civic. You have misunderstood this car. The Civic is a one trick pony by comparison. An R32 is what an RS6 is to the Nissan GTR. It'll make it work surprisingly hard on the track and then carry its occupants home with all the creature comforts of first class flight on concord.
I had one of these from new in 2006 - it was my first 'nice' car and I absolutely loved it for all the reasons you've identified. I still reckon of all the cars I've owned it's second only to the Range Rover for covering long distances effortlessly. It was a fabulous car to do big miles in. At night the dash and headlights were fantastic. The road noise was low the engine note sweet but unobtrusive when cruising.
In the light of day it was probably not the best built golf model. The interior materials and finish felt worse than any Golf before or after.. not bad.. but not up to vw's usual high standards.
As for the engine, I think it is probably the best sounding sports car at this price point but no sports car I've ever owned at any price point has ever managed to use so much fuel to go so slowly. I think the problem was it was slow enough to be able to keep it pegged in the high rpms for a very high percentage of time, but large enough capacity to consume more fuel than is possible for anything less powerful. I found myself filling it 2-3 times every week for my 500-600 mile use. Yet.. it was still lovable.
p.s. To those comparing it to a Civic. You have misunderstood this car. The Civic is a one trick pony by comparison. An R32 is what an RS6 is to the Nissan GTR. It'll make it work surprisingly hard on the track and then carry its occupants home with all the creature comforts of first class flight on concord.
Edited by Niffty951 on Friday 18th May 11:41
No it's not the quickest, but such an underrated car IMO
I had one of these about 7 years ago. It was blue, DSG, wing back seats- basically the original owner added every option available then stuck BBS CH rims on it. Reading through this thread, i get that some don’t see the appeal and identify its flaws. So many times, people said, ‘It’s just a Golf’ but for me, it was much more. Those seats, the way it handled and that engine! I had a Corrado VR6 before I bought this and i could feel the evolution between the two. The history and development. Ive no doubt that it isn’t the best car out there for the money or whatever, but that’s what i love about cars- its the emotion and feeling a car gives you and that’ll be different for everyone. For me, its been the best car I’ve ever owned and i am happy to say that. All subjective and that is a great thing for us petrolheads.
scottygib553 said:
The amount of plebs over here in Ireland doing R32 body conversions on their TDIs.........urgh. Not sure if there is a real one in the country.
I'm from Donegal and I have a real one Scotty! 3dr manual, totally stock and love it! 
it's a very special car in the deep blue pearlescent colour with factory fitted cloth Recaro's which are very rare indeed. I know that she is the only one in the County and to be honest I have never seen another real one on my travels up and down the Country..... Do I have the only one in the whole of the Republic?? Surely not.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff