RE: Volkswagen Golf R32 (Mk5): PH Used Buying Guide

[smilo996]

Decent looking and understated, that VR6 engine. Why not.
Better thsn the later models too.

[Jon_S_Rally]

A reasonably handsome car with a nice sounding engine, but I think you'd have to really want one to buy one nowadays. There's some good cars out there for £7,500 now and, if the upper end is more like £13k, then you could buy a more modern and more capable hot hatch for that. A nice, vaguely interesting car, but not sure it represents great value for me.

[sosidge]

BricktopST205 said:

Audi A3 of same generation has the same power and is a hell of a lot cheaper.

Is there any good reason for this?

Just the effect of this being a "halo" VW whereas the Audi is just another non-S3?

[si_xsi]

sosidge said:

BricktopST205 said:

Audi A3 of same generation has the same power and is a hell of a lot cheaper.

Is there any good reason for this?

Just the effect of this being a "halo" VW whereas the Audi is just another non-S3?

In part yes, but standard Exhaust / noise in the A3 is more muted, styling looks like a normal A3 even with S line kit.

[AC43]

Smart looking car with a jewel of an engine.

I'm a sucker for a smallish car with a large-ish multi.

Plus they sound brilliant when driving past.

[court]

si_xsi said:

sosidge said:

BricktopST205 said:

Audi A3 of same generation has the same power and is a hell of a lot cheaper.

Is there any good reason for this?

Just the effect of this being a "halo" VW whereas the Audi is just another non-S3?

In part yes, but standard Exhaust / noise in the A3 is more muted, styling looks like a normal A3 even with S line kit.

Interesting to note that the TT with this engine and S-tronic dips under the big tax bracket. They're not bad value too.

[daniel1920]

court said:

si_xsi said:

sosidge said:

BricktopST205 said:

Audi A3 of same generation has the same power and is a hell of a lot cheaper.

Is there any good reason for this?

Just the effect of this being a "halo" VW whereas the Audi is just another non-S3?

In part yes, but standard Exhaust / noise in the A3 is more muted, styling looks like a normal A3 even with S line kit.

Interesting to note that the TT with this engine and S-tronic dips under the big tax bracket. They're not bad value too.

I have one and started a thread on this a while back, A3 has an extra silencer than R32 and slightly narrower exhaust.
Chop out the silencer and sound is basically the same.

I must admit I was after an R32, but settled for the A3 they're about ~£4k less for equivalent condition, more discreet and a nicer interior. (No centre pipes though )

[big_rob_sydney]

Never really understood the desire for these.

2005 and 250bhp???

[anonymous-user]

big_rob_sydney said:

Never really understood the desire for these.

2005 and 250bhp???

The VR6. Strap a turbo kit and they’re capable of 800bhp if that tickles your fancy. No matter though, mine’s at 260+ and it feels brisk while also very refined, if the suspension’s not shagged. They’re the perfect mini barge, while also putting on a good show while poked. If you want something more exciting I suggest the MK4 or the Focus RS etc

[FN2TypeR]

The MK5 GTI was an absolute belter IMO, unless you really need the 4WD and noise that these give you I'd plump for the front wheel drive mode, the Edition 30 gives a bit more poke and can be remapped further if needed. These things costs a fortune to run in comparison and they're not vastly quicker as they're quite a bit heavier.

Still, a friend of mine had one with a fruity exhaust on and it did sound awesome,

[Brainpox]

I think if you're going in wanting a fast hatchback then you're looking in the wrong place.

The R32 is just a different experience. The VR6 will sit at 130mph on the autobahn without a fuss. If it's corners you want then the GTI is the better option.

It's no different to the Mk7 GTI vs R debate. One is lighter and has an optional LSD, and one has big power and 4WD. They're both good at different things.

[kingswood]

had mine 3 yrs to the day. paid 9k cld get 7.5k tomo, cheap motoring! £400 a year service, road tax is a killer at £550 but u cant take it with you!

the reason its a million times better than the GTi is theyre never guna put a V6 in a hatchback again, 4 pot turbos are here to stay.

future classic, buying money.

and i'll do you a bag of each for £20 ;-)

[FN2TypeR]

kingswood said:

had mine 3 yrs to the day. paid 9k cld get 7.5k tomo, cheap motoring! £400 a year service, road tax is a killer at £550 but u cant take it with you!

the reason its a million times better than the GTi is theyre never guna put a V6 in a hatchback again, 4 pot turbos are here to stay.

future classic, buying money.

and i'll do you a bag of each for £20 ;-)

[Rojo]

One of the best cars I’ve ever had. Beautiful engine noise, fast enough to be fun but not bonkers, comfy and capable. Sold mine for £11k 8 years ago, bought e60 M5 thing and have felt cheated ever since.

[manracer]

I want to like these more.

I nearly got one but instead got a mk5 GTi Edition 30. Sticky tyres, better brakes and a remap - I'm so glad I did. It was 310bhp, did 60 in about 5 seconds and stopped pretty well. Wish I'd never sold it.

Last year I drove an r32 a friend was looking to buy. It was comfy and sounded amazing (exhaust nmod done) but it was so much slower than my ed30 and just felt fat.

I don't think an r32 would see which way my ed30 went, wet or dry.

Different cars giving different experiences.

For me though it has to be the GTi.

[Obi Wan]

austinsmirk said:

Has a used one ever been owned by anyone that isn't pretending to be a gangsta, with the seats horizontal and deals drugs for a living ?

Therein lies the problem with them: the people who buy them. A great car, but ruined by the drivers/owners.

I own a pre owned one and I certainly don’t deal drugs or have my seat horizontal

[MaxSo]

Obi Wan said:

austinsmirk said:

Has a used one ever been owned by anyone that isn't pretending to be a gangsta, with the seats horizontal and deals drugs for a living ?

Therein lies the problem with them: the people who buy them. A great car, but ruined by the drivers/owners.

I own a pre owned one and I certainly don’t deal drugs or have my seat horizontal

Most of the examples I've seen have been unmolested, undamaged, very clean and often in particularly smart parts of London. I've also never seen one being driven idiotically - unlike Mk7 R's.

Edited by MaxSo on Thursday 20th September 22:26

Edited by MaxSo on Thursday 20th September 22:26

[anonymous-user]

manracer said:

I want to like these more.

I nearly got one but instead got a mk5 GTi Edition 30. Sticky tyres, better brakes and a remap - I'm so glad I did. It was 310bhp, did 60 in about 5 seconds and stopped pretty well. Wish I'd never sold it.

Last year I drove an r32 a friend was looking to buy. It was comfy and sounded amazing (exhaust nmod done) but it was so much slower than my ed30 and just felt fat.

I don't think an r32 would see which way my ed30 went, wet or dry.

Different cars giving different experiences.

For me though it has to be the GTi.

You can’t compare a modified Edition 30 to an R32. Youre about 60hp up on the GTI, and on sticky tyres. Either way, they are different beasts as you said.

[FN2TypeR]

Obi Wan said:

austinsmirk said:

Has a used one ever been owned by anyone that isn't pretending to be a gangsta, with the seats horizontal and deals drugs for a living ?

Therein lies the problem with them: the people who buy them. A great car, but ruined by the drivers/owners.

I own a pre owned one and I certainly don’t deal drugs or have my seat horizontal

I've seen a good few of these that seem to have found enthusiastic owners who have done a great job of looking after them. I imagine that they attract petrol head types who treat them very well.


I'm sure that there's a few knob head owners out there but no car like this can escape that curse.

[greenarrow]

FN2TypeR said:

Obi Wan said:

austinsmirk said:

Has a used one ever been owned by anyone that isn't pretending to be a gangsta, with the seats horizontal and deals drugs for a living ?

Therein lies the problem with them: the people who buy them. A great car, but ruined by the drivers/owners.

I own a pre owned one and I certainly don’t deal drugs or have my seat horizontal

I've seen a good few of these that seem to have found enthusiastic owners who have done a great job of looking after them. I imagine that they attract petrol head types who treat them very well.


I'm sure that there's a few knob head owners out there but no car like this can escape that curse.

Hot hatches have always had this problem. The only ones that in my experience seem able to behave when going about their business are the RenaultSport Megane 250/265s. I honestly cant remember seeing one driven badly.

This R32, whilst lovely only highlights what an absolute bargain the Mk5 GTI is right now. Seen plenty advertised for £3K or less and at a time when MK2 GTIs are often £5K and upwards, they're a steal. Surely wont get much cheaper? That's where my money would go if I was after a 12-13 year old hot hatch. That or a Clio 182/EP3. These will be the 2000 icons that eventually become full blown classics, not the R32 IMO.