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

[Shanemrb]

The mk2 TT with this engine is the better choice in my opinion. Much nicer interior as well as being faster and cheaper to tax if chosen with the DSG box. Also sells for around the same price with 7.5k getting you a really good one.

[JonDerz]

sleepera6 said:

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

Have you priced up at turbo kit? It’s incredibly expensive for what it is. Big power isn’t it’s forte, you need to lower compression around 400 bhp if you’re going turbo. A supercharger makes more sense but most vag tuners seem to prefer turboing them nowdays.

Mk4 and exciting? Oxymoron isn’t it?

[Peanus]

I’ve never thought the VR6 engines sound all that good. Sounds like a V6 farting but following through. A bit wet.

[Antj]

R32 was nice, but it was a little late to the party and the V6 is a little lazy, sounds good but the GTI was a much better proposition if you wanted to go fast. The 2.0 Turbo even in early mk5 GTi form was very tuneable and a lot quicker. having said that R32is a car that we will not see again, a big 6 cylinder in a Golf.

me personally I went for the R32's nemesis the faster bullet proof engined 130i. RWD chassis, great handling and the N52 3.0 engine has always been the better car and if you search on ebay you can buy these from £2500 upwards. I even bought a cheap cat D one earlier in the year for £1500 as people rarely know what they are

[manracer]

Antj said:

R32 was nice, but it was a little late to the party and the V6 is a little lazy, sounds good but the GTI was a much better proposition if you wanted to go fast. The 2.0 Turbo even in early mk5 GTi form was very tuneable and a lot quicker. having said that R32is a car that we will not see again, a big 6 cylinder in a Golf.

me personally I went for the R32's nemesis the faster bullet proof engined 130i. RWD chassis, great handling and the N52 3.0 engine has always been the better car and if you search on ebay you can buy these from £2500 upwards. I even bought a cheap cat D one earlier in the year for £1500 as people rarely know what they are

Let's be honest, the 130i looked like a 116i, at least the r32 looked nice.

[Zombie]

Suprised no-ones mentioned the 147 GTA as an alternative - Faster, as well built (yes, really!), better looking, sounds better and with a slippy diff and upgraded suspension that most now have, as good in terms of handling. Far more exclusive too.

[anonymous-user]

Zombie said:

Suprised no-ones mentioned the 147 GTA as an alternative - Faster, as well built (yes, really!), better looking, sounds better and with a slippy diff and upgraded suspension that most now have, as good in terms of handling. Far more exclusive too.

The newest ones were about 6 years older than the newest R32’s

[chin up]

A mate of mine had a DSG one of these. He loved it and thrashed it mercilessly. He reported the only thing he didn't much like was that the gearbox didn't ever get your intentions quite right. When absolutely on it, it wouldn't downshift early enough, and sometimes, when aiming for a relaxed easy-going overtake, it would drop 3 gears and explode with anger!
When I drove it, I instantly fell in love with it. Such an easy car to drive quickly and it really encouraged you to be naughty.
Summing it up in 2 words: accessible performance.

[Jonstar]

I see the appeal of these as an all rounder but aren't as quick as the numbers suggest. I had a run with one in my mx5 the other day and went past him surprisingly easily, sounded great though.

[Obi Wan]

chin up said:

A mate of mine had a DSG one of these. He loved it and thrashed it mercilessly. He reported the only thing he didn't much like was that the gearbox didn't ever get your intentions quite right. When absolutely on it, it wouldn't downshift early enough, and sometimes, when aiming for a relaxed easy-going overtake, it would drop 3 gears and explode with anger!
When I drove it, I instantly fell in love with it. Such an easy car to drive quickly and it really encouraged you to be naughty.
Summing it up in 2 words: accessible performance.

Surely he could get round that problem in manual mode?

[Killboy]

Jonstar said:

I see the appeal of these as an all rounder but aren't as quick as the numbers suggest. I had a run with one in my mx5 the other day and went past him surprisingly easily, sounded great though.

While I agree they are not that quick, unless your MX5 is making a lot more than stock, the R32 was sick. I'll see if I can dig up my brands hatch footage against my mates MX5 this evening. He's not in shot for very long.

[Jonstar]

Killboy said:

While I agree they are not that quick, unless your MX5 is making a lot more than stock, the R32 was sick. I'll see if I can dig up my brands hatch footage against my mates MX5 this evening. He's not in shot for very long.

It surprised me too although tbf mine has a remap, manifold and full exhaust system, so its not stock. Just checked and it has a better power/weight than the R32 so that probably explains it.

[Shiv_P]

chin up said:

A mate of mine had a DSG one of these. He loved it and thrashed it mercilessly. He reported the only thing he didn't much like was that the gearbox didn't ever get your intentions quite right. When absolutely on it, it wouldn't downshift early enough, and sometimes, when aiming for a relaxed easy-going overtake, it would drop 3 gears and explode with anger!
When I drove it, I instantly fell in love with it. Such an easy car to drive quickly and it really encouraged you to be naughty.
Summing it up in 2 words: accessible performance.

Sounds like it needed the firmware update you can get done or a box oil change

[Killboy]

Jonstar said:

It surprised me too although tbf mine has a remap, manifold and full exhaust system, so its not stock. Just checked and it has a better power/weight than the R32 so that probably explains it.

Actually my bad, I didn't see your MX5 is the new BBR one.

[AppleJuice]

Peanus said:

I’ve never thought the VR6 engines sound all that good. Sounds like a V6 farting but following through. A bit wet.

I'm stealing that!

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The R32 seems to me to be more of a barge than a hot hatch (like its A3 3.2 sister). How does a 130i stack up?