Never thought I would own one... a Golf...

Never thought I would own one... a Golf...

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Discussion

Brainpox

4,054 posts

150 months

Friday 20th April 2018
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It should see 33mpg on a gentle run, but it really likes a drink when you push it yes

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,230 posts

234 months

Friday 20th April 2018
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Brainpox said:
It should see 33mpg on a gentle run, but it really likes a drink when you push it yes
I did the trip from St Albans to Nottingham (& return) about 35 times a year for 8 or so years in mine. I noticed that in heavy rain the mpg used to drop to 24 ish. I always assumed that the 4wd had kicked in to cause this.

Mr Whippy

Original Poster:

28,943 posts

240 months

Friday 20th April 2018
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I had a 2.9 v6 Sierra 4x4 years ago which had 172lbft of torque and 150bhp and did 23mpg with 1300kg ish to haul around.

The R32 isn’t all that bad considering the weight and power.


I’ve read a remap can improve things... but I think a lot of the issue is it’s eagerness to rev, low noise level low down, and a weird dip in torque through 3000rpm.
It all adds up to make you feel it needs revving to get going when really it’s pretty brisk changing at 2500rpm.


I just need to investigate my engine mounts though, I’m sure one of them is buggered.
Just that lower one is a subframe off job... why haha!
Tempted to stick in a powerflex filler till I can get over to Overboost at Heckmondwike for a full service and check over!

TheBALDpuma

5,842 posts

167 months

Friday 20th April 2018
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Hey Mr Whippy.... I think I remember you from a yorkshire drive out, in the z4 quite a few years ago...? I'd have had a puma at the time I think.

I'm on my first golf at the moment too, also a mk5 (58 plate) but I have the Pirelli Edition GTI. I was caught between an R32 and a ed30/Pirelli when I first started looking. Coming out of a 3.0 V6 (ST220) I fancied a change, and better economy (although I still only average around 27mpg in the GTI) so the turbo 4 was appealing. Also the rarity and supposedly better steer of the limted run of Pirelli cars sealed it for me in the end.

It's not been problem free with two doors locking shut (a common mk5 issue apparently), some electircal gremlins (probably a loose wire somewhere around the throttle body) amongst other more regualr car problems. I do love it though.

Mr Whippy

Original Poster:

28,943 posts

240 months

Friday 20th April 2018
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Hey yeah I remember that run out.

996 Turbo, Testarossa, 106 Rallye, Cerbera, Tamora, Z4, Puma, errr...

It was a great run out, I now live on that route too, so great roads to enjoy decent cars smile

It’s definitely R32 country in winter. The car just needs hardening up a fraction.
Mainly just low end noise and throttle mapping I’d say, and bushing refresh.

I just unplugged the exhaust valve so I’ll see what that does.



Yeah my niggles list is growing.

The Golf V is clearly very good but they’re 10 years old now so need maintenance!


I bet the ST220 was a nice steer. A car I wish I’d got at some point but never did.

I kinda looked at one 2.5yrs ago after my wife sold her Cougar 2.

We’d looked at R32 then, and ST220, but tax and mpg put us off so we got a new Fiesta ST instead.
That was a hoot of a car, but quite small and 3dr so useless for a family use car imo. You could manage but a Golf V is in another league.

Edited by Mr Whippy on Friday 20th April 21:03

aka_kerrly

12,415 posts

209 months

Friday 20th April 2018
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In the older VR6s a lightened flywheel and final drive swap is possibly the best thing you can do to really wake them up but it's not so straight forward on a AWD R32!

Regarding the remap, it's very much a case of it's not about the headline figures, it's how much more eager they feel.. AMD quote +18hp peak an 16ftlb torque, but it's something closer to 20-30 over 1000rpm earlier that gives you the kick!

Mr Whippy

Original Poster:

28,943 posts

240 months

Friday 20th April 2018
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I’ve seen Stealth remaps are well rated.

I’m quite familiar with tuning, and I’m very familiar with the emotional and subjective qualities of throttle mapping and torque curve shape, so I’d likely get a Stealth map to sort the general tuning, then DIY the throttle and torque limiter.

If you look at the oem torque curve it has a big lump at 2500rpm but then loses torque to 3500rpm ish then rises again.
Falling torque with rpm so early must by why it feels so flat and gutless.
It just needs a constantly rising curve to peak and it’d feel lots better.

It could be the twin length manifold swapovers etc, but it must be mostly fixable with time and tinkering.

But as with everything, best to tweak slowly and appreciate good standard first... so money into getting it good standard first is key... then I can tweak fairly away from good standard smile

aka_kerrly

12,415 posts

209 months

Saturday 21st April 2018
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Mr Whippy said:
I
It could be the twin length manifold swapovers etc, but it must be mostly fixable with time and tinkering.
It's not beyond the realms of possibility that changeover settings for the variable intake can be changed but more importantly perhaps ensuring it is working correctly is a first step as I've heard a non operation valve will make the engine feel a bit flat an lifeless.

I have a Schrick VGI on my VR6 which you can map when the changeover occurs anywhere in the rev range. I think mine currently changes at around 4200rpm and the standard manifold on a mk5 r32 works in a similar way.

some bedtime reading for you.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5769045-...

Mr Whippy

Original Poster:

28,943 posts

240 months

Saturday 21st April 2018
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I did some vag com today and no fault codes (I cleared a bunch of random stuff for steering controls and radio, nothing new came up)

I need to double check the vag com. It was a dodgy version but official cable. Worked fine with install exe but not the modded one (device not present).
I might just buy a legit copy. And try it in win7 (no worky in XP, win10 is horrible but it worked)


So paintwork to be fixed Tuesday.

I’ve got a funny noise too, only noticeable at very light loads and engine rocking I’d say. Like a metal springy/knocking noise as the bite takes up in the clutch, or as the engine rotates.
Also had a graunchy shift in 1st > 2nd at one point.
I’ve a feeling the lower engine mount is buggered.
Tempted to just drive it gently to a full service at a specialist and have them check it out.


Also I need to sort a service book and start filling it in with known old services from VAG etc.

gazza5

815 posts

104 months

Tuesday 24th April 2018
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Lovely car - tbh the mk5 was the last proper built golf, my mk 7.5 r has more rattles than my mates mk5 gti.

Lots of talk backs this up as well, do love the v6 noise in these.

Obi Wan

2,081 posts

214 months

Tuesday 24th April 2018
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Very nice. Can’t beat that that vr6 noise with the windows down.

Mr Whippy

Original Poster:

28,943 posts

240 months

Thursday 26th April 2018
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Well I’ve done a few hundred miles now.

Mostly trips in the Dales so all just fun driving, averaging 22mpg usually haha!

It’s very brisk. I can’t understand anyone thinking they’re slow.


I also had it polished up properly which set me back £250 but it now looks amazing.
Pics to follow once it stops raining or being overcast!


Next job is a big fluids/service and check over.

Also tempted to try £190 painted front wings off eBay and see if they match.
If not I’ll just store till I’m ready to do a full front end respray.

I also noticed some slight paint flaking/bubbling in the front wing/sill interface... again seems common.


Detailer guy also said paint/lacquer was reading low on rear wings behind rear windows and above wheels area.
About 80/90 um.
Probably doesn’t help if the last few traders selling it on go crazy with a mop!
Also the rear bumper has been redone in a few places.


All in all it’s ok for age and looks great... but I plan to keep it a good while so thinking to get stuff really nice now so I can enjoy it at it’s best for years to come!

flatlemon

92 posts

74 months

Friday 27th April 2018
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Nice work. I've had mine 3 years now and love it - can't beat that noise!

Re the corrosion, there's a 12 year corrosion warranty so worth trying your luck. I managed to get both my front wings replaced FOC but I think it depends on the dealer/person you're dealing with.

Check out r32oc.com for useful info as there is a wealth of information on there - you just need to be prepared to search for it.

Vince at Stealth is supposed to be the main man for mapping these cars so that's in line with what you were asking.

I did see your post re charging the car too - Storm Developments are doing this with the Rotrex charger and Rushworth Performance are working on developing MK5 platform too. The only other company is TRD who use the RUF chargers and have carried out a number of builds.

cuprabob

14,414 posts

213 months

Friday 27th April 2018
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flatlemon said:
Check out r32oc.com for useful info as there is a wealth of info...
He's already on R32oc.com using the same username...

the-photographer

3,479 posts

175 months

Saturday 28th April 2018
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Mr Whippy said:
Also tempted to try £190 painted front wings off eBay and see if they match.
If not I’ll just store till I’m ready to do a full front end respray.
Double check they are genuine, otherwise some reports of poor fit

Mr Whippy

Original Poster:

28,943 posts

240 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
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cuprabob said:
He's already on R32oc.com using the same username...
Haha I’m so original with my username!

I’ve found R32oc a bit hit and miss to be honest.
I’m not sure if it’s just me but on the iPhone I find it hard to find the active topics.
A lot of the time it feels a bit like a ghost town, and searching active topics seems to come up blank. I’ve a feeling the forum is having some technical issues too?

I think my thread here has had more R32 owners pop in than my threads at R32oc.

cuprabob

14,414 posts

213 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
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Mr Whippy said:
cuprabob said:
He's already on R32oc.com using the same username...
Haha I’m so original with my username!

I’ve found R32oc a bit hit and miss to be honest.
I’m not sure if it’s just me but on the iPhone I find it hard to find the active topics.
A lot of the time it feels a bit like a ghost town, and searching active topics seems to come up blank. I’ve a feeling the forum is having some technical issues too?

I think my thread here has had more R32 owners pop in than my threads at R32oc.
Yes, it is a shadow of it's former self for a number of reasons....

Mr Whippy

Original Poster:

28,943 posts

240 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
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Yeah I’ve found googling into any of the multitude of Golf V or VAG sites yields more up to date info now.

R32OC stuff generally seems outdated now.


Can you recommend anywhere else?

Cupra Black

3,028 posts

217 months

Wednesday 2nd May 2018
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I have the chance to purchase a 2006 R32 with 112K on the clock. I don't know if its DSG or manual but its been standing since November. He has mentioned a price and it was a very well looked after car (it was his Dads who passed away)

I am very tempted and have been looking at all the buyers guides.

flatlemon

92 posts

74 months

Thursday 17th May 2018
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Mr Whippy said:
Yeah I’ve found googling into any of the multitude of Golf V or VAG sites yields more up to date info now.

R32OC stuff generally seems outdated now.


Can you recommend anywhere else?
Search and you will find.

I've found R32oc to contain a lot of really helpful information, just need to be prepared to search multiple terms until you find what you are looking for.

I tend to use it on my laptop though via web browser. There is an app for the phone called Tapatalk which might help you out?

There are also plenty groups on facebook if you search, and due to it's setup you can ask questions as and when you need.

Happy to answer any questions you have - feel free to PM me if easier. smile