MkV Golf R32 DSG - can you think of a better alternative?

[richard300]

Must meet the following criteria:

Practical and Durable- Need to ferry my two young children around and practicality,durability, safety features are important

Budget- 10-12.5K

Requirements as a driver - RWD or 4WD, dual clutch transmission, make a great noise and have more than 4cylinders. 250+BHP and petrol not diesel.

Looks and desirability - I actually want something that looks relatively discreet, but at the same time has 'something'about it.

Can anyone else think of something that ticks all the above boxes, that isn't the Golf R32?


Cars i have considered (but ruled out) are:

E46 Alpina B3.3 - to close to the 330i sport i am currently driving

Audi B6 S4 saloon/avant - If it was available with multitronic and not just tiptronic i might be interested, but s-tronic 3.0 versions would appear to be out of my price range.

[ManOpener]

E46 M3 was my first thought, though that's SMG rather than dual clutch.

[rallycross]

take a look at the 335i BMW 300+ BHP petrol.
coupe, saloon, convertible or estate
in your budget is 2006-2008, auto is a step auto not DSG but does come with paddles.
Note - DCT clutch 335 is much newer and well outside your budget.

like this

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Edited by rallycross on Thursday 10th October 13:00

[anthonysjb]

130i, again SMG though...

[stevesingo]

richard300 said:

Must meet the following criteria:

Practical and Durable- Need to ferry my two young children around and practicality,durability, safety features are important

Budget- 10-12.5K

Requirements as a driver - RWD or 4WD, dual clutch transmission, make a great noise and have more than 4cylinders. 250+BHP and petrol not diesel.

Looks and desirability - I actually want something that looks relatively discreet, but at the same time has 'something'about it.

Can anyone else think of something that ticks all the above boxes, that isn't the Golf R32?

No, because you picked a car and then tried to justify it be inventing the above requirements.

Well done, PH Spec maths.

[Fipster]

To answer your question - no.

Unbelievably capable machine, particularly with snow tyres on in the winter. I've never owned such a great all-rounder.

[GusB]

I have a five door Mvk5 R32 to use as a daily winter drive and they are great. Highly recommended as does everything a normal Golf does just with a better soundtrack and more power.

GusB

[Spare tyre]

i do like the idea of these, but i'd be worried about it being pinched by oiks all the time

[PompeyPaul]

Spare tyre said:

i do like the idea of these, but i'd be worried about it being pinched by oiks all the time

I had a mk5 R32 which I sold after lots of fun with it. Literally two weeks later masked men broke into the house in the middle of the night, dragged him out of bed and demanded the keys. Scary stuff!

[steve singh]

RWD or 4WD is strange...anyhow I'd go for a Golf GTI ed30 that is remapped - torque steer not bad given fwd and more exciting than the r32.

However less special, 4 cylinders bla bla bla

[aeropilot]

anthonysjb said:

130i, again SMG though...

SMG never fitted in a 130i.

130i were 6 speed manual or 6 speed Steptronic automatic. Steptronic did have paddles though, but it's a conventional auto not a dual-clutch.

[richard300]

Well, its nice to hear that owners are happy with their R32's

Anyone driven an Audi A3 3.2 Quattro DSG of the same vintage? How do they compare?

[folos]

Seriously struggling with what I might replace my R32 with, and im on my second!

Sold my mk5 manual and couldn't find anything within my budget that fitted the bill better, so I got a DSG and stuck a non res milltek on it :-) that noise...

[malks222]

no, but i do have a mk2 TT 3.2 with DSG and would say its a very capable car. not the sharpest handling, but by no means bad to throw around but i do love the soundtrack when you press the right foot. the engine makes a pretty good noise.

you say practicality is a requirement, but have you considered the TT? depending if you need the full 4/5 seats fo the golf, but the TT boot is pretty decent for the type of car. i've regularly had my bike in the back with the seats folded down and its taken a few ski trips up north with me in winter, can easily get big bags/ cases in for holiday trips.

[richard300]

I have to say, that the soundtrack of that engine is a VERY big draw to the 3.2 engined cars (and i am not opposed to adding a sport exhaust)

Sadly the TT does need ruling out as i have a 3 year old and a 6 year old and whilst we have a current shape family Avensis Diesel for ultimate practicality - I never feel inclined to driver the hatred bloody thing.

[dapearson]

Where do you live? If you're near Brum there's a bloke called Mo (and his bruv) that rents one out. Check the insurance first though.

[Fittster]

richard300 said:

Must meet the following criteria:

...

Requirements as a driver dual clutch transmission,

....

Why that requirement?

[schmalex]

I've just picked up another 630i sport (07 plate from a BMW dealer for £12.5k). They are more of a GT, but are lovely cars to spend time in

[shoestring7]

At the time, pretty much every motoring journalist reckoned the 2wd, 4 banger Gti was a more satisfying steer than the R32.

SS7

[Vladimir]

I had to sell my R32 due to constant tea leaf issues. A great car but I'd go manual.