Tested Golf R32 with cash ready to buy, left disappointed
Discussion
Been looking for one as a daily driver for a while. Found a well priced one down in Bristol today. Car wasn't too bad on the outside, but needed lots of 'prep' on the outside, little scuffs, marks, laquer peel in one place but....
I would have discussed them sorting all that if I'd enjoyed the test drive. It was a decent price.
I know people said they weren't that quick, but it's a daily drive not a tracktoy so wasn't massively concerned. However I came away without leaving a deposit. Felt very underwelming, yes it went faster than it felt, yes it was smooth, but it just had no go about it. Only felt slightly interesting above 5k rpm, below that I might as well have been in a tdi. I was expecting a bit more drama or excitement for such a big engine in such a small car.
Test drive didn't help, lots of traffic, not huge amounts of space to stretch it's legs. Felt heavy as well, especially in the corners.
Dunno if to still look at another, on proper roads, or to go look at something else. I don't have a long list though to be honest.
I would have discussed them sorting all that if I'd enjoyed the test drive. It was a decent price.
I know people said they weren't that quick, but it's a daily drive not a tracktoy so wasn't massively concerned. However I came away without leaving a deposit. Felt very underwelming, yes it went faster than it felt, yes it was smooth, but it just had no go about it. Only felt slightly interesting above 5k rpm, below that I might as well have been in a tdi. I was expecting a bit more drama or excitement for such a big engine in such a small car.
Test drive didn't help, lots of traffic, not huge amounts of space to stretch it's legs. Felt heavy as well, especially in the corners.
Dunno if to still look at another, on proper roads, or to go look at something else. I don't have a long list though to be honest.
Hark said:
Just sold a mk5 1.9 tdi daily and have a 255 bhp Supercharged VX220.
Before that had a Z4M and a tuned 1.8 Audi TT.
It shouldn't have felt as flat as it did, maybe just got used to the torque of the diesel or I didn't get up the revs enough. I guess I was expecting more...
No wonder the Golf felt heavy Before that had a Z4M and a tuned 1.8 Audi TT.
It shouldn't have felt as flat as it did, maybe just got used to the torque of the diesel or I didn't get up the revs enough. I guess I was expecting more...
I would try a remapped Golf Edition 30 similar money and a hell of a lot faster
Can get 300 stage 1 mods and 330 stage 2 the DSG cars will run high 12's/low 13s on the 1/4 mile at that power level i.e. very bloody fast my mate has one tuned up and it will beat an RS4 from a rolling start!
Can get 300 stage 1 mods and 330 stage 2 the DSG cars will run high 12's/low 13s on the 1/4 mile at that power level i.e. very bloody fast my mate has one tuned up and it will beat an RS4 from a rolling start!
cheddar said:
danjama said:
I can't understand why anybody is interested in these...
R32's?Why?
Big creamy smooth donk in a small body, 4wd, tidy handling and, with the right exhaust, a lovely noise.
Agree with the op though, you're always waiting for fireworks that never actually arrive......
Again, the MKV in manual was a bit better but still...meh.
MKV with DSG though is like the missing link. V6, 4wd and that box is amazing! I had mine for 3 years and would still have it if I didn't need a house to live in
For me, the Mk4 has the looks and noise. The Mk5 only had the noise. Neither handled especially well.
Given your current steeds, perhaps you didn't use the revs? I had a standard VX and it is a bland engine that didn't like to be revved, and i imagine the supercharger makes no massive difference to this characteristic...? Meanwhile, your diesel will give instant acceleration in comparison to the R32 needing to be run out.
I'd probably opt for the ED30. Looks smart and goes well. If you can stretch to a higher mileage Mk6 R, it's more of the same and over 300bhp is a few hundred quid away!
Given your current steeds, perhaps you didn't use the revs? I had a standard VX and it is a bland engine that didn't like to be revved, and i imagine the supercharger makes no massive difference to this characteristic...? Meanwhile, your diesel will give instant acceleration in comparison to the R32 needing to be run out.
I'd probably opt for the ED30. Looks smart and goes well. If you can stretch to a higher mileage Mk6 R, it's more of the same and over 300bhp is a few hundred quid away!
hondansx said:
For me, the Mk4 has the looks and noise. The Mk5 only had the noise. Neither handled especially well.
Given your current steeds, perhaps you didn't use the revs? I had a standard VX and it is a bland engine that didn't like to be revved, and i imagine the supercharger makes no massive difference to this characteristic...? Meanwhile, your diesel will give instant acceleration in comparison to the R32 needing to be run out.
I'd probably opt for the ED30. Looks smart and goes well. If you can stretch to a higher mileage Mk6 R, it's more of the same and over 300bhp is a few hundred quid away!
I owned an ED30 and have driven MK4 and MK5 R32 on road and track - The ED30 beat them both overall, better handling and quicker and more resolved in the real world but I'm older now and the appeal of that lovely 6 pot motor is strong.Given your current steeds, perhaps you didn't use the revs? I had a standard VX and it is a bland engine that didn't like to be revved, and i imagine the supercharger makes no massive difference to this characteristic...? Meanwhile, your diesel will give instant acceleration in comparison to the R32 needing to be run out.
I'd probably opt for the ED30. Looks smart and goes well. If you can stretch to a higher mileage Mk6 R, it's more of the same and over 300bhp is a few hundred quid away!
As for revving the R32 right out even then they still seem quite slow, the engine's so smooth that you feel like you needed another 2000rpm - more so in the MK5 than MK4 but it applies to both.
They're heavy - MK4 1500 odd kilos, MK5 nearly 1600kg, you'll be getting along well in either but it's the refinement that tells you otherwise, that's why I suggested an aftermarket exhaust to at least give more impression of speed.
It's not how quickly they go, more how they go quickly.
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