Is the Mk5 Golf r32 still a good buy?
Discussion
Good evening,
Just a quick question is the Golf r32 in Mk5 guise still a good buy, granted they may be people who thought this was never a good buy and I've asked this on the r32 owners club but I thought I would open it up to some more slightly less biased opinions.
Basically a need a bigger car family car with some poke and there're isn't a lot that interests me, however the r32 is a car that ticks a few boxes. My only concern is that he newest model I could feasibly purchase would be an 09 plate so not he newest, I understand they are usually quite reliable. I only do about 30 miles a day for work and a bit of a weekend blast so the mpg wouldn't really be that much of an issue.
Any opinions or first hand experience wokld be very welcome.
Thanks
Glenn
Just a quick question is the Golf r32 in Mk5 guise still a good buy, granted they may be people who thought this was never a good buy and I've asked this on the r32 owners club but I thought I would open it up to some more slightly less biased opinions.
Basically a need a bigger car family car with some poke and there're isn't a lot that interests me, however the r32 is a car that ticks a few boxes. My only concern is that he newest model I could feasibly purchase would be an 09 plate so not he newest, I understand they are usually quite reliable. I only do about 30 miles a day for work and a bit of a weekend blast so the mpg wouldn't really be that much of an issue.
Any opinions or first hand experience wokld be very welcome.
Thanks
Glenn
thebraketester said:
Anything newer than a 2006 means 450quid road tax.
Where do you get your tax from? I am sure mine was £500 last time I renewed, maybe more I can't quite remember. To be honest I don't care it's a great car and although not the quickest it's not the slowest either. There are quite a few threads on here with people asking the same question which then brings out all of the haters saying it's too slow and heavy and you should buy a gti. On paper the r32 is quicker than both the mk5 and mk6 gti but in reality it's down to the driver.
I love my 09 plate R32, it sounds great, can be driven all day long in complete comfort (unlike my e39!) can sit quite happily returning 33+mpg on a motorway or can also quite happily return 15mpg on twisty bits and give you a smile at the same time. However due to the haldex setup the boot is tiny. We struggled to get family paraphernalia in so ended up getting a banger e39 for family ferrying duty.
Reliability wise as long as it is looked after then they are just as reliable as other golfs. I have had the abs module and ignition barrel replaced both of which are common faults. The abs module (sensor inside) was a common problem on a lot of makes at the time I think. Cam chains can be an issue but this was more of a mk4 problem and although they can make a slight noise on the mk5 people have have them changed only for the noise to return a few hundred miles later and just carry on running. It may be worth looking on the r32oc forum for more info on this.
Servicing is slightly more expensive from vw compared to the normal 4 cylinder golfs and you need haldex and if you have one dsg servicing every 40k. Going to a decent specialist though will save you money or if you want to stay with VW then they may price match or provide your own oil and it will bring the cost down.
Edited by Mr-captain on Monday 13th February 07:43
Always admired them too, just something about them. Could not justify one though as it would need to be a daily driver and i probably couldnt live with the fuel consumption.
You will find some good and bad examples, most people that own them tend to be enthusiasts though.
The opinion seems to be that they are all show and no go but i would want to take a test drive first to make my mind up.
You will find some good and bad examples, most people that own them tend to be enthusiasts though.
The opinion seems to be that they are all show and no go but i would want to take a test drive first to make my mind up.
ChrisRS6 said:
Apart from noise your better off with a GTI or similar.
Expect lack of torque...thirsty and now in the hands of numerous chavs around my way.
I've had two....god knows why I bought the second one?
The MK5 r32 is around 320Nm, standard gti is 280Nm. Take the weight into account and they are both around 210Nm/Ton. I think the lack of torque feeling is probably down to being N/A vs Forced induction. It's a car you either love or hate and the op should make up their own mind and go and drive one. Expect lack of torque...thirsty and now in the hands of numerous chavs around my way.
I've had two....god knows why I bought the second one?
Edit to add dyno print out from my car, it would be interesting to see what the tourqe graph is like compared to a standard gti.
I know dynos are a bit hit and miss but I was doing some work for the guy who owned the dyno so asked him to put my car on for a laugh.
Edited by Mr-captain on Tuesday 14th February 08:22
Edited by Mr-captain on Tuesday 14th February 08:24
Edited by Mr-captain on Wednesday 15th February 07:28
There was an R32 thread similar to this literally last week!
I loved my R32. it was a late 2009 car, in Tornado Red and had everything bar the Recaros. If your looking at 58/09 cars you will find an awful lot had 'poverty spec' - during the peak of the credit crunch, VW were inundated with sitting ducks and literally needed to whack these R32s out. Finding a late build car with a good spec is rare, as most will come with cltoh seats and / or a boggo RCD300/500 CD player. You want Vienna Leather and the later RNS510 nav at the very least (in my opinion!).
Generally, running gear is pretty bombproof. Only thing i had to change in my two year ownership was a new radiator which was an eye watering £400 from the main dealer, which was mostly labour as its a git to change. Leaking rads are common across the whole mk5 range. Timimg chains arent really an issue but the tensioners are, especially on cars which have had a hard life.. pay attention to rattles if and when you go to see one on start up and idle.
A full service at the dealer (oil change, filters, 6 plugs, haldex oil (every 40k) etc) was circa £400 aswell. It was my second car but i am so glad i have owned one and do not regret having it over a GTi etc.. they will be faster especially after a remap and what not but they have no character what so ever.. not many 4cyl ever will regardless of how much power or fancy diffs they have! It's an itch you need to scratch so i say go for it.
I think many people take a dislike to the R32 because they dont understand its purpose- it is NOT a hot hatch. A GTi/ED30 is. It is an effortless cruiser/mile muncher that will also put a smile on your face on a nice B road when the time is right (and you wont understeer yourself into a hedge with a billion bhp through the front wheels).
Simply, buy on condition, spec and history over mileage.
I loved my R32. it was a late 2009 car, in Tornado Red and had everything bar the Recaros. If your looking at 58/09 cars you will find an awful lot had 'poverty spec' - during the peak of the credit crunch, VW were inundated with sitting ducks and literally needed to whack these R32s out. Finding a late build car with a good spec is rare, as most will come with cltoh seats and / or a boggo RCD300/500 CD player. You want Vienna Leather and the later RNS510 nav at the very least (in my opinion!).
Generally, running gear is pretty bombproof. Only thing i had to change in my two year ownership was a new radiator which was an eye watering £400 from the main dealer, which was mostly labour as its a git to change. Leaking rads are common across the whole mk5 range. Timimg chains arent really an issue but the tensioners are, especially on cars which have had a hard life.. pay attention to rattles if and when you go to see one on start up and idle.
A full service at the dealer (oil change, filters, 6 plugs, haldex oil (every 40k) etc) was circa £400 aswell. It was my second car but i am so glad i have owned one and do not regret having it over a GTi etc.. they will be faster especially after a remap and what not but they have no character what so ever.. not many 4cyl ever will regardless of how much power or fancy diffs they have! It's an itch you need to scratch so i say go for it.
I think many people take a dislike to the R32 because they dont understand its purpose- it is NOT a hot hatch. A GTi/ED30 is. It is an effortless cruiser/mile muncher that will also put a smile on your face on a nice B road when the time is right (and you wont understeer yourself into a hedge with a billion bhp through the front wheels).
Simply, buy on condition, spec and history over mileage.
Edited by irfan1712 on Tuesday 14th February 08:52
Mr-captain said:
Where do you get your tax from? I am sure mine was £500 last time I renewed, maybe more I can't quite remember.
To be honest I don't care it's a great car and although not the quickest it's not the slowest either. There are quite a few threads on here with people asking the same question which then brings out all of the haters saying it's too slow and heavy and you should buy a gti. On paper the r32 is quicker than both the mk5 and mk6 gti but in reality it's down to the driver.
I love my 09 plate R32, it sounds great, can be driven all day long in complete comfort (unlike my e39!) can sit quite happily returning 33+mpg on a motorway or can also quite happily return 15mpg on twisty bits and give you a smile at the same time. However due to the haldex setup the boot is tiny. We struggled to get family paraphernalia in so ended up getting a banger e39 for family ferrying duty.
Reliability wise as long as it is looked after then they are just as reliable as other golfs. I have had the abs module and ignition barrel replaced both of which are common faults. The abs module (sensor inside) was a common problem on a lot of makes at the time I think. Cam chains can be an issue but this was more of a mk4 problem and although they can make a slight noise on the mk5 people have have them changed only for the noise to return a few hundred miles later and just carry on running. It may be worth looking on the r32oc forum for more info on this.
Servicing is slightly more expensive from vw compared to the normal 4 cylinder golfs and you need haldex and if you have one dsg servicing every 40k. Going to a decent specialist though will save you money or if you want to stay with VW then they may price match or provide your own oil and it will bring the cost down.
Ahh ok. My figures must be wrong but it's still true that pre 2006 is much cheaper in road road. To be honest I don't care it's a great car and although not the quickest it's not the slowest either. There are quite a few threads on here with people asking the same question which then brings out all of the haters saying it's too slow and heavy and you should buy a gti. On paper the r32 is quicker than both the mk5 and mk6 gti but in reality it's down to the driver.
I love my 09 plate R32, it sounds great, can be driven all day long in complete comfort (unlike my e39!) can sit quite happily returning 33+mpg on a motorway or can also quite happily return 15mpg on twisty bits and give you a smile at the same time. However due to the haldex setup the boot is tiny. We struggled to get family paraphernalia in so ended up getting a banger e39 for family ferrying duty.
Reliability wise as long as it is looked after then they are just as reliable as other golfs. I have had the abs module and ignition barrel replaced both of which are common faults. The abs module (sensor inside) was a common problem on a lot of makes at the time I think. Cam chains can be an issue but this was more of a mk4 problem and although they can make a slight noise on the mk5 people have have them changed only for the noise to return a few hundred miles later and just carry on running. It may be worth looking on the r32oc forum for more info on this.
Servicing is slightly more expensive from vw compared to the normal 4 cylinder golfs and you need haldex and if you have one dsg servicing every 40k. Going to a decent specialist though will save you money or if you want to stay with VW then they may price match or provide your own oil and it will bring the cost down.
Edited by Mr-captain on Monday 13th February 07:43
R32 is a lovely car and they do make a great sound but they are a bit lethargic.
I've been running an 06 R32 for the last 8 months or so, just hit 80k on the engine. The two cars I ran previous to it were Renaultsports (Clio 182 and Megane R26).
Everything above is pretty spot on. The Golf, shockingly, can't touch the Renaults on the twisty bits, it's just not that type of car. It is however a great cruiser, and very little sounds as nice. I've averaged 28MPG, commuting in through Bristol but a fair few long motorway blast as well.
Everything above is pretty spot on. The Golf, shockingly, can't touch the Renaults on the twisty bits, it's just not that type of car. It is however a great cruiser, and very little sounds as nice. I've averaged 28MPG, commuting in through Bristol but a fair few long motorway blast as well.
IrateNinja said:
I've been running an 06 R32 for the last 8 months or so, just hit 80k on the engine. The two cars I ran previous to it were Renaultsports (Clio 182 and Megane R26).
Everything above is pretty spot on. The Golf, shockingly, can't touch the Renaults on the twisty bits, it's just not that type of car. It is however a great cruiser, and very little sounds as nice. I've averaged 28MPG, commuting in through Bristol but a fair few long motorway blast as well.
Interesting thanks.Everything above is pretty spot on. The Golf, shockingly, can't touch the Renaults on the twisty bits, it's just not that type of car. It is however a great cruiser, and very little sounds as nice. I've averaged 28MPG, commuting in through Bristol but a fair few long motorway blast as well.
I currently run a clio 200ff for nearly 2 years, keep looking at the r32, ed30 etc as I'm pulled torwards the more useable power and more 'solid' feel. Time to drive a few.
Mr-captain said:
brings out all of the haters saying it's too slow and heavy and you should buy a gti. On paper the r32 is quicker than both the mk5 and mk6 gti but in reality it's down to the driver.
I love my 09 plate R32,
Apart from the Mk6 GTI ED35 which is quicker 'on paper' but I guess depends on the drivers.... I love my 09 plate R32,
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 13th February 07:43
What a fanboy
Learn2MergeInTurn said:
Apart from the Mk6 GTI ED35 which is quicker 'on paper' but I guess depends on the drivers....
Depends on what you compare. According to fastest laps the R32 is quicker over 1/4 mile and 0-60 (only just) but the Ed35 is quicker 0-100mph, parkers also agrees with the 0-60 times, the Ed35 is faster once the speed increases and will handle better but wont be able to put the power down as well as the R32 in greasy conditions. Get them on a track and a decent driver can make either car look faster. And out on the open road the performance close enough to make sure that it will be down to conditions and how much of an idiot the driver is willing to be.If I was in the op's shoes I would go and drive one and make up my own mind. And I am that much of a fanboy that personally I wouldn't be looking at golfs for a family car and would probably be looking at something bigger. If good E90 335i weren't like rocking horse excrement when we needed a bigger car I would have sold the R32 and got one instead of buying the e39 that I use as a daily now, the boot is way to small on the Golf. It's amazing how much crap needs moving around when you have kids.
Mr-captain said:
Learn2MergeInTurn said:
Apart from the Mk6 GTI ED35 which is quicker 'on paper' but I guess depends on the drivers....
Depends on what you compare. According to fastest laps the R32 is quicker over 1/4 mile and 0-60 (only just) but the Ed35 is quicker 0-100mph, parkers also agrees with the 0-60 times, the Ed35 is faster once the speed increases and will handle better but wont be able to put the power down as well as the R32 in greasy conditions. Get them on a track and a decent driver can make either car look faster. And out on the open road the performance close enough to make sure that it will be down to conditions and how much of an idiot the driver is willing to be.If I was in the op's shoes I would go and drive one and make up my own mind. And I am that much of a fanboy that personally I wouldn't be looking at golfs for a family car and would probably be looking at something bigger. If good E90 335i weren't like rocking horse excrement when we needed a bigger car I would have sold the R32 and got one instead of buying the e39 that I use as a daily now, the boot is way to small on the Golf. It's amazing how much crap needs moving around when you have kids.
We have one child (1yr) and the boot is big enough for the pushchair.
Each to there own and stuff, OP might find enough room in either car.
NewRulesPaul said:
Reasonable. I drove a r32 years ago and didn't like it and after recently getting rid of a mk4 1.8t I got a ed35.
We have one child (1yr) and the boot is big enough for the pushchair.
Each to there own and stuff, OP might find enough room in either car.
Not sure how the mk6 compares to the mk5 when it comes to boot space but you loose a bit due to the floor being raised in the R32. We managed for a while but once the pushchair was in the boot it was full. It was ok for days out but when we wanted to go away for anything longer than a few days it meant bags everywhere. Now the little'un is a little older it's not so bad but it we find it sooo much easier with a bigger car, and roof box for good measure lol. I had a mk4 1.8T Anni a few cars before getting the r32, along with my RS2000 it's a car I wish I never let go We have one child (1yr) and the boot is big enough for the pushchair.
Each to there own and stuff, OP might find enough room in either car.
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