r32 mk4 vs r32 mk5
Discussion
MK4 if you want the purest drive, the more fun looks, the widebody, there is more support for MK4's mechanically, better residuals
MK5 if you want it to be slightly quicker, launch control, DSG as an option for quick shifts (I know you said you wanted manual), Recaro Wingbacks, a prettier shape, more practical, newer, marginally better economy
Each one has it's pros and cons but if it was a DD i'd be going MK5
MK5 if you want it to be slightly quicker, launch control, DSG as an option for quick shifts (I know you said you wanted manual), Recaro Wingbacks, a prettier shape, more practical, newer, marginally better economy
Each one has it's pros and cons but if it was a DD i'd be going MK5
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 28th May 10:14
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 28th May 10:15
I wouldn't turbo either as it costs a fortune and they're pretty fragile engines with boost. I wouldn't get a manual either, although the MK5 has the better gearbox (stronger) and shift precision of the two. Neither are good at holding turbo torque. The DSG can take a lot more.
DSG + R32 is like strawberries and cream and waaaaaay better than the manual. 2.0 turbo + DSG is nowhere near as special, but I'd still take it over a manual every time on VWs. I get the preference for manual interaction, but this is no Honda S2000 gearbox, it's a crappy, agricultural, ancient, under developed, dim witted VW gearbox.
Of the two, technically the MK5 is the better car. Hugely stiffer body shell, better suspension, better Haldex, better refinement (MK4s have terrible exhaust drone), better everything. It just looks utterly bland, which is it's only let down. It can be improved though, by binning the tacky chrome grille and fitting the BBS Pesceras from the Editon 30.
The MK4 was the first 'R' and you could tell. Bilstein B6 dampers, H&R springs and ARBs as standard. Bespoke bumpers, bespoke Konig front seats, lovely Ronal wheels, unique within the MK4 range twin exit exhaust, bigger sill covers etc etc. VW actually put some effort into it. I know it's still just a 4 Motion with some tasty bits bolted on, but it's a much better effort than the MK5!!!
If you really must turbo it, then get a MK5 and get the HGP kit from Germany if you want the best, otherwise there's HPA in Canada plus a whole host of other kits out there.
DSG + R32 is like strawberries and cream and waaaaaay better than the manual. 2.0 turbo + DSG is nowhere near as special, but I'd still take it over a manual every time on VWs. I get the preference for manual interaction, but this is no Honda S2000 gearbox, it's a crappy, agricultural, ancient, under developed, dim witted VW gearbox.
Of the two, technically the MK5 is the better car. Hugely stiffer body shell, better suspension, better Haldex, better refinement (MK4s have terrible exhaust drone), better everything. It just looks utterly bland, which is it's only let down. It can be improved though, by binning the tacky chrome grille and fitting the BBS Pesceras from the Editon 30.
The MK4 was the first 'R' and you could tell. Bilstein B6 dampers, H&R springs and ARBs as standard. Bespoke bumpers, bespoke Konig front seats, lovely Ronal wheels, unique within the MK4 range twin exit exhaust, bigger sill covers etc etc. VW actually put some effort into it. I know it's still just a 4 Motion with some tasty bits bolted on, but it's a much better effort than the MK5!!!
If you really must turbo it, then get a MK5 and get the HGP kit from Germany if you want the best, otherwise there's HPA in Canada plus a whole host of other kits out there.
I have owned both and echo everything above.
mk4 had lots of special bespoke touches but suffered from a few bugs common to the mk4 platform (eg engine cooling fans failing) and a few of its own making like the horrible standard exhaust (Miltek upgrade is a must), eating front strut top mounts and the ECU update which rectified some performance issues. But I still look at pictures of it and think what a stunning car it was in deep blue pearl.
mk5 was better overall due to the mk5 platform and I did over 110k miles in it over 6 years. Mine was not without its issues to be honest like DSG mechatronics, 2 steering racks, DMF to name the most expensive.
I kind of think it was much like the mk4 in that they shoe horned the engine in and stiffened up the suspension on what was just a golf designed for a small 4 pot with fwd. Consequently there was always on going maintenance of replacing bushes etc that just were not up to the job of the increased weight and performance.
All sounds a bit negative but I still loved them both!
mk4 had lots of special bespoke touches but suffered from a few bugs common to the mk4 platform (eg engine cooling fans failing) and a few of its own making like the horrible standard exhaust (Miltek upgrade is a must), eating front strut top mounts and the ECU update which rectified some performance issues. But I still look at pictures of it and think what a stunning car it was in deep blue pearl.
mk5 was better overall due to the mk5 platform and I did over 110k miles in it over 6 years. Mine was not without its issues to be honest like DSG mechatronics, 2 steering racks, DMF to name the most expensive.
I kind of think it was much like the mk4 in that they shoe horned the engine in and stiffened up the suspension on what was just a golf designed for a small 4 pot with fwd. Consequently there was always on going maintenance of replacing bushes etc that just were not up to the job of the increased weight and performance.
All sounds a bit negative but I still loved them both!
dogbucket said:
I have owned both and echo everything above.
mk4 had lots of special bespoke touches but suffered from a few bugs common to the mk4 platform (eg engine cooling fans failing) and a few of its own making like the horrible standard exhaust (Miltek upgrade is a must), eating front strut top mounts and the ECU update which rectified some performance issues. But I still look at pictures of it and think what a stunning car it was in deep blue pearl.
mk5 was better overall due to the mk5 platform and I did over 110k miles in it over 6 years. Mine was not without its issues to be honest like DSG mechatronics, 2 steering racks, DMF to name the most expensive.
I kind of think it was much like the mk4 in that they shoe horned the engine in and stiffened up the suspension on what was just a golf designed for a small 4 pot with fwd. Consequently there was always on going maintenance of replacing bushes etc that just were not up to the job of the increased weight and performance.
All sounds a bit negative but I still loved them both!
The fan issues are not exclusive to the mk4 mk4 had lots of special bespoke touches but suffered from a few bugs common to the mk4 platform (eg engine cooling fans failing) and a few of its own making like the horrible standard exhaust (Miltek upgrade is a must), eating front strut top mounts and the ECU update which rectified some performance issues. But I still look at pictures of it and think what a stunning car it was in deep blue pearl.
mk5 was better overall due to the mk5 platform and I did over 110k miles in it over 6 years. Mine was not without its issues to be honest like DSG mechatronics, 2 steering racks, DMF to name the most expensive.
I kind of think it was much like the mk4 in that they shoe horned the engine in and stiffened up the suspension on what was just a golf designed for a small 4 pot with fwd. Consequently there was always on going maintenance of replacing bushes etc that just were not up to the job of the increased weight and performance.
All sounds a bit negative but I still loved them both!
My first mk5 was a bit of a nightmare. Top mounts, cv joints, mechatronics, rattling from everywhere, flexipipes blown being amongst the very common faults on these.
It still hasn't put me off getting another though. Hoping to keep this one permanently. It's garaged through the week and will make rare weekend appearances.
It can be very hard to find a decent spec one, but this has it all - milltek, DSG, recaros, rns 510, tornado red (favourite and one of the rarest), only 70k miles, full main dealer service history.
The only thing i need to get is cruise retrofitted and my small fan replaced.
dogbucket said:
I have owned both and echo everything above.
mk4 had lots of special bespoke touches but suffered from a few bugs common to the mk4 platform (eg engine cooling fans failing) and a few of its own making like the horrible standard exhaust (Miltek upgrade is a must), eating front strut top mounts and the ECU update which rectified some performance issues. But I still look at pictures of it and think what a stunning car it was in deep blue pearl.
mk5 was better overall due to the mk5 platform and I did over 110k miles in it over 6 years. Mine was not without its issues to be honest like DSG mechatronics, 2 steering racks, DMF to name the most expensive.
I kind of think it was much like the mk4 in that they shoe horned the engine in and stiffened up the suspension on what was just a golf designed for a small 4 pot with fwd. Consequently there was always on going maintenance of replacing bushes etc that just were not up to the job of the increased weight and performance.
All sounds a bit negative but I still loved them both!
Yeah MK5s like eating steering racks. Same old story with over tyred hatchbacks for decades unfortunately. My Corrado needed 2, my MK2 16Vs needed racks, my MK4 R32 needed one (and tie rods) and my 4 and 6 pot MK5s also need steering racks.....only on the MK5 it's a £1600 part + £100 for a loom, vs £500 for a MK4 rack!mk4 had lots of special bespoke touches but suffered from a few bugs common to the mk4 platform (eg engine cooling fans failing) and a few of its own making like the horrible standard exhaust (Miltek upgrade is a must), eating front strut top mounts and the ECU update which rectified some performance issues. But I still look at pictures of it and think what a stunning car it was in deep blue pearl.
mk5 was better overall due to the mk5 platform and I did over 110k miles in it over 6 years. Mine was not without its issues to be honest like DSG mechatronics, 2 steering racks, DMF to name the most expensive.
I kind of think it was much like the mk4 in that they shoe horned the engine in and stiffened up the suspension on what was just a golf designed for a small 4 pot with fwd. Consequently there was always on going maintenance of replacing bushes etc that just were not up to the job of the increased weight and performance.
All sounds a bit negative but I still loved them both!
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff