2007 VW Golf R32 any good?
- Thread starter Crezzlin
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A Mk1 Focus RS is worth a shout.
It may be older than both the R32 and GTI but will far out handle both and with a few choice modifications will see you over 300bhp. The only downside being ride quality can be very harsh but the way it handles makes up for it
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It may be older than both the R32 and GTI but will far out handle both and with a few choice modifications will see you over 300bhp. The only downside being ride quality can be very harsh but the way it handles makes up for it
.A Mk1 Focus RS is worth a shout.
It may be older than both the R32 and GTI but will far out handle both and with a few choice modifications will see you over 300bhp. The only downside being ride quality can be very harsh but the way it handles makes up for it
....and it's looking very very dated inside and out.
The MK1 Focus RS is a bit of a fanboys car really and unless the OP's GF is desperately after one there are much better newer cars now available for the same money.
I would say inside yes dated, but on the outside still looks quite modern and to drive feels like a modern car.
Your probably right on the fanboy thing, but drive one and i'm sure anyone would be easily turned
Golf GTI in my eyes is not a hot hatch...more a warm one
Your probably right on the fanboy thing, but drive one and i'm sure anyone would be easily turned
Golf GTI in my eyes is not a hot hatch...more a warm one
Caporegime
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Golf GTI in my eyes is not a hot hatch...more a warm one
Out of interest what makes the Mk1 Focus RS a hot hatch and the Golf GTI not?
12BHP apparently
I can understand the Fiesta ST being warm hatch with 150BHP but 200 (230 for Ed 30) is pushing it a bit!
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
It's really not. There is no denying that its a nice car but its age and price means its now only an enthusiasts car. If you want one, you know about it, if you dont know you want one, then you really don't. The Mk5 Golf is a step up in almost every way, as you'd expect from a newer generation car.
Golf GTI in my eyes is not a hot hatch...more a warm one
Ah, I see. A fanboy.
The current model Edition 35 looks far far better than the standard GTI as well. In fact in the showroom it looked better than the R IMO.
Soldato
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Agreed ED 30 and ED 35 are both fantastic looking cars. If I need a hatch back for my new car (have my heart set on a 370Z) then I'm sure the GTI will get a look in!
Soldato
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[TW]Fox;21083108 said:..then the 370Z is perfect! As it's a hatchback
You know what I mean though, a hatch back with some space e.g. 5 seats and a boot, can't really call the 370z's boot spacious.
I, well, my gf, drives a mk4 R32 as a daily driver. Although not a mk5 perhaps I can give you an idea of what the mk4 is like in certain aspects. Yes it has a V6 is responsive and it picks up quickly.... But the car feels heavy. The steering is very light, same with the handful of Golfs I've driven and it's well put together. It's nearly 9 years old and there's hardly any squeaks or rattles. But did I mention that it feels heavy? Its not nimble is perhaps a better way of describing it.
Exhaust note is nice to a point but motorway cruising can be a bit tiresome if at a certain rev range with exhaust drone. Not sure if mk5s would be the same. It will come as no surprise and as previously mentioned on here that it's thirsty. In my experience I see high teen mpg when on a bit of a hoon, and low to mid 20s on a cruise. 30 is but a dream. My gf finds a few more mpg in each category. Servicing seems relatively inexpensive and touch wood I've not had any serious trouble.
Couple of other points, assuming mk5 is the same. You won't win any traffic light grand prixs against other hot hatches, if that's what you're after. You need to hit 3rd gear to reach 60.... But, this does mean it is fantastic on the move and 2nd, 3rd and 4th make overtaking quite simple. 6th gear is responsive at motorway speeds if you need a quick change of pace.
Would I buy another? I genuinely dont know. I like the mk4 Golf shape in sportier models but theyre getting old now. Mk5 is a bit funny looking for me and in R32 variant I think the exhausts look a little odd and the shape doesn't quite do it, but they attract less attention as a result, attracting attention is something my gf doesn't like about the mk4. It's a well put together car, but beware of the spec you buy, there are some lower spec'd mk5 R32s out there with regard to interior and on a like for like comparison this is where you would see a positive difference vs a GTI in my opinion.
A change of job role has meant more miles for her, so fuel is more of a consideration. As nice as the V6 is, if I were buying again I'd opt for a newer S3. But I have a real issue. I like hatchbacks, their practicability (R32 great for a run to the tip or Ikea), but I like things like sunroofs, leather heated seats etc. I don't like OTT body kit, excessive lights and generl brashness that blights many cars. So for me the "quality hot hatch" choice is slim. Try finding a 5 door S3 with sunroof. Nigh on impossible, but if I was in the market for a replacement this is where I'd look (presuming diesel is ruled out, then then find a nice looking sporty diesel hatch that's nota 1 series, which do not do it for me).
Only way to see if you like it is take one out. They are more of a stable b road bomber than a traffic light hot hatch. V6 noise coming at the cost of 22mpg.
Typed on iPhone. Please excuse spelling and grammar gremlins.
Exhaust note is nice to a point but motorway cruising can be a bit tiresome if at a certain rev range with exhaust drone. Not sure if mk5s would be the same. It will come as no surprise and as previously mentioned on here that it's thirsty. In my experience I see high teen mpg when on a bit of a hoon, and low to mid 20s on a cruise. 30 is but a dream. My gf finds a few more mpg in each category. Servicing seems relatively inexpensive and touch wood I've not had any serious trouble.
Couple of other points, assuming mk5 is the same. You won't win any traffic light grand prixs against other hot hatches, if that's what you're after. You need to hit 3rd gear to reach 60.... But, this does mean it is fantastic on the move and 2nd, 3rd and 4th make overtaking quite simple. 6th gear is responsive at motorway speeds if you need a quick change of pace.
Would I buy another? I genuinely dont know. I like the mk4 Golf shape in sportier models but theyre getting old now. Mk5 is a bit funny looking for me and in R32 variant I think the exhausts look a little odd and the shape doesn't quite do it, but they attract less attention as a result, attracting attention is something my gf doesn't like about the mk4. It's a well put together car, but beware of the spec you buy, there are some lower spec'd mk5 R32s out there with regard to interior and on a like for like comparison this is where you would see a positive difference vs a GTI in my opinion.
A change of job role has meant more miles for her, so fuel is more of a consideration. As nice as the V6 is, if I were buying again I'd opt for a newer S3. But I have a real issue. I like hatchbacks, their practicability (R32 great for a run to the tip or Ikea), but I like things like sunroofs, leather heated seats etc. I don't like OTT body kit, excessive lights and generl brashness that blights many cars. So for me the "quality hot hatch" choice is slim. Try finding a 5 door S3 with sunroof. Nigh on impossible, but if I was in the market for a replacement this is where I'd look (presuming diesel is ruled out, then then find a nice looking sporty diesel hatch that's nota 1 series, which do not do it for me).
Only way to see if you like it is take one out. They are more of a stable b road bomber than a traffic light hot hatch. V6 noise coming at the cost of 22mpg.
Typed on iPhone. Please excuse spelling and grammar gremlins.
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I wanted to test drive the 35 but they said it wouldn't be possible due to numbers. Test driving the standard GTI although from what I've read the 35 is completely different due to the fact it uses the older 2.0T unit and needs to be worked harder.
Soldato
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I would imagine the ED 35 uses the same 2.0 tsi from the R in a de tuned form which is different from the older 2.0 tsi from the GTI
Bought my wife a Mk5 GTi when they first came out, great car. Loaned a Mk5 R32 when they arrived with a view to swapping and didn't see the point. Felt heavier, didn't feel as much fun or really any quicker in most situations and the 4WD simply added nothing of real benefit most of the time. Sounded OK but didn't see the extra money was well spent so we kept the GTi.
The ED35 is a detuned R engine. But that's an FSI as opposed to the MkVI GTI, which is TSI.
I think
The GTI has the newer engine, the R and Ed35 have the older unit, but with uprated this that and the other.
Has anyone actually owned a Mk5 R32?
I always heard statements about being nose heavy and generally heavy in general, and how the sound is just a short novelty that wore off.
Going from a FWD A3, FWD Gti, R32 and then a Quattro A3 V6 I haven't noticed differences that would put me off like people mention.
You do feel a heavier steering wheel and the car behaves differently, you should expect that with a 250kg haldex system in place! In short the R32 good points are the looks, interior, standard options, noise and grip. To actually live with one, the handling, comparing with a GTI and so on factors fade away ever so quickly.
The biggest disadvantages I find are the yearly fuel tax and the really really low mpg. Plus the DSG box is a nightmare when it goes wrong!
I always heard statements about being nose heavy and generally heavy in general, and how the sound is just a short novelty that wore off.
Going from a FWD A3, FWD Gti, R32 and then a Quattro A3 V6 I haven't noticed differences that would put me off like people mention.
You do feel a heavier steering wheel and the car behaves differently, you should expect that with a 250kg haldex system in place! In short the R32 good points are the looks, interior, standard options, noise and grip. To actually live with one, the handling, comparing with a GTI and so on factors fade away ever so quickly.
The biggest disadvantages I find are the yearly fuel tax and the really really low mpg. Plus the DSG box is a nightmare when it goes wrong!
You say that like you are suprised but given that none of us like it, why would we then go and buy one?
Of course the differences 'fade away' - you are no longer comparing with the GTI, therefore the comparison begins to fade. That doesn't mean the difference isnt there though, it is. The positives of the R32 over the GTI would 'fade away' if you had a GTI, too.
The fact you've had so many of what is fundamentally the same car would suggest to me too that you've not really found one you are totally happy with. I mean... 4 of pretty much the same car on the same platform?
I still think the GTI is the one to get, or the V6 A3 because its disadvantages over the GTI are countered by the fact they are astoundingly good value for money.
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