Golf Mk5 R32 DSG
- Thread starter ChrisD.
- Start date
I've had various GTI's and VW VR6's:
Golf mk3 2.8 VR6 <-- a much earlier and lower capacity 12v version of the same R32 engine
Golf mk4 2.8 V6 4Motion <--the 2.8 version of the R32 24v engine
TT mk1 225 <-- basically a mk5 GTI engine
Corrado 2.9 VR6
Golf mk6 GTI
The mk6 GTI is undoubtedly the better feeling car in terms of handling and tuning if you want to go that route. But I honestly preferred the engine in the mk4 V6. It's a lovely engine and sounds fantastic with loads of low down torque and no lag. I almost bought a mk5 R32 when looking at the mk6 GTI and while I know the GTI is better I think I would have preferred the mk5 R32. I definitely miss the traction of Haldex and the engine has more character than the 4 pot turbo.
The chains on the Corrado VR6 were done at around 120k and the much later and improved mk5 V6 shouldn't be a concern until at least near that unless it has been abused.
Manual though.
Golf mk3 2.8 VR6 <-- a much earlier and lower capacity 12v version of the same R32 engine
Golf mk4 2.8 V6 4Motion <--the 2.8 version of the R32 24v engine
TT mk1 225 <-- basically a mk5 GTI engine
Corrado 2.9 VR6
Golf mk6 GTI
The mk6 GTI is undoubtedly the better feeling car in terms of handling and tuning if you want to go that route. But I honestly preferred the engine in the mk4 V6. It's a lovely engine and sounds fantastic with loads of low down torque and no lag. I almost bought a mk5 R32 when looking at the mk6 GTI and while I know the GTI is better I think I would have preferred the mk5 R32. I definitely miss the traction of Haldex and the engine has more character than the 4 pot turbo.
The chains on the Corrado VR6 were done at around 120k and the much later and improved mk5 V6 shouldn't be a concern until at least near that unless it has been abused.
Manual though.
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Probably. Nevertheless it's a 4 pot turbo made by VAG with similar power and likely to have similar characteristics. What I was trying to get across was that I've driven a number of variations of 4 cylinder turbos and 6 cylinder VR engines from VAG and I personally find the VR6's a better engine, with more character, and suits my driving style more.
Soldato
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- 14 Dec 2013
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My friend has a R32 DSG and it is a lovely hatch, it has a Miltek exhaust and it sounds great and that DSG box is is pretty damn sweet too. The issues I know he has had with it are console bushes, a CV boot and a sensor for the self levelling headlights, nothing major at all.
He loves it and if you get one, I am sure you will too!
He loves it and if you get one, I am sure you will too!
How about a 5 cylinder engined car? The VW V5 can be found in a number of models for not a lot of money. The Toledo would be my pick.
MK5 R32 owner here. Had it for 3+ years now and just love it. Tried a regular GTI before buying it but I preferred the R32 at the end of the day simply because it felt a bit more wafty. As a previous poster said, it's more of a GT car than a GTI+. It felt planted and composed for the kind of driving I do and that heavy V6 is buttery smooth. Makes everything feel effortless, hence the waftyness until you put your foot down or drop it into sport mode 
There's no denying the GTI and ED30 are way more agile though in the twisties. That engine is noticably heavy!
It's a bit thirsty (though not as thirsty as you might think). I average around 22-24 MPG driving to work, mixed urban , A-road and motorways with a good blast here and there. On long drives at 70 I regularly reach an indicated 30 MPG (so maybe be a bit under in realworld figures). Awesome engine note, feels planted literally everywhere in 90% of weather conditions.
In my time of ownership the only things I've had to replace were steering rack that had worn bearings, rear springs as one snapped and a faulty paddle shift on the steering wheel. It's had regular servicing done, DSG and Haldex oil change when I bought it, discs and pads replaced all round as well as tyres, new battery and honestly thats about it. I still have the extended warranty (good for up to 100K, I'm on around 85K) so all of this bar consumables has been covered. It's actually been a very reliable car.
Bottom line is I love it, have no intention of changing anytime soon and bar silly car choices like old american muscle, can't say I'm that bothered on anything else currently. Oh and it's got quite a good following and community Will often get waves and beeps from other R32 owners when on the road.
There's no denying the GTI and ED30 are way more agile though in the twisties. That engine is noticably heavy!It's a bit thirsty (though not as thirsty as you might think). I average around 22-24 MPG driving to work, mixed urban , A-road and motorways with a good blast here and there. On long drives at 70 I regularly reach an indicated 30 MPG (so maybe be a bit under in realworld figures). Awesome engine note, feels planted literally everywhere in 90% of weather conditions.
In my time of ownership the only things I've had to replace were steering rack that had worn bearings, rear springs as one snapped and a faulty paddle shift on the steering wheel. It's had regular servicing done, DSG and Haldex oil change when I bought it, discs and pads replaced all round as well as tyres, new battery and honestly thats about it. I still have the extended warranty (good for up to 100K, I'm on around 85K) so all of this bar consumables has been covered. It's actually been a very reliable car.
Bottom line is I love it, have no intention of changing anytime soon and bar silly car choices like old american muscle, can't say I'm that bothered on anything else currently. Oh and it's got quite a good following and community
Will often get waves and beeps from other R32 owners when on the road.
Not 100% sure but the normal MK5 GTI uses a K03 turbo but the ED30 uses the K04.
I have a VAG 2.0T and it's a very tuneable and reliable engine but it sounds boring. I nearly got a MK5 R32 rather than the S3 but the fuel, tax and tune-ability made me change my mind.
Correct. In the Mk5 the 2.0T came with a k03 in the GTI and a k04 in the ED30. The k04 is the turbo to have, as it can hit / break the 300 BHP barrier with relative ease. It's the same turbo as the S3 and the Leon Cupra.
But the Mk1 TT, as mentioned, uses the 1.8T engine. And the 225 BHP variant uses the k04 turbo, same as the S3 and Leon Cupra R. While still a great, tuneable engine, it kinda peaks out at around 270-280 BHP without a turbo upgrade. Not that that's not enough mind.
But that's all an aside to the original question to be fair. And in answer to that, I couldn't agree more with what you have said. The fuel consumption and tune-ability of the 2.0T engine would always sway me towards that engine. The tax is neither here nor there though, as it is a small cost in comparison to all other costs basically. With the V6, you are swapping tune-ability, a sportier ride and fuel consumption for smoothness and note. For some, that is obviously worth it. For me, I'd prefer the power personally.
The Audi V8, as found in the S4 for example, is a much nicer engine for that. It is only marginally less economical than the V6 in the R32 (like only a couple mpg difference), has proper 4wd and an extra 80-90 BHP. It feels distinctly faster, and, despite it's bigger size, I felt it drove sportier, more "on edge". And prices are similar between mk5 R32 and B7 S4.
If I was looking for a car that gave me note for driving about in, and was happy averaging low-mid 20's, I'd EASILY pick the S4 over the R32 every day of the week. That is why I bought a B6 S4 instead of a mk4 R32 (when swapping out my V6 4Motion).
Yes, I won't disagree with that. They do look more dated than a nice mk5. Which I guess is up to you. Personally, I don't think they look that bad, and on the right wheels, with a little drop, they won't look any worse than a mk5 R32.
Not saying you should do this, but as an idea, they can look quite good...
Not saying you should do this, but as an idea, they can look quite good...
Had a play with a r32 in my 330i yesterday. I wasn't impressed by its speed but it did sound great. The mk5 gti I had a play with last week was like a rabbit making babies. Definitely remapped but they do go like the clappers.
What were you expecting? The R32 isn't a rocket ship, it's only 6.5s to 60 which I imagine is similar to the 330i.
I had a 2006 model for just under a year and no problems at all during that time.
Regretted not getting a manual as found the DSG uninvolving even though it was very smooth. Recaros would have also been nice but very few were spec'd with them.
They are not the best balanced cars but sound amazing.
Regretted not getting a manual as found the DSG uninvolving even though it was very smooth. Recaros would have also been nice but very few were spec'd with them.
They are not the best balanced cars but sound amazing.