Caporegime
- Joined
- 8 Jan 2004
- Posts
- 32,911
- Location
- Rutland
Golf Mk5 R32 DSG
- Thread starter ChrisD.
- Start date
Its a very heavy car for what it is and actually considering the size of engine doesn't have a huge amount of horses! 250 for a 3.2l engine feels a tad on the light side. it's only marginly quicker than the GTI in stock guise but can put it's power down better.
It takes a significant bhp (/t) difference for anything to be noticeably quicker. They're nippy enough but heavy and reasonably refined.
I personally would prefer even a 3.2 b7 a4 but they definitely don't have the looks
I'd thought I'd revive an old thread rather than start a similar new one as in the next few days I'll collect a DBP DSG R32 
I really can't wait, been looking forward to this for a long long time. I totally get the GTi/ED30 arguement but this is definitely the right car for me.
Previous car history includes a couple of RS Turbo's, many MK1&2 Golfs with interesting engine swaps, a Golf Rallye, E46 M3 SMG, B6 S4 Avant and more recently... 3x Audi A2's! (I have developed a thing for them!)
Rough spec is
DBP
5 door
DSG
Wingback Recaro seats
RNS510
As far as I can tell all other options apart from Cruise (which I will retrofit) & sunroof (which I'll live without)
I really can't wait, been looking forward to this for a long long time. I totally get the GTi/ED30 arguement but this is definitely the right car for me.Previous car history includes a couple of RS Turbo's, many MK1&2 Golfs with interesting engine swaps, a Golf Rallye, E46 M3 SMG, B6 S4 Avant and more recently... 3x Audi A2's! (I have developed a thing for them!)
Rough spec is
DBP
5 door
DSG
Wingback Recaro seats
RNS510
As far as I can tell all other options apart from Cruise (which I will retrofit) & sunroof (which I'll live without)
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Sep 2015
- Posts
- 4,101
Keep an eye on the seats, the clips on the Recaro seats were a bit of a weakness and you'd end up with sagging leather.
I miss my R32.
I miss my R32.
I'd thought I'd revive an old thread rather than start a similar new one as in the next few days I'll collect a DBP DSG R32
Previous car history includes a couple of RS Turbo's, many MK1&2 Golfs with interesting engine swaps, a Golf Rallye, E46 M3 SMG, B6 S4 Avant and more recently... 3x Audi A2's! (I have developed a thing for them!)
Rough spec is
DBP
5 door
DSG
Wingback Recaro seats
RNS510
As far as I can tell all other options apart from Cruise (which I will retrofit) & sunroof (which I'll live without)
I'm not a fan of the Recaro's, yes they are great seats and look great but the standard ones in the Gti are a lot more comfortable and you still don't move around in them
As for the sunroof, ******* nightmare! I lost my top spec 5 door gti in a snow accident. took me 4 months to find a similar spec but had to settle for a 3 door with a sunroof. Didn't know it at the time but the sunroof run off's easily get blocked and flood the car. Yeah, the kids love it for standing up through at the safari park etc and for cruising around in the sun but overall, it's a royal pain in the ass. Also, don't consider doing 100+ with it open
Cruise is easy to retro so you'll be fine there.
Love me gti but I'm at the point now where I can either look at throwing £5-7k into it for a k04 hybrid turbo + extra bits and handling bits or just part ex it on a B8 S4... The audi's just don't have the same community as the VW's and the mk5 is a lovely looking car imo
I'd thought I'd revive an old thread rather than start a similar new one as in the next few days I'll collect a DBP DSG R32
Previous car history includes a couple of RS Turbo's, many MK1&2 Golfs with interesting engine swaps, a Golf Rallye, E46 M3 SMG, B6 S4 Avant and more recently... 3x Audi A2's! (I have developed a thing for them!)
Rough spec is
DBP
5 door
DSG
Wingback Recaro seats
RNS510
As far as I can tell all other options apart from Cruise (which I will retrofit) & sunroof (which I'll live without)
Nice! Let us know how you get on with it. I'm most likely planning to get a R32 DSG in a couple of months, so would be very interested in your opinions/insights.
I'm kind of tore between the R32 and a Mini 2nd gen jcw. The R32 sounds amazing, has awd and is a more practical car (Although practicality doesn't matter for me). The downsides for me would be insurance increase, hefty road tax and fuel consumption. I would like to go for a turbo conversion eventually, but it would probably cost as much as the car lol.
The mini on the other hand I feel would be more fun to drive and I could swap out the turbo for a larger one to get around 300 to 350bhp (I would also install a dif, uprated clutch, light flywheel, and some forged internals) at like half the cost vs the golf. Also something about a small car with lots of power seems appealing.
but it will never sound as good as the golf and will struggle for grip in anything other than perfectly dry conditions. As far as looks go, I like them both equally, so really unsure. At least I have a bit of time to decide I guess...
Very nice indeed. I test drove a manual R32 a couple of weeks ago. I've been looking for a replacement for my mk6 GTI which died last year. I almost bought one instead of the GTI about six years ago. But at the time decided the GTI was better. But coming back to it after a long ownership I think the R32 is the better car. It felt effortless and much smoother. The sound is great too.I'd thought I'd revive an old thread rather than start a similar new one as in the next few days I'll collect a DBP DSG R32
Previous car history includes a couple of RS Turbo's, many MK1&2 Golfs with interesting engine swaps, a Golf Rallye, E46 M3 SMG, B6 S4 Avant and more recently... 3x Audi A2's! (I have developed a thing for them!)
Rough spec is
DBP
5 door
DSG
Wingback Recaro seats
RNS510
As far as I can tell all other options apart from Cruise (which I will retrofit) & sunroof (which I'll live without)
It wasn't the car for me because the chains didn't sound right (the classic marbles in a tin can rattle). Having owned several VR6's I know how they should sound. But it's definitely on my list of possible cars if a good one pops up near me in budget.
wow thread revival!
I've still got mine, almost 7-years of ownership later. It's at 105K miles now and it still feels smooth and pulls well. No question, still one of my favourite car's I've ever had the priviledge of driving or owning. Outside of usual maintenance and wear & tear item replcement items, I've had to do very little to it.As with most cars, looks after them and they are pretty bullet proof. The main thing I had done was corrosion on the front wings above the wheel arches but VW covered this under their 10-year corrosion warranty as it's a relatively common issue.
I've started taking mine to VAG Auto Services in Lincoln as oppose to VW direct for servicing as their costs were getting a bit silly. Gaz who owns/runs the place really knows these cars inside and out and does excellent work with genuine parts from TPS. He's a favourite on the R32OC.
I've still got mine, almost 7-years of ownership later. It's at 105K miles now and it still feels smooth and pulls well. No question, still one of my favourite car's I've ever had the priviledge of driving or owning. Outside of usual maintenance and wear & tear item replcement items, I've had to do very little to it.As with most cars, looks after them and they are pretty bullet proof. The main thing I had done was corrosion on the front wings above the wheel arches but VW covered this under their 10-year corrosion warranty as it's a relatively common issue.
I've started taking mine to VAG Auto Services in Lincoln as oppose to VW direct for servicing as their costs were getting a bit silly. Gaz who owns/runs the place really knows these cars inside and out and does excellent work with genuine parts from TPS. He's a favourite on the R32OC.
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Sep 2015
- Posts
- 4,101
Mine was on about 103k when I sold it in January 2017. I really do miss it, it was an extremely comfortable car to do big miles in and whilst it wasn't the most powerful car in the world it wasn't exactly a slouch.
The sound was amazing, as stock it sounded superb but I had a Milltek resonated cat back on mine which sounded even better - less raspy.
I took mine to APS in Brackley and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. They did a number of mods and the routine stuff to my R32 and they're an excellent bunch.
The sound was amazing, as stock it sounded superb but I had a Milltek resonated cat back on mine which sounded even better - less raspy.
I took mine to APS in Brackley and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. They did a number of mods and the routine stuff to my R32 and they're an excellent bunch.
Soldato
- Joined
- 3 Oct 2009
- Posts
- 19,893
- Location
- Wales
My brother has just picked up a GTI.
I'll have first refusal to take an R32 off a mate in the next 6-12 months which he's owned since new and has been well looked after with no issues so will be extremely tempted if I haven't picked something else up by then.
I'll have first refusal to take an R32 off a mate in the next 6-12 months which he's owned since new and has been well looked after with no issues so will be extremely tempted if I haven't picked something else up by then.
Associate
- Joined
- 3 Mar 2006
- Posts
- 1,771
- Location
- wakefield
Always wanted an R32 driven the ed30 / r32 / mk6 R and own a mk5 gt tdi atm if i didnt have a crap commute i would be diving on an R32 or mk6 R
My Corrado has had a few issues recently so I had parked it in the garage instead of driving it. But I've missed that VR6 sound so much that I just booked it in to get the issues fixed next week. I know this is a Golf thread but I can't wait to hear the VR6 at full chat again
Soldato
- Joined
- 10 Oct 2006
- Posts
- 3,688
I recently had a loan of a MK5 R32 sounds glorious with a Miltek exhaust on it, this is what is missing from modern turbocharged hot hatches. Downside is it felt pretty slow compared to the current hot hatches but I couldn't help but smile each time I rev'd it out.
On the Mk5 R32 you need to watch out for rust setting in this was a well looked after example and is about to go into the bodyshop for new rear arches as it was bubbling where the rear bumper meets the arch. Front wings and sills are also common points of rust.
On the Mk5 R32 you need to watch out for rust setting in this was a well looked after example and is about to go into the bodyshop for new rear arches as it was bubbling where the rear bumper meets the arch. Front wings and sills are also common points of rust.
Really enjoying ownership so far, the torque and ease at which the car moves while being able to subtly cruise at 30mph in 6th makes for a very pleasant driving experience so far and coming from a 3cylinder engine it's also plenty fast enough for me. Pretty impressed with the MK5 platform in general, ride is good & my neighbour has a GTi running about 280bhp hes offered me a passenger ride in which I'm looking forward to experiencing. I'm wondering if I'll be tempted to go for an induction kit and cat back exhaust, but for now, although quite subtle the flapper mod is enough while I decide.
I have a cruise control stalk to fit (will need coding, not sure who I'll use yet) then the wheels need a refurb & new centers for me to feel their condition matches the rest of the exterior, apart from that lots of detailing, starting with the exhaust tips this afternoon.
I have a cruise control stalk to fit (will need coding, not sure who I'll use yet) then the wheels need a refurb & new centers for me to feel their condition matches the rest of the exterior, apart from that lots of detailing, starting with the exhaust tips this afternoon.
If they are particularly coked up (usually one side more than the other), a light wire wool with some Autosol does a great job. Follow that with a good polish using a soft cloth and it gets the chrome looking lovely and shiny!