Golf Mk5 R32 DSG
- Thread starter ChrisD.
- Start date
Poor performance for the fuel economy and not as special looking as the mk4.
Of course, if you're willing to pay the fuel costs for the note, then that's different. I simply didn't think it was fast or special enough for the poor fuel economy.
Now a mapped ED30 is a different proposition though. Much better performance / economy ratio with one of those. Although less note, and no 4wd.
Of course, if you're willing to pay the fuel costs for the note, then that's different. I simply didn't think it was fast or special enough for the poor fuel economy.
Now a mapped ED30 is a different proposition though. Much better performance / economy ratio with one of those. Although less note, and no 4wd.
As is said, apart from the noise of the V6 engine and the grip, they don't have many other things going for them.
An Edition 30 with a remap will get anywhere from 285-300+bhp, and they feel a lot more agile once moving than the R32. The only downside is with the best part of 300bhp an Edition 30 can be a bit of a handfull, mine can wheelspin in 3rd, commonly, or even rarely 4th gear - so you'll have to pay attention.
Plus the mad tax bracket of the R32 is another thing to take into account, £490 a year is not to be ignored.
An Edition 30 with a remap will get anywhere from 285-300+bhp, and they feel a lot more agile once moving than the R32. The only downside is with the best part of 300bhp an Edition 30 can be a bit of a handfull, mine can wheelspin in 3rd, commonly, or even rarely 4th gear - so you'll have to pay attention.
Plus the mad tax bracket of the R32 is another thing to take into account, £490 a year is not to be ignored.
Associate
- Joined
- 19 Oct 2002
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- 616
- Location
- Manchester
Owned one for over 2 years, 56 plate DSG. Loved it and enjoyed all time I had it. It's not a GTI+ and shouldn't been looked as such. As standard it's more of a GT++ than a GTI.
Most will be higher spec than the GTI which you would expect as the top of the range model at the time. The MFSW and paddles are standard with the DSG box along with the highline computer.
The options to look for are the Recaro buckets (they're really good), RNS510 nav, winter and luxury packs.
In terms of issues, most of which will affect all mk5's:
Wing rust is really hit or miss, mine had none at all.
Cam chain stretch is no where near as common as mk4's, mine was not recording any stretch at 60k and 50k of that was it modified to almost 300bhp. I didn't hear of may mk5's needing chains through the forums or any of the specialists I'd used.
DSG must have been serviced to schedule (or more often) should change up and down just like an auto in 'D'.
Manual mode should change very smoothly up and down (and it blips the throttle on downshifts), just be aware you have to drive differently to a manual, to drop gears in manual mode you must keep your foot on the gas, otherwise the car thinks you want to slow doen and will engine brake. People think this is a fault but it's not.
Haldex servicing - same rules as DSG. Check it's working with a reasonably quick lauch from standstill, you may get an initial chirp from the front tyres but then the system will shuffle the torque to ensure traction, you should be able to pin the pedal to the floor in 1st from a standstill with little drama. This is one of the things a GTI can't do.
Other things to watch for - knocking from front end could be bushes but could also be the rack ends, they're not repairable, only solution is a new steering rack at over a grand (this would be the same for all mk5 golfs as they use the same rack with different maps for each model)
R specific:
they can eat lambda sensors and MAF's but usually due to decats and oiled air filters
Recaro buckets can wear badly on the bolsters due to how deep they are
Any damage to the front centre bumper (the silver part) are not repairable unless you paint it a different colour and genuine replacements are over £400.
For loads of info and advice, go to R32oc.com or mk5golfgti.co.uk
TBH, drive both and decide which you like most.
Most will be higher spec than the GTI which you would expect as the top of the range model at the time. The MFSW and paddles are standard with the DSG box along with the highline computer.
The options to look for are the Recaro buckets (they're really good), RNS510 nav, winter and luxury packs.
In terms of issues, most of which will affect all mk5's:
Wing rust is really hit or miss, mine had none at all.
Cam chain stretch is no where near as common as mk4's, mine was not recording any stretch at 60k and 50k of that was it modified to almost 300bhp. I didn't hear of may mk5's needing chains through the forums or any of the specialists I'd used.
DSG must have been serviced to schedule (or more often) should change up and down just like an auto in 'D'.
Manual mode should change very smoothly up and down (and it blips the throttle on downshifts), just be aware you have to drive differently to a manual, to drop gears in manual mode you must keep your foot on the gas, otherwise the car thinks you want to slow doen and will engine brake. People think this is a fault but it's not.
Haldex servicing - same rules as DSG. Check it's working with a reasonably quick lauch from standstill, you may get an initial chirp from the front tyres but then the system will shuffle the torque to ensure traction, you should be able to pin the pedal to the floor in 1st from a standstill with little drama. This is one of the things a GTI can't do.
Other things to watch for - knocking from front end could be bushes but could also be the rack ends, they're not repairable, only solution is a new steering rack at over a grand (this would be the same for all mk5 golfs as they use the same rack with different maps for each model)
R specific:
they can eat lambda sensors and MAF's but usually due to decats and oiled air filters
Recaro buckets can wear badly on the bolsters due to how deep they are
Any damage to the front centre bumper (the silver part) are not repairable unless you paint it a different colour and genuine replacements are over £400.
For loads of info and advice, go to R32oc.com or mk5golfgti.co.uk
TBH, drive both and decide which you like most.
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I don't want an ED30 because I don't want a 4 pot. I don't want an agile car down B roads because I have the S2000 for that.
I want a comfy wafter to get me to work and back and the occasional weekend away with a decent engine note to it.
I want a comfy wafter to get me to work and back and the occasional weekend away with a decent engine note to it.
Had an A3 3.2 DSG for a while and loved it, my folks had a manual MkV R32 and there was also a lot of love that as well.
If you're not as fussed on the more aggressive looks of the R32 and slightly sportier handling the A3 can picked up nice and cheap.
I had mine for the same reason (actually sold my S2000 for it as at the time could only have one car), comfy wafter which was a decent enough place to sit with an engine you could have some fun with.
Only problem I had whilst I owned it was a coil pack going on me one morning, luckily was near the Audi garage so was able to just swing in and get one before my 200 mile trip to work
If you're not as fussed on the more aggressive looks of the R32 and slightly sportier handling the A3 can picked up nice and cheap.
I had mine for the same reason (actually sold my S2000 for it as at the time could only have one car), comfy wafter which was a decent enough place to sit with an engine you could have some fun with.
Only problem I had whilst I owned it was a coil pack going on me one morning, luckily was near the Audi garage so was able to just swing in and get one before my 200 mile trip to work
Associate
- Joined
- 19 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 616
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- Manchester
Then a standard R with DSG is perfect for you, for commuting I wouldn't even bother with the Recaro's but if you see the right car with them bear in mind they can be swapped with a std front pair and usually net £1k -£1200 on top, which would drop your purchase price.
The A3 looks just don't do it for me, I've always wanted a Mk5 R32 so I'm pretty set on it. I've looked at other options but they just don't do it for me. Might already have a deal lined up with a private seller, my Focus + cash his way. Just arranging to have the RAC inspection and what not done. I may see if VM offer inspections.
The Recaro's are nice however the models with them in that look acceptable to me are well over £10k and in the higher tax bracket. Leather however is a must as I want heated seats. The car I'm looking at would cost me around £7.5-8k if I factor in the cost of my car and what not.
The R32 is a nicer car no doubt, and I still may get one when the current car goes back. When I bought the A3 just needed something relatively cheap, and when an R32 was 3 times the price wasn't really an option
Associate
- Joined
- 19 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 616
- Location
- Manchester
Heated seats were an option with cloth but I never liked the cloth seat fabric.
If you do get one with seat heating, check it works. Many of them have had front seat swaps and sometimes the airbag and heating plugs are not connected. Cars with Recaro's from new didn't have seat airbags or the wiring for them.
Which one are you looking at?
This one.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...lf-mk5-r32-------------------2005/4985185?v=b
I'll get my own double din and I'm not bothered about the scuff.
Provisional deal is my 55 plate 100k miles diesel focus and £5500 his way.
Caporegime
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- 8 Jan 2004
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- 32,832
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- Rutland
Dodgy air con compressors are common - check it blows cold. Not a cheap fix.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 11 Mar 2005
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- 32,228
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- Leafy Cheshire
Remember to factor in the cost of a DSG and Haldex fluid change, think mine was about £150 for the DSG and £100 for the Haldex.
Not sure how the R32 engine maps but might be worth finding out, my R36 got a worthwhile boost in power / power delivery.
Not sure how the R32 engine maps but might be worth finding out, my R36 got a worthwhile boost in power / power delivery.
As above I want the V6.
Have to admit, i'd still take the R32. Four pot turbo just ain't that special anymore.
If you like the R32 you won't be happy with the A3 V6. I found both awesome in different ways, the R32 is the more sportier set up.
If you have a good independent then you shouldn't face high bills, I had the V6 A3, main thing was to make sure you get an oil change yearly and don't skimp!
If you have a good independent then you shouldn't face high bills, I had the V6 A3, main thing was to make sure you get an oil change yearly and don't skimp!