2004 VW MkIV R32 Buying Guide/Tips

[schoona]

Moderator Addition
Due to all the interest, common questions and multiple threads about the MkIV R32 recently, I have merged them all into one thread. Please search through this thread or ask questions here if you have any. General MkIV questions should be asked in separate threads but as always please search before posting.
Cheers,
Trent

Good evening guys, how's y'all keeping?

To business, in light of my large desire to boost my VR6, I was looking at a nice, cruisey, sweet daily.

My dad has a MkV GTI, 95% percent of that car is perfect, eing a MkV. But it's not an .:R. So looking at MkV .:R's ,i 'd be looking for a United Grey, manual, 3 door. Pricing, perhaps more then I want to spend in my position.

Stepping "down", the Mk4 R32.

I love the looks, from what I have read the build quality is sensational. The Monroe suspension need to be binned. They have a great character etc etc

I guess I'm looking for opinions on how my thought process is working at present.

As I understand it, the Haldex in the Mk4 is V2? Currently it is at V4? Is this purely a software upgrade or combination of mechanical and sensory/electrical?

The purchase is a while away yet, I have a few small hurdles to climb but things are looking good. Just exhausting some options to see whats around etc...

Thanks in advance, take it easy

[Treza360]

The Haldex version is a generational thing and not just a software upgrade. MkIV R32 was Gen 1, Gen 2 was in the MkV.
You can't fit a Gen 2 controller or higher in. Each generation has its' own upgrades.
Cheers,
Trent

[Manaz]

The Haldex version is a generational thing and not just a software upgrade. MkIV R32 was Gen 1, Gen 2 was in the MkV.
You can't fit a Gen 2 controller or higher in. Each generation has its' own upgrades.
Cheers,
Trent

What you can do though is go up to either a blue or competition controller within the Gen 1 range. The blue controller hooks the rear up quicker and allows more torque transfer to the rear than the OEM controller, and the competition controller goes further by not immediately disengaging the rear when you hit teh brakes.

[Treza360]

What you can do though is go up to either a blue or competition controller within the Gen 1 range. The blue controller hooks the rear up quicker and allows more torque transfer to the rear than the OEM controller, and the competition controller goes further by not immediately disengaging the rear when you hit teh brakes.

Yes this is the individual generation upgrade I was speaking about. The competition controller is know as the orange controller.
Cheers,
Trent

[Big_M]

MkIV R32 Buying.

Well I flogged my last car couple weeks ago now and I've been looking into the R32's. I really like the MkIV's.
I see there is a black one on carsales. 62tho k's asking 32900.
I was wondering if anyone on here knew the car at all?.

Looks nice, but anything I guess can be made to look nice!.
Made contact and he tells me a local car from AUSVW and he's second owner.

What things should I be looking at if I go and have a look at it ?

Anyone recommend any good people to do a pre-purchase Inspection.

Rather be ahead of the ball game than get something and start having to play catch up !.

So guess, any pointers on things to beaware of. What to look for. Obvious faults to my untrained R32 eye!
And any pointers to who to use for inspections!.

Thanks guys for any help or assistance.
I know what it's like when the bug hits, hence garage full of aircooled dub's.

Thanks again, Matt.

[h100vw]

You need to talk to Jimmy, Jmac. He does prepurchase inspections and can advise you on all the things to look at on the R32.



Gavin

[craig_the_german]

Inspections

Hi,
I believe Jmac on this forum does pre-purchase inspections and as anyone in Brisbane will confirm...he sure knows his stuff.

Hope this helps

Pete

[craig_the_german]

Jmac

Seems like great minds think alike.....

[OEM G60]

Hi mate i've been on the lookout for one recently too.

I've spoken to that guy about his car and it does sound good, it has been APR chipped by Harding Performance, (user name GuyH on here) it was done by the previous owner. It has had its 60K service done before 60K too i think.

Jmac is your man on here to go and inspect it, he'll wire it up to his laptop (VAGCOM) and check for faults, also you could contact the people who serviced it to make sure things add up.

[Big_M]

WOW thanks for the quick replys guys.

Jmac I'm guessing is the man for inspections then, cool.

OEM G60, can I ask is there anything that put you off the car mate ? Just curious.

I'll find out and try contact the people it has been serviced with and see what they say. If it's non VAG is there any garages that if it's been serviced by I should be a bit careful of ?.

Thanks again guys. Much appreciate your inputs.

Matt.

[OEM G60]

Nothing put me off, i just prefered another one, i had pretty much made my mind up on another when this one turned up, so i found out a bit more about it.
Heres a copy of the email he sent me....

I'll send you some pics directly over the next day or so - finally looks like the rain is clearing up here.

The APR chip was put in by APR when the previous owner had the car. He had lost the receipt unfortunately but I rang APR yesterday and the said it might be possible to track it down if I can find out the rough date the work was done. The car runs four programs, 91, 95, 98 and 100 octane. I generally run it on 95 or 98 and always use 98 Octane premium - BP Ultimate. I'm sure you know this but you can't run the car on 100 octane without proper 100 octane fuel.

The car was bought originally from Austral VW here is Brisbane and serviced with them. I have the service history from them. I got the 60000km service done at a place called Euro Serve for a couple of reasons. Firstly a good friend father has had all his cars, BMW, Mercs, and some golfs serviced there over the years and secondly VW up here are noted for ripping people off. I have the full service receipt of course.

Tyres are in good condition with at least half (if not more) tread remaining.

I haven't modified the exhaust flapper although I did look into it. Just never got around to it.

Body wise the car's in great nick. There are a few stone ships on the front bumper and a tiny scratch next to the driver side door handle but apart from that it's very, very tidy. I get it professionally details every two or three weeks with leather care treatment etc.

Regarding the number out of 200 I think it's 124 but will check this afternoon for you. I believe it was the last black one sold in QLD. I have the original leather manual cover and R32 pen. I also have an R32 key ring but it's not the numbered ones and the previous owner didn't have the umbrella either sorry.

I'll send pics asap - hopefully this evening.

Cheers mate,

Ken

[Big_M]

Cool, thanks very much mate. Much appreciated. Might have to make contact with Jmac.

Did you end up getting yourself one ?

Thanks again, Matt.

[Mr. JLT]

I think for a few more bucks I would pick up this turbo R32-but thats me..

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=7889927&__Ntt=turbo&__Qpb=true&__Dx=mode%20matchany&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_PriceSort_Decimal%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cpCar_Model_String%7c0&keywords=turbo&__N=1216%201247%201282%201252%204294962746%204294962677%204294774536&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&seot=1&__Ntk=CarAll&silo=1011&Cr=0&__Nne=15&trecs=1&__D=turbo&__sid=1257564DB682

[fuzion]

or buy mine if you want something a little diff and not spend so much lol.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=38755

[Big_M]

I have seen the turbo one, must admit tempting just think i'd rather do it myself if wanted to go down that route. Hows your turbo working out ?

Fuzion, there seems to be some extra doors on yours and it's that go faster red colour! Plus someone stole some of your cylinders !