R32 interesting facts and data

[silver32]

I couldn't find another thread similar to this, so I thought I should start one up.

I hoped we could all post up any interesting info/data on the mkiv/mkv R32. I was browsing and found this article on the special type of styrene that the front grill is made of, called Luran S by BASF- UV resistant and remains glossy black for years apparently. Interesting to know that VW puts so much of thought into the materials they use.
The link to it is here

[kctt]

That is very interesting. Thanks for that link.

[MovieDude]

Would you know whether running costs for an R32 are higher than for a GTI?

[Maverick]

Would you know whether running costs for an R32 are higher than for a GTI?

What do you mean by running costs? Insurance? Maintenance? Servicing costs? Fuel costs? You'd expect the R32 to cost more but there are too many factors that come into play to be able to give a definitive answer.

[MovieDude]

What do you mean by running costs? Insurance? Maintenance? Servicing costs? Fuel costs? You'd expect the R32 to cost more but there are too many factors that come into play to be able to give a definitive answer.

Insurance I can work out. It's everything else. I guess this question is best answered by those of you who have owned both.

[Big Yellow]

service also depends on dsg vs manual. i think the dsg are more expensive to service?

also 4motion will cost extra to service compared to fwd gti.

currently petrol = $70-80 a week for 60L 98RON
insurance = $1100 for under 25yo agreed value of $50k + windscreen cover

[MovieDude]

I think you're right about dsg being more expensive to service than manual.
Incidentally, is dsg the same as dsg 4-motion as carsales has both?

[gregozedobe]

If you are seriously interested in calculating the cost of owning and running a car (total ownership cost for xx years) then depreciation is a biggie that most people forget to take into consideration. If you regularly buy a new car (eg every year or two) this can cost way more than the usual suspects such as insurance, fuel consumption, servicing and consumables (tyres, brakes).

When looking at other people's costs you need to take into account any significant different factors between them and you eg

- location and driver's age for insurance,

- distance covered for fuel, servicing and consumables,

- driving style for fuel consumption, consumables,

- tyre size (and quality) for consumables

- where it is serviced (dealer or independent) for servicing costs.

[gregozedobe]

I think you're right about dsg being more expensive to service than manual.
Incidentally, is dsg the same as dsg 4-motion as carsales has both?

No. DSG is an automated manual gear box, 4-motion is AWD. Some VW models can have one or the other, some have both.

[MovieDude]

I thought the R32 was both dsg and awd.

I was not really looking for detailed running costs rather something like the R32 is 25% more expensive to run than a GTI.

[mrcurlywhirly]

The answer is yes - the carsales subcategory is R32/DSG/4-Motion.

In theory the R32/4-Motion subcategory should be only for 6 speed manuals.
If i were buying a DSG R32 i would check both categories regardless.

Another case of programmers not knowing exactly what they are coding...as we know all the R32s are 4-Motion. They should really have used the fields R32 Manual and R32 DSG to avoid confusion.

[MovieDude]

Thanks I suspected as much but needed someone more knowledgeable to make sure for me. Now back to setting up those alerts on the carsales website one for each category of seller ...

[Maverick]

I thought the R32 was both dsg and awd.

I was not really looking for detailed running costs rather something like the R32 is 25% more expensive to run than a GTI.

No-one can really answer that as there are too many variables. You're looking at this from the wrong end, the R32 is more expensive, it's have a 6 cylinder NA engine versus the 4 cylinder FI engine on the GTI, it's AWD versus FWD, the R32 has standard leather and bi-xenons and so on.

Drive both cars and make up your mind that way, you're either going to love one or the other straight out.

And do a search, there are so many areas you can look at. For example do you want to mod the car? GTI can have 20-30% more power for <$2,000. On the R32 you're looking at potentially >$30,000.

[mrcurlywhirly]

That is an interesting comment Maverick - how much extra performance does the $30k buy on an R32?

Having driven both i found the decision was still difficult, they are hard to split if performance is the only criteria. The R32 is more powerful, though a little bit heavier with the bigger engine and AWD - which tends to even them out on the road.

Basically, if you want a more luxurious interior, need (or want) the AWD, and like the more torquey and relaxed (when in drive mode anyway..) nature of the normally aspirated engine it makes it an easy decision.

If you are happy with a quality FWD car with plenty of performance and razor sharp handling, and are happy with the standard interior go the GTi.
If you were buying new the price differential will shrink very rapidly when adding extras, second hand is another matter.

The handling is a defining factor, there is nothing at all wrong with the handling of either car, except i have read a few people find the R32 to 'feel' heavy. I find it feels 'planted' and not at all skittish, which was my experience of the GTi. As i say, neither have any real negatives, and it depends where you are driving the car, in the end its just personal preference.

If you are looking second hand there are some real bargains out there at the moment in R32s around the $40k mark - which is an absolute steal.

[MovieDude]

That's a great post curly.

I am looking second-hand. I have had my fair share of performance cars but have recently "slowed down". The GTI is right for me. The R32 would be "righter" You are on the ball when you say there are good bargains out there. I would say that both owners are selling theirs in advance of the Mk VI GTI release.

I'd want full leather that's why the Pirelli is not an option for me. Sat/nav would be good too. So either is good for me. The R32s seem to have depreciated more than the GTIs which make them very attractive.