R32 v R

[thezoneR32]

Werd up!

..... I too love the idea of a V6 in a small car.

This one of the reasons the R32 will always be the drivers car. The guys in top gear get to drive the best in the world but they always bang on about lancia's and alfa's and they admit they are not perfect. But theres something about a car like that they way it drives and sounds thats makes the whole expereince so unique and special.

Simply getting form a to b as fast as you can in a lightweight piece of plastic does'nt cut it for me. Not even if VW have made it.

[HercMax]

Speaking of Top Gear, the time they posted for their track for the MKV R32 was around 1.30.xx whereas the MKIV R32 was 1.33.xx. Why did the MKV post such a fast time? The 350Z, RX8, M3 (E46) only managed to get around 1.31.8 as a comparison (all on dry track) but the MKV R32 posted a quicker lap time for a car down on hp/weight ratio and balance. Baffling. Makes the MKV R32 time seem suspect or they had a different Stig that day.

[Maverick]

Speaking of Top Gear, the time they posted for their track for the MKV R32 was around 1.30.xx whereas the MKIV R32 was 1.33.xx. Why did the MKV post such a fast time? The 350Z, RX8, M3 (E46) only managed to get around 1.31.8 as a comparison (all on dry track) but the MKV R32 posted a quicker lap time for a car down on hp/weight ratio and balance. Baffling. Makes the MKV R32 time seem suspect or they had a different Stig that day.

Why? Lap times are not just based on hp/weight and balance. Suspension plays a part as does a more advanced drivetrain to name a few.

This review sums it up

"It’s only when you start to really push on, out on a bumpy B-road, that the newer car plays its trump card. As the speed increases, you find yourself needing to get to some pretty big figures before it starts to feel messy. Massive grip and excellent damping are what give it the advantage, but DSG also offers a big helping hand. Although we’re not fans of the automated manual, there’s no doubting that when you need to go fast from one place to another, it’s very, very effective.

Retrace your steps in the old car and you’re suddenly a lot busier with the steering wheel and nowhere near as liberal with the right pedal. Following in the wake of the new R32 leaves you in no doubt which is the most effective tool."

[thezoneR32]

Irony of that review is that its drawing the same conclusion for the MKIV R32 v MKV R32 as my experience for the MKV R32 v MKVI R.

[G-rig]

There is more technology as well as sound dampening and refinement in the newer cars so they may not feel as fast but the Golf R is probably better in almost every way except exhaust note (heard from outside the car, can't hear it that well inside the cabin) and looks which are subjective, as well as it's V6 heritage which is nice to see the look on peoples faces when you tell them you have a hatchback with a V6.

None of the R32's are really collectors cars to the point that they would hold their value better than anything else. There are also other cars with a lot more driver feel like the MX-5 (A certain Mk4 R32 driver who races now has an MX-5 and hasn't looked back apparently).

Anyway the various GTI's, R32's and R's are all great cars in different ways and wouldn't mind owning one of each at various stages. One may look tougher, one could be a better car oveall and another may be much faster etc.

[thezoneR32]

Greg, how do you find gowing form an R32 to a GTI? Any regrets?

[G-rig]

Greg, how do you find gowing form an R32 to a GTI? Any regrets?

Hi mate sorry didn't get back to you when you asked this last time (been a bit busy lately).

You do notice the car is lighter and more nimble which is good, it goes really well with the APR tune, very 'eager' is probably the word. I've also come from 6MT N/A to DSG turbo so it does feel faster. There is more sound deadening in the MK6 so may take away a bit of the raw feel.

I haven't really pushed the car hard enough handling wise but still seems to hold on well and quite capable. The stiffer chasis seems good and suspension/ride is nice and tight on the MK6 GTI in general. Although my R32 was magnificent with the AWD, Haldex Gen2, H&R Coilovers and Sway bars. It almost feels like you wouldn't bother doing sway bars on the MK6 unless you went to the track a bit, but also haven't pushed it to the limits (must be getting old).

If you're happy with the R32 i wouldn't upgrade to the R for the sake of it, but i chose to sell mine in case the values dropped (and wanted a change but also made things easier at the time) although the redbook value for mine hasn't seemed to change yet. Although with the price of new R's being very good kind of glad i did. However fairly different cars and there is cost cutting on the new models but at the same time they feel a bit more solid.

[robby_jai]

having owned a MKV R32 and currently owning a similar car to your proposed R..... i would tend to agree and disagree with some of your points... for me the R32 was a grand tourer with character.. beautiful exhaust note a dream to drive.. responsive, on road presence and an over all great all round package. and for me.. its one of my most favourite cars i've owned and i've owned quite a lot of cars....

however... having said that... there are just things that the current gen Golf R has over the older R32.. better power to weight .... better handling.... balance..... more economical... and higher potential for improvement/enhancements at a far lesser cost...

now there are people that these latter factors will appeal to while there are old school people who prefer the mkv and mkiv r32 .. me i chose the latter.. thats not to say the latter is better than the older. if i was to chose with my heart i'd pick an mkiv mkv r32 in a heart beat

[G-rig]

I agree with those points Robby, but I'd also add the MK6 R is cheaper - The MK5 R32 was overpriced for what you got. A new one isn't very good value but a second hand one would be.

They make a good sound, just not fast enough (although the power is deceiving being quite linear). From all reports the new R is much quicker so depends what you want.. All good cars.

[thezoneR32]

The R is definitely quicker, I wouldn’t say its blindingly, but as you said Greg, the R32’s acceleration is deceiving as its more linear than the R something I prefer. Trouble with the R, it doesn’t spend a lot of time in its power band as once the tbo kicks it gets to redline very quick. In the DSG R that I drove its kind of a monotone waaaaaaaaaaaa and then a quick, boom as it changes gear. You don’t get a crescendo of noise like with the DSG R32, something I also prefer. I know technologically its better but it’s just not as satisfying to drive imo.

[G-rig]

It's has a similar exhuast but agree it doesn't make the same sound.. But sounds a lot better than I expected and wait till a few exhausts come out.. They still have a flapper!

Stock for stock the R it's fairly similar but the main attraction of the R is the tunability..

[Greg Roles]

I've a secret desire to end up with an Mk V R32, but you don't want to know what i want to do to it!

[Corey_R]

I've a secret desire to end up with an Mk V R32, but you don't want to know what i want to do to it!

Take out the 3.2 V6 and replace it with an APR Stage III 2L 4T? hehe

[Rob Burns]

Having driven both the R and the R32 and knowing that I'll rarely (if ever) drive either car anywhere near their limits I'd have to go for the R32. The first time I drove either car I was underwhelmed but only because I was hoping for more than a GTi can deliver. Neither really drives significantly better than a normal GTI to justify the extra money and the GTI just does everything really well w/o the wank factor of 4wd which isn't needed in this country. I'd likely choose a GTI over either except for the one thing the R32 has over both the GTI and the R and that's character.

[thezoneR32]

I've a secret desire to end up with an Mk V R32, but you don't want to know what i want to do to it!

Please keep your sexual fetishes to yourself!