petsy Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Red, here's a picture of the R32 in red from a NZ forum. Pic taken at my dealers, but not by me. [/ QUOTE ] seems like the original owner didn't like it hence it being in the used vehicle area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Nice review Robin, On the sensation of speed subject its one of the reasons i have sold quite a few of the newer cars we have owned as I had to go at licence loosing speeds or 100+ to have any fun in them. This imho for me is not fun and just reckless and stupid so i sold them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Oh while i remember Robin did you get the tape out and workout the boot size difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted January 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Jono - That's a particularly great pic because it shows images of both R32 and GTI in red in the same pic. For me, the .:R looks much better in red than the grey one I drove but it still doesn't quite float my boat in the beauty parade. Geoff - IMO you hit the nail exactly on the head! I was thinking exactly the same this morning before I even read your post above. The new R32 is an awesome car but it simply doesn't give you that 'fun' sensation....it feels more like a fast luxury saloon and I think that it succeeds at that very well because it's what VW intended to do. What all this proves is how pointless it is just to compare cars by their performance statistics alone....Everyone is probably fed up of hearing me say this but, it's how a car FEELS to drive which matters most. And, for me, also how she looks. I've just been out with a younger friend of mine who has loads of fast front wheel drive, including competition, experience....I let him drive cos I trust his judgement....I find my GTI fun even from the passenger seat! I really like my new suspension and exhaust sound but, as LeMan says, I'm an android built by The Milltek Corporation! Fine tuned by Messrs Koni and Eibach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted January 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Oh while i remember Robin did you get the tape out and workout the boot size difference? [/ QUOTE ] ....Not scientifically but the boot floor to bottom of rear shelf vertical dimension on the Mk5 R32 is 17 inches and my heavy Mackie SRM (Sound Reinforcement Monitor) would fit. I haven't yet bothered to measure the same on my GTI but can do later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 On the subject of the steering weight you can probably change this in VAGcom as on most of Volkswagen group products theres a range of setting for assistance. I changed my mothers Ibiza as it was too light and she said she could not feel what was happening especially in the snow. Its much better now with a bit weight to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted January 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 It wasn't so much specific steering weight which I found heavier on the R32 than the GTI and as such it was never a problem on my test drive. The .:R just felt like a much heavier/bigger car to drive than the GTI. You need to be 200% sure exactly what you are doing and how to do it if you start tweaking anything in VAGcom....Def not for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 IIRC i thought you also taked about the steering weight too. Not just the car feeling like it was heavier thats why i posted it can be changed in vagcom. VAGcoms not hard to understand once you have had a good play with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted January 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 You recall correctly, Geoff. Steering felt slightly heavier than the GTI but I quickly felt used to it. The whole R32's feeling of weight remained until driving at potentially illegal speeds. Thinking about all this some more, I think that overall, the Mk5 R32 fits in extremely well in the whole VW range between 'normal' Golfs and the Passat etc. However, the Mk4 R32 is what the Mk4 GTI should have been and imo failed miserably at. And the Mk5 GTI has at last restored the iconic sportiness of the original Mk1s and 2s. The Mk4 R32 and Mk5 GTI are the ones which will be the classic performance cars in VW's whole range which drivers remember. What really lets the Mk5 R32 down is its looks. Just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Red, looked at the pics, you have a red toothbrush too!!!!! ...same as mine too! lets hope you didn't do your teeth after the wheels hey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Oh while i remember Robin did you get the tape out and workout the boot size difference? [/ QUOTE ] ....Not scientifically but the boot floor to bottom of rear shelf vertical dimension on the Mk5 R32 is 17 inches and my heavy Mackie SRM (Sound Reinforcement Monitor) would fit. I haven't yet bothered to measure the same on my GTI but can do later. [/ QUOTE ] Not sure exact were you measured from but in my GTI by me its coming out as 22" So ~5" less boot height. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun56 Posted January 15, 2006 Report Share Posted January 15, 2006 have to agree on just about all points made ,test drove mk5 r32 last week LASTED 15 MINUTES,if this is the all new r32 i personally think VW have failed miserably,the mk4 r32 looks like a R32,mk5 looks like gti with 18" wheels badge and grill.Will be keeping mk4 for as long as the kids fit in the back and after that strong chance they will be walking DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE KEEP YOUR MONEY !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted January 15, 2006 Report Share Posted January 15, 2006 [ QUOTE ] have to agree on just about all points made ,test drove mk5 r32 last week LASTED 15 MINUTES,if this is the all new r32 i personally think VW have failed miserably,the mk4 r32 looks like a R32,mk5 looks like gti with 18" wheels badge and grill.Will be keeping mk4 for as long as the kids fit in the back and after that strong chance they will be walking DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE KEEP YOUR MONEY !!!! [/ QUOTE ] guess you liked the new R32 then... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted January 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2006 In fairness, Shaun, I think you should have given the new R32 a lot longer than 15 minutes before deciding! VW have certainly imo failed at producing a next generation racey .:R but have succeeded in delivering a powerful Golf which feels like a bigger saloon and which fits into their overall range. At the risk of repeating myself, in terms of a sporty driving feel the GTI is the more distinctive car. The R32's traction and braking are excellent though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun56 Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 maybe should have given test drive more time,but going back to when I test drove my own R32 giveing the keys back was the last thing on my mind!! Also this wasnt a spur of the moment test drive ,lost count of how many times I phoned VW Aberdeen asking when they would have mk5 for test drive,was seriously considering putting deposit down before they took delivery .The point being the car should have and could have been much better ,the r32 isnt about being DRIVER friendly easy to drive its supposed to be the ultimate golf,sorry but i really think VW MISSED A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A VERY SPECIAL CAR!!!If youre spending 25/30k on lets be honest a golf you want something pretty special, the mk5 r32 i feel doesnt,REMEMBER THE LAUNCH OF THE MK4 R32!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted January 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 I understand what you are saying....The new R32 doesn't 'knock your socks off'! It should have that extra special appeal which both the Mk5 GTI and Mk4 .:R have....If cars were human we would say it lacks sex appeal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun56 Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 going to upset a lot of mk5 r drivers now ,did they buy the new r for the STATUS of owning one? or was it for the VAST mechanical,engineering or performance improvements made to the all new r32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 [ QUOTE ] going to upset a lot of mk5 r drivers now ,did they buy the new r for the STATUS of owning one? or was it for the VAST mechanical,engineering or performance improvements made to the all new r32 [/ QUOTE ] I'd suggest it's because it's faster, four wheel drive, and that they didn't want a GTi. Seems reasonable to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 [ QUOTE ] going to upset a lot of mk5 r drivers now ,did they buy the new r for the STATUS of owning one? or was it for the VAST mechanical,engineering or performance improvements made to the all new r32 [/ QUOTE ] Shaun. Don't think you'll upset anyone at all !! We got the message that the new R is not for you. The GTi is a magic car, the MkV chassis is a real improvement and I'd never buy a car for status !! This is likely to be the case for everyone else on TSN. TP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted January 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 Shaun, I don't think that either of your suggested reasons are why people buy the new R32. 1) - If you previously had a Mk4 .:R it's a logical update step. 2) - If you previously had a Mk5 GTI it's an opportunity to upgrade to 4WD and V6 music and higher-end grunt. The difference isn't too "vast" though imo....Not enough to merit the extra cost in a trade swop. 3) - Otherwise it's for the same reasons that all of us choose and buy any car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 They bought the R for traction and V6 warble. Otherwise the arguments don't stack up. Looks are subjective obviously, both have their merits IMO. I completely agree with Shaun, when i see a Mark IV R, it looks solid and not a car to be messed with... the new one looks like 'Queer Eye' got hold of it. It's a great car, but as someone said so rightly about the A3 3.2, not the car it could have been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashleywater Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 A golf of any description, is not bought for status reasons, it's the peoples car remember!!!!!!! I would buy a B..... no! let's not go there, each to there own, and there was no number "6" anywhere in that comment.............. I think what shaun is saying, is that we bought on the basis of the "nob" factor, oh look at me I have the latest and greatest "new" model........ Personally, I drove the new car and weighed up the pros & cons, and decided on the new car. Having owned two MK4 R32, I feel that I am well qualified to say that I "loved the MK4" and I appreciate the comments made by MK4 owners. As I have said previously,I was either going the tuning route with the MK4 or buying the the MK5. After driving the MK5 my mind was made up. It addressed a few of the thing's that made the MK4 both good and at the same time, sometimes a pain: Ride quality & cabin noise on long journeys spring to mind... Other thing that swung it was DSG gearbox and very understated looks.... I am really getting the hang of the DSG system now, and it is awesome. I never really appreciated that you could drive a DSG exactly like a manual using the floor stick as a sequential stick shift (rally car style, think "in car" with solberg!)once you get the hang of it,it is fecking awesome, way to drive, have ceased using the paddles when wanting to really give her a "b" road drive, and it really is no different than "stirring porridge" other than the shifts are so quick with no baulking at high rpm, just awesome fun..... I would also like to address this "fun" issue. You can slide this car in a four wheel drift, and fun dont come much better than that........ I cant remember being able to do that in a front wheel drive of any type.... Just my personal opinion's, for the extremely small amount of worth, that they constitute.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted January 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 [ QUOTE ] It's a great car, but as someone said so rightly about the A3 3.2, not the car it could have been. [/ QUOTE ] ....I agree - The Mk5 R32 should have been a dream car with that 'must-have' factor which the GTI has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted January 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 [ QUOTE ] You can slide this car in a four wheel drift, and fun dont come much better than that........ I cant remember being able to do that in a front wheel drive of any type.... [/ QUOTE ] ....I don't enjoy sliding any car, FWD/RWD/4WD, in a drift on public roads. Perhaps this is one area in which I am acting my age! Btw, great to hear that you are so enthusiastic about DSG It gets better as you get more used to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 [ QUOTE ] A golf of any description, is not bought for status reasons [/ QUOTE ] The GTI badge for me is one of the main reasons i have owned 4 GTI's. For the money, it's the classiest hot hatch you can buy. I think status is the main reason why people choose golfs, and the reason it's worth a premium over a Focus or an Astra. I love the kudos of the GTI marque. [ QUOTE ] You can slide this car in a four wheel drift, and fun dont come much better than that........ [/ QUOTE ] , that's dangerous sh!t bro. When 4WD lets go, it lets go!!! On a race track, granted... but on a public road !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now