VW GTi or R32...?

golf gti will be my wife's next daily had enough of the diesel 3 series touring

 

R32 and a tranny swap. I almost got one a few years back. The Euro version has a manual tranny and optional bucket seats.

 

Sure can!

If only the NA markets had the options they have currently have in europe:
Paint options (6 or 7 Blue's alone)
R32 with 4-doors and Manual Transmission
Edition 30 with a detune S3.
Touch Screen Navi
Various Engine assortments - including diesel options.
The list goes on.

Here are the optional R32 seats in Europe.
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Yes. I have a 2007, so it was called "Package 2." Unfortunately, the did away with the dual zone climatronic on the US GTI models for 2008 (I think the R32 still has it.) IMHO, it is more appealing to us dash strokers then the three knobs. Others seem to be indifferent but claim that the A/C is "stronger" in 2008.

 

Parker -

I stopped by the dealership to drive a Tiguan and was able to take an R32 out for about 30-45 minutes. I just wanted to put my .02.

First off, there is no doubt that the .:R32 is a fun car to drive and for 28-29000 (after 3,000 rebate, vw loyalty and other junk) IMHO it is quite the bargain.

I am comparing the R32 to my 2007 4-door GTI 6MT with leather. I am sure there are plenty of other good and bads for the cars individually, but for the sake of this thread, I have only included those compared in contrast with each other.

The Good:
* Sound - Driving the R32 made me realize how much I truly miss driving my MKIV Vr6. The throaty sound enhanced the solid feel and pull of the car from red light to red light
* Brakes - The R32 are noticeably grippier. I have driven a GTI with a big brake kit and the R32 gripped almost as well.
* Power - The power is smooth strong and spread across the range.
* 4-Motion - There is no doubt that the car benefits from the 4-mo system. This would be a huge help in the snow, although my car with winter tires had no issues last year.
* Color - Despite feeling like a smurf, that DBP color is amazing.

The Bad (IMHO):
* Interior - The seats are exactly the same, but for the US market they removed door sills and the aluminum dead pedal on the R32, both are things that you can get aftermarket, but I never like seeing cost cutting measures. (they also never sent the tinted tail lights). I also prefer the standard alu dash bits over the diamondplate machined like stuff in the R32.
* DSG - The DSG for the R32 felt much different then they GTI that I test drove some time back. When coming to a stop, the car will automatically down shift, but I was not really pleased with the down shifting management in "S" mode or paddle mode. You could really feel the engine pulling the car to a stop and to me, it gave the feeling that the car had too much control as it pulled you forward. There also seemed to be an abruptness that I guess just takes some getting used to.
* Doors - I enjoy having a 4-door and prefer the lines better. The thing I do like about having a two-door is that the B-piller is much further back so if you like to rest your arm on the window sill when the windows are open, you don't have your arm up against the B-piller. I had a 2-door GTI MKIV and wanted to try something different with my MKV. I could live with either, and VW's are some of the easiest cars, I have experienced to get people in and out of the backseat. Once people figure out how to put the seat forward.

In Europe you can build a 4-door 6MT .:R32. If this were an option here, I would have been hard kept to keep my GTI. While a chipped GTI has the potential for more power, the R32's delivery with AWD is something I would write home about. That being said, I had the pleasure of driving an APR STG 1 GTI last night and I am hooked. I will be making an appointment over the next few weeks. The difference was that noticeable. The car actually pulled like the R32 and with proper tires, most of it makes it to the ground.

 

Here is my 2 cents. My son has the original R32 (2004) so I've had an opportunity to drive it many times. He was considering getting the new one so we drove both the new R32 and the GTI back to back. The DSG while great has zero feel. Quite honestly, its almost too quick. In fact it was posted in the F149 California board that their DSG was actually altered a bit to slow it down because it lacked the sporty feel. I completely understand that because surprisingly the supposed best feature of the R32, the double clutch gearbox, is actually its worse feature in my opinion. My son's old R32 feels like a poor man's M3, while the new one just feels like a heavy pig with no guts. Plus remember you can't modify the new R32 because the DSG can only take so much torque otherwise the clutch starts slipping. The GTI test drive was so much more fun, felt light on its feet and had some guts, especially when you pop a chip in it.

On a side note the JCW Mini Cooper S is coming out soon, but they'll be fairly rare. My son's looking into one and each dealer is only getting 2 or 3 a year.

 

Not entirely true (for the DSG) as there are already is a kit out that isabove 350hp. You have to upgrade the DSG, but most likely with a manual, you will be upgrading the clutch as well.


For the R32, http://www.vf-engineering.com/ is producing a turbo kit.


Not an R32, but here is a Stage 3 2.0T kit using the DSG paddles. (I think I posted this already)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81ciFyfBaxs&e

 

I used to own a MKIV GTi 1.8T and also a MKIV R32 (which i dearly loved) and about three weeks ago picked up a new MKV R32 as my DD...this is easily the most entertaining car I've ever owned! I am not in the "DSG sucks" camp so the fact that this is the only transmission option didn't deter me one bit. The only thing I miss about my MKIV R32 is the exhasut note...the MKV is def. a let down in terms of sound but still better than the 2.0T (IMO)

I absolutely love all of the features that are included in a car that stickers under $35k, I opted for the nav system so my car was a bit more, I knew going in that it's just ok at best but it was the only option you can choose (other than ext color and tires) so I went with it anyways

The ride quality is good, the comfort is good (even for my 6' 250lb frame ) It has great utility and it can be driven in the most treacherous of road conditions which to me is a major plus. The fact that the GTi can be modded on the cheap to make it faster than the R played absolutely no part in my buying decision. I like the fact that the R32 is sold in limited quantities yet dealers are willing to drastically discount them...my car stickered @ $35,440 and I was able to buy it for about $29,500...I had similar success when I bought my MKIV R32 and that car had 41,000 miles on it when I traded and got about $22k for it...go figure.

 

I see, looks like a nice upgrade. I guess when you go to this extreme it comes down to reaching pricing levels where you almost can upgrade to a nicer car. Like a BMW 335i versus a tricked out VW R32. I'd personally lean towards the nicer car, but different strokes for different folks. I know the upgrade on the GTI with just a chip is a great pop for the buck versus dropping $5K to $10K on turbos or superchargers for the normally aspirated R32.

 

The MKIV was an amazing anomaly... last year they were stilling the MKIV around the original sticker price. Dealers were taking them in as trades and getting amazing prices. Even the auctions were buying them up.

 

I completely agree with you... Especially for a daily driver, but for something fun on the weekend... hmm... even then for mid-$30k you can get an okay shape Porsche 993.

 

Gimme one of these.
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I absolutely agree with you, the MKIV is one of the greatest values in recent Automotive History.

The MKV has too many compromises in terms of size; looked at it but couldn't bring myself to drive it, because the MK IV smoked it in practicality.

My Buddy (vintage racer, high end exotics) did back to back comparisons versus his Mini (JCW) and we both agreed that the R32 MKIV was a Mini eater.

For those of you with the foresight to buy them, keep them. If you can find a good one grab it... (imo)the best daily driver ever made (through thick and thin)

 

I bought my MKIV R32 for $26,900 (MSRP was about $31k), drove it for 41,000 miles and got $22,000 in trade value. When I purchased my MKV R32 it was the same scenario...MSRP of $35,440 and bought it for just $29,500 Dealers are afraid of being stuck with a limited edtion car that is being produced for one year and therefor drop their pants I would happily do it all over again and like I said before, the only thing the MKIV R32 has going for it over the MKV R32 is the exhaust note. Everybody can ***** all they want about the MKV R32 not having a "true" 6spd manual but technically, the DSG IS better...it all comes down strictly to preferences on how the cogs are swapped. For me? Provide me with the quickest, most effeicient way and that way is spelled "DSG"

 

You didn't look very hard...building upon the MKIV R32's strengths you also recieve;

1) bi-xenon headlights which MKIV owners were adding at a cost of over $1k (not to mention the euro-bumpers that would accompany the upgrade)

2) longer wheelbase = more rear seat room

3) Power lumbar support

4) spare wheel (MKIV R32s did not have a spare)

5) DSG - again I think this is a major bonus!

6) Available navigation system and i-Pod intergration

So you recieve the same great flexible engine, the same Haldex awd-system, the same brakes as the MKIV R32...I just don't see why (other than wanting a "true manual") anyone would want to purchase a GTi. A fully-loaded model will set you back almost $30k and if you can get a car with 50 more hp and awd, the decision isn't very hard.

 

Been awhile since i posted here, been rebuilding my Corrado and my Fiat Spider, and my 04 Mk4 R32 has been my daily driver while the toy cars are under construction.

For what it's worth, bought the R32 new in July 2004 for $28.5k, have put 56k miles on her, and have loved every minute. It's mostly stock, have added some european options such as the HID's mentioned above as well as the OEM navigation, GIAC software, and a different intake. I track it regularly and it performs on par with many cars twice its price.

Streets of Willow clockwise I'm turning 1:30.5 track times on street tires (F1 GSD3's and Toyo T1-Rs).
1/4 mile = 13.41 @ 101.5mph (did 13.89 @ 99.1mph when bone stock)
Puts 248whp down on a Dynojet 248x.

And it comfortably fits three child's seats in back, so the whole family can go along for vroom vroom time in the mountains.

I see the Mk4's for sale for the mid $20k's these days in SoCal, still have a high resale because they have the manual six speed and the Konig K5000 sport seats, as compared to the Mk5 R32 which has DSG and regular GTi seats. However, I have seen Mk5 R32's selling for $29k in San Diego (at Miramar VW/Audi) so the deals are out there to be had on the brand new ones, if DSG is what you're after.

My mom's ex had a pretty nice 993TT modified with Bilstien PSS9's and an Autotech performance kit, and though his p-car is amazingly fast once it's in boost, he and I both felt my Mk4 R32 had much better road manners for daily driving and sporty driving... pretty good fun quality to be had for a cheap price. Granted it doesn't take off like a rocket when you punch it at triple digits like the p-car does, but it's not a slouch either -- I've yet to find an E36 M3 that I couldn't run down and pass in a hurry on any track condition, and have surprised a few E46 M3's as well.

For a comparable cost, there are other options out there that have the same understated quality and refinement, but a bit older... a Porsche 968 for example. Similar performance, that wonderful interior, amazing road manners... it was a hard choice between the 968 and the R32 for me. I went R32 because I did need a functional back seat for kids, and the warranty was nice too. But if munchkins were not in the computations, I may very well have done a 968.

Anyways, if you have any R32 specific questions, feel free to email me. [email protected]

 

I've owned a R32 since March of '04 and I've decided to keep it for ever. My experience has been SO positive that I am now selling them at Jack Daniels Motors in Fairlawn N.J. I'm 3 weeks into this gig and I'm loving it. If you have any questions feel free to call me at: 201-703-1925 x1452. Paying the inception fees up front on a 3 year lease it will run close to $400 a month. We also sell Audi & Porsche and our service techs are great. We are offering a motor-sports setup that is covered under the factory warranty on ALL 3 marks. So you can have your cake and eat it too.

 

It's not that I don't agree with you... I just prefer to row through gears and get my left foot involved, it gets lonely after a while. For me it is more about the connection with the car, I didn't feel that with the DSG. Besides, I have driven DSG cars dozens of times and most time I end up just putting it in D or S.

VW dealers had a hard time finally getting rid of all of the fahrenheit's. I am sure once the R32 hype died down, some of them are getting nervous about them too.

The R32 that I drove was number 4956/5000 and they had just gotten it a week before. My guess is that all 5000 have been delivered.

 

If I were you I would go with a GTI and add a full Milltek exhaust, giac software, and Evoms intake....I bought a GLI in May 2006 to use as my DD and has been great in everyway, avg 32-36mpg depending on how heavy my foot gets. Did all the EVO mods and the car is a rocket from 50mph+, had the speedo past 170 a few times with ease and the ride was still solid as a rock.

 

I have yet to break 25/26 mpg. Around town and when I have a heavy foot, I get 21mpg. On the highway, with the cruise on 60mphm, I get 25.4 mpg. This is with 93 octane.

 

wow, I get 34-36 with the cruise set at 80 mph going down I-10 to Louisiana...Never driven 65 or under because I would be creamed on the TX highways. I have to put 93 octane in my car because of the software, I have never heard of a GLI with a 2.0t getting that low mpg. I would mention it to your service dept and see if they have a solution.

 

I have a GTI, but it should be the same. The sticker on the car is 21 City/ 29 Highway. I am not flashed, but I should be running APR Stage 1 very shortly.