Farmer Giles

started looking at these as a second / fun car.

Had a quick read up and it seems that timing chains are a weakness if not looked after properly but wanted to hear any other opinions on what they are like to own and drive.

They seem to hold their value quite well and I love how they look and would sound with the V6 motor and a decent exhaust.

I know the MK 4 golf does not have a great rep due to it's weight but looking at alternatives for similar money and age (Audi S3 and Mk1 Focus RS) I prefer the golf.

Im not a huge Audi fan and I cant live with the sun lounger seats in the focus.. and they are both 4 pots.

Any input welcome.. I did do a search but didn't turn up too much.

thanks

Oranoco

They sound great but performance isn't as blistering as perhaps it might be, shoved a couple round at my old spec with just 190bhp in my B5 platform A4. I might be biased as I'm an Audi fan but I would honestly go and have a go in an S3, even a basic remap seems to really bring them alive.

Caddyshack

I like the mk4 r32 but was always totally underwhelmed by the low performance, I think it is 240 bhp lagging around 1600-1700 kilos and 4wd losses that does it. They sound the nuts, have great residuals and will prob become classics, slap on a turbo or supercharger and they go like stink.

xr_craig

iTrader: (2)

I like them but as said they don't have the performance you would hope for.

I don't know that I would have one over a focus rs but I would probably chose it over the s3 and I'm a bit of an audi fan too. My advice would be drive one and decide for yourself.

Farmer Giles

compared to what I'm used to a published sub 7 second 0 - 60 is not gonna feel slow..

Is it that you guys are used to faster cars or is the published 0 - 60 time over optimistic ?

Anyway, I'm arranging a viewing / test drive at the weekend all being well.

Although performance is nice it's not my overriding requirement.. A car that has some style / presence on the road and a reasonable turn of pace from a to b is what I'm after and from what I've read the R32 fits that bill quite nicely..

let see...

cheers

CrOwSoN15

They've certainly got a touch of presence about them, but I'd dare say even my 850 would push one around a track.

What sort of price are you looking at?

Rob_DOHC

iTrader: (4)

They sound the nuts, but I have to agree than an S3 with a remap would be my choice.

xr2mk2turbo

One of the nicest sounding exhaust notes, very addictive, I've not had a mk4 but had 2 mk5s. Found them to be very very thirsty, silly thirsty.

Farmer Giles

53 and 04 plates are going for anywhere between 6k and 7k depending on options and mileage.

I do like a nice V6 sound.. I loved my old ST24..

MPG is not a huge concern as it'll be a second / weekend / fun car.. Got the standard everyday diesel estate as a daily...

xr2mk2turbo

As said also, they do have a presence, perfect modern fun car IMO, I would love to put the complete running gear in a retro car one day. Find one from a dealer along with an s3 and see what you think. The big seats command premiums now and are highly desired by thieves, prefer the seats and interior of the golf to the s3, but the s3 is a very tuneable car.

jameswrx

I had a mk4 R32 years ago, they are a nice car. You may well enjoy the car if you're not too fussed about the performance. They feel very slow, but as you say it's not all about the acceleration. They sound amazing, feel good on the road, look smart, have lovely seats etc.

I always thought a supercharged one would be a perfect car for me.

I know you say they can't be that slow but they don't feel their power. My ex bro-in-law had an Alfa gtv v6 at the same time I had my R32, it was similar power (slightly less iirc) but it actually felt quick. The R32 literally feels like it's not even a performance car if you try and thrash it. The only thing they do really well is tickle along, they feel ok keeping the revs low and nipping quickly through the gears. The throttle response is lovely and you touch the pedal and wham, you think here we go... and it all ends there!

CrOwSoN15

Sounds like a bit of a disappointing car really.

jameswrx

Not a disappointing car to own at all, in fact I rate it somewhere in my top ten of owned cars (and I've had probably 50 different cars). The R32 has a far more special feel about it than a Golf GTI.

Bit like the Clio V6, another car in my top ten, but again, slooow. It's one car the clio 172/182 owners love to bash because it's "no quicker than theirs" but having owned both there's no contest that the V6 is more than the 172/182 could dream of being. It's not all about balls out acceleration, the V6 clio is a great owner experience and feels special.

Don't get me wrong, they both need a turbo or SC for my liking! But both lovely cars though.

Farmer Giles

well seems my plans may have been scuppered..

The dealer is not willing to take my 2006 Mini Cooper S in PX..

They are too hard to sell apparently.. Great news for me shifting it on.. not... :-(

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

How much do these Golfs go for

Farmer Giles

53 and 04 plates are going for anywhere between 6k and 7k depending on options and mileage...

and good low mileage examples get snapped up.. The one I was interested in was on Autotrader for less 2 days so chances are I would have missed it anyway..

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

There for nowt arnt they. I would be suprised if you could get a mk2 focus st for that price.

JK99

I owned one for a while. Very rare Tornado red, low miles, top spec, serviced properly, recent refurb of the brakes etc and it was hands down the most boring car I've ever owned.

They look and sound the part but that's as far as it goes for me. They do have a presence that's for sure but the drive is so underwhelming it's unreal. I don't think they really come alive until they've been charged or turbo'd but then you're talking mad money for one.

I had a Civic Type R that was infinitely more fun as was my S3 which are in the same class I suppose.

ROB7656

Old thread revival! I love my r32 mk4 not the fastest car by any means but classier than any car in the price range(scooby )plus I'm in my 30,s now so rolling up in a scooby I would feel like a chav.!

clairendave

We have a couple of local lads with Turbo conversions, one is a single and the other twin, they go quite well.

ROB7656

Yeah there's a few about! Not cheap to convert though! Mine is my 3rd car so doe sent get used much, always makes me chuckle when people say there slow. Since when was 0-60 in 6.4/6.6 with a quater mile time in the low 14,s and 153 mph top speed slow for a standard car

Cos500

Mk4 was the most boring car they ever did whatever engine was thrown in think I'd rather keep the mini

ROB7656

I see where you're coming from, I'm not blinkered by any means, the mk4 git etc were poop, the r has a little something though, character.

I moved away from fords and now primarily drive/own modern Audi,s.

I still love fords but I would never own another

It's Czech Mate

Mk5 gti

A waaaaaay better car

Adam-M

I'd take a mk1 rs over any golf, all 3 you mentioned will be pants in standard form just I think the rs has more potential and less of a posers car than the Audi and golf.

JasonPD

Hey, I'm 37 and still have a scooby in my fleet

I've had many golf gtis but never a mk5 but believe them to be a much better drivers car - I love the tartan seats!

Cos500

Can't beat a classic scooby, had many over the years, just great cars and if left alone will do a few hundred k without a problem