mk4 R32 > mk5 ed30 > mk5 R32

[Dogbucket]

Bit of a long shot, but has anybody gone from a mk4 R32 to a mk5 GTI/ed30 to a mk5 R32?

Reason I ask was my mk4 R32 was fantastic but ultimately seemed to suffer from a number of inherent problems which everyone seemed to get, hence selling up (most imo were short comings in the mk4 platform though).

The mk5 ed30 I have found to be a much more polished product, nothing has gone wrong in 30k but lacks a certain something. Well it lacks 4wd mainly!

Seeing as I could trade the GTI for a mk5 R32, will it be the perfect marriage of the mk5 platform and V6, or could it be a step back more like the old one? So I guess if you have a mk5 R32 has it been reliable?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

I haven't personally gone down your 'route' - but regarding the Mk5s, with the exception of the Haldex, 4wd rear end, and the power take off on the gearbox - then the Mk5s share identical mechanicals.  The Mk5 R32 is tremendously refined though, and I gather is more refined than a Mk4 R32 - so if you are looking for any kind of particular raw edge which the Mk4 had - then I guess you may be a tad disapointed.

Best advice as always is to have a nice long test drive, just to satisfy your self it will actually meet your needs.

Topher should be along to give his opinion on the R32.

[Golfgirl]

I went from a Mk 4 R32 to a Mk 5 Ed30 and also don't feel the love that I had for the R32 and wonder if I should have got a Mk 5 R32 instead sometimes!!

[Schuey]

I went down this route & I am now selling the ED30 cos I miss the R32.............  

Although on my next MKV R32 I will go for DSG.

Both the ED30 & R32 have been flawless but I miss the grip & sure footedness of the 32....As well as the noise  

[R32UK]

not had the ED30 but did have a friends MK4 R32 for a few weeks many moons ago. The main difference I would say is the ride... the MK5 seem to be a lot smoother and suffers from less jolts and bumps. Downside is you dont get the recaros as std in the mk5.

Cant offer much more than that im afraid as I didnt have it long enough to know what the mk4 is like to live with.... oh yes and the MK4 defo consumed more fuel

[dan_apps]

Cant offer much more than that im afraid as I didnt have it long enough to know what the mk4 is like to live with.... oh yes and the MK4 defo consumed more fuel

  naughty! just cos it was your birthday yesterday! 

[JonnyG]

Not quite your required sequence 

but I went from a

Mk IV V6 4-motion manual >>> MK V Gti DSG >>> Mk V ED 30 manual >>> Mk V R32 DSG

Biggest difference for me between the Mk IV (not R32) and Mk V is in the handling, the Mk V is far better IMHO.

Must say I am loving the current Mk V R32 DSG,  perfect for this weather too 

However, I also rate the ED 30 very highly, and depending on your own preferences, both are great cars to own long term IMO.

for performance (turbo punch), tuning capabilities and most fun handling ("chuckability") the ED30 is best  .

for grip, traction off the line, sure-footedness & of course the sound track  the R32 wins hands down 

and I rate the DSG as an almost essential too (for me anyway) ! ... makes the R32 absolutely awesome away from the lights 

[Dogbucket]

If the mk5 is a more refined version of the mk4 then that sounds perfect tbh. Glad you other former mk4 owners feel the same and I am not totally bonkers.

I have a test drive in a DSG one on Friday so will see what happens 

[Jkctr]

The noise alone wil lhave you wanting one! I went for an R32 over the ED30 for the noise (and 4wd) but mainly the noise 

[topher]

The mk5 R32 is definitely more 'grown up' than the mk4 and feels like it's been put together more solidly. I've had mine 12 months and put 15000 miles on it in that time, with not a single hiccup. (watch it not start tomorrow morning now i've said that )
If you can live with the increased cost of ownership (tax, insurance, servicing and parts will all be more expensive than the Edition 30) then it's a really good time to switch too, with so many new or very nearly new ones about at decent prices.

It does kind of lack the "RarRRr get out of my way!" presence that the mk4 had, but they still turn heads, especially when you press the loud pedal.