ED 30 and R32

[Brando13]

I see a lot of talk about ed 30, someone care to explain what this means what year is this GTI? Whats special about it? Im in the market right now was thinking about buying an older r32 but then went to the dealer and he talked me intoa  2008 r32. Anyone care to talk some sense into me. Is the 2008 R32 worthe buying for 33k? Is there sumthin else i should be looking at? Any advice would as im looking to make a purchase soon. Thanks

[Peskarik]

http://www.carenthusiast.com/roadtests.html?mode=article&id=1893


http://uk-mkivs.net/blogs/uk-mkivs_articles/archive/2007/03/25/Golf-GTI-Edition-30-Review.aspx


R32 and GTI are, different beasts, IMHO. I was also choosing between R32 and GTI. Went with GTI. To me cost-effectiveness was an important factor, the ratio between fun/performance and cost of owning. I think this ratio is heavily in GTI's favour.

http://data.carmagazine.co.uk/cars/reviews/review.aspx?model=1449
http://www.carenthusiast.com/roadtests.html?mode=article&id=1297

"Overall, the R32 has the arsenal to easily see off rivals such as the BMW 130i, but ironically finds itself undermined by another, supposedly lesser, Golf, the GTi. Unless the status of owning the top of the range model is of the utmost importance I'd be tempted to save the £5,000 price difference and stay with the Golf GTi. It can do at least 95% as much as the R32, but at 80% of the cost and would deliver the same depth of enjoyment of driving experience with a lower purchase price, running costs, and if previous trends repeat, less depreciation. "

[Creepy Coupe]

http://www.carenthusiast.com/roadtests.html?mode=article&id=1893


 

I'd be tempted to save the £5,000 price difference and stay with the Golf GTi.

Except it's not a £5k difference,as the R32 has metalic paint, 18" wheels and xenons all as standard, so if you add them together £1540 ish means about £3.5k difference, plus your getting 4wd, which might not be a selling point to some people I know, but worth considering.

[synnea]

Can you put any price on the sound of that V6? 

R32 and GTI are, different beasts, IMHO. I was also choosing between R32 and GTI.

I absolutely agree with this. I drove both GTI and R32 and they are BOTH amazing cars. They have completely different characteristics particularly in relation to power delivery. It is a very individual decision. For me I simply loved the look for the Deep Blue R and the noise she makes and was prepared to pay a bit extra up front, knowing however that the standard spec was higher. I dont class the R32 as any 'higher' than a GTI, if thats the term to use. Yes it is VWs flagships Golf in their brochures but I believe it is fantastic that VW can offer two (and now 3 if you include the ED30) all at the top of the Hot Hatches as the Golf range toppers!

[Peskarik]

Also, I think you can do much more in terms of tuning when it comes to GTI. It's very expensive to tune R32. You can easily soup up GTI and it will have same or better in-gear times then R32. Also, the power delivery of R32 is very linear, kind of sedate in my opinion. Four wheel drive is the scheisse  and the sound of the six is sexy, no argument. 

Hard choice, hard...

I was also looking at S3, but it is in another league (at least in terms of price).

I'd buy R32 if I had the dough to put a HGP bi-turbo inside. Costs 22000 euro, gives 435hp/595Nm, 0-100 in 4, 0-200 in 13, and 280+ top speed.
Now, that is something! 

[08micsta]

R32 mate.

We have a GTI and love it absolute bits. But you must admit. That R32 is just plain stunning. The sound, all wheel drive, sound, rims, sound 

If you can afford the R32 then I would buy it. But i'm only saying that cos to me the R32 is a completely different beast to the GTI. And cos I'm a spoilt brat

Its a hard choice me thinks.

[Simonet]

just sat in a bog standard R32 at the dealers (no I didn't test drive it I know)

Glad I bought the GTI, although as many have said, the noise is great in the R32

[Peskarik]

R32 mate.

We have a GTI and love it absolute bits. But you must admit. That R32 is just plain stunning. The sound, all wheel drive, sound, rims, sound 

If you can afford the R32 then I would buy it. But i'm only saying that cos to me the R32 is a completely different beast to the GTI. And cos I'm a spoilt brat

Its a hard choice me thinks.

obviously, the sound is quite important to you, Micsta.
Yesterday I saw Ed30 on the move in the city for the first time. (THere are very few GTIs here, as well, and I spot them right away, they look so classy!). It was gray with black rims. Looked great. Sounded great as well!!!
So, even with Ed30 you get quite nice noise. 

[08micsta]

I realise that of course the GTI does have its won growl. I have never heard the Ed 30 so I cant really judge. Will look on youtube for a sound clip.

[TagnuT]

I agree with all the points above. The V6 sounds great. But the running costs are higher.
Coming from a MKIV GT TDI the shock of now visiting the petrol station once a week and watching the petrol gauge plummet was ........erm shocking at first. But the performance is in a different league. The ED30 does have a nice exhaust note but not as good as the R32 burble.
If it was me it would depend who was paying for the petrol. Company or myself? So far having fun in the ED30 27mpg avg. On a long run at a reasonable speed 34-6 mpg.
Both great cars though