Tough, but nice decision

[hotrod]

Hi gang,

Been following the site now for over a year and have found it very helpful, you can learn so much. I’ve been rolling around in a Golf 4-Motion V6 now for 6+ years and it’s been my best car ever. I’m hoping to change my car soon for either a new R32 or a GTI Edition 30. I’m told the order books are open again for the Ed 30 which is great news!

I guess there are positives and negatives on both cars, so I’m test driving them back-to-back this Saturday.

I’m drawn to the Ed 30 in white, especially if I could get the german black rims. The R32 feels like a pumped up version of my car with a great noise and 4-wheel drive security.

I know newbies have asked this question before, but which car do you think would make the best upgrade for me. Although I do not buy cars for investment purposes, which motor would be more desirable in 5/6 years come trade-in time?
Thanks for your advice buddies.

Hotrod (aka Steve)

[synnea]

Both cars have very different characters, we have closed the issue on this forum as to which is best as there is no winner. They are both brilliant in their own way. As you as testing both back to back you are in pole position to decide on which one grabs you most. Personally I love the looks of the DBP R32, excellent traction and of course that V6 sound. Go drive both, take your time over it and decide which is best for you. The ED30 looks amazing in the white (be prepared to keep it clean though!)

The one thing I will say is that as you are used to the 4motion and the excellent grip in the wet or greasy roads you will miss that if you went for an ED30. In the GT 140 i issued to have unless the road was bone dry the lack of traction did my head in even in it. 230BHP through the front wheels in my opinion the power can only be put down best on a dry road hence my decision to opt for the R32.

[MAT ed30]

i came from the r32 to the ed30 and its the best move i made as its bloody awesome and in white  and the choice to have 350bhp easily is too tempting and is cheap to do.

[Russ.C]

Yep I agree, I also came from an MK4 R32 and the Edition 30 is a much better car in my opinion, (not that I've driven the MK5), the Edition 30 is easy and cheap(ish) to remap, and even with 300bhp is still more economical than the R! Do miss the V6 soundtrack though, that was by far the best thing about it, always felt the R was underpowered and heavy/lazy compared to GTI. Traction is an issue to start with when you come from the 4 motion, but you soon learn how to put it down cleanly, even when its wet. Either way you'll end up with a cracking motor 

[R32UK]

Get the R32... I am biased but I admit it openly! Its more down to your preference of driving type and if you will be doing any mods too i guess.

[Peskarik]

Hi gang,

Been following the site now for over a year and have found it very helpful, you can learn so much. I’ve been rolling around in a Golf 4-Motion V6 now for 6+ years and it’s been my best car ever. I’m hoping to change my car soon for either a new R32 or a GTI Edition 30. I’m told the order books are open again for the Ed 30 which is great news!

I guess there are positives and negatives on both cars, so I’m test driving them back-to-back this Saturday.

I’m drawn to the Ed 30 in white, especially if I could get the german black rims. The R32 feels like a pumped up version of my car with a great noise and 4-wheel drive security.

I know newbies have asked this question before, but which car do you think would make the best upgrade for me. Although I do not buy cars for investment purposes, which motor would be more desirable in 5/6 years come trade-in time?
Thanks for your advice buddies.

Hotrod (aka Steve)

you are making the right choice with white E30 with black 18 Monzas. Get a hole in the roof, too. It adds some black to the top as well. Looks great, plus makes inside lighter.

[Peskarik]

In terms of 5-6 years down the road, I think R32 will be more desirable. BUT, there is the price of oil to consider, taxes etc...
R32 is desirable in the sense that you can make it go like you would not believe, but that would require at least 13000 euro.

[Hurdy]

Sorry Peskarik, I have to disagree on this one.

In 5 or 6 years time, if fuel and road tax keeps going in the direction it is, the R32 will be an unwanted proposition as very few people will be prepared to live with an average of 20mpg and the possible higher tax bandings that may come up in future.

Parkers is already showing that the R32 and ED30 will decline to roughly the same price over 3 years which means a larger drop from the more expensive R32

Putting economic and environmental issues aside, Both the ED30 and the R32 are great cars. Again my vote falls on the side of the ED30, both as a drivers car, and for the extra fun factor you can extract from it (especially after a remap  ). Don't get me wrong, the R32 is a good technical demonstration of how to build a great 4WD V6 motor - for me it is just a little too clinical and therefore not as much fun.

[Golfgirl]

I came from a highly modified Mk 4 R32 to an Edition 30 which I trest drove back to back with a MK 5 R32.

The R32 had more grunt all round and like my old Mk 4 the traction was unbelievable, it had a great sound to it and just seemed quicker in general.  The Edition 30 seemed quicker off the mark and more torquey low down, and with a remap will be quicker than the R32.  The R32 will need a lot of cash thrown at it to get the same power gains that the Edition 30 can get for £500 and to get a noticeable power increase.

I'm getting used to the FWD again and although I miss the 4WD of the R32 it's nice to be able to have a bit more control of the car myself rather than letting the car sort itself out for me. 

Putting everything into perspective - initial outlay, running costs, tuning potential, future expenses (tax!) the Edition 30 was the better all-rounder for me but I do miss the R32 and will probably get another one in the future sometime.  I've only had the Ed30 9 days though so I may speak differently of it when it's run in and I'm used to it and can drive it properly, but for the time being it's a good enough substitute for the R32.

[Luck1ng]

My ed30 took 5k miles before it was run in! Really goes now tho!