Tough, but nice decision

[R32UK]

I would say that the R32 is getting slightly faster too as it runs in, as well as improved mpg which is more than welcome! Like I have said on previous posts.. if I were putting my money into a car then it would be the ED30 no question about that.

But I have to say for me the R32 is the better all round car if your not concerned with things like tuning and remaps. The way it goes round corners, gets off the mark, and simply pi$$es over almost everything in the wet... how can I not love it??? With the addition of things like xenon's, 18" as standard, blue tinted glass, twin 3" exhausts, smoked rear lights, and a V6 growl which makes it the best sounding golf there has ever been!! The looks you get from people "in the know" also do help you know you made the right choice

I would also say look at the top gear r32 vs 130i bmw review on youtube, as well as the R32 v Gti review at the top of the board on this forum. Then make your decision

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=30686.0

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=O9rFQPg0kbk&feature=related

[JonnyG]

I owned a V6 4-Motion for three years and also loved it to bits.  The only downside for me was the mediocre Mk IV chassis and the tiring noise at high motorway speeds due to the gearing.

Compared to the Mk IV's handling you are really going to enjoy the MK V, whether it's the R32 or ED30 

I now have an ED 30 and rate it far better than the V6 4-Motion.  However I do miss the 4-motion drive, especially in the current weather and would love an R32 during these wet winter months.  You really need to ask yourself how much you'll miss being able to catapult away from the lights/roundabouts, without giving a thought to front wheel traction   

The other decision you need to consider is DSG or not ? 

[Hurdy]

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.

By April (once it starts drying up) you'll know you've made the right choice

Then get it remapped

[R32UK]

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.

By April (once it starts drying up) you'll know you've made the right choice

Then get it remapped

If there is one thing you can rely on... its that it will still be pi$$ing it down in April, May & June as it was last year, the wettest year ever. I would say the chances of it being wetter this year are quite good too. but i guess there is no point in starting a weather debate either!!

So let me put it this way.. if you had to put your mortgage on if the roads are going to be wet at some point of your journey each day, what would you do??

[Hurdy]

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.

By April (once it starts drying up) you'll know you've made the right choice

Then get it remapped

If there is one thing you can rely on... its that it will still be pi$$ing it down in April, May & June as it was last year, the wettest year ever. I would say the chances of it being wetter this year are quite good too. but i guess there is no point in starting a weather debate either!!

So let me put it this way.. if you had to put your mortgage on if the roads are going to be wet at some point of your journey each day, what would you do??

I'd take the chance!

Life would be boring otherwise

[hotrod]

I owned a V6 4-Motion for three years and also loved it to bits.  The only downside for me was the mediocre Mk IV chassis and the tiring noise at high motorway speeds due to the gearing.

Compared to the Mk IV's handling you are really going to enjoy the MK V, whether it's the R32 or ED30 

I now have an ED 30 and rate it far better than the V6 4-Motion.  However I do miss the 4-motion drive, especially in the current weather and would love an R32 during these wet winter months.  You really need to ask yourself how much you'll miss being able to catapult away from the lights/roundabouts, without giving a thought to front wheel traction   

The other decision you need to consider is DSG or not ? 

I would defo get a manual. I find the Mk IV chassis a little leaden, it goes well and bulldozes its way through, however its a blunt instrument. Fuel economy is bad 19-24. I once got 30mpg running at 60mph (no air con) driving like my dad. Trust me the new car will be driven enthusiastically as well! I need a fun, nimble car which I will want any excuse to take out. I tried the new Mini Cooper S and I loved it (thrashed it completely) but I couldn’t live with the looks or lack of space! The Ed 30 is looking like the favourite at the mo! 

[R32UK]

I owned a V6 4-Motion for three years and also loved it to bits.  The only downside for me was the mediocre Mk IV chassis and the tiring noise at high motorway speeds due to the gearing.

Compared to the Mk IV's handling you are really going to enjoy the MK V, whether it's the R32 or ED30 

I now have an ED 30 and rate it far better than the V6 4-Motion.  However I do miss the 4-motion drive, especially in the current weather and would love an R32 during these wet winter months.  You really need to ask yourself how much you'll miss being able to catapult away from the lights/roundabouts, without giving a thought to front wheel traction   

The other decision you need to consider is DSG or not ? 

I would defo get a manual. I find the Mk IV chassis a little leaden, it goes well and bulldozes its way through, however its a blunt instrument. Fuel economy is bad 19-24. I once got 30mpg running at 60mph (no air con) driving like my dad. Trust me the new car will be driven enthusiastically as well! I need a fun, nimble car which I will want any excuse to take out. I tried the new Mini Cooper S and I loved it (thrashed it completely) but I couldn’t live with the looks or lack of space! The Ed 30 is looking like the favourite at the mo! 

I would second that! Manual all the way... unless your part of the oldies club Let us know how the test drives go!

[DannyBoyR32]

i would go for a manual as well although i have dsg

the ed30 felt to me quite a bit slower but it wasn't a long test drive, the alloys are nicer than on r32 but the seats and gearknob for me look pap............

[Peskarik]

i would go for a manual as well although i have dsg

the ed30 felt to me quite a bit slower but it wasn't a long test drive, the alloys are nicer than on r32 but the seats and gearknob for me look pap............

so, why would you go for manual?

[hotrod]

Will do... although sadly I’m approaching the oldies club!
For your interest, I took out GTI & R32 a couple of years ago as was impressed with the R32, not quite so much with the GTI. Now the ED 30 is available again, the extra poke and detailing make it my fave at the mo (would have to be white). At that time I put a deposit down on a blue R32 after my test drive, but 2-weeks later cancelled... I just wasn’t turned on by the styling. Recently I borrowed a diesel Sport and was impressed by the build & performance, it seems leagues ahead of the earlier models I tested. Maybe VW have upped the ante on the quality side?

Also with the advent of those ace LEDs I’m reading about on this forum, my decision to purchase a new Golf is suddenly becoming an easy choice.
I will post my feedback next week after my extended test drives.

Cheers evryone... great forum... great feedback