GTI to R32! Help!

[JamesT]

Id love for someone to scare the shizzle out of me take me for a spin in a R32. Would be awesome. Where you guys from?

[carl1]

like i said before not just about speed else id have a evo mr.r32 wont cost you that much more a year if you dont do big miles(imo if you can afford 20k+ car extra £200 or whatever it is shouldnt put you off if thats the one you want).both great hatches whatever you choose you will enjoy

[maxamus]

I think i need to step in.
The R32 is a better car for me because its totally different from the GTI. People should not bother with GTI ED30 vs R32 because they just get messy and all people compare is speeds and times which is naieve.

I would have the R32 over the GTI any day because the R32 just sounds so lush!

Shot some Monza II's on an black R32 and drool 

[RedRobin]

....I agree, maxamus - You can only say that a car is "better" for YOU personally. We are each different (Thank goodness!!).

[JamesT]

I just came back from an hour drive in my GTI and it made me happy. Such a fun car to drive.

The things i dont like about the GTI is the brakes, i just dont feel safe! Is this a shared opinion or just me? Will the R32 be an improvement?

Also taking corners at speed didnt feel comfortable.

But the feeling of that Turbo kicking in and the torque is just IMMENSE.

Ive always wanted a car where by if you put your foot down, there is pure acceleration with no delay. With the GTI there is obviously some delay. Is there any delay with the R32?

I much prefer the look of the R32 over the GTI but i guess that is all personal opinionated(is that a word?). I wish i had DSG to experience the feeling and having flappy paddle is just a cool feature

Its all down to money of course. Its going to cost me about 8k for the upgrade and then the money for insurance and extra £200pa for tax and then petrol prices....it all adds up..

Bottom line is i should of bought the R32 to begin with!!!

Decisions Decisions Decisions.

I need to get behind the wheel of an R32 before i make my decision.

[RedRobin]

....The GTI brakes are good but the pedal feedback is lousy compared with a good aftermarket setup. AP Racing Big Brake Kit is truly awesome but expensive!

If you want to become more at ease with any performance car and learn its limits so you can drive within them more safely, I strongly recommend a day course at CarLimits on North Weald airfield but be prepared to kill a set of tyres and do only 11 mpg!!

There is no turbo lag or delay with the GTI if you drive it manually. (Well, none that I remember - Mine is so modified with stuff that improves throttle response!)

[NewGolf]

No turbo lag at all on mine, and its done less than 1000 miles 

[R32UK]

Id love for someone to scare the shizzle out of me take me for a spin in a R32. Would be awesome. Where you guys from?

I am in Leeds. but do travel down south fairly often..

[R32UK]

we dont drive round top gears test track every day do we???,  that makes no sense to me at all. Perhaps he should buy an R32 because it went round a track 2 seconds faster. all fool him i'd say.

Whats DSG gota do with Haldex??
i Could have a stick manual and it be just as dangerous. thats not linked to my right foot is it?? or am i missing something  .

Ive stated the fact, the more often then not, ex R32 owners that have sold up, have moved on for ONE MAIN REASON!! and thats the running costs of it.
When you have family and kids in some cases to consider, you have to think before you splash the cash.

By stating the 2 sec quicker I was just refering to the fact that having 4wd does not hinder your performance but simply makes it better in any situation other than a drag. the fact is its the best handling golf out there, and anyone who starts to say the lump is too heavy needs to compare one to a Gti and then decide which one understeers.

My reference to DSG was just in comparison to yours about the Haldex.... "hope technology saves your ass". Its almost the same as me saying I will beat you in a drag unless the dsg steps in and changes gear for you. We all have technology in our cars... enough said.

Its true about running cost, yes they are expensive, but as Topher said and extra £8 per week is hardly alot. I find that I can make much quicker progress with the R32 as I dont have to get into the turbo range to hit high speeds. In fact I can usually leave most traffic behind without ever going over 3000rpm and this makes for some very easy driving. However after having owned mine now for a fair few months I would say the deciding factor is the types of miles you do. i.e. short frequent journeys are going to cost you a fair bit more. Longer journeys without stop starts i would say there will be very little difference between it and your Gti.

[hotrod]

Hi Guys,

After 6+ years in a V6 4-Motion (soft R32), I must say how much I am still missing the gorgeous V6 howl, instant torque from idle and the reassurance of 4-wheel drive.

I’ve owned my ED30 for a couple of months now, but it still hasn’t quite gelled with me. The turbo rush is fun, the handling nimble and the looks killer in Candy White, but it still doesn’t feel like MY car. Hopefully in time it will.

I test drove the R32 and GTI back-to-back in both 2006 & 2008, in various manual and DSG guises. In the first scenario I loved the R32 and instantly put down a deposit... only to get cold feet a month later and cancelled (still in love with my 4-Mo). In 2008 I preferred the GTI due to its light & nimble handling, turbo rush and funky front end appearance and the availability of Candy White.

Also the impeding doom relating to road tax and fuel issues tempted me towards the ED30 which offered unlimited tuning potential, but at reasonable cost.

So forgive the ramblings, I’m missing my 4-Mo and this thread had me thinking... Hotrod