My R32

Hi,

So I signed up to R32OC around 7 years ago and I’ve been lurking around since.

In that time, I’ve always wanted an R32. I started the search properly 2.5 years after I sold my Edition 30 Golf. A car with all the optional extras and a few tasteful mods. Unfortunately the mileage got the better of it at 105k and I needed to get back what it owed before the value plummeted.

I was searching for an R32 and an Audi 8P S3 at the same time, looked at around 20 and finally found an S3.

I’ve owned that for the past 2 years and it sold the other month as I was wanting to get some money out of it to go travelling again.

After hankering for a TTRS and going to view a couple, I thought I needed to stick to my original plan as to why I sold the S3 and get something cheaper.

Went to view a couple R32’s but felt they were super underwhelming and walked away. Now I know I am comparing to the S3 which is a brilliant car, but I’m paying nearly half the price of what the S3 was worth so I have to expect a compromise.

Anyway, my friend told me about one he found for sale on Saturday on the R32OC Facebook group? Maybe. Not sure. But anyway, went to view it on Sunday night and it looked up to scratch. The owner was chopping it in on the wednesday and although I only had a night floodlit viewing I decided I wanted it. Went down on Tuesday and picked it up.

Now I went against my rules of never viewing a car in the dark, but I literally had no choice with work. Also, I didn’t even drive the car. Considering I went to view a manual literally last week and feeling underwhelmed again I somehow made an offer and bought it.

The previous owner had it for 9 years so it’s always a good sign that it has been looked after.

The drive home was a nervous one as I was hoping it drove ok as I didn’t test drive it, thankfully it did. Also, washing it this weekend was another nervous one as I hadn’t seen it fully clean in day light, again, thankfully nothing to write home about, so I’m happy.

Managed to do about 500 miles in it already since Tuesday and it’s a great little car, by no means a quick car, but sounds good and cruises well and looks fantastic for the age. Definitely aged very well, considering this is now 11 years old. Also, got 330 miles from the tank averaging around 28MPG with plenty of squirts here and there. Not too bad. They were long runs, but my commute is 70 miles, so should always get quite high MPG.

On to the car itself, it’s a DSG which I find quite slow in D mode and S mode I find unusable. So either use D and then override with paddles or use manual mode. Still not convinced about the driving experience with DSG. I think I’d always favour a manual.

Spec:
Recaros
DSG
Cruise Control
Highline
Lux Pack
Winter Pack

Also benefits from a Miltek resonated exhaust and a carbon rear defuser.

I did buy it with loads of stickers on, namely R32OC in rear quarter windows, some VW service stickers on windscreen and door shut and also a Nurburgring sticker on the boot. Also a R32OC tax disc holder.

Jobs for this weekend was to get rid of all this, sorry R32OC. Looks so much cleaner now. As above gave it the full clean and wax to give it a thorough look over too.

Probably rabbited on too long now so here are some pictures.

Oh and before I forget, future plans, will give it a DSG and Haldex service in the next few k, going to put it on Coilovers and also would like a RNS510. That’s about it.





























Oh, finally, NOISE.

Love these and love that.

It looks like a cracking example

Lovely thing and great colour. Big fan.

Looks like Paul Bryces old one actually.

Not normally a fan of these but that looks stunning

I absolutely love the R32. It's a car I WILL own at some stage! Think I'd prefer a mk5 too, unless it was a mint Mk4

gally said:

Looks like Paul Bryces old one actually.

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Yeah, that's my aim. Loved his. Although probably won't go as low as his old one.

Danith said:

I absolutely love the R32. It's a car I WILL own at some stage! Think I'd prefer a mk5 too, unless it was a mint Mk4

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Certainly a car any petrolhead has to own. I've owned 2 MK4 Gti's and I cannot stand that chassis, woeful, so had to be the MK5 for me.

Slammed172 said:

Yeah, that's my aim. Loved his. Although probably won't go as low as his old one.



Certainly a car any petrolhead has to own. I've own 2 MK4 Gti's and I cannot stand that chassis, woeful, so had to be the MK5 for me.

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Yeah my bro had a mk4 r32 and it was the best sounding hatch there is by a mile. I believe the mk5 chassis is supposed to be better. His did feel a little wallowy but I didnt care less, it was all about the exhaust note

That's beautiful. Never like the grill or wheels when these first came out... I warmed to the grill a bit, but not the wheels lol.

Nice

Nice car. Standard rear lights would look much better, the dark cherry red ones. Never understood why people changed Mk5 lights to those golf plus (?) ones. Also had those wheels (albeit replicas) on my first car, a Mk5 1.4 Golf, really are a good looking wheel!

Hai!

James Mk1 said:

Nice car. Standard rear lights would look much better, the dark cherry red ones. Never understood why people changed Mk5 lights to those golf plus (?) ones. Also had those wheels (albeit replicas) on my first car, a Mk5 1.4 Golf, really are a good looking wheel!

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Ah yes, I forgot to mention that they are aftermarket lights. Apparently something special and potentially only a handful in the UK. Lets hope they are and then I can make some money with a swap back to standards, as I agree with you.

Cookie said:

Hai!

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Not sure I should converse with the Skittles man

Nice.

Love this. Perfect spec imo

Looks absolutely lovely!!!

Absolutely love that! I really do. Perfect spec aswell.


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Looks nice, I love the seats!!

Looks really good.

My missus has a 66 plate Golf GTD and I've got an 11 plate Scirocco R, both with DSG. My box is mapped, and it's so much better than the Golf!

Very nice!

Cracking looking motor. I do sometimes wish I'd opted for an R32 instead of the Mk2 Focus ST I had.

James Mk1 said:

Nice car. Standard rear lights would look much better, the dark cherry red ones. Never understood why people changed Mk5 lights to those golf plus (?) ones. Also had those wheels (albeit replicas) on my first car, a Mk5 1.4 Golf, really are a good looking wheel!

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They'll do it because they're - almost - fully LED and given the popularity of LEDs these days, I'd guess they think it gives a fresher look. I personally like the LEDs but understand the love for an original unit.

That looks absolutely spotless mate. Gorgeous.

You really can't beat a big NA engine for the experience/sound/feel.

Can only echo the above, looks great, minty fresh.

Best colour, noise is epic but don't get all the fuss

Mine was a rot box

Lovely. Best colour by far.

Still miss mine. Costed a bomb but overall was worth it.

That looks very nice and clean.

Thanks for the comments all.

SC03OTT said:

They'll do it because they're - almost - fully LED and given the popularity of LEDs these days, I'd guess they think it gives a fresher look. I personally like the LEDs but understand the love for an original unit.

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They are Valeo LED's and I don't think you can buy them any more.
As much as I hate 'aftermarket' lights, they are actually growing on me.

What do people prefer? (left Valeo LED or right standard)



I'm also starting to enjoy the DSG, when in manual mode anyway. Just fun on a b road blipping up and down the gears. You find yourself doing it a lot more than if you were in a manual.
I've also booked it in for its DSG and Haldex service at APS next week.

Valeo for me.


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Valeo works on a silver car. On yours I'd much prefer standard.

Surely I wasn't the only one expecting a Nissan?

The seats look nice. Are they any more/less comfortable than standard R32 seats?

Superb looking machine.Was tempted too get one,but was suprised at how heavy they are.But that noise and the seats look mint

TomSx said:

Valeo works on a silver car. On yours I'd much prefer standard.

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Inclined to agree. But no great rush to swap back.

Steven103 said:

Surely I wasn't the only one expecting a Nissan?
The seats look nice. Are they any more/less comfortable than standard R32 seats?

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Ha, unfortunately it isn't.

Erm, been a while since I sat in the standard seats, but they are very comfy. Had them in my old S3 too so wanted to buy an R32 with them too.

ADS_V6 said:

Superb looking machine.Was tempted too get one,but was suprised at how heavy they are.But that noise and the seats look mint

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Yeah, they feel heavy too.

Slammed172 said:

Inclined to agree. But no great rush to swap back.


Ha, unfortunately it isn't.

Erm, been a while since I sat in the standard seats, but they are very comfy. Had them in my old S3 too so wanted to buy an R32 with them too.


Yeah, they feel heavy too.

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Was going too sell the Vee and get one but was shocked as their heavier than the v6.Some very nice examples on the r32 forum though.Just listened too some stock ones on youtube and they sound immense

Standard lights for me

Well, it's nearly been 2 weeks but I've already covered 1k in it, only got 299 from my last tank. Think I'm finding myself driving it harder and harder as I get used to the paddles.

Anyway, on Friday night I managed to hit a pot hole on the M1 slip road going rather swiftly, luckily it didn't blow out so carried on as it wasn't earth shattering. When I got back I saw that it put an egg in the tyre and damaged the alloy.




Saturday morning was spent ringing round a few tyres places for 2 front Eagles F1's. £200 all in. Although the fronts had around 3 - 4mm of tread left, I always change stuff in pairs regardless of only one tyre being damaged. The previous owner only did 5k a year so the front's were pretty perished anyway.

Going to put a claim in with the Council and try and claim for one tyre, tracking and a wheel refurb. Not sure how I will get on so I've only changed the tyre for now as I will be getting tracking done in a few weeks when I put it on coilovers so will have to live with how it is at the moment.

Any one had experience with claiming pot hole damage? In 12 years of hitting pot holes in the UK, this is the first time I've actually had damage.

--

So while sorting the above out I've also been forced to listen to the s**t UK radio. The RCD310 only has a 6 cd changed or radio. So I remember buying a Connect2 for my old Edition30 and never getting round to fitting it, so I dug that out yesterday, took apart the dash and fitted it into the glovebox.



It's so old that it only came with a coaxial to old iPod connection, so had to dig out an old iPod Touch to make sure it worked. I guess most people put the box behind the head unit, but because I needed to change the coaxial to a new iPhone connection I needed it to be in the glovebox. Unfortunately it is a very tight cable, so you can see the above only just fits into the glovebox where the handbook usually goes. I've put it on a bit of elastic band just in case it unclips and falls back behind because taking the dash apart is a massive pain in the arse.

That's the latest update.

Next up is finding coilovers, not sure which to go for... any suggestions? I know Paul B and @Sir_Dave had theirs on coilovers. I'd also like to potentially change some suspension components when changing to coilovers, all within reason, but what's best to change at the same time?

With pot holes and most councils, they maintain that more than one person has to notify them over it.

Get friends and family members to phone in over a few days and complain about it.

I tried to claim my council for my dad and this was the shite they gave me, i think its the same craic down by you guys as well.

Lovely motor mate!

Crap news about the tyre and alloy.

I claimed off the council when I had my civic. Bent wheel and fucked tyre after smashing into a pot hole on a national speed limit road.

Took a few months and they only ended up giving me half the money. The receipt for the alloy repair didn't have a VAT/company reg number on it or something...couldn't be arsed chasing for another £30.

That's lovely. Do have a want for an R32 myself next after the edition 30.

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Slammed172 said:

Well, it's nearly been 2 weeks but I've already covered 1k in it, only got 299 from my last tank. Think I'm finding myself driving it harder and harder as I get used to the paddles.

Anyway, on Friday night I managed to hit a pot hole on the M1 slip road going rather swiftly, luckily it didn't blow out so carried on as it wasn't earth shattering. When I got back I saw that it put an egg in the tyre and damaged the alloy.

Saturday morning was spent ringing round a few tyres places for 2 front Eagles F1's. £200 all in. Although the fronts had around 3 - 4mm of tread left, I always change stuff in pairs regardless of only one tyre being damaged. The previous owner only did 5k a year so the front's were pretty perished anyway.

Going to put a claim in with the Council and try and claim for one tyre, tracking and a wheel refurb. Not sure how I will get on so I've only changed the tyre for now as I will be getting tracking done in a few weeks when I put it on coilovers so will have to live with how it is at the moment.

Any one had experience with claiming pot hole damage? In 12 years of hitting pot holes in the UK, this is the first time I've actually had damage.

--

So while sorting the above out I've also been forced to listen to the s**t UK radio. The RCD310 only has a 6 cd changed or radio. So I remember buying a Connect2 for my old Edition30 and never getting round to fitting it, so I dug that out yesterday, took apart the dash and fitted it into the glovebox.

It's so old that it only came with a coaxial to old iPod connection, so had to dig out an old iPod Touch to make sure it worked. I guess most people put the box behind the head unit, but because I needed to change the coaxial to a new iPhone connection I needed it to be in the glovebox. Unfortunately it is a very tight cable, so you can see the above only just fits into the glovebox where the handbook usually goes. I've put it on a bit of elastic band just in case it unclips and falls back behind because taking the dash apart is a massive pain in the arse.

That's the latest update.

Next up is finding coilovers, not sure which to go for... any suggestions? I know Paul B and @Sir_Dave had theirs on coilovers. I'd also like to potentially change some suspension components when changing to coilovers, all within reason, but what's best to change at the same time?

Click to expand...

AP coilovers are recommended on these iirc. I had them on my old mk4 platformed car and they were great!

Would it not be the highways agency that look after the slip roads?

Danny_172 said:

With pot holes and most councils, they maintain that more than one person has to notify them over it.

Get friends and family members to phone in over a few days and complain about it.

I tried to claim my council for my dad and this was the shite they gave me, i think its the same craic down by you guys as well.

Lovely motor mate!

Click to expand...

Thanks.

I've checked online and this said pothole has already been reported twice. So, they are aware and it still hasn't been repaired, so hopefully this gives me a bit of leverage.

Philip. said:

Crap news about the tyre and alloy.

I claimed off the council when I had my civic. Bent wheel and fucked tyre after smashing into a pot hole on a national speed limit road.

Took a few months and they only ended up giving me half the money. The receipt for the alloy repair didn't have a VAT/company reg number on it or something...couldn't be arsed chasing for another £30.

Click to expand...

To be honest, I'm not overly fussed, like I said, I would have needed to do the tyres in the next 5k and the tracking would have needed to be done after coilovers. Just the alloy that is a little annoying. Will give it a shot, something is better than nothing.

Scrooge said:

AP coilovers are recommended on these iirc. I had them on my old mk4 platformed car and they were great!

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Yeah, just read Dave's thread and he rated them. Only £400 from Awesome GTI, bargain. Better than £800 for the Bilsteins.

realnumber 1 said:

Would it not be the highways agency that look after the slip roads?

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I think you are right there, yeah. Considering this wasn't a B road, but a busy M1 slip road, I should hopefully get something. Will chase up tomorrow.