Great informative video. Purchased my 2008 mk5 r32 five years ago at 60k on the clock. and its been really kind to me so far. Only ever had some of the issues you mentioned in the video. Aircon refrigerant pressure sensor, ceased rear calipers, lower front control arm, new radiator. I live in london so i only do about 4000 miles a year. Absolutely love the car and plan to keep it for life as it'll be a classic
Hope you have done this video earlier Andrew! Literally bought my R32 2 months ago! But luckily the previous owner is from the Owners Club and it was a perfect example! Keep the good work :)
Great video . I have a 3 door MK5 R32 in black and I’ve owned it for over a year now . Last year I spent 2.5K in repairs . Radiator, Lam sensor, charcoal filter etc and it’s just gone into Marshall VW for 4K of work . Decided to get the car blitzed and back to perfect. I paid 7.5K to buy it in Jan last year . Costs 580 annual tax but I don’t care . It’s a beautiful sounding beast . Love it and I’m glad I bought it . Just had full set of pilot sport 4s tyres done . Most of the things you mentioned I have had done and now it drives like new . 👍👍 . Had it APR Stage 1 tuned and a K&N high flow air filter fitted so the engine still looks as it should from factory but it makes 280 Hp now . 😃
Making engine breath better is the way to go so map, filter, exhaust. I'd find a good specialist rather than go to VW as your money will go a lot further, not sure where you are but www.autops.co.uk are the perfect place for an R32, technician/owner Nathan trained VW techs on the workings of the engine back in the day. I admire you investment in the car and I am sure confident it's a wise one
Thanks . I think that the R32 is one of the best sounding cars out there . I’m in Reading Berkshire . Did originally take it to a local garage I’ve used for years but they are getting sloppy these days and don’t seem bothered so I tried the VW garage . They are expensive but I won’t need to do anything for a year now . Always enjoy your content. Looking forward to the next one . 👍 Thanks for the link . Shame it’s a bit far from me ..
I see all that and I'll raise you a new rear differential, propshaft, bushes all around, rear brake calipers, radiator, lamdba sensors, exhaust, 4 x tyres, and a 700 quid service Since January last year haha.
As a regular mk5 owner it's hard to share ur enthusiasm for these yokes, fix 1 thing and 2 more issues appear instantly lol, 250k km and ready for the scrap yard haha
I've owned my 2006 R32 for 18months now. Missed the cheaper tax bracket by 1 day! I dont mind the £580 a year tax because its sorn over the winter. It's got full main dealer history from new, so I carried it on. £200 for an oil service. I've replaced the faulty interior light switch unit. Replaced all the interior door pulls and window switches, common fault on VAG cars, they look awful once worn. Replaced the drivers side front wing due to corrosion. That's it. Ready to enjoy it again from March.
I always planned to sell my MK5 R32 for a B7 RS4 but I just don’t think I can part with it. I’ve had it for 10 years and just think I’d miss it too much. Might just have to buy the RS4 too and see if it is enough for me to then part with the R32
Thanks Andrew! I’ve had my R32 for 14 years and this was a good review of items to keep up. All of those points are perfect at this point, but won’t last forever - which is exactly how long I plan to keep this car, it’s THAT good! I also keep up on those as well as a few other bits, because I am running a Rotrex SC and making 372whp. Gotta keep proper maintenance with all those pony’s!
There are more: 1. Top Strut Mounts both front and rear, 2. The Temp sensor valve in AC Compressor, 3. Sagging Roof Lining, 4. Leaking flexi pipe to cat convertor 5. Leaking Crankcase Breather Hose.
The bonnet catch/latch seized should be on there, along with broken wires in the door loom at the hinge, some times, also broken wires in the loom at the tailgate hinge
My MK5 GT Sport was immaculate but noticed bubbling on the front wings. The hoops VW make you jump through to get them replaced is ridiculous and it also made me question my loyalty to VW. After 6 months VW eventually agreed and they did a fantastic job.
Mine will be 15 years old in March, had it for over 6 and still love it! For an older car, it still runs well and got to love the madness of the 3.2 in a hatchback!
I moved to America Texas to be exact in 2019 hoping to continue my love for vw, I searched high and low for a respectable decent example here (r32) and to quite honest I didn’t find one worthy enough to drop the money on. Vw vortex members had some good examples but couldn’t pay out right for the price they’re asking. In the end I went for the autobahn Gti mk6 full leather 3 door carbon grey and I love it
Its tough finding decent ones in the UK now too. A lot are being imported from Japan. Granted they look mint. No rust. But you just can't be 100% sure the speedo has the correct mileage. Maybe look at an import. Japan is right hand drive BTW.
Great Video - I have a 2008 Silver R32 since new. Now 92,000 miles serviced by main VW dealer. All your points were spot on. Great cars if looked after and serviced on time. The best car I have ever owned.!!!! Keep the videos going, I watch them all the time..
Thanks Derek, big respect for owning from new, 92k is nice mileage, not too much but just enough to keep it from decaying from lack of us. Silver is probably my favorite colour
Great timing is this video, I’ve been looking for over a year for the best example I can find while I saved and accrued the funds to buy one and now I have, so thank you for the tips and hopefully in the next few months I’ll have a good one!
Just bought mine 2 weeks ago, best purchase I've ever done, also the sound is one of a kind. if you drive her in sports mode all the time and have somewhat a heavy foot then a tank of fuel doesn't last that long bit I'm all about smiles per gallon not miles per gallon
Exactly, I have a Mk5 R32 and its the most reliable car I've ever owned, I think sometimes buyers expectations can be somewhat unrealistic with cars of this age. Expect to spend more at purchase for a good one, or less at purchase but a lot more later and sooner down the line on replacements/repairs. I absolutely love mine.
Great info seeing rear arches go near the front join. BTW oddly the rear HL brake lighter not working is only and advisory, this is what I got; Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories): Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))
Only bought mine in November after a year of umming and arghing. The fuel and tax costs haven't even put me off. Mine had suffered with arch rust and where the arch meets the sill. I got the local paint shop to sort this for £300 and looks brand new now. I'm so glad I made the investment, what a car
My chains had stretched at only 62000 mls with engine management light on. Audi quoted around £4000 for the repair. I went on to clock up 175000 mls without changing them. Car ran fine. I was lucky I guess. Love the 3.2 so I bought another.
Would you be interested in covering the R36 Passat, in any fashion really; a review, your thoughts or buyers guide etc - I’d be interested to see anything you’ve got to say on them really, info and videos is relatively light on the ground online!
I do like the R32; they make a great noise especially with a Milltek. My big issue with them was the VED and economy vs. the performance on offer. I ended up with a 330. The N52 was an incredible engine; slightly faster, better economy and a lot less VED. The R32 used to be a pretty common sight around here but I can’t remember the last time I saw one.
@@inbloom08 It's easy enough to fix with a new actuator off eBay. the OEM parts are very expensive but the knockoffs seem to work fine. I have done two doors on my MkV
@@daleb5283 50 quid a month road tax, high octane fuel + 20- 30 mpg depending how you drive. Services aren't cheap. Last year it was just under 700 quid with dsg and haldex service. It's not the same as a regular Golf It's a Porche Cayenne In a golf MK5 chassis In many ways.
I have a gold gtd and it’s cheap to service, easy if you have a flat driveway. £20 tax.. 216bhp with map. Was considering an R32 but I have a feeling I’ll sell it after a few months. I had a vr6 years ago and most garage visits were half the price of the car
I must of been lucky. Bought and owned a 2006 Grey, manual, 3 door for about 18 months many years ago. Never had any issues with it and sold within 3 days of advertising. Seen more videos on these lately, wouldn’t mind another. Andrew do you remember purchasing a green Bora with leather interior on a V plate many years ago??
That would be a long video! If I get a Mk4 I will but I just don't think they are good value at their current pricing so I don't tend to get offered them
Great video Andrew, I’ve had various mk5 and mk4 r32’s over 15 years or so and your advice is spot on. I have encountered issues with dual mass flywheels in one car but this was due to the previous owner launching the car many times! The clutches are only just up to the job with that 4wd system grip, making the clutch the weakest point. I’ve never had any issues with timing chains, it would seem cars on the long life oil service plan of 2 years 18k miles (crazy with all the moving parts in that VR6) are the ones that suffered timing chain issues
Thanks Steve! I've never had a clutch issue on these or Mk4 which compared to Mk7 is very different. I guess I don't buy many and the owners tend to not be the type you describe but I am sure a lot will have been thrashed and suffer what you say. The AWD on Mk7 R as you say kills the clutch also, you know that, I know that, yet VW fitted a clutch from a 2WD GTI....
Would you say the cars with timing chain issues are generally the ones on the long life service regime? Prematurely worn out guides and chain due to long mileages between oil changes. It was 2 years or 18k which is a lot on a VR6. With the fans and air conditioning, you can test the fans by switching it on in the cabin. The AC will work even in our current temperatures as it’s a dehumidifier as well. Even with the cockpit temp set at a high value you can test the fans as they will run up as soon as the AC button is pressed regardless of the outside temp. You can see if the air con compressor runs by looking at it in the engine bay. The compressor won’t run if the aircon pressure is low and requires a recharge of refrigerant. A great videos as always, helping enthusiasts buy their first r32, especially as these cars are old and are starting to have there fair selection of problems
Hi. Very nice video, excellent tips👍. Just a request, could you please make video on Audi A3 3.2 Quattro? Is it modern classic too? I think this golf r32 & A3 3.2 have same engine. If possible compare both cars for pros & cons etc.. thanks..
Brilliant video - if I ever have the means to buy a classic, a Mk5 R32 is no.1 on my list! I've always fancied a Mk2 GTi, but realistically, a Mk5 would be easier to live with...plus THAT engine... Interesting comments on the front wings - I had exactly the same issue on my 06 plate VW Passat estate. VW actually replaced both front wings for free, under the anti corrosion warranty (I think this was 2012/13, if I remember correctly). The paint was bubbling from underneath, just exact where you were pointing out (on the edge, just above the centre of the wheel). If I buy an R32 (& that particular one would have been perfect!), I think I'll just buy one from you, Andrew - I'd rather buy from someone who actually cares about the cars they sell & you're clearly not interested in selling "bodge job" cars👍. I do see the occasional R32 up my way (someone in the next street has a MK4 R32, which looks in great nick), but most I see have been "chavved up", if you get my meaning 🤣.
Had my timing chain and dual mass flywheel changed at 111k miles. Don't want to do it again so I've spent days worth researching what the actual cause Is, a German website did tests (yes It was In German and I actually did go that far) they say It's caused by short journeys / cold starts. If you cold start your R32 make sure you do 14 km's or 8.5 miles to bring your engine up to tempreature and chains along with it before stop starting again to avoid premature wear. On the original chains (sachs I think) they stamped one of the links, where It was stamped was a weak point and usually where It would snap. Edit: Also, I have the Recaro wingbacks and I've always wondered If they were standard with the car, I'm pretty sure they are as It's stock and I don't think It's ever been modified. I also have the pages for the wingbacks In the manual. Any sure fire way to tell if they came stock that you know of? Is the wingback section In all the booklets regardless? Any help Is appreciated. Great video, too. Thanks
I have owned 2 golfs. Rear brake calipers have been problematic in both. My Mk5 golf needed both rears replaced at 8 years old and my current mk7 2014 needed both rears replaced at 5.5 years old. Mk7 was at 41k miles and the piston boots failed letting moisture in and seizing the pistons.
I managed to pick up a pair of newer ones in very good condition from a breaker with motors included. I think brand new calipers come with motors. Euro car parts are about £180 a caliper without surcharge. I was going to try and refurb the old ones but realized once I pushed the piston out of one it's more of a specialist job. There's tiny ball bearings inside along with tiny springs that fit inside a thread.
Great value car, still overlooked by speculators so look after it. I'd buy one to keep as it's still a small Golf with a H U G E engine and makes a great noise, loved them back in the day. Video will be done when I can get one, probably entitled "the thinking man's R32" :)
Much appreciated...I picked a 5 door one up a year and half ago for 550 with 100 000 miles, never missed a beat n plan to keep as long as possible, an ongoing project as a dailly.
No way Jay! I didn't think anyone actually did it but if you've been hit by a failure you'll know how frustrating it is as so easy to fix yet often hard to get the parts especially at night or somewhere remote.
I’ve wanted one of these since they came out. I’ve recently bought one in decent condition in my opinion but I’m no expert. Do u have a garage, or where are you located I’d love for you to check mine out. I did it’s major service at VW and they said it was all good but I’d rather take it to an r32 specialist. Thanks for the info 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Your passion is undiminished and it shows! Though such a car is no longer practical for me, I still enjoyed the video as I do all of them. Keep up the good work Andrew Stay safe and well!
Thanks! It's not practical for a lot of people but it's a nice thing to have around and use sparingly which is quite an accolade for a humble Golf Glad you enjoyed this one as well!
I did really want to get one of these, iv'e gone to see 3 now and 2 of them were so poor and had such badly repaired bodywork they were pretty much scrap, the 3rd was so overpriced it was unbelievable.
Another superb video as always. I have to agree with all of these points, but I'd probably add in the suspension as a bit of a weakpoint (in my opinion). They do tend to be quit hard on bushes, arms, drop links, etc. None of it is big money though.
I used to own an R32 and I loved that thing. Im thinking of buying a mk6 R. Can I ask based on your knowledge and experience what would be a better car overall R32, Golf R mk6 or mk7. Obviously going up in price but of course theres lots to consider from a value standpoint. R32 sounds great, mk6 looks great and is tunable and the mk7 is still expensive but is it a better experience? .... help me Volkswizard :)
I have a R32 2008 3225/5000 .. when I have extra weight (300 lbs) my car starts to lose power and weeks of gas can that be the coils ? Excellent video .. thank you so much sir
@@volkswizard i wanted a standard car i got a remapped car which had also had an accident i bought it for 7250 from a supposedly got dealer it waa worth well put it this way not 7250 absolutely broken i was
Timing chain on the MK5 I wouldn’t really worry about unless you hear an awful noise. MK4 R32 the recommendation was get it done when the engine hit 100k regardless of history
I've been caught at 60k with chains on a 2006 Mk5 R32, owner wasn't a hooligan either. VW did some fix, then I sold it, then owner had to have over £1000 of work by a specialist.
The owner took the sound absorber off as it wasn't secure, I'm not inclined to replace it as R32 noise isn't something to muffle but there are stories of condensation causing water to drip off the underside of the bonnet and cause coil failure which won't happen with the blanket fitted. How can you be sure your wings are original? Have a look at the numbers on them as they are date stamped. So many have been replaced and some won't have been because of rust. If the later cars have German wings then the bad news is they rust just as much because they are going rotten just as quickly but that stupid sponge is on all of them so no real surprise.
Thanks Andrew! What are your thoughts on the Dual Mass Flywheel’s of this VR6 engines? It’s common and something to look for? And would you say that a lot of this apply for a Passat VR6 3.2 Mk6 4motion? Greetings from Chile!
Great video. Looking to buy a R32 in the coming weeks. Do you know of any recommendable R32 specialist garages in the north west ? West Yorkshire or greater Manchester? Thanks
Fantastic video as always Andrew. Love my R32, luckily got the low tax model, plus sunroof and wingback seats. DSG is brilliant to have too. Car Insurance is well cheap as well. Plenty of VW specialists out there who are better than the dealerships for R32's. Vince at Stealth who you have visited in the past is brilliant. 👍
Handy info Andrew, thanks. I wish I'd known about your garage when I traded-in my one-owner Mk4 GTi for a bag of loose change. You live and learn (if you're lucky)!
I can't argue with that, it's amazing they've held their values and are now going up isn't it? I bet a lot will be SORN sat in garages as investments now so tax is neither here nor there. Shame though
Hi Andrew, many thanks for an excellent video. I have just bought a 2008 R32 in superb condition but I will take preventative measures and remove the front wheel arch liners as you recommend in your comments. Are the rear arches a problem too please? Cheers, Richard
Hi Richard, well done on new car. Remove front liners, remove sponge, apply lots of wax (Normfest cavity wax from ECP) and of course refit liners - when moving liners be careful not to level on wing and damage the paint. The rears I have only seen rusty a few times and those cars were lowered and had wider wheels which I reckon rubbed (Mk5s rub easily). Also some seem to rust by the rear bumper where it meets the body near offside rear arch and rust there. Also around VW badge on boot and sills (especially the bit under the wing probably due to wing rubbing sill when body flexes under torsional load. Boot floor getting common too so spray from underneath to protect. But if wings are still good, usually the rest will be too. But most importantly, enjoy it!
Bloody love these cars just couldn't afford a good one which is why I have a mk4 4motion I am on the look out though great video as a lot of this applies to the Mk4 cars too
TBH the MK5 R32 is so much comfier than Mk4 it's actually a lot like the V6 4motion Mk4 though it benefits from a better chassis and stiffer shell (and a nice DSG box if you like that sort of thing). I had a Bora V6 with grey Recaro leather and 17" wheels and Xenons, loved it. It was a greeny grey I think, maybe Oceanic green? Mind you it did have a few ESP faults as it was quite new tech back then
My MK4 is just starting with this rust on the front wings but only very slight. It’s not a very desirable one only a 2.0L so debating whether to get the work done or not. I know done properly it will be expensive.
You can get decent pre-painted after market wings for £100 on eBay. I got one for my Bora as the rust on wheel arch had got a bit too far, and it wasn't too difficult to change. The fit is great and the colour match perfect 👍
Take it out pronto and wax in there liberally with some Normfest Cavity Wax from Euro Car Parts. I've not ever noticed the noise and on an R32 there is enough other noise anyway!
Yeah you have to remove the wheels, and inner arch liner. They usually rot from the inside out, so by the time you notice the paint starting to bubble , more often than not it'll be too late to repair. Better to replace. Luckily VW covered the cost of mine at the time.
Love these cars, just need a bit more grunt......supercharge/turbo it and it’ll be as quick as the latest R, but u will probably need a good £10k to do it well.
Brilliant information Andrew - these are so popular in Australia due to our cheap fuel and command 15-25k AUD with only 20 for sale nationwide becoming rare and these are great tips
Hi.. I have a question for you.. A golf r32 mk5 with 230000km and fairly good shape. Should I buy it for 9000euros? Its a silver colored one black leather seats DSG of course.
Hey friends....I got a r32 for a couple...then I somehow ficked up. My gearbox(dsg). If I can say it like that...just appears to have to electricity. If I get the car out of park there is still no gears. I can start the car...but all it does is flash prdns? What you think ppl? Some help would be appreciated
what would you say the running costs are on an r32? I am looking to spend maybe 7.5k on an r32 but have heard a lot of chat about the high running costs. I am aware of the high tax bracket and poor mpg.
I've just bought one literally two weeks ago haha. What would you like to know? Although I appreciate I can't tell you too much in such a short ownership time frame.
Me to. I viewed one just the other day. It looked sweet. I nearly bought it, but having the dash in KM/h and being an 'enthusiastic' driver, I thought I best leave it. I like my driving licence. I'd love to know ppls experience with them. From purchase to sale.
Great informative video. Purchased my 2008 mk5 r32 five years ago at 60k on the clock. and its been really kind to me so far. Only ever had some of the issues you mentioned in the video. Aircon refrigerant pressure sensor, ceased rear calipers, lower front control arm, new radiator. I live in london so i only do about 4000 miles a year. Absolutely love the car and plan to keep it for life as it'll be a classic
Every golf has seized rear callipers don’t know why. I have a mk7gtd and had the same issues .. Volkswagen do like to continue a problem
Hope you have done this video earlier Andrew! Literally bought my R32 2 months ago! But luckily the previous owner is from the Owners Club and it was a perfect example! Keep the good work :)
Nice one Thomas! There have to be some up together cars out there, glad you got one of them
Great video . I have a 3 door MK5 R32 in black and I’ve owned it for over a year now . Last year I spent 2.5K in repairs . Radiator, Lam sensor, charcoal filter etc and it’s just gone into Marshall VW for 4K of work . Decided to get the car blitzed and back to perfect. I paid 7.5K to buy it in Jan last year . Costs 580 annual tax but I don’t care . It’s a beautiful sounding beast . Love it and I’m glad I bought it . Just had full set of pilot sport 4s tyres done . Most of the things you mentioned I have had done and now it drives like new . 👍👍 . Had it APR Stage 1 tuned and a K&N high flow air filter fitted so the engine still looks as it should from factory but it makes 280 Hp now . 😃
Making engine breath better is the way to go so map, filter, exhaust. I'd find a good specialist rather than go to VW as your money will go a lot further, not sure where you are but www.autops.co.uk are the perfect place for an R32, technician/owner Nathan trained VW techs on the workings of the engine back in the day.
I admire you investment in the car and I am sure confident it's a wise one
Thanks . I think that the R32 is one of the best sounding cars out there . I’m in Reading Berkshire . Did originally take it to a local garage I’ve used for years but they are getting sloppy these days and don’t seem bothered so I tried the VW garage . They are expensive but I won’t need to do anything for a year now . Always enjoy your content. Looking forward to the next one . 👍 Thanks for the link . Shame it’s a bit far from me ..
Have you had the exhaust manifolds replaced by any chance?
Yes but by the previous owner about a year before I purchased the car .
I see all that and I'll raise you a new rear differential, propshaft, bushes all around, rear brake calipers, radiator, lamdba sensors, exhaust, 4 x tyres, and a 700 quid service Since January last year haha.
Thanks Andrew, more shattered dreams 😂🤣.
Ditto. Great video, the corrosive part is a worry. Plus the tax is over £600 on some now and going up. Mad
@@kb8729 do it
I have one. Nothing beats a nice vr6 3.2L it’s legendary
As a regular mk5 owner it's hard to share ur enthusiasm for these yokes, fix 1 thing and 2 more issues appear instantly lol, 250k km and ready for the scrap yard haha
Haha lool
I've owned my 2006 R32 for 18months now. Missed the cheaper tax bracket by 1 day! I dont mind the £580 a year tax because its sorn over the winter.
It's got full main dealer history from new, so I carried it on. £200 for an oil service. I've replaced the faulty interior light switch unit. Replaced all the interior door pulls and window switches, common fault on VAG cars, they look awful once worn.
Replaced the drivers side front wing due to corrosion. That's it. Ready to enjoy it again from March.
£200 For an Oil & Filter change???
@@fujohnson8667 I paid leicester VW £200 for oil and filter change. The car had full vw history so thought best continue it. Couple of years ago now.
I always planned to sell my MK5 R32 for a B7 RS4 but I just don’t think I can part with it. I’ve had it for 10 years and just think I’d miss it too much. Might just have to buy the RS4 too and see if it is enough for me to then part with the R32
RS4 is a beast.
Thanks Andrew! I’ve had my R32 for 14 years and this was a good review of items to keep up. All of those points are perfect at this point, but won’t last forever - which is exactly how long I plan to keep this car, it’s THAT good! I also keep up on those as well as a few other bits, because I am running a Rotrex SC and making 372whp. Gotta keep proper maintenance with all those pony’s!
There are more: 1. Top Strut Mounts both front and rear, 2. The Temp sensor valve in AC Compressor, 3. Sagging Roof Lining, 4. Leaking flexi pipe to cat convertor 5. Leaking Crankcase Breather Hose.
There are always more!
The bonnet catch/latch seized should be on there, along with broken wires in the door loom at the hinge, some times, also broken wires in the loom at the tailgate hinge
That's in seat and audi. Such a shit quality
My MK5 GT Sport was immaculate but noticed bubbling on the front wings. The hoops VW make you jump through to get them replaced is ridiculous and it also made me question my loyalty to VW. After 6 months VW eventually agreed and they did a fantastic job.
Mine will be 15 years old in March, had it for over 6 and still love it! For an older car, it still runs well and got to love the madness of the 3.2 in a hatchback!
Crazy isn't it?! Enjoy!
I moved to America Texas to be exact in 2019 hoping to continue my love for vw, I searched high and low for a respectable decent example here (r32) and to quite honest I didn’t find one worthy enough to drop the money on. Vw vortex members had some good examples but couldn’t pay out right for the price they’re asking. In the end I went for the autobahn Gti mk6 full leather 3 door carbon grey and I love it
Its tough finding decent ones in the UK now too. A lot are being imported from Japan. Granted they look mint. No rust. But you just can't be 100% sure the speedo has the correct mileage. Maybe look at an import. Japan is right hand drive BTW.
Great Video - I have a 2008 Silver R32 since new. Now 92,000 miles serviced by main VW dealer. All your points were spot on. Great cars if looked after and serviced on time. The best car I have ever owned.!!!! Keep the videos going, I watch them all the time..
Thanks Derek, big respect for owning from new, 92k is nice mileage, not too much but just enough to keep it from decaying from lack of us. Silver is probably my favorite colour
Best advice i can give is get the mk4 R32
The wing issue was also on my 2009 A5.
i love the way you present everything in this video I plannig to buy my dream r32 at the end of this year and this video help me a lot
Great timing is this video, I’ve been looking for over a year for the best example I can find while I saved and accrued the funds to buy one and now I have, so thank you for the tips and hopefully in the next few months I’ll have a good one!
Nice one Cameron, be careful out there!
Just bought mine 2 weeks ago, best purchase I've ever done, also the sound is one of a kind. if you drive her in sports mode all the time and have somewhat a heavy foot then a tank of fuel doesn't last that long bit I'm all about smiles per gallon not miles per gallon
Have to remember that these vehicles are all 12 years old plus. Most 1974 cars in 1987 or 1988 would have been scrapped.
Exactly, I have a Mk5 R32 and its the most reliable car I've ever owned, I think sometimes buyers expectations can be somewhat unrealistic with cars of this age. Expect to spend more at purchase for a good one, or less at purchase but a lot more later and sooner down the line on replacements/repairs. I absolutely love mine.
thankfully I live in Australia a dry country so rust isn't a problem, proud owner of a MK5 3dr.
Great info seeing rear arches go near the front join.
BTW oddly the rear HL brake lighter not working is only and advisory, this is what I got;
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))
Only bought mine in November after a year of umming and arghing. The fuel and tax costs haven't even put me off. Mine had suffered with arch rust and where the arch meets the sill. I got the local paint shop to sort this for £300 and looks brand new now. I'm so glad I made the investment, what a car
Good point George, it's not just the wings that rust.
Been looking at these since my c63 caught fire, and i was furloughed. Its a real useful videos, thanks very much for the 10 points to check !
My chains had stretched at only 62000 mls with engine management light on. Audi quoted around £4000 for the repair. I went on to clock up 175000 mls without changing them. Car ran fine. I was lucky I guess. Love the 3.2 so I bought another.
Surely you could of it got someone privately to do it?!
This is actually one of the most informative videos of ever watched thank you
Would you be interested in covering the R36 Passat, in any fashion really; a review, your thoughts or buyers guide etc - I’d be interested to see anything you’ve got to say on them really, info and videos is relatively light on the ground online!
I do like the R32; they make a great noise especially with a Milltek.
My big issue with them was the VED and economy vs. the performance on offer. I ended up with a 330. The N52 was an incredible engine; slightly faster, better economy and a lot less VED.
The R32 used to be a pretty common sight around here but I can’t remember the last time I saw one.
But as Volkswizard says right at the end of this video. That horrible VED is more than offset by the solid residuals.
@@MyNewLeng still stings though, paying the same VED as much faster cars.
Central locking issues on the MK5’s golfs and its sister Jetta are a very common problem too
Yep, I've been dealing with locking my driver's side door old school style with the key in my MK5 GTI for over a year now 🤣 I just call it a feature 🤣
@@inbloom08 It's easy enough to fix with a new actuator off eBay. the OEM parts are very expensive but the knockoffs seem to work fine. I have done two doors on my MkV
@@dielaughing73 sweet mate I'll look into it cheers 🤘
Absolutely love my Mk 5 R32, but it costs be a fortune to run as a daily 🤨
How come? Fuel costs alone? The general maintenance tyres etc should be same as a regular golf
@@daleb5283 50 quid a month road tax, high octane fuel + 20- 30 mpg depending how you drive. Services aren't cheap. Last year it was just under 700 quid with dsg and haldex service. It's not the same as a regular Golf It's a Porche Cayenne In a golf MK5 chassis In many ways.
I have a gold gtd and it’s cheap to service, easy if you have a flat driveway. £20 tax.. 216bhp with map. Was considering an R32 but I have a feeling I’ll sell it after a few months. I had a vr6 years ago and most garage visits were half the price of the car
I must of been lucky. Bought and owned a 2006 Grey, manual, 3 door for about 18 months many years ago. Never had any issues with it and sold within 3 days of advertising. Seen more videos on these lately, wouldn’t mind another. Andrew do you remember purchasing a green Bora with leather interior on a V plate many years ago??
2030 is going to be a dark year.
Ish, it's a ban on NEW internal combustion engines, not old ones and parts etc.
MAINTAIN!❤️
Nah, 2030 will be the year I buy a modern classic,
Wait for the final editions 🤤
@@Cous1nJack Time is running out to buy good low milage examples of performance cars
@@cfbm125 better off owning one before
Can you do the same video for the Mk4 so I can see everything I missed when buying both mine 😂.
That would be a long video! If I get a Mk4 I will but I just don't think they are good value at their current pricing so I don't tend to get offered them
Great video Andrew, I’ve had various mk5 and mk4 r32’s over 15 years or so and your advice is spot on. I have encountered issues with dual mass flywheels in one car but this was due to the previous owner launching the car many times! The clutches are only just up to the job with that 4wd system grip, making the clutch the weakest point.
I’ve never had any issues with timing chains, it would seem cars on the long life oil service plan of 2 years 18k miles (crazy with all the moving parts in that VR6) are the ones that suffered timing chain issues
Thanks Steve! I've never had a clutch issue on these or Mk4 which compared to Mk7 is very different. I guess I don't buy many and the owners tend to not be the type you describe but I am sure a lot will have been thrashed and suffer what you say. The AWD on Mk7 R as you say kills the clutch also, you know that, I know that, yet VW fitted a clutch from a 2WD GTI....
Would you say the cars with timing chain issues are generally the ones on the long life service regime? Prematurely worn out guides and chain due to long mileages between oil changes. It was 2 years or 18k which is a lot on a VR6.
With the fans and air conditioning, you can test the fans by switching it on in the cabin. The AC will work even in our current temperatures as it’s a dehumidifier as well. Even with the cockpit temp set at a high value you can test the fans as they will run up as soon as the AC button is pressed regardless of the outside temp. You can see if the air con compressor runs by looking at it in the engine bay. The compressor won’t run if the aircon pressure is low and requires a recharge of refrigerant.
A great videos as always, helping enthusiasts buy their first r32, especially as these cars are old and are starting to have there fair selection of problems
I work at Vw and there’s this r32 mk5 come in sometimes and it has 5000kms on it
Would absolutely love more r32 videos mate
My mk5 tdi had corrosion in that exact spot on the usual side.
It's so annoying because it's when not if it's going to happen and is so avoidable
Hi. Very nice video, excellent tips👍. Just a request, could you please make video on Audi A3 3.2 Quattro? Is it modern classic too? I think this golf r32 & A3 3.2 have same engine. If possible compare both cars for pros & cons etc.. thanks..
Brilliant video - if I ever have the means to buy a classic, a Mk5 R32 is no.1 on my list! I've always fancied a Mk2 GTi, but realistically, a Mk5 would be easier to live with...plus THAT engine...
Interesting comments on the front wings - I had exactly the same issue on my 06 plate VW Passat estate. VW actually replaced both front wings for free, under the anti corrosion warranty (I think this was 2012/13, if I remember correctly). The paint was bubbling from underneath, just exact where you were pointing out (on the edge, just above the centre of the wheel).
If I buy an R32 (& that particular one would have been perfect!), I think I'll just buy one from you, Andrew - I'd rather buy from someone who actually cares about the cars they sell & you're clearly not interested in selling "bodge job" cars👍. I do see the occasional R32 up my way (someone in the next street has a MK4 R32, which looks in great nick), but most I see have been "chavved up", if you get my meaning 🤣.
Had my timing chain and dual mass flywheel changed at 111k miles. Don't want to do it again so I've spent days worth researching what the actual cause Is, a German website did tests (yes It was In German and I actually did go that far) they say It's caused by short journeys / cold starts. If you cold start your R32 make sure you do 14 km's or 8.5 miles to bring your engine up to tempreature and chains along with it before stop starting again to avoid premature wear. On the original chains (sachs I think) they stamped one of the links, where It was stamped was a weak point and usually where It would snap.
Edit: Also, I have the Recaro wingbacks and I've always wondered If they were standard with the car, I'm pretty sure they are as It's stock and I don't think It's ever been modified. I also have the pages for the wingbacks In the manual. Any sure fire way to tell if they came stock that you know of? Is the wingback section In all the booklets regardless? Any help Is appreciated. Great video, too. Thanks
I have owned 2 golfs. Rear brake calipers have been problematic in both. My Mk5 golf needed both rears replaced at 8 years old and my current mk7 2014 needed both rears replaced at 5.5 years old. Mk7 was at 41k miles and the piston boots failed letting moisture in and seizing the pistons.
Blimey, not come across mk7s yet failing, was that a lot more expensive to fix being electric?
I managed to pick up a pair of newer ones in very good condition from a breaker with motors included. I think brand new calipers come with motors. Euro car parts are about £180 a caliper without surcharge. I was going to try and refurb the old ones but realized once I pushed the piston out of one it's more of a specialist job. There's tiny ball bearings inside along with tiny springs that fit inside a thread.
I own a mk 4 golf 2.8v6 4 motion...would love a vid on them if ever possible
Great value car, still overlooked by speculators so look after it. I'd buy one to keep as it's still a small Golf with a H U G E engine and makes a great noise, loved them back in the day. Video will be done when I can get one, probably entitled "the thinking man's R32" :)
Much appreciated...I picked a 5 door one up a year and half ago for 550 with 100 000 miles, never missed a beat n plan to keep as long as possible, an ongoing project as a dailly.
Great advice I always keep a spare coil in all my VW cars Great car
No way Jay! I didn't think anyone actually did it but if you've been hit by a failure you'll know how frustrating it is as so easy to fix yet often hard to get the parts especially at night or somewhere remote.
I’ve wanted one of these since they came out. I’ve recently bought one in decent condition in my opinion but I’m no expert. Do u have a garage, or where are you located I’d love for you to check mine out. I did it’s major service at VW and they said it was all good but I’d rather take it to an r32 specialist. Thanks for the info 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Your passion is undiminished and it shows!
Though such a car is no longer practical for me, I still enjoyed the video as I do all of them.
Keep up the good work Andrew
Stay safe and well!
Thanks! It's not practical for a lot of people but it's a nice thing to have around and use sparingly which is quite an accolade for a humble Golf Glad you enjoyed this one as well!
MK 1 Focus rear arches rust awful due to same reason...
Very insightful. Thanks for sharing👍
I did really want to get one of these, iv'e gone to see 3 now and 2 of them were so poor and had such badly repaired bodywork they were pretty much scrap, the 3rd was so overpriced it was unbelievable.
Very helpful! Thanks.
You're welcome!
can you do a video on the R36 like this please :D
Another superb video as always.
I have to agree with all of these points, but I'd probably add in the suspension as a bit of a weakpoint (in my opinion). They do tend to be quit hard on bushes, arms, drop links, etc.
None of it is big money though.
Hi can't beat a mk6 5 golf😎
I used to own an R32 and I loved that thing. Im thinking of buying a mk6 R. Can I ask based on your knowledge and experience what would be a better car overall R32, Golf R mk6 or mk7. Obviously going up in price but of course theres lots to consider from a value standpoint. R32 sounds great, mk6 looks great and is tunable and the mk7 is still expensive but is it a better experience? .... help me Volkswizard :)
mk6 r i wouldnt bother, R32 VR6 engine is just so iconic
I have a R32 2008 3225/5000 .. when I have extra weight (300 lbs) my car starts to lose power and weeks of gas can that be the coils ? Excellent video .. thank you so much sir
Wreeks ^
Could just be an oil seal that can smell
I saved up for 4 years to buy one i went along way got absolutely ripped off lost a heap of money i was so gutted
It's not hard to get ripped off, hope the vid helps avoid that with your next one
@@volkswizard i wanted a standard car i got a remapped car which had also had an accident i bought it for 7250 from a supposedly got dealer it waa worth well put it this way not 7250 absolutely broken i was
@TR Hamza has good content on R32's and other Golfs etc if anyones interested
I have this same car albeit in 3dr. This video has reminded me that I should really drive it more, as it sits on my drive 6 days a week 😂
What would be a fair price for a 2009 R32 5 Doors?
Timing chain on the MK5 I wouldn’t really worry about unless you hear an awful noise. MK4 R32 the recommendation was get it done when the engine hit 100k regardless of history
I've been caught at 60k with chains on a 2006 Mk5 R32, owner wasn't a hooligan either. VW did some fix, then I sold it, then owner had to have over £1000 of work by a specialist.
Amazing car, but the R32 mark 4 is also a very very nice car. I cannot buy one because it must be euro 6 here in belgium.
Who said a car must be a euro6?
R32 mark 5 is a much better car.
Best car I ever owned
Yer missing a sound blanket under the bonnet ahem hood, mate. Also my panels seem original and made in Germany. Then again it’s production 2007..NA
The owner took the sound absorber off as it wasn't secure, I'm not inclined to replace it as R32 noise isn't something to muffle but there are stories of condensation causing water to drip off the underside of the bonnet and cause coil failure which won't happen with the blanket fitted. How can you be sure your wings are original? Have a look at the numbers on them as they are date stamped. So many have been replaced and some won't have been because of rust. If the later cars have German wings then the bad news is they rust just as much because they are going rotten just as quickly but that stupid sponge is on all of them so no real surprise.
Thanks Andrew! What are your thoughts on the Dual Mass Flywheel’s of this VR6 engines? It’s common and something to look for? And would you say that a lot of this apply for a Passat VR6 3.2 Mk6 4motion? Greetings from Chile!
Saving for another one now
Cheaper to get the Audi A3 3.2L as its pretty much the same car, cheaper, and with a better interior.
@@Winged_Vision Too rare and from what I've seen, only come in the old A3 model and 3 doors
Keep looking at the R32 but also looking at the Audi TT mk2 purely as there cheaper
Definitely Mk2 TT over Mk4 R32 these days but beware DSG can be a problem
Love my 3 door manual!
A classic combo, enjoy Blank Frank 👍
They have a tendency to rust around the Rear VW badge aswell thats next thing to do on my Mk5 GTI great cars others wise, and wings already done.
Yep that's right. Caught mine just in time and also replaced the boot release for a mk 6 version which is better quality and looks better imo 👍
Great video. Looking to buy a R32 in the coming weeks. Do you know of any recommendable R32 specialist garages in the north west ? West Yorkshire or greater Manchester? Thanks
Better call Scotty...
Can you do Tips for buying Mk6 GTI Edition 35/R
Fantastic video as always Andrew. Love my R32, luckily got the low tax model, plus sunroof and wingback seats. DSG is brilliant to have too. Car Insurance is well cheap as well. Plenty of VW specialists out there who are better than the dealerships for R32's. Vince at Stealth who you have visited in the past is brilliant. 👍
brilliant info
Where is the body shop located please can you put there details up for us thanks.
excellent video
Handy info Andrew, thanks. I wish I'd known about your garage when I traded-in my one-owner Mk4 GTi for a bag of loose change. You live and learn (if you're lucky)!
Why I sold mine = £500 a year road tax just made it pointless in 2021 cost vs performance just doesn’t ad up.
I can't argue with that, it's amazing they've held their values and are now going up isn't it? I bet a lot will be SORN sat in garages as investments now so tax is neither here nor there. Shame though
@@volkswizard that wouldn’t surprise me either, if only I had storage !...Infact no I’d end up with as many cars as you 😁👍
Hi Andrew, many thanks for an excellent video. I have just bought a 2008 R32 in superb condition but I will take preventative measures and remove the front wheel arch liners as you recommend in your comments. Are the rear arches a problem too please? Cheers, Richard
Yes the rear arches can definitely be problematic, especially if the previous owner didn't clean around the arches!!
Hi Richard, well done on new car. Remove front liners, remove sponge, apply lots of wax (Normfest cavity wax from ECP) and of course refit liners - when moving liners be careful not to level on wing and damage the paint. The rears I have only seen rusty a few times and those cars were lowered and had wider wheels which I reckon rubbed (Mk5s rub easily). Also some seem to rust by the rear bumper where it meets the body near offside rear arch and rust there. Also around VW badge on boot and sills (especially the bit under the wing probably due to wing rubbing sill when body flexes under torsional load. Boot floor getting common too so spray from underneath to protect. But if wings are still good, usually the rest will be too. But most importantly, enjoy it!
Hi Andrew, thank you for taking the time to give me such a detailed reply, much appreciated. (Many thanks Piero too). Keep up the great reviews Andrew
One of the saddest days - trading-in my mk5 R32 😢. Loved that engine/exhaust sound.
Oh well Chris, you could always buy another!
What are your thoughts on Japanese imports?
Coil pack issue?! You don't say, Lol! I've been through two sets already with my Mk6 GTI ;(
Bloody love these cars just couldn't afford a good one which is why I have a mk4 4motion I am on the look out though great video as a lot of this applies to the Mk4 cars too
TBH the MK5 R32 is so much comfier than Mk4 it's actually a lot like the V6 4motion Mk4 though it benefits from a better chassis and stiffer shell (and a nice DSG box if you like that sort of thing). I had a Bora V6 with grey Recaro leather and 17" wheels and Xenons, loved it. It was a greeny grey I think, maybe Oceanic green? Mind you it did have a few ESP faults as it was quite new tech back then
I was going to buy an r32, but suddenly I saw an passat r36. I wonder if this tips apply for the r36 too.
My MK4 is just starting with this rust on the front wings but only very slight. It’s not a very desirable one only a 2.0L so debating whether to get the work done or not. I know done properly it will be expensive.
You can get decent pre-painted after market wings for £100 on eBay. I got one for my Bora as the rust on wheel arch had got a bit too far, and it wasn't too difficult to change. The fit is great and the colour match perfect 👍
@@djgerard82 thanks. Yeah I had seen those sort of things. Just wasn’t sure about fit/colour match e.c.t
Was it Lothian auto parts by any chance?
@@danl4252 That's the one. Can send you before/after photos if you want.
@@djgerard82 yeah please if you don’t mind.
Sure. I'll email them through if you could send your address.
First tip, Buy a ED30 GTI
how do you remove the sponge?
Both my fans come on on cold start. They stay on I have no warning lights do you think this is the coolant temp sensor
Would you recommend taking the sponge pad out of the wing! If possible? Or would it be too noisy.
Take it out pronto and wax in there liberally with some Normfest Cavity Wax from Euro Car Parts. I've not ever noticed the noise and on an R32 there is enough other noise anyway!
@@volkswizard Sorry its my Mkv Gti. Is it easy to get out?
@@dickiedocker yep fairly simple. Get the area where the sponge has been sat protected asap or it's new front wings.
@@piero2611 How do you get to it. Is it from under the bonnet or take a wheel off. Thanks for replying 👍
Yeah you have to remove the wheels, and inner arch liner. They usually rot from the inside out, so by the time you notice the paint starting to bubble , more often than not it'll be too late to repair.
Better to replace. Luckily VW covered the cost of mine at the time.
Don't understand why so expensive, pretty slow. For them prices you mention, could by the golf R wich is way faster.
Love these cars, just need a bit more grunt......supercharge/turbo it and it’ll be as quick as the latest R, but u will probably need a good £10k to do it well.
Brilliant information Andrew - these are so popular in Australia due to our cheap fuel and command 15-25k AUD with only 20 for sale nationwide becoming rare and these are great tips
I bet they don't rust but yes a great car for AUS and one you can enjoy within the speed limits which I gather is quite handy ;)
I wish I had a dealer like you in the U.S. :(
Hi.. I have a question for you.. A golf r32 mk5 with 230000km and fairly good shape. Should I buy it for 9000euros? Its a silver colored one black leather seats DSG of course.
Excellent counsel and reinforces your knowledge, passion and expertise.
Very informative. Thanks.
Hey friends....I got a r32 for a couple...then I somehow ficked up. My gearbox(dsg). If I can say it like that...just appears to have to electricity. If I get the car out of park there is still no gears. I can start the car...but all it does is flash prdns? What you think ppl? Some help would be appreciated
What type of mile can these engines
Go for? I have have an option of buying one for £8k full service history MOT and 92k miles
I would like to know why is the golf R line faster than the R32
what would you say the running costs are on an r32? I am looking to spend maybe 7.5k on an r32 but have heard a lot of chat about the high running costs. I am aware of the high tax bracket and poor mpg.
I've just bought one literally two weeks ago haha. What would you like to know? Although I appreciate I can't tell you too much in such a short ownership time frame.
@@MyNewLeng I guess just the car in general i know the engines r pretty solid but those peaky chains can fuck it over
Really informative video. May be looking for one of these in the next 12 months so will refer back to this video if need be
Thanks Karl, good luck with the search, it's not too hard to find one right now but easier to find a dog of course!
What do you think of the Japanese import r32’s I have seen a few for sale recently with no rust and cheaper tax due to it being an import??
Great question. Have been wondering the same thing.
Me to. I viewed one just the other day. It looked sweet. I nearly bought it, but having the dash in KM/h and being an 'enthusiastic' driver, I thought I best leave it. I like my driving licence. I'd love to know ppls experience with them. From purchase to sale.