This really was an iconic car. I love the clean and simple lines of the body. The engine is a little down on horsepower relative to the modern R, but it sounds fantastic.
Was it peak VW? A resounding yes! The sound of that engine! The acceleration! The flappy paddles!! I owned one a few years ago. Fantastic car!! Simple sophistication !! Pity about the changes made because of continental emissions standards requirements.
VW created a classic with the MKV R32, the mechanical combination is excellent, the package of gocart level sport suspension with the meaty VR6 engine is absolutely brilliant. The R32 is a very 'planted' car to drive, luxurious interior and very much dual personality, either cruise effortlessly or push it, though it remains very controlled - most unlike its more edgy GTi cousin. We have the 3dr DSG '07 model, with only 45k KMs on it, the good is great, though owning it has not all been a bed of roses.
Max and Gareth, yes ICONIC! Absolute classic. VW at it's very best. Even now a head turner. Classic. Still looks modern. Something very special. Thank You. Amazing car. And yes like you a 'soft spot' for VW. And yes one day an Up GTi for sure.
Never seen any of your vids before!! Well deserved like my friend!! Appreciate this video. I think I love the R32 even more now. I want one. My friend was kind enough to let me have a go. I drove on the motorway from London to Watford & back. Siiiick whip man.
A great example, credit to the owner. Cool video, and I totally agree with the conclusion. It's understated and timeless, and that engine note is soul.
I bought one last year to replace an e46 M3 which I didn’t use much. This is a great car - understand looks and a brilliant engine note. I absolutely love it.
Brilliant video! I’ve had my mk5 R32 for over 2 years now, mine also has a milltek and the sound is truly addictive! Shame VW didn’t continue the VR6 production in later models.
The short answer to the question is yes! And just to be picky, the DSG is also a six speed, not seven. At least the North American version is and I imagine they're the same
Great review! Got a 5dr DBP manual since 2 years, the best choice I’ve ever made. You’re just happy in advance, knowing you’re going to start up the engine. Prices are more then double here in Belgium. Went up 4K in the last 2 years. Still the best sound for your buck! Gas mileage is terrible, but when you hear that exhaust, you just don’t care anymore.
Was planning on getting one of these, DSG version (or the Audi A3 equivalent, which were also a lot cheaper than R32's or 3.6 CC's). The decent ones cost over 15k here three years ago, and for a cheaper price I got a well-maintained 3.6 VR6 Passat CC with less mileage, more power and a slightly nicer interior. Felt like a better deal overall. VR6 sound all day, over every engine out there. 🥰
@@chriskarn4718my manual R32 could do with a 7th gear too. Sits way too high in the RPM on the freeway, with this much torque it could be just idling but instead it's doing 3500rpm or something.
fully agree, the peak design of vw, along with this mk5 golf, 2002 touareg, 2005 magotan,... all share the similar elements of design, the best looking of volkswagen.
You should tell Gareth to replace the cap that goes into his air filter box. People take that off thinking it makes the car sound better, but actually it just wildly increases the intake temps and makes the car perform worse. Ask me how I know....
How reliable is the automatic in these cars? I've been looking into a golf to daily. Started looking into the r because awd but been I've been told to look into a 2.5 instead of a 2.0 and now came across an r32 automatic and have fallen in love in how they sound😅. Didn't even know a v6 in a golf was a thing
excellent video and presentation and worth a sub. You are right about about the R32 they are not showy and could be just another Golf but to purists they are a lot more then that and is the reason i have a MK4 R32
Great review of the Golf. Only just come across your channel,just subscribed. Where did you film this . Always looking for new roads for weekend blast,had my 4.0 GTS Cayman up north Pennine roads between Kirby Stephen and Alston B6276 and B6277 last week,check that route out if you get chance.. fabulous and almost deserted.
Hey Phil, thanks for the sub! This was filmed on the evo triangle in N.Wales (average speed cameras though) You should join us on a driving event (that’s what we mainly do)
The Mk5 was very well screwed together in R32 form. I've owned a ton of VWs (including my daily R32) and Mk5 was a real return to form. Even if the Mk4 is more the icon/classic. I adore my Mk3 VR6 too but I promise the quality is no where near Mk5 (...the induction noise is something else though).
2:34 VR6 is Verkürzt Reihen sechs = Shorten Inline six. Like the IL6, the VR6 has a 6-pin crankshaft vs a 3-pin crankshaft for any V6. Unlike the IL6, the cylinders are staggered and bored at 15° to shorten the length and lower the engine's height. This is shown in the arrangement of the red spark plugs. A 3-crank pin 15° V6 only exists in the CAD model. In the CAD simulation, the cylinders will collide with each other. The V6 emblem on the intake manifold is a marketing tactic designed to persuade buyers and fool those who are unfamiliar with engine design architecture.
I love these cars but they weren't fast enough considering the engine is a six cylinder 3.2 litre its nearly 100bhp less than the m3 from same ear which also had a 3.2 litre 6 cylinder
I had a 2009 Audi TT with a 3.2 VR6 and 6 speed manual with “Quattro”..….. you can keep that shit. Did it sound good? Yes. That’s it. Timing chain started failing. Fixed that. Transfer case failed. Fixed that New oem dual mass flywheel failed. Fixed that with an expensive single mass. Then the rear haldex diff failed….. I had enough. Fuck that platform.
I have owned a 2007 TT mk2 3.2 with DSG for 5 years - nothing gone wrong with it. I have only replaced the oil and tyres. Admittedly I bought it as a 3rd owner with log books. Only just ticked over 50,000kms. Maybe luck of the draw or someone selling you BS.
the car was totally overpriced. most people read a stat sheet, and the gti got you 90% and there''s a reason they cost 10 grand less. If you didn't read the stat sheet though. anyone that's been in one... yes there's a reason they're imortalised. btw my father has a 147 gta, the second last brera. I love that car, but it will swap ends faster than a kardashian, and I love my r32, but the brera does sound better once you remove the wounded animal mechanical snarl.
It makes a GTI sound like crap and it has all the traction that will see a GTI spinning at the lights in anything but bone dry conditions as it pulls away. I’ll sacrifice a few less mph and take the fact that at ANY speed the R32 makes the noise every GTI owner wants. Oh and that’s from a 3 time GTI owner up to a 7 PP
No substitute for cubic inches. If you buy a r32 you have the potential to have a 1000bhp car if you buy a 2.0 at 500bhp your driving a time bomb waiting to blow
lol saying this was the golden era? the mk5 platform was trash. mk7 + 8 perform better in everyway. and saying that decade was the golden era of cars is a stretch too. i think we're just exiting a golden era. have multiple v8 muscle cars. peak miata. gr86, gr corolla and yaris. hyundai is making little sports cars. the supra is back and better than ever even if it is german.
Every newer golf will perform better than the last, it goes without saying. That being said usually people only realise it was a golden era with hindsight.
@@d15z1sux i dont think anyone will say the mk6 was really good at all though and everyone loves the mk4 over the mk5. i seem to be running into uk people specifically really liking the mk5 gti for some reason. probably because top gear said the r32 was "too fat" but now it really is better than the gti even with how "fat" it is.
Some people care about looks/ sound too… not just performance. Coming from a MK8R owner… I’d take a 1 mile MK5/4 over mine for the same price any day of the week. $$$ talks. No MK7s going for over $100k…
I bought a new R32 in Grey in 2008, the only year offered here in the US. It only came with a DSG gearbox. I kept it for five years and wish I still had it. I loved the sound of the 3.2litre engine. VW produces nothing with this level of interesting design or something special like the Corrado. VW's current offerings don't interest me at all. I'm currently driving a 2023 Lexus IS500 with their naturally aspirated 5.0 litre V8. The car is rear wheel drive and it sounds beautiful.
My favorite hot hatch for real mate
Balkans are trying to get drunk too😂
Just bought a black mk5 r32, 06 plate manual.
Can't wait to experience what this car is all about! Pick it up in 4 weeks
deeply regret selling my 3 door DPB manual Mk5 R32… what a fantastic car she was
I have a tornado red one and I swear I’ll have that car until I die. So many people have offered to buy it but I refuse 🥲
GTI's place is different
Bought my second one in reflex silver after regretting selling my black 32 will never sell this one what a car… great video 🔥
Thank you! Never sell it!
I absolutely love the R32 that soundtrack you could never get bored of.
You’re completely right!
This really was an iconic car. I love the clean and simple lines of the body. The engine is a little down on horsepower relative to the modern R, but it sounds fantastic.
Couldn't agree more!
Was it peak VW? A resounding yes! The sound of that engine! The acceleration! The flappy paddles!! I owned one a few years ago. Fantastic car!! Simple sophistication !! Pity about the changes made because of continental emissions standards requirements.
Couldn't agree more.
VW created a classic with the MKV R32, the mechanical combination is excellent, the package of gocart level sport suspension with the meaty VR6 engine is absolutely brilliant. The R32 is a very 'planted' car to drive, luxurious interior and very much dual personality, either cruise effortlessly or push it, though it remains very controlled - most unlike its more edgy GTi cousin. We have the 3dr DSG '07 model, with only 45k KMs on it, the good is great, though owning it has not all been a bed of roses.
Totally agree, everything is right with this car
Car was slow stage 1 destroyed it
Max and Gareth, yes ICONIC! Absolute classic. VW at it's very best. Even now a head turner. Classic. Still looks modern. Something very special. Thank You. Amazing car. And yes like you a 'soft spot' for VW. And yes one day an Up GTi for sure.
You’re very right Keith, thanks for the comment as always!
One of the best reviews of one of the best cars… love it mate
Thank you!
Never seen any of your vids before!! Well deserved like my friend!! Appreciate this video. I think I love the R32 even more now. I want one. My friend was kind enough to let me have a go. I drove on the motorway from London to Watford & back. Siiiick whip man.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the video!
Don't forget W12 6.0 tuareg
A great example, credit to the owner. Cool video, and I totally agree with the conclusion. It's understated and timeless, and that engine note is soul.
Well said!
I bought one last year to replace an e46 M3 which I didn’t use much. This is a great car - understand looks and a brilliant engine note. I absolutely love it.
Brilliant video! I’ve had my mk5 R32 for over 2 years now, mine also has a milltek and the sound is truly addictive! Shame VW didn’t continue the VR6 production in later models.
Thank you! It is a great shame but the 2L in the new stuff is still good but doesn’t sound as good as the VR6 of course
The short answer to the question is yes! And just to be picky, the DSG is also a six speed, not seven. At least the North American version is and I imagine they're the same
Great review! Got a 5dr DBP manual since 2 years, the best choice I’ve ever made. You’re just happy in advance, knowing you’re going to start up the engine. Prices are more then double here in Belgium. Went up 4K in the last 2 years. Still the best sound for your buck! Gas mileage is terrible, but when you hear that exhaust, you just don’t care anymore.
Thank you! Wow! Looks like they might start going up soon then
How many Kilometers or Miles was ON it when you PURCHASED it🤔
135k km’s at the time. Now at 142k I think.
Was planning on getting one of these, DSG version (or the Audi A3 equivalent, which were also a lot cheaper than R32's or 3.6 CC's). The decent ones cost over 15k here three years ago, and for a cheaper price I got a well-maintained 3.6 VR6 Passat CC with less mileage, more power and a slightly nicer interior. Felt like a better deal overall. VR6 sound all day, over every engine out there. 🥰
Had a 2008 Loved it The Valeo rear lights looked absolutely nuts. Traded for Mk7 R. 2018
Trade it back while you still can 😅
@@kevinvandorst was in 2019😂
Just subscribed a BMW man myself but the consistency of your content is bang on 💪🏽
Thanks for the kind comment! Plenty more on its way 😎
Not just VW, this is best car any manufacturer ever made.
You can keep your Porsches and Ferraris.
6speed dsg … not 7speed before mark vii
Correct! Although my dsg R32 could do with another cog at times !
You’re right. Apologies for this mistake
@@chriskarn4718agreed!
@@chriskarn4718my manual R32 could do with a 7th gear too. Sits way too high in the RPM on the freeway, with this much torque it could be just idling but instead it's doing 3500rpm or something.
Picking one up in a few days, cannot wait
How is it?
I’ve got a silver one but 5 door and DSG only done 64k as well
Mines black 5 dr with 38k ! It is DSG (my first) and im still not 100% sold on DSG vs manual. My son has one too (in blue) 😁
Very good video bro got me sleeping
Thank you!
fully agree, the peak design of vw, along with this mk5 golf, 2002 touareg, 2005 magotan,... all share the similar elements of design, the best looking of volkswagen.
i had a supercharged mk3 vr6 and a supercharged mk4 r32, loved both! want a mk5 now
Do it!
@@DrivenPlus I'm just starting to look around
Had mine in my garage for 2.5 to 3 years now,got it out last week for an mot costing me 2k to get her back on the road
The landscape is very nice.
Where is it? Is it Ireland?
You should tell Gareth to replace the cap that goes into his air filter box. People take that off thinking it makes the car sound better, but actually it just wildly increases the intake temps and makes the car perform worse. Ask me how I know....
I think a video like this on the fiesta ST will gain a lot of traction 😏 this video screams pure class
Thanks Luke! I’m guessing you have a Fiesta ST?
Best Golf in that era ❤😮
How reliable is the automatic in these cars? I've been looking into a golf to daily. Started looking into the r because awd but been I've been told to look into a 2.5 instead of a 2.0 and now came across an r32 automatic and have fallen in love in how they sound😅. Didn't even know a v6 in a golf was a thing
I haven’t heard any horror stories. DSG so pretty good 👍
Best car I’ve driven
Great review! Just bought my 2nd R32 recently. Getting tougher to find a nice one 👍
Thank you and enjoy it!
Good review mate
Thanks mate 🙏🏼
excellent video and presentation and worth a sub. You are right about about the R32 they are not showy and could be just another Golf but to purists they are a lot more then that and is the reason i have a MK4 R32
Those cars are right now really expensive in Germany… you are lucky to get them cheap
My favorite car of all time... Prices are going up but I'm still surprised by how affordable they still are at the moment.
I know I can’t believe it too!
I want one just to keep in my garage and use on the weekends
Good choice
Great review of the Golf. Only just come across your channel,just subscribed.
Where did you film this . Always looking for new roads for weekend blast,had my 4.0 GTS Cayman up north Pennine roads between Kirby Stephen and Alston B6276 and B6277 last week,check that route out if you get chance.. fabulous and almost deserted.
Hey Phil, thanks for the sub! This was filmed on the evo triangle in N.Wales (average speed cameras though)
You should join us on a driving event (that’s what we mainly do)
Are they still available for sale I’m based in south Africa
I have one mate… I stay in Johannesburg, you interested in buying?
You guys are lucky in the UK! Really nice ones in Germany are 25-30K Euros :(
Oh wow!
Fantastic review mate making my decision to buy one much easier 🔥🔥
Great to hear! Enjoy your R32 😎
The Mk5 was very well screwed together in R32 form. I've owned a ton of VWs (including my daily R32) and Mk5 was a real return to form. Even if the Mk4 is more the icon/classic. I adore my Mk3 VR6 too but I promise the quality is no where near Mk5 (...the induction noise is something else though).
Brilliant video! I have a Mk5 GTI and can confirm it is also a superb car
Nice one!
2:34 VR6 is Verkürzt Reihen sechs = Shorten Inline six. Like the IL6, the VR6 has a 6-pin crankshaft vs a 3-pin crankshaft for any V6. Unlike the IL6, the cylinders are staggered and bored at 15° to shorten the length and lower the engine's height. This is shown in the arrangement of the red spark plugs. A 3-crank pin 15° V6 only exists in the CAD model. In the CAD simulation, the cylinders will collide with each other. The V6 emblem on the intake manifold is a marketing tactic designed to persuade buyers and fool those who are unfamiliar with engine design architecture.
You should make a video on the edition 30
Unfortunately I don’t know anyone that has one
I love these cars but they weren't fast enough considering the engine is a six cylinder 3.2 litre its nearly 100bhp less than the m3 from same ear which also had a 3.2 litre 6 cylinder
For half the price, to be expected…
Peak Golf R is Mk7. While I miss the sound of my Mk5 R32, the engine sound was the only thing better.
manual will also be a lot cheaper to fix than the DSG 🙂.
I can tell when you launched and took off it better launch might clean up that 6.55.... seconds all day
I like the honest review and passion! 👍🏼👍🏼
I appreciate that!
Love the samosa reference
經典的VR6 3門 手排 現在VW的GOLF 還剩下什麼?
MKV on top
Great car in its day but low power, high road tax, and eye watering fuel costs have seen the prices drop through the floor and it such a shame 😢
Wish they would make a new corrado based on this platform
That would be awesome!
Manual gearbox, impressive
Great video
Thanks!
Well presented sir 👏
Thank you! Much appreciated
is it just me who doesn't appreciate missing bits under the bonnet on the car that's being picked up for a YT video ?
2005-2010?
Great car but my mk5 gti is mapped and brakes etc uprated to make more than the r32 but with less weight. Prefer it ,despite lack of 4wd
Got a mk7 edition 40 then bought a mk4 r32 ... now am looking at mk5 r32 think i may have a vw addiction here 🤔 😅
I think you should 🤣
I had a 2009 Audi TT with a 3.2 VR6 and 6 speed manual with “Quattro”..….. you can keep that shit. Did it sound good? Yes. That’s it.
Timing chain started failing. Fixed that.
Transfer case failed. Fixed that
New oem dual mass flywheel failed. Fixed that with an expensive single mass.
Then the rear haldex diff failed….. I had enough. Fuck that platform.
I have owned a 2007 TT mk2 3.2 with DSG for 5 years - nothing gone wrong with it. I have only replaced the oil and tyres. Admittedly I bought it as a 3rd owner with log books. Only just ticked over 50,000kms. Maybe luck of the draw or someone selling you BS.
Edition 30 is the one for me
That’s a good choice too 😎
That's a beautiful car . I think the gti and R type Golfs look best as a 2 door .Very nice .
Iconic
Like you
I have a 09 2.5 turbo 279 horses
Very nice
I disagree but only because I've driven both. You can fall in love with paddles too.
6 speed dsg not 7. I have one never for sales 😊
These were all pooey automatic 2-door versions in north america :(
Corrado was peak VW
It’s a manual 🔥🔥🔥
The Brera V6 is a dog, get an Alfa 147 GTA in for a proper comparison!
🫶🏾R32 till I leave this planet🌍🥺🇧🇼
Its so good I got 2 of them 😂
Love it!
DSG box all the way
the car was totally overpriced. most people read a stat sheet, and the gti got you 90% and there''s a reason they cost 10 grand less. If you didn't read the stat sheet though. anyone that's been in one... yes there's a reason they're imortalised. btw my father has a 147 gta, the second last brera. I love that car, but it will swap ends faster than a kardashian, and I love my r32, but the brera does sound better once you remove the wounded animal mechanical snarl.
You can keep your 2.0 turbo fart boxes, yeah they are faster but they sound like shit compared to these bad boys! 🔥
😎😎
Hey
Hey 👋
Sorry mate... It's the mk4 r32
I low key agree 👀
H
Nice car but mk7 will run it off the road
You don't say
It’s the only VR6 I’ve let go without a care in the world for. They’re boring compared to its predecessors.
Peak?? The golf mk 8 R will destroy that thing. Had an R32 mk 5 then bought an evo 8 FQ300. 2.0 are more fun trust me.
Sound shite
Oh, child… 😂
Slow heavy usless without a turbo.
It makes a GTI sound like crap and it has all the traction that will see a GTI spinning at the lights in anything but bone dry conditions as it pulls away. I’ll sacrifice a few less mph and take the fact that at ANY speed the R32 makes the noise every GTI owner wants. Oh and that’s from a 3 time GTI owner up to a 7 PP
No substitute for cubic inches. If you buy a r32 you have the potential to have a 1000bhp car if you buy a 2.0 at 500bhp your driving a time bomb waiting to blow
lol saying this was the golden era? the mk5 platform was trash. mk7 + 8 perform better in everyway. and saying that decade was the golden era of cars is a stretch too. i think we're just exiting a golden era. have multiple v8 muscle cars. peak miata. gr86, gr corolla and yaris. hyundai is making little sports cars. the supra is back and better than ever even if it is german.
Every newer golf will perform better than the last, it goes without saying. That being said usually people only realise it was a golden era with hindsight.
@@d15z1sux i dont think anyone will say the mk6 was really good at all though and everyone loves the mk4 over the mk5. i seem to be running into uk people specifically really liking the mk5 gti for some reason. probably because top gear said the r32 was "too fat" but now it really is better than the gti even with how "fat" it is.
Some people care about looks/ sound too… not just performance. Coming from a MK8R owner… I’d take a 1 mile MK5/4 over mine for the same price any day of the week. $$$ talks. No MK7s going for over $100k…
Slow, heavy, and shite on fuel. 12v VR6 is the Corrado sounds better. Peak Golf is the mk7.5
4s & 5s look and sound better, 8s are way better to drive… to each their own.
I bought a new R32 in Grey in 2008, the only year offered here in the US. It only came with a DSG gearbox. I kept it for five years and wish I still had it. I loved the sound of the 3.2litre engine. VW produces nothing with this level of interesting design or something special like the Corrado. VW's current offerings don't interest me at all. I'm currently driving a 2023 Lexus IS500 with their naturally aspirated 5.0 litre V8. The car is rear wheel drive and it sounds beautiful.
Ah wow I guess they’re even more rare in the states then!
Mazda 3 is better 🤭
😂😂😂😂😂