VW Golf Mk5 R32 Review - What Does A BMW 130i Owner Think?
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- čas přidán 13. 01. 2021
- The Volkswagen Golf R32 is a modern day legend. They took one of the most successful generations of the iconic German hatchback, and up front they stuffed a 3.2L naturally aspirated VR6 engine, with around 250hp. Enough to keep up with a quick saloon of the day, the R32 is a natural rival for my own beloved BMW 130i.
So, is it as good to drive? Let's find out.
Bit thanks to the boys from @SquireComedy
#Volkswagen #Golf #R32
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Love the rumble of the VR6, such an unique tone
Sound similar to a 350z
One day I think I need one of those just because of that unique sound 😎
But you're right, the 350Z is probably the one closest to this.
@@ischafer567 The VQ engine in general
@@gordonmccartney5648 999999999999999999999o99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
Sounds like an EJ20
I love my R32. Probably not the fastest car out there nowadays, but that VR6 sound with full Milltek non resonated exhaust brings smile to my face every time I start the car or hit the pedal to the metal...😎
No problems with droning without the resonator in the middle?
@@robberth6947 Not at all. The car doesn’t really sound any louder when driving than with standard exhaust.
Nothing beats the R32, it's amazing.
Alfa 147 GTA easily as good or better. @kevinvandorst
@@SpecializedRider249The 147 can't handle unfortunately.
The r32 sounds superb , I had no idea they had just the one cylinder head
I thought they were a normal v6 design , everyday is a school day 👍🏻
I'm the same, thanks for showing the head! You're a great source of info!
I’m a boring car geek and I didn’t know that either ...👍
Vw have made some weird engines in the last 20 years or so, w12 , W 8 , vr5 and this vr6 .
Unusual for such a mainstream company .
I always wondered why the vr6 made such a distinctive noise , now I know 🙏
Yup LOL me too
I bought the Audi A3 Quatro with the same motor, took the neighbour for a drive and he ended up buying a R32!
The first 5 secs of this video are all I need to hear to love this car. I don't actually want one, but I could listen to that all day.
believe me: it never gets old either, it can be quiet when you want, but nothing else will make such a loud, beautiful sound... mine has just the rear muffler deleted, and turn heads everywhere!
@@iR3vive I love a good 6-pot. Bought my 981CS 6 months ago, stereo is crap but who needs a stereo when you've got a 3.4 flat 6 and very little sound insulation! People must think I'm racing them all the time...but it's always just for the sound ☺
I’ve had the mkIV & MkV R32, the IV was a manual. (I got roped into a DSG on the mkV) I truly regret selling it. Most fun and surprising hatch ever, and that sound..... my god....like a wookie gargling water, i miss it, also considering buying one again. I found it looked way better than the mkV too, dammit Jay, i’m feeling emotional 😭 i want my mkIV back,
The variety of cars driven on this channel
is excellent, always well researched and a great delivery James, keep up the great work!
Still got a great noise that R32! 👌🏻
mk5 owner here. Ohlins suspension, , magnaflow touring exhaust (resonated so focused on sport sound but zero highway drone), neuspeed rear sway, pilot sport 4s tires, HPA haldex controller (to send more power to the rear using the throttle position sensor instead of only traction control, the stock config). I just today test drove a lot of "better" cars. Mercedes C43 AMG, Audi S5 sportback, and Porsche Macan. The R32 has such a connection to the driver which in newer cars I struggle to find. Are all new cars faster, yes -- many, many things are faster than an R32. But with the way I've configured mine, it does all the things: ski trips on smaller wheels and snow tires, holding a bunch of stuff for weekend getaways, feeling comfy on California highways, and rock solid when I push it. I donno -- I may never find a all-round better car.
The mk5 shape is so nice! My favourite shape of golf from the last 4 generations of Golfs! Loved the video again Jayemm! Thumbsed up and a comment to help the algorithm😎
One of my dream cars to use every day. That noise is amazing
I’ve a Ed30 GTi Mk5 in stock standard, DSG, mint and welcome to have a go
Great car and the sensible choice over the R32 (less nose heavy) becoming hard to get a good stock one these days
Stage 2 + it, you won’t regret it!
@@user-li8sx4yj4s did that on a previous ed30, this ones staying factory 👍
Great video again!
Passat W8 or the later Passat R36 would be an interesting video as there pretty forget about 👍🏻
Sounds great and good review. I randomly cross shopped one of these with a Z4m coupe many years ago (when prices were a bit closer) and took the BMW for thrills over practically.
Jay, do a mk5 gti, the car that rescued the gti badge
And then the Mk6 tried to ruin it again. But the Mk7 (especially the ClubSport S) is a minter. Lesson, every other Golf is decent. IMO the mk 2, 4 and 6 are about as appealing as owning a Daewoo.
@@johnmitchell2269 mate don’t say that about the mk2😯
@@johnmitchell2269 the mk3 and mk4 were terrible.
Mk4 r32 is pretty good smh
@@liamschannel6294 The MK2 is arguably the best one.
More room and better corrosion protection
There was a short lived plan to put the 3.6L passat engine into the successor of this R32. Yes they contemplated an R36 Golf. I so wish they had.
I have an 06 one that I have run from new and now has 164000 miles on it. Still going well for 15 years old. Serviced every 12k apart from usual wear and tear items the only significant thing to go wrong was the DSG box gave up at 125k Replaced at main dealer for 3k and the passenger door lock does not open but at 600 quid to fix I can’t quite bring myself to. Oh and it’s still on its original battery which is getting a bit long in the tooth
Brilliant to see. Aren't they very thirsty.
@@davewheeler7679 If I drive like a vicar I can get 35mpg. If I drive like the devil I can get 6 and empty the tank in about 40 mins 😂😂
Thanks eggy. That's not bad for steady driving. A mate of mine had one and got rid because of the mpg he was getting. Alot of spirited driving I think.
Original timing chain?
Yes mine has now on 187k
Great video, takes me back to my parents VW Golf circa 07/08
Had one of these new in 2009 - best driven with the rear seats folded down for the best howl from the exhaust !!
F me; this was *exactly* the video I was looking for. Thanks man! Great review comparison aswell
Such an honest review keep it up man😎
Love my Manual 3dr! Great videos!
Love the very unbiased review
Thank you James. Great video.
Not really my kind of car. But for some reason has always been of interest and something I've wanted to try. May happen one day!
Such great content from this guy
performance aside, this is the best golf based on looks alone imo
Mk4 R32 is better imo
@@izzy031096 both look and sound amazing, but the slowness of it....damn...15l/100km for all noise and no go...
@@zkljaja On straight roads maybe. On the tight windy roads here in NZ the instant torque is awesome. These engines were not made to reach high hp but to produce and retain torque through the low-mid rev range. Not to mention that awesome vr6 sound bouncing off the hills as you race through the tight valley roads
@@zkljaja To give you more of an idea.. on the majority of these roads I struggle to push to car to it’s limits. So it becomes pretty pointless having a super high power car as a daily or weekend burner unless you’re a regular at the track.
This guy must give the best car reviews on you tube. Every video is a spot on and knows his cars inside out, should be on TV.
Very kind
@@JayEmmOnCars True though Jay 👍🏼 keep up the hard work as the content is great 😊
That rasp from the exhaust...👂🚙💨😁💯👍
Enjoyed your review, went to go see how much they cost and you were right, had a look a fuel cost... no way 😂😂
That noise is just so good!
Love the original R32 and very nearly cancelled the order on my 25th Anni for one - glad I didn't, still have it. Keep teeling myself I still need to own one.
Would love to see you review a Alfa Brera 3.2 JTS V6 SV Q4 and do a comparison of the three beasts
Saw one of these a few days ago in Ireland, rare here, haven't seen one for a few years. You could see the bloke loved it and considering the road taxi would be over €1,000pa he was paying for his enjoyment.
A best part is that sound....such a good engine sound, a car is good just enough, they could make it better but Golf wasn't there to be the best, it was there to be a benchmark. I love that car. Who cares about infotainment? Nobody wants to listen the radio inside that car. If you want a better interior you'll buy an Audi, if you want a crappy interior you'll buy a Skoda. That's it.
Nice video
Great car love the mk5 r32
Brilliant episode
Thank you
America never had the 130i (as an E82 128i owner, I say that begrudgingly), but the Mk5 R32 and second generation Audi TT 3.2 (closer rival to my E82) are definitely some of my favorites for this sort of class. Sure, the all-wheel drive isn't perfect, and the second gen TT's interior doesn't have the same character and uniqueness of the original, but overall they'd be awesome to live with.
I remember the R32's ride being quite a bit firmer the my BMW. Partly because I have an older E82 with the sport package, not the LCI which offered the likely firmer M-Sport suspension. The R32 also has that lovely VR6 warble ready to go which the BMW's lack without that M-Sport exhaust like you have. Yes, I have the flap in the muffler which on lift-off will give me a little bit of low-bass pops, and a pleasing growl, but not very much. The R32 and TT both did a better job of having ones cake and eating it with their muffler valves.
Like you said, the interior of the Golf also has a cheapness in some regards. The one I drove for work was back in 2016 or so, and like many VW's of the time it have the metal trim flaking off. Sure, the BMW's tend to get some wood cracking and the silly black trim on the steering wheel rubs away (both cars suffer a similar fate to buttons), the BMW does age better.
All told, money no object, I'd gladly import a three-door 130i and enjoy that shooting-brake proportion and usefulness. As much as the hydraulic/electric power steering debacle, you already tried them out on your channel and never found it to be the biggest difference.
love the end credits.. very hoovies garage inspired
Golf R32 has the most beautiful sound. I owned a MkIV R32 3door, and it is the only car I have ever regretted selling. Had a certain rawness that was totally addictive.
I've had 3 gtis including an Ed30 which ran stage two and an r32. If you want sheer power, Ed30, but for an all rounder, r32, it's so much more comfortable and easy to drive, and the engine sounds amazing
It's an Audi Sponsored by the Beastie Boys. I find your 128k really surprising, you're one of the best car reviewers on here. I also, find it strange a video about old BMW diesels has more views than a 458, so what do you do?? 😂 I hope the new year brings you that kick, how about a road trip collaborating with another youtuber, the Rat man maybe? Look at Freddies series with Hoovie and Ed, maybe after the lock down get Freddie to come to the UK and do a road trip, imagine the exposure that would give you. Onwards and upwards.
I own an '06 130i, absolutely love it apart from the ride! It's absolutely rock solid. Other than that, agree with your comments. Cracking car for the money, grips super well with Michelin PS4s.
Genuinely think these big engine 1 series will be mega collectable in the future...👍...
I know you did an RS5 review but be good to see a B8 RS4 review. They had mixed response at launch but can pick one up now for low £20k
I love it when they leave these stock no slams or crazy body kits
I used to own one of these (US market), loved the sound of the VR6, hated the DSG, the front heavy handling and the steering was numb. Ironically I replaced it with a BMW 128i coupe manual, that I loved and kept for 9 years...
On the dsg model in S mode the redline of the R32 is 6800rpm. not sure if there is other differences but it does feel like its got longer legs in S mode. PS I prefer the dsg over manual as its about 1/2 second faster 0-60 and the downshifts are much quicker too when overtaking. Which would also give it that final edge over the BMW 1 series IMO.
That VR sound 😍
"These are gonna start at around about the 45 thousand pounds mark, but..." needed to rewind to hear that again. =P
Clarkson binned it in m135i, not 130i..
I mixed up that 'vs test' too when thinking about it while watching. :)
In fairness the 135i has a fair bit more power and torque than the 130i and the 135i was driven on a very wet track with lots of standing water.
Considered one of these when I got my 197
I still have my MKV GTI purchased new in 2008. Styling wise, I prefer it to all later ones. Couldn't afford the R32 at the time, but went on a lot of drive days with dozens of MKVs. Mine has minor mods only - Whiteline rear sway bar, dogbone insert and aftermarket mount, and a stage 1 tune. I still love driving it, the engine note, the little exhaust burbles, and good enough grunt at around 188Kw vs 147Kw stock, plus some more NMs.
MKV GTI not released until 2005
@@berniejaw6552 Oops, don't know where I got 1998 from.... corrected to 2008 :)
I had a 2006 R32, Full VW dealer history and it had 65k on the clock when i bought it, it was probably the most reliable car I had ever owned, the EML light was on more than it was off. A lovely sounding engine though but not all that quick.
I bought a Brera V6 and I've had two of these golfs
Cool bmw 130i review
My brother had one .. that VR6 is glorious
Ah The Squire - you should have asked him to comment on your driving in his RAF "Nigel" voice.
Had a mk4 of these in blue. Brilliant all round car and sound brilliant. Still miss it now, look better than the mk5 also in my opinion
I wish companies would rep their unique engines more consistently. VW should have a VR6 in everything! Audi should have a 5 cylinder in everything.
had an Audi A3 with the 3.2 , the soundtrack is addictive .
I had one for a short time, quite quick off the line but not much top end.
Just bought one of these in blue 3 door. Not cheap for 65k mileage but my god was it worth it. They started appreciating last year too! Now is THE time to buy one for anyone thinking about them. In 12 months the price for a good one will rise approx 1-2k mark my words.
Had one for a few years. Sound great and loved the seats but rusty front wings were a real problem and I found the interior quality to be really poor. They're also not really that quick. The Mercedes W212 that replaced it was more economical too, so they drink alot for the performance on offer.
Just been on a shopping run . I saw a GOLF in my RV mirror for a while. It was time to put the foot down all the way. I did not expect him to follow but he still chased me up and overtook with ease .... turn on my PC and see another GOLF lol ... I think it was GOLF R. My car is 05 CLS 500 ... I am curious now.
Love these Golfs.
The 1 dislike is from the people that bought an alfa instead of the r32!
Or from an Abarth owner 🙄😂
Or McLaren
@@JayEmmOnCars 😄
I've got a Brera and it's faster than these r32s
Funny. I tried a 146 GTA before buying the R32. I liked many things about the GTA but could not live with the about as much suspension travel as a skateboard. Glad I didn't get one in the end as they look really dated now compared to the Mk5
I'd LOVE to see a Top Gear co-presented by JayEmm and Chris Harris
Agree proper car people. However You Tube is the future well the present day. TG is watered down dross now. Presented by celebs not car guys - harris aside. Not going to lie i loved the glory days of clarkson, may, hammond but cant stand it since. Besides who watches tv the old way now hardly anybody? So if you can come on here and watch these reviews why the need for tg on terrestrial fossil tv.
Nice one mate Ilove my r32
Very good review, and very interesting as I am a 130 owner. You should try a early exemplar 130i, they have hydraulic steering, which is close to perfection. And you may try Michelin ps4 on your bimmer, with these in 225 wide, it bearly ever kicks in the traction control.
I have yet to drive a BMW with steering anywhere close to brilliant
They are poor cars and when a vanos issue kills the head as it did mine a moneypit that you just didn't need. As Jay says, the steering is poor too.
@@JayEmmOnCars e30 m3?
This has to be one of the nicest R32 ,looks great in black
Sounds amazing, looks special all these years later, cannot shake of the gti which is a better car.
As for the 130i, having owned a 120d m sport that was a lot of fun to drive and now owning a mk5 gti it was close. so I assume the 130i is a lot better to drive
i went for the mk1 rs focus at the time these was going out the dealers! whot a car that mk1 rs focus was!
Breaks my heart seeing this had to sell mine to pay rent im absolutely broken hearted/ that was a year ago now just about to buy another one 😉
The mk IV R32 is still my favorite car ever.
You Brits are so lucky. . .over here in South Africa we got the Mk5 R32 in DSG only. . .the only manual I've seen in the flesh is actually a UK import
6 months in and I am still smiling, even though my timing chain is a bit noisy, and serpentine belt.
Did you replace it in the end?
Did you replace?
Would love to see a review of the passat cc 3.6 v6.
The vr6 sounds sooooo good.
Plus it's better looking and a great sleeper.
Passat R36 Wagon next please
The mk5 golf..the one with bolted on door skins...that were too tight...they would arrive at the dealer following a journey on a transporter where the bolts would break on route...car arrived at dealer brand new missing a door skin..top quality
Clever of VW to design the Golf that allows more room inside than a 1 series, considering it has 4WD too!
Seems you get much more car in the Golf, bet it cost more to make than the 1 Series
It did share plenty of parts with other cars In VAGs showroom, the Audi TT, the Audi A3/S3, at the time the 3.2 VR6 was also in the VW Touareg, Passat (in certain markets), Phaeton, Eos, Porsche Cayenne...
Gearbox wise, the bmw is a rod type and is solid as the gearbox is in the tunnel unlike the VW that uses a cable setup as the box is on the side of the engine.
I used to own a 3 door manual r32...by far the best car I've ever owned, only issue was the price of the vehicle tax which in the end i was struggling to pay so unfortunately the car had to go 😪
That's exactly what I did! Because my mileage was so low (Less than thousand miles a year) I was spending more on tax than on petrol. I had the car for about 8 years and spent over £4,000 in tax for a car that was spending 99.9999% of its time in the garage. I recently traded it in for a Mk 7.5 R which is a lot more reasonable.
@@peterboczan2116 when I owned one I used to average 3 to 4000 miles.
Was a waste really.
I bought a 1.4 audi a3 2 and a half years ago because it's £20 a year tax ..only done 6000 miles in it since I bought it.
I would definitely consider a mk7 r.
@@mrchris6519 The road tax on my MK 7 R is £155 per year.
Sound even better with an open air intake
Love the sound of the vr6. I do however prefer the 12 valve version, it doesnt sound as raspy as the 24 valve.
But then, I'm of course biassed with my trusty old Corrado vr6 😁
Got to love the Corrado..... but I would say that your right they aren’t as easy raspy but still love em none the less
2v per cylinder on a v8 isnt that bad but on a 6 cylinder engine...
love the corrado
The Alfa 3.2gt or 147gta was a better comparison than the Brera. Both those have the golf beat on sound and looks/exclusivity. But as a daily driver I'd take the golf ..
It's a straight 6 with offset cylinders to make it shorter 😉
3/8's of a Veyron engine.
This was a dream car...this was like the rs3 of the day...
You didnt mention the horrendous understeer at the limit.. about the only redeeming feature of the R32 is they sound cool.
Love how you took the Micky out of Clarkson.
Sorry mate- You should have said Radio not required in here as the R32 sounds distinctive and glorious...Challenge over
Hi Jay, interested to know if the BMW your comparing with has RFT or “normal” tyres?
Normal Avons
To be fair, this guy does a better job than the folk on the actual TV shows. Have you done a cosworth, rs turbo, m5 ?? Other videos I would like to see
RS Escort Cossie yes, and M5 yes E39 and E60
@@JayEmmOnCars brilliant. I'll go seek them out now. 👍
I have a Bora VR5, it’s slow as wind erosion but sounds so damn good.
The R32 is definitely a car if have if I could afford one.
Sure the modern day R would trounce it, but just as is the case with so many modern cars they all sounds like bath farts.
I’d take a sexy noise over performance and a crap noise every time.
GTI is the MK5 highlight 👍🏻
When's the 130i video can't wait to hear why you bought the none turbo and didn't buy the 135i? ( which was what Clarkson was driving on that tgear episode ) always been a BMW fan and didn't like the idea of a turbo BMW but you can't deny the power and fuel economy and I've never heard anyone mention turbo lag on the twin turbo or the twin scroll.
One of the very best-sounding engines ever.
I think the R32 edges the noise (especially with a Milltek) but I’d have the BMW; personally I think Father Time had been kinder to the interior and I prefer the exterior to VW’s jelly mould design. I’m also a sucker for the N52 engine...
The BMW is a decent chunk less in VED, which was a turn off when I looked at the R32. It’s just not fast enough to find too whack VED acceptable. The R32 has gone through the bad stage of being owned by oiks and and has now come out the other side. They’re acts a pretty rare sight these days.
I have been owner of both cars... And for me the 130i is way much better in everything. Faster, funnier, sportier... Also the fuel economy in the 130i is way much better.
The gearbox on the 130i is EXCELLENT (I had BMWP SSK). The handling of the 130i is also better and the chassis shares lots of plug n play parts with the M3 E9x... So it can be even better in an easy way.
I had full Milltek non resonated on the R32 and a custom setup on the 130i (BMWP backbox + YPipe), and yes, the only thing that beats the 130i is the R32 sound with a proper exhaust. But the sound of that BMW 6L is also really nice!
There's just so much more to it than the 130i though. Its just good all round.
Had both and if I had to choose again, I’d have the 130i in manual - it just felt more taut and a bit quicker. The R32 was a good everyday car but the 130 was the one to just go for a drive in.
I went from a Z4 Coupe 3.0Si manual to a Mk5 R32 purely because of the wife was pregnant, I really do miss how that BMW went and handled...sounded good to with the sound generator mod. R32 is a brilliant daily, looks good and sounds lovely....but that BMW
@@Two_Phones_Eddie I noticed I got more attention, sometimes unwanted, in the R32 at stops and petrol stations etc. The BM was more stealthy, which personally I prefer.
Would like to see your impressions of an Edition 30 in comparison - the GTI they had to play down so as not to embarrass their "flagship" R32.
A remap for the Ed30 will thoroughly embarrass the R32
@@adrianhazzard6665 Mine embarrassed a few 911s before the water pump went! Thermal throttling means an intercooler upgrade is really needed to take advantage of the retune though.
Thank you for not mentioning the GTI