Volkswagen Golf R32 MKV 3.2

After a year of long hard saving, I finally found myself with a decent budget for a performance car. Painstaking research led me to choose the Mk5 R32 and I decided to take the plunge in April last year. I purchased a 2007 facelift model with an excellent spec as follows: 5 Door, DSG, Heated leather seats, RNS 510 touchscreen satnav/stereo (with ipod doc in the armrest and 10 x speakers), Lux Pack (consisting of: cruise control, folding mirrors - the passenger one dips when you reverse, dipping interior mirror, rear parking sensors, rear reading lights and front armrest), Winter Pack (consisting of: heated mirrors, heated washer jets and heated seats) and 48,000 miles and a full service history.

Driving the car is a delight. Fast enough to cut through traffic, quiet enough to be a relaxed cruiser and as long as you drive gently, not too thirsty - although if you have a heavy right foot then mpg suffers. A lot! It costs about £70 for a full tank and I get 300 miles off it under normal driving - just over 29mpg according to the computer, but this will fall to about 190 miles if I start using the car's full performance - about 16mpg . . . It is well equipped with a high level of luxury equipment which makes for a relaxing driving environment and allows long distances to be covered with ease. It is also a car that you find yourself making excuses to drive and an early morning blast brings a smile to your face.

The DSG is smooth, well matched to the torque of the V6 and 99% of the time faultless. On the odd occasion it will give a jerky downchange of engage a low gear rather abruptly if you put your foot down to pull out at a junction while already moving slowly. However, this is a rare occurance and something you learn to drive around. Ordinary D mode is a good for economy, getting into 6th by 40 mph, Sports mode holds on to the gears until much higher in the rev range, often until approaching the redline and changes down as soon as you dip below 3500 rpm. Manual mode is a lot of fun and you can use the paddles in any mode if you want to overide the system. Launch control is excellent and gets the car off the mark like a bullet.

The 4WD system is excellent. It never makes itself felt and electronically switches power to ensure maximum grip and minimum wheelspin. It inspires confidence in the wet and allows indecently high speed to be carried into a corner and power to be applied early on in the exit - across country it is in a different league to the GTI as far as handling goes and infact will keep pace with some exotic cars (Audi RS4, Porsche 911) through the bends. It sits a bit lower than the GTI, has stronger springs, stiffer dampers and stiffer roll bars. Add 240/45 R18 tyres and the ride can be a little harsh at times, but grip is phenominal. The electronic systems (Haldex 4WD and Anti Skid Control) will rein things in if you overcook it, but they are only really necessay if you try and go round a roundabout at silly speeds. The car's level of grip can easily cope with normal bends taken at speed without the electronics kicking in.

On the downside, I would have to say life span of consumable components is an issue, to the point of being a bit of an Achilles Heel. 250 BHP is a lot of power and while VW have clearly up-engineerd the R32, there are some bits that simply cant cope. The car is heavy and so the brakes take a hammering. The discs are huge and the car does stop well, but the pads wear quickly and so do the discs. Wheel bearings, balljoints, roll bars, CV joints, brake discs and pads, 4 tyres (in 20,000 miles) and steering rack have all been replaced on my car in 14 months at a total cost of £3,500 which is eye watering. I am not a hard driver compared to many and after speaking to other R32 owners on the Owners Club forum it seems this kind of expenditure is a pretty common experience.

Overall, I have enjoyed my ownership of the R32 and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fast, comfortable but understated car, but understand the cost of ownership. The DSG is far superior to the manual box. I drove both when looking for my car and found the manual box to be notchy and have a very heavy clutch action. I would strongly advise walking away from any car without a full service history and a folder full of receipts for parts replaced. Check closely for accident damage as front end collisions are common. Finally, pay for a warranty, I didn't and it is the only thing I would do differently.

Great all rounder - excellent turn of speed when required yet just as happy crawling around town doing the shopping. 4WD inspires confidence in the wet. Could be better on fuel (25-30 MPG) but the sound form the exhaust which is glorious more than makes up fot it. Overall this is a great all rounder discreet, practical yet fast.

This car sounds awesome, is quick, fun to drive, and is comfortable for long distance trips. The car is beautiful, and very reliable, I have taken it to service as required in the manual, and have never had a problem with the vehicle. I have also added multiple after market parts, and the car does nothing but continue to impress me. I would highly recommend this car, as a sporty solution with the safety of all wheel drive, especially for areas with high precipitation of rain or snow. This car also has a lot of trunk space, My dog fits in the trunk, I have a pet barrier installed, place my dog there to take him to the beach or park. He has room to stand up and move around, for even more space your can put both the back seats down. Stock this car is also equipped with launch control, which launches the car from a stop while racing.

Well where to start. Had the 3dr DSG model for 6 months and over that period of time enjoyed it. But in this country being Ireland the R32 isn't really a runner. Running costs are extreme for the amount of driving pleasure it gave me.

The noise is one of the best I've heard for a V6 but from that you get a little disappointed in the performance for a big engine in a hatchback. Fuel economy wasn't one of its strong points but its understandable with the engine size but also the extra bursts of acceleration you would give it to hear that gorgeous exhaust note. Engine was so smooth and the gear change for the DSG was like silk but in traffic a little jumpy. The four wheel drive system was superb.

Comfort I couldn't fault the car one bit the seats were excellent and could always find a comfortable seating position.

The car always got alot of good attention because not many would be seen around so when you saw young children the faces would light up and then you blip the throttle to echoe the street with the engine note would always make me feel good and put a smile on my face.

Its a great car and only bad thing I would say about it is their is alot more bark then bite which was the disappointment. Otherwise would recommend it to anyone

Borrowing the car for a fortnight I was well impressed, nice drive and the noise was amazing. however all came crashing down when I parked at the lights on a long stretch and an old man in 5 year old Volvo parked next to me, red amber green and off I was. The guy made ground on me! Now thats a dissapointment! It left me a little bemused!

Overall a superb car fantastic qualities just comfort is a let down due to long didtance travelling but a good quality car.

Where else can you find a V6 hatchback that goes and sounds as good as the R32? this is one serious car, if you want performance and practicalilty then go buy one you wont be disappointed.

Looking for a hot hatch? Having had the new Golf GTI for three years time for a change but what to?

I read countless web reviews on nearly all the hot hatches and decided to burn a week and try a test drive or ten, after all, when your parting with 20K+ it ' s a must. I used the same 35 mile pothole, crack ridden tarmac route accounting for both city and open country roads in Yorkshire. My MK V GTI set the bar quite high so I set about testing : Ford Focus ST and followed with: Renault Megane 225, Seat Cupra, Vauxhall Astra VXR, Honda Civic Type R, VW Golf R32.

Though not a racing driver I am an advanced driver, line, speed, gear selection and view are well ingrained. I least liked the Honda having to stir the engine so much and think the previous model was better. The VXR, awesome in a straight line and on dry roads. Bumpy roads in the wet - you end up with birds nests and a couple of sheep in your lap. Lots of brake fad - just simply not up to the job!! For too much power for the front wheels, shame, needs taming. The car looks good - as far as it goes though.

The Ford and Seat were much more refined and overall well balanced good drivers cars with feedback and poise. The engine in the Ford is especially nice, pulls like a train and sounds pretty good. Again, both cars on wet bumpy roads tend to skitter about but were serious contenders for my dosh. The Renault, a serious hot hatch, quick, agile, handled well even in the wet, yet for me, driving is not just about getting from A to B but an experience. The Renault didn ' t inspire and I felt somewhat removed as little comes back through the steering, residual values are not brilliant and how many of these do you see on the roads telling in it self.

I was then left with the Golf R32. Chose to test this last so I wouldn ' t be too biased. Tried both the DSG and Manual. As Tiff from Channel 5 motoring said ' You fall instantly in love with the sound of the engine ' " often wonder why R32 drivers spend most of their lives in the underpass with the car windows wound down?

Seriously though, this is one serious piece of kit. The power delivery is quite different from the GTI and from a standing start the R32 is only just quicker. The difference is the R32 just keeps on going where as the GTI runs out of steam. The R32 is more surefooted as the 4Motion shuffles the drive around the four wheels, especially on the wet twisty country roads keeping you away from those sheep, in fact, the harder you push the better it responds. The DSG box is magnificent with seamless changes up and down, but you have to concede some control over the vehicle in demanding driving conditions, where as with the manual you can really push the car to the limit with simultaneous gear change and braking to get the most out of the engine and chassis.

The down side, a few grand more expensive but they hold their price. Buy three million barrels of crude oil and start your own refinery. The R32 takes over George Bests mantle of drinking - a lot. You can drive the R32 at snail pace and get 34 to the gallon - but then you could get the bus. Over 2000 miles of both distance and town driving I average 26 to the gallon. 30 on a run taking it steady and 19-21 around town. Get above 4000RPM and towards 6500prm and keep it there, your looking at 12-15 MPG but get ready with the beta blockers, it really does simply set - your - pulse - racing. The sound, the response, the handling is simply exhilarating and in a class of its own. It is the best of the bunch by far and believe it or not much better than the GTI!

And remember, the car with the fastest lap time around the Top Gear track in the hot hatch class " THE R32!!

SO don ' t quibble " Get one bought - you will not be disappointed!

A thoroughly good all round car that even after 18 months of ownership still look for excuses (like my old Impreza STI) to go out for a drive.

Generally a Jeckyll & Hyde car which will still not show its performance/handling limits after years of ownership.

Have not had single problem or even topped up oil since new, tyres are only consumable to be renewed (approx 12,000 mls on front). Would recommend one to anyone who loves driving as I do myself!

This car is a dream. Fast, quick, small. Very much a joy to drive. The prices on this car vary from Dealer to Dealer. Most have them at around 35,000+. Some Dealers will not budge at all on the price. Literally no negotiation. The rear design is very unappealing, needs a little more shape too it.