P.J.S.

Sorry for the non GT3 related question...
Anyone in this forum have or dd a mk5 R32 (dsg trans) VW?
If so, could you give me your thoughts on it?

I am considering one to replace an E39 M5 as a part time dd...

I have not driven one yet -- likely this week...

Likes -- low profile, sporty enough for my 20 mile max round trip commute to work, dsg, nice interior, hatch back, awd, etc. (cheap?)

Dislikes -- none that I know of so far -- have not driven it yet... possibly too small... and I am anticipating huge amounts of understeer...

I really like my M5 but it may be time for a change and I do not need a 400 hp modded 6 speed v8 to dd...

Mark Dreyer

Traded a 08 R32 a few months ago for another VW with the DSG, my 09 Jetta TDI. Loved the R32; only traded it because I do a lot of hwy driving and really like diesel for a commuter car. No problems with the DSG. I even took the R32 to an autocross event and had a lot of fun with it. The shifts are so smooth I'm sure a Rolls Royce tranny doesn't shift any smoother.

Crazy Canuck

Mmmmm M5 ... and the best one too.

If I were in your shoes I'd keep on driving the M5.

P.J.S.

^ you are not the first person to tell me that...

She is not getting much love though -- mainly driving my truck (easy, company car, auto, etc)

Am I crazy????

here she is...
2003 with 53K miles and about $14K worth of Dinan stuff (parts and labor)

Crazy Canuck

Yeah, you're nuts.

I have a 540i with M-Sport Suspension and although I don't drive it everyday I love it even if it's only got 280hp.

P.J.S.

Thanks for confirming it :-)

mxdave74

+1 on keeping the M5.... where's the advantage? You're spending money to save a bit on fuel over the long haul. One thing's for sure, the sale value of the M5 is horribly depressed and represents a far, far better drive than the $ it wil bring. With that kind of mileage, you don't even have to worry about expensive repairs for quite a while.

P.J.S.

not trying to save money on fuel and hypothetically the R32 for M5 swap would not cost me any out of pocket...

I have only considered swapping to move to a "city" car so to speak... dsg, small, relatively quick and not ricer (sti/evo)... etc.

By no means is this a done deal and I appreciate the input.

I am likely just being a windbag... and will probably be buried in my M5 someday.

I may just post the M5 for sale and keep my eye out for a nice sunroof delete RSA that I can fart around in once in a while and just keep driving my truck... will let you all know if I do anything.

deckman

There's a guy who goes on our fun runs who has a really slick R32 - great exhaust - and that car moves! I've thought about getting one for kicks.

P.J.S.

so I visited a local dealer today (not the one that has the R32 I am looking at) and they did not have any R32s and when the get them used they are gone in a day... and in fact all of their ordered Mk 6 GTI are pre sold (weird I thought and they have one mk 5 GTI on the lot that was in the process of being sold).... holy hotcakes... I mainly stopped in to sit in a GTI to see how I fit in it and see how much room there is etc.

sales guy says that that mk 5 R32 offers no advantage over the GTI -- in fact he tracks his GTI and says it is better on the track than the R... R weighs more due to AWD and V6 vs. FWD and a turbo 4...
He goes on to say that mk 6 GTI is even better and can be had in a 4 door version if that appeals to me.

he said the Mk 4 R32 was "revolutionary" because it offered a lot of things that they GTI at the time did not -- multi link rear suspension, bigger brakes, bigger wheels, etc -- and that the mk 5 R32 was not as upgraded in comparison because the mk 5 gti had all of that stuff so you are buying AWD and limited editon status... he goes on to tell me that he is quicker in his GTI on the track etc...

he did not have an R32 around -- so he was doing his best to sell me what he could get and he very well could be right about lighter faster and easier to "tune" but I told him that I think FWD sucks and I am not buying it.

I have done nothing yet -- but I did drive the M today and had it up to 140 and it was still pulling hard when I had to shut down... hmmmm

I also sent and email to the dealer with the R32 and cancelled my appt until a later date... as he is 2 hours away and my wife is about to deliver our second kid and she has emphatically told me not to leave the 1 hour radius :-)

Crazy Canuck

M5

M5

M5

M5

M5

M5

M5

M5

M5

M5

M5

M5

M5

M5

M5

Keep it. It's a classic and one of the best looking BMWs ever.

tlarocque

I think you'd be disappointed with the R32. Don't get me wrong, they are nice cars, the materials/build quality are pretty good, and I kind-of like the euro-hatch styling (I've had a few GTIs) but 1) its no BMW and 2) I think you'll be disappointed by the motor. I know I was. I went and drove one when I was thinking of being responsible and selling my E46 M3 and thought it was pretty gutless. My conclusion was that I could pick up a 2.0T motor GTI and have more fun with a simple ECU flash, not to mention a lot of extra money in my pocket. For similar (or less) money, I'm happy with my little 328 sedan as a dd.

I say draw you own conclusions though, go take one for a spin.

SCAN Automotive

I have a Mk V GTI 2.0T with the DSG as my 'practical' transportation / dog-hauler / commuter, and must say...it is very impressive. Very driveable, comfortable, and with some upgraded programming (I have used APR, as my shop is a dealer) it really moves! Do not think the R32 is worth the premium. A programmed 2.0T GTI is faster, and when it comes to winter, haven't had a problem with the GTI on proper winter tires. If you like a little improvement in handling, I can also attest to the improvements of a set of H&R sway bars, and Bilstein PSS9 coil-overs. Don't go over 18" diameter wheels though, as the car rides like a tank.

Greygt3

PJ keep the M5 you knuckle-head!

Dean

P.J.S.

I am leaning that way thanks to my RL buddies