VW Golf Mk5 R32 Review - What Does A BMW 130i Owner Think?

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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[CarToneHK]

Love the rumble of the VR6, such an unique tone

[terokaakinen]

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...😎

[Carrera-gpod]

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 👍🏻

[ApothecaryTerry]

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.

[superdooperoofer]

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 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,

[yorktronic]

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.

[MiniEggs]

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

[andybarratt]

I’ve a Ed30 GTi Mk5 in stock standard, DSG, mint and welcome to have a go

[niallmccrystal]

Jay, do a mk5 gti, the car that rescued the gti badge

[peterrosscochrane]

The variety of cars driven on this channel
is excellent, always well researched and a great delivery James, keep up the great work!

[Lukeywoodsey]

One of my dream cars to use every day. That noise is amazing

[jimmyfarley]

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.

[Daveks]

Great video again!
Passat W8 or the later Passat R36 would be an interesting video as there pretty forget about 👍🏻

[martinboulden]

Had one of these new in 2009 - best driven with the rear seats folded down for the best howl from the exhaust !!

[danieljackson]

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.

[anyau]

performance aside, this is the best golf based on looks alone imo

[termit]

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

[hduncan]

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.

[myou]

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.

[unpluggedkiwi]

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.