running costs and general experience of R32 Vs GTI

[rich200ps]

I know it wont be universally appreciated mentioning the 32 on here but i AM considering a mk5 32 OR a MK6GTI  as a potential next car. Have any of you drove the 32? is it true the pace is not that different to a GTI? Do they really guzzle the juice as quick as rumours ive heard? Is the Haldex 4wd a Much different/better driving experience than the FWD GTI? i Know the 4pot in the GTI is more tunable, but is it more satisfying than a V6? Any experiences, stories, anecdotes or technical information would be gratefully received!!

[182_blue]

well at the moment fuel isnt to bad but im sure that wont stay the same long, some will say that the R32 will do the same MPG as a GTi if driven steady, but as a recent R32 owner (who has just swopped to a GTi) on here tell you :-

I will have a good blast tomorrow and let you all know what I think but it is not the first time I have owned and edition 30! Total different drive to the R32 tho and 36 mpg on the way home compaired to 26mpg on the way there in the R!

, as for the rest im not sure, i had the option of a r32 when i got my edition 30 but i got the ED30 instead and dont regret it a bit

[SO8]

I'll start by saying I haven't driven an R32 but seriously wanted one for a few years....

I liked both and would have had an R32 over the GTi were it not for image, fuel consumption and road tax.  When I bought my Ed 30 the R32 in the spec I wanted would have been about 27K ..... which would now go for about 21-22K at a dealers ! 

The Haldex 4wd is superb and I found it miles better than the Scooby I had a couple of years back when I had a V6 4motion.  Only thing is that it can make the driving experience seem a little wooden and removed.  There is less feel and you can get away with miles more than you can with front or rear wheel drive motors.

I haven't driven the R32 as I knew I would like it.  I went for an ED 30 DSG as it was on paper almost as quick and people said it felt lighter.  I knew I would love the noise of the R32 but I think the difference in performance for the extra costs involved even with the lovely V6 noise was not enough.

I then found you can remap the Ed 30 quite alot    which I didn't realise when I bought it .... so am very happy indeed 

That said, an R32 at the moment is seriously good value for a superb car.  If I was buying now the lower cost would have at least made me drive one, as I wanted one as soon as they came out - having enjoyed a V6 4motion for over three years back in 2000 

I think buying now if I didn't have the Ed30 (which I absolutely love)  would be leaning very much the way of an R32 .....

FWIW my V6 4motion (similar engine to R32 fuel wise) did 21-23 mpg for my driving style.  The car that replaced it on the same routes with the same manner of driving was a BMW 330i .... which only did 18-20mpg.  The Ed 30 does 28-30mpg. 

[JonnyG]

Well I've just switched to a new R32 after owning an ED 30 GTi, and before that a Mk V GTi, so feel I should share my experience with you 

All cars were standard with no remaps

1.  Pace - The R32 is still running in and feeling quicker each week.  Nevertheless the ED30 "felt" more punchier after 3500rpm, especially in 3rd and 4th gear.  In comparison the R32 just oozes low down power and delivers smooth accelaration all the way to the red line with no turbo "punch".  I reckon performance is very similar in a straight line on a dry road.  So 8/10 for both cars.  The standard GTi felt slighty less powerful at higher revs and a bit slower at motorway speeds so 7/10.

2.  Guzzling gas     

The ED30 managed an overall 27.36mpg average for me (with plenty of city commuting) over 12500 miles

The R32 is managing an overall 24.12mpg so far (and steadily improving) after 1600 miles (same roads etc as ED30)

The standard GTi managed 28.9mpg overall

So 6/10 for the ED30, 4/10 for the R32 and 7/10 for the standard GTi 

3.  The driving experience is completey different between the two cars, but both very enjoybale.  The R32 with it's Haldex 4wd is just incredible for traction - you can boot it out of side roads, exiting roundabouts and away from the lights with no fuss or wheelspin.  On the move the R32 feels heavier and less "chuckable" than the GTi but with awesome amount of grips around  corners.   The GTi by comparison feels lighter and more nimble, but tractions can be a problem at times and you have to learn to feather the throttle to avoid wheelspin.  Uphill in the wet or even damp I could still get a little wheelspin in 3rd (no remap either).

Have to say this is difficult to score, the R32 scores best for traction & grip but the GTi  scores better for chuckability and fun.  Both cars are fantastic to drive so 9/10 for both   

4.  The R32 sounds superb and running it on V-Power and Tesco 99 everyone says it sounds like a rally car   

My ED30 did'nt sound so bad either ... nothing like the V6 but it had a nice deep rasp at idle and sounded quite purposeful when pressing on.  In comparison my 1st standard GTi sounded like a tractor at idle    and never sounded as good as the ED 30. 

So 10/10 for the R32  ,   8/10 for the ED30 and 6/10 for the GTi.
 
R32 Plus points :

1.  Getting away from a standstill with 4WD and DSG  :  it's just TOO easy 
2.  The sound of the exhaust
3.  The "catapult" feel you get as you boot it away from corners and roundabouts

Minus points

1.  MPG
2.  Vehicle Tax
3.  Weight
 
ED 30 plus points : 

1.  Handling is more fun (lighter and more nimble)
2.  The turbo "punch" after around 3250rpm
3.  Cheap to remap

Minus Points

1. Traction
2. Traction !
3. Not much else

My conclusion :  I would be happy with either a ED30 or R32, they both edge out the standard GTi IMHO. 

[illyun]

I've driven and owned both and JonnyG's write up is spot on.

[garethmk1]

Indeed - at current price levels - £390 spent on an ED30 sees 300bhp - need I say anything else.

Truely superb car - want to scare your mates - buy an ED30 and remap !!

Regards,

Gareth