R32 rear or standard gti?

[RedRobin]

Hope you pull it off in the end

....If you are smoothing and waxing your rear end, the best way is to pull it off very fast. 

[v6yna]

R32 rear, just about to do it too my GTi :)

[em2evol]

I wanted to do this to my GTI back when I got it in 2009... Then I thought, like others here, that it would take a part of the GTI away by making the rear look like an R32... However, I have recently been seriously considering it again - looks just plain beautiful! 

[RedRobin]

I wanted to do this to my GTI back when I got it in 2009... Then I thought, like others here, that it would take a part of the GTI away by making the rear look like an R32... However, I have recently been seriously considering it again - looks just plain beautiful!  

....As a professional designer (now retired) I noticed that the moulded shape of the Mk5 R32 rear continues the style of the side valances of both GTI and R32 Mk5, but the stock Mk5 GTI rear doesn't. Therefore I believe that the R32 rear bumper is a better style match than the GTI's.

However, it is the very distinctive exhaust tip configuration of the Mk5 R32 which immediately and strongly says "R32!". Fortunately, the R32 rear has cut-outs which allow for the GTI twin pipe configuration (and quads as in my case), so by not having the typical R32 exhaust config and by keeping the GTI badge, the result is not pretending to be something it's not.

The photo might help clarify my words/opinion:



^ Note the continuity of style on each side of the rear wheel (the shape has a natural highlight).

[em2evol]

I wanted to do this to my GTI back when I got it in 2009... Then I thought, like others here, that it would take a part of the GTI away by making the rear look like an R32... However, I have recently been seriously considering it again - looks just plain beautiful!  

....As a professional designer (now retired) I noticed that the moulded shape of the Mk5 R32 rear continues the style of the side valances of both GTI and R32 Mk5, but the stock Mk5 GTI rear doesn't. Therefore I believe that the R32 rear bumper is a better style match than the GTI's.

However, it is the very distinctive exhaust tip configuration of the Mk5 R32 which immediately and strongly says "R32!". Fortunately, the R32 rear has cut-outs which allow for the GTI twin pipe configuration (and quads as in my case), so by not having the typical R32 exhaust config and by keeping the GTI badge, the result is not pretending to be something it's not.

The photo might help clarify my words/opinion:



^ Note the continuity of style on each side of the rear wheel (the shape has a natural highlight).

True... I've never looked at it that way before!  I'm torn between the idea of an R32 exhaust or keeping standard exhaust set up - like you say, and as I've often thought - using the R32 bumper but GTI exhaust will make it unique, rather than an R32 copy... Maybe a Miltek (gift to myself) will persuade me to stick with the standard exhaust 

[Kalpsn2000]

^^^
Yes the standard GTI side skirts seem to be designed to go better with the R32 bumper. And that shot of your GTI shows it perfectly RR

[chrisr763]

I do love the back end of the R32. Really sets it off and as above, goes better with the side skirts IMO

[Alexis]

I'm glad this old post has come back to life

I'm after doing the R32 rear with the Gti lower part for the OEM tail pipes, so can you buy the lower plastic part with the tail pipe cut out and fit to an OEM R32 bumper like the grey Gti in this thread?

I found this one on ebay  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Golf-MK5-5-Rabbit-R32-R-Lower-Rear-Bumper-Sport-Valance-Skin-Spoiler-Body-Kit-/320979373472?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4abbdc8da0 

What are people's thoughts on the ebay one?