Article Comments - 2008 VW R32 First Drive and Follow-Up Test

121 messages, Last post on Aug 19, 2009 at 3:27 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen R32, Hatchback

First Drive: 2008 Volkswagen R32 - You need to really like German hatchbacks to appreciate the R32's combination of performance and upscale comfort. If you don't, you won't. (more)

Follow-Up Test: 2008 Volkswagen R32 - If pinpoint refinement is your overriding priority in hot-hatch selection, the 2008 VW R32 is the obvious choice. But some will find it too thoroughly baked. (more)

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#46 of 121 2008 4 door R32 in the U.S. by joi Jul 23, 2007 (11:56 am)
Hi, This is my first post. I'm trying to find a 5 door not too large hatchback with all wheel drive that doesn't look too much like a wagon, has pep, and good handling. Don't want an SUV. So I've come up with just about 2 choices: Volvo V50 Audi A3 Then I saw the 4 door R32 which is exactly what I'm looking for but see that 4 door isn't being marketed in U.S. Does anyone have any ideas about how to go about getting one? Can an overseas purchase be delivered to U.S. if it's not marketed here? Thanks Replies to this message: eldaino (Jul 24, 2007 5:45 am) allaneq (Jul 29, 2007 5:31 am)
#47 of 121 Re: 2008 4 door R32 in the U.S. [joi] by eldaino Jul 24, 2007 (5:45 am)
Replying to: joi (Jul 23, 2007 11:56 am) you should be able to, but it might be right hand drive, and it is going to cost you a pretty penny. Replies to this message: allaneq (Jul 29, 2007 5:31 am)
#48 of 121 Re: 2008 4 door R32 in the U.S. [eldaino] by allaneq Jul 29, 2007 (5:31 am)
Replying to: eldaino (Jul 24, 2007 5:45 am) Actually, that would only be true of models from a limited number of countries. Models from Germany and all of continental Europe would be left-hand drive. But they would have gauge clusters in metric, and you'd need to run it through a DOT mandated process - but honesltly once the R32 is here, that shouldn't be hard. The real catch that doing that, as well as BUYING the thing in the first place will I believe prove to be much more expensive than the comparable "domesticated" 3-door. I want a 5 door too, FWIW.
#49 of 121 Actually.. by kurtamaxxxguy Aug 04, 2007 (10:37 pm)
A VW R32 5 door can be had right now - it's an Audi A3 3.2 S-line. The vehicles have the same Golf Chassis, Haldex 4-Wheel drive, and engine. Audi differences (aside from # doors) include more interior colors ( VW offers black, period), an older seat design (VW has better height adjustments), fancier interior trim, lower and stiffer suspension, larger wheels, a higher price, and a tiny dealer network. VW has repeatedly said it has no intention of bringing in an AWD 5 door Golf/Rabbit/whatever they wanna name it here. That's because it would compete with the Audi.
#50 of 121 The 2008 R32 is no match for the original. by smyle12 Aug 06, 2007 (4:34 am)
Let's see. This time around LEATHER seats are NOT an option, while the STANDARD 18" wheels of the '04's ARE. It's hard to believe when you think about it. Compared to the beautiful '04's 14-spoke wheels, the '08's 10-spoke ones absolutely pale in comparison, and that's not to mention that the car itself (Rabbit) is now rather ugly compared to it's predecessor, with it's audaciously overstyled front end and bubble-butt rear. Then there's the interior, which although nice, is most certainly NOT as nice as the '04 version (and this holds true for ALL of the new Rabbits btw). I work for a VW dealership. The 2004 model's Climatic Climate Control is also a thing of the past as well. Oh and wait! Who could forget that this new R32 is now heavier, slower, gets worse fuel economy, and isn't even available with the standard 6-speed transmission in the '04 model. Hmmmmmm... the only real improvement I'm seeing here is the addition of a 6-disc CD changer, as well as 2 extra speakers, which with Volkswagen cutting its costs lately in search of greater profitablity, may STILL not sound as good as the 8-speaker Monsoon system which came standard in the '04 model, however, this I'll still need to hear and is merely speculation, although it does hold true for most of the newer VW stereo systems. Wow, I'm so glad that I'm fortunate enough to own one of 5,000 the originals. Someday, they'll surely become true collector's items. It's like when a great movie is released, there's always a sequel. Sadly, however, just like in the movies, this second time around, the R32 seems to be missing all of it's original magic and mystique, and dare I say it? Just like in the movies... it sucks. Replies to this message: eldaino (Aug 08, 2007 10:07 am) smyle12 (Aug 09, 2007 4:53 pm) eldaino (Aug 12, 2007 2:42 pm)
#51 of 121 Re: The 2008 R32 is no match for the original. [smyle12] by eldaino Aug 08, 2007 (10:07 am)
Replying to: smyle12 (Aug 06, 2007 4:34 am) i know you probably just joined this site to post this one thing, and may never post again, but i'll respond to you regardless. How is leather not an option? ITS STANDARD on the new r32. SLOWER than the original? The last time i read had it at 5.8 seconds. Gets worse fuel economy? who cares! the engine is making more power at LOWER rpms! and even if it is a tad slower its also heavier. its a wash. i like the mkIV. but i also like the mkV. your complaints about the wheels and overal styling are purely subjective, thus they DO NOT make the mkIV r32 'better'. Then there's the interior, which although nice, is most certainly NOT as nice as the '04 version (and this holds true for ALL of the new Rabbits btw). I work for a VW dealership. The 2004 model's Climatic Climate Control is also a thing of the past as well. can someone explain to me how the mkIV has a nicer interior than the mkV ANYTHING? its very nice, but the mkV's interior is just as nice, and superior to the competition. My buddy sat in my rabbit the other day (he has a 1.8turbo 2001 jetta) and he was like 'man. the interior is NICE'. he liked the power delivery too. I think that the whole 'the interior sucks on newer vee dubs' is a bunch of bull crap by the mkIV guys who cant stand to belive that vw would have made a superior (and MUCH MUCH MUCH more reliable) product. even if the interior WAS inferior to the previous gen, the reliability alone would sway me. or are you going to ignore the reliability problems like all the other mkIV afficionados? there is no way the monsoon sound system EVER sounded better than anything on the newer mkV's. Replies to this message: smyle12 (Aug 09, 2007 4:53 pm) eldaino (Aug 12, 2007 2:42 pm)
#52 of 121 Re: The 2008 R32 is no match for the original. [eldaino] by smyle12 Aug 09, 2007 (4:53 pm)
Replying to: eldaino (Aug 08, 2007 10:07 am) You wish. Keep telling yourself that, and you'll most certainly enjoy your newer slower, R32 with it's cheapened more rubbery plasticky interitor, and maybe you'll even opt for the stock 10 spoke 17" rims as well. Try comparing interior photos to the last version and you'll instantaneously see what I mean. Note that the new drivers door arm rest ISN'T made of brushed aluminum. Sure the last version didn't have nav. as an option, but that's about the ONLY interior upgrade you'll find. You could even compare the MkIV base Golf to the MkV Rabbit, and see the differences there. And by the way, leather is NOT an option. Nor are the seats manufactured by German racing outfitter, Koenig. If you haven't noticed, although VW's overall quality hasn't gone down, they've been attempting to cheapen things up. But, hey, enjoy!! I don't even know if these new ones were even built and asssembled at the Porsche manufacturing plant in Slovakia, as were all the other MkIV R32s that were built. All other VW's are built and assembled in Mexico or Brazil. Look into it, before you think you know everything you're talking about. Replies to this message: eldaino (Aug 12, 2007 2:42 pm)
#53 of 121 Re: The 2008 R32 is no match for the original. [smyle12] by eldaino Aug 12, 2007 (2:42 pm)
Replying to: smyle12 (Aug 09, 2007 4:53 pm) R32 with it's cheapened more rubbery plasticky interitor, and maybe you'll even opt for the stock 10 spoke 17" rims as well. Try comparing interior photos to the last version and you'll instantaneously see what I mean. first off.... I HAVE. and i did you one better, by actually SITTING IN BOTH OF THEM. i had the pleasure of experiencing my first r32 this weekend. a beautiful candy white one. the interior was flawless! What do you mean by leather not being an option? ITS STANDARD!!! was it an 'option' on the mkIV r32? who wants a cloth interior on a 30k car? no mkIV r32 i ever saw was cloth; it was always leather. Note that the new drivers door arm rest ISN'T made of brushed aluminum why would you want an arm rest, even if its on the drivers side, made of ALUMINUM? how is that comfortable? You could even compare the MkIV base Golf to the MkV Rabbit, and see the differences there. you are right; you can. The mkV has no more crayon smell and the materials hold up ten times better! Not the mention the nicer feeling shifter and great standard steering wheel. Nor are the seats manufactured by German racing outfitter, Koenig. can you prove that these are better? they are nice..but so are the ones in the mkV r32. Unless you can PROVE that the koenig's are BETTER outside of YOU JUST PREFERRING THEM, then maybe that point will be valid. If you haven't noticed, although VW's overall quality hasn't gone down, they've been attempting to cheapen things up. and i don't blame them...the rabbit takes 50 hours to build! its one heck of a car with immaculate attention to detail, but its not profitable. But the 'cheapening up' wont happen until the mkVI gets here, and even then, it will more than likely be with regards to manufacturing, not interior materials. I don't even know if these new ones were even built and asssembled at the Porsche manufacturing plant in Slovakia, as were all the other MkIV R32s that were built... Look into it, before you think you know everything you're talking about. why don't YOU look into before posting it? the new r32 is built in WOLFSBURG germany, as is the rabbit and the gti. The ONLY MKV built in mexico with german components is the jetta. Look into it, before you think you know everything you're talking about.
#54 of 121 Ummmmm... by smyle12 Aug 12, 2007 (4:04 pm)
I've heard other people complain about the stereo in the MkV. I also think your facts are a little off about where VW assembles there vehicles. Citation please? I work at a dealership, why would I make THAT up? So you're buying a slower version of the same car as btw (and although the specs don't say it) VW used the exact same engine they used in the TT in the MkIV. Wikkipedia So don't even think your car has more horses. It has the same. It's just heavier, slower, cheaper to assemble, has a crappier stereo system, comes with smaller rims with less spokes, gets worse gas mileage, and has really ugly seats that couldn't even be called "racing" seats, or you'd be laughed off the track. Now, the seats on the Eurospec version are flippin' SWEET. They're even cooler than the one's my bright red MkIV (one the 500 produced in red), but yours won't have those... Replies to this message: eldaino (Aug 13, 2007 8:35 am) factoryricho (Oct 04, 2008 11:34 pm) shipo (Oct 05, 2008 6:51 am)
#55 of 121 Proud owner of Both R32's ('04 and '08) by drjlag Aug 13, 2007 (8:30 am)
Hi All, Interesting commentary. As you can tell from the title of this post, I have both. Mine is a blue and my wife's (which we purchased Saturday) is gray. I do like the gray and of course have driven both (duh!), but they each have there differences. First off, my car is almost 3 and half years old with about 46K miles on it. So, it has more squeaks and rattles. I do enjoy the 6-sp and would never by an auto for myself (no matter if it has a direct shift gear box w/paddles), but my wife wanted an auto. The floor mounted pedal is great on the new R which would aid in heal-toe downshifts with a manual, but it's an auto. Eitherway, still a nice feeling with the floor mounted pedal. The new R (just like the MkV GTI) is very solid and eats up bumps like my R just cannot. (please note: this is not an apples to apples comparison due to the fact that my car is much older and I remember it having a more solid feel. still, my car was never this solid and quiet as far as I can recall). The new R is much lower and thus, the handling in the twisties is better, but you can feel the extra weight just a tad. The pick up on the new R is stronger than I expected and all those modes to drive in are great (sport is amazing, but we only had about 20 miles on it so we haven't dogged this one yet, of course the floor model was pushed to the limits more than a couple of times before we purchased ours) The breaks feel a bit softer at first (the pedal needs to be pushed further down), but once they grab, they stop the car well. I believe the rotors on the back are bigger, but they look smaller on the front. Either way, the breaks are one off the strong points on either R. I do like the old steering wheel and the seats but the new leather is nice because its not so smooth. The 6-disk in-dash CD changer is great as is the power lumbar support. The Xenon lights are amazing (our first car with them, I can imagine driving at night in my car now). I like the exhaust pipes further away on the old R (mine looks sweet), but wish the new R were closer together (like on the Cayman S with the chrome tail pipe option). The bumpers on the new R do take a bit of getting used but over all look good. Now to the fun part: the sounds. My R sounds great, but the my wife's sounds a little more raw. I need to rev my engine in 3rd just past 2800 RPM to get that rumble, but the new R seems to be pretty open all the time (no baffle?) The new R definitely sounds louder upon start-up, but they both sound great. Another strong point of any R. Open the windows, moon-roof (all the way), turn off the radio and drive. It's like a Porsche-in-a-Box. Overall, I like both cars and am happy to be able to have access to either anytime I want. I am proud to say that my R has never given me any problems (except for a dead battery recently from this 104 degree heat which was still covered under warranty). Anyway, just thought I try to get a owner's perspective. Of course, we have only had the new R for 3 days and only have about 100 miles on it. I'm sure the breaks will bit harder after more driving and as the miles are put on, we will dip further into the RPMs. Eventually we will have to race to see which is faster. Naawww! I have to say that with even 200 or more lbs curb weight for the new R, it's still faster, especially with the paddle shifting in sport mode. (I think it's 5.8 versus 6.2, but don't quote me) Oh yeah, my R is completely stock (changed the side markers to clear and still need to do that to my wife's R, but it doesn't look like they push in like the MkIV and need to go underneath through the bumper or something--any how-to's would be greatly appreciated). Cheers, Jason Replies to this message: eldaino (Aug 13, 2007 9:03 am)