2004 Volkswagen MK4 R32 Review - The Most Desirable Golf?

Combine a compact body and spacious hatch with a powerful engine and all wheel drive... the result? One of the original "hyper" hatches was born in the MK4 Golf R32.
See how I rank the R32 in the Zygrene Performance Index (ZPI):
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Instagram: / zygrene

[@maveric0738]

I’m the original owner of my MK4 R32. Purchased it new in February of 2004, and to this it still puts a smile on my face. On paper it says 240 Hp. But that was for marketing ploy, vw didn’t want to deter from the Audi TT 3.2 VR6 which had 250 Hp, same exact motor. At the time when this VW came to the states. There was nothing like it, the only competitors at the time were the STI and EVO. VW has not put an interior like this vw R32 in any vw since. Road and track did 0-60 in 5.8 seconds. Not to shabby for its time.

[@crunkamigo]

My interior sounds like a broken wooden ship after motor mounts and aftermarket exhaust. But that's the trade off

[@HydroCronus]

Owned one for a year. Loved the engine ,was my absolute dream car, the design is and will stay one of my favorites of any car, and the engine note is like no other. However, it's far too heavy, not nimble. I found myself having more fun sometimes with my other mk5 rabbit weighing at 2900ish pounds making 170HP (R32 weighed 3300-3400). Felt that weight each drive. The only time I really enjoyed the R32 was for sound, or take off from a dig to make use of the awd.

[@SchwaboChannel]

its more than enough, I get it tho ...

[@kevinmirsepassi8110]

This guy's after my heart. I currently have a ZHP and had cross shopped it with one of these MKIV R32s. Always loved that sound, the interior/exterior look, and quality feel. Nice touch with the euro headlights too. Thanks for the informative review!

[@oldkid6]

Thanks for doing a recent review of a classic VW! And by reading the comments below I fall into the category of one of those who just overpaid for a low milage example. Oh well.

[@Blaylock1988]

Great review. My R32's 4th gear is getting a little bit crunchy when cold too but its SO FUN!

[@S54VR6]

The original Golf “R” was the Mk2 golf ralley. It used a haldex before it was called haldex

[@ncpalafox]

an amazing underrated car

[@lollol-xp4mc]

Idk if its underated id argue maybe its overated but its still really cool

[@ironslimy7899]

@@lollol-xp4mc you’re overrated

[@moddude101]

When the MK4 Golf came out VW was really trying to bring up the brand name. I can't recall if it was the mid-year MK4 or the MK5 were VW realized they weren't making a enough profit due to the car's manufacturing process being high and decided to strategically cost cut the car, although they did it in a good way. VW did such a good job with the MK4 that it still holds up wealth this time except for the glove box store in the center console latch lol. I love seeing an R32 that in general is in stock form!

[@flyboyone]

I am from Sydney Australia. VW sent 200, R-32s to Australia in 2004. I have one of them from new., Number 175 Australia. Unsurprisingly, VW Australia sold 197 before they actually arrived in Australlia but 3 just would go!! So, Porsche Australia bought all three (all black) for about 65% of list price for their sales staff to drive and that how I got mine, new, care of Porsche Australia. My R-32 now has approximately, 54,500 kms on the clock 1st June 2023, , it is black with NO sunroof. It is amazing. It shared the garage with the both the first 996, Yr 1999 GT3 and Yr 2001 GT-2 for Australia but I still love the R-32 most because of it's pure wholesomeness, it's not trying so hard to impress like both the GT-3 and the GT-2 and it actually sounds better than the GT-2 !!!!!!! It was my daily drive. Today, all the Porsches are gone, yet the R-32 still here !!!!!

[@88tmilko]

Mk4 looks so good! I own a MK5 R32 which I love! Who wants a 2.0T over that masterpiece?

[@joeletty2]

Blank Frank it’s a 3.2 liter not a 2.0 and it’s NA

[@lollol-xp4mc]

@@joeletty2 shut up dude

[@europlebr3216]

Joseph lettrich He wasn’t talking about an R32. He was saying why choose a 2.0T when you can choose the 3.2..

[@Brandonhere1018]

Great review! fun one to watch. Man, wish you could’ve reviewed my R. I drive those same roads all the time.

[@Zygrene]

Is your R modified? Could be fun to do a comparison with another mid 2000's hot hatch

[@_CaliCeramics_]

Brandon Millan what roads are these

[@Tonigr]

The real "R" ist the 1989-1991 Rallye Golf. A Golf mk2 syncro (awd) 1.8l G60 homologation special. There were standard mk2s with syncro all wheel drive available as well.

[@Zygrene]

Today I learned!

[@louievdub8821]

the R32 MK4 the best Golf ever after the 1980 Golf Rabbit and 1992 Golf GTI 16V , my R32 had a stage 2 VF Engineering Supercharger with a bunch of other go fast parts that are to much to list. the car stock was a great car but with the help of the after market the R32 was a awesome car.

[@letsavittvbirminghamuk9688]

The mark 2 also came in 4 motion called golf synchro

[@BeReady726]

I had an 04 r32 and a 07 sti. The STI interior was "cheaper materials" but it felt sturdier.

[@maximus9401]

Always loved the styling and proportions of the Mk4, not to mention the engine in the R32. I just can't deal with that reliablity and interiors that fall apart

[@maveric0738]

That’s because the car is 16 years old now. I’m the original of my MK4 R32 and yes when I bought it new the interior was flawless. Now..yes age is setting in. Interior parts are starting to peel

[@fuzzball7972]

That can be blamed on people not taking care of their vehicles very well.

[@Zeus-ge7gd]

Same. I brought mine back home where heat and humidity sit year round. My cabin hasn't taken a liking to this weather.

[@S54VR6]

I restored my r32 interior. Only thing wrong now is the pixelation on the dash during hot days and headliner

[@maveric0738]

@Anthony Galloni I still do. Now running at 500 hp

[@charlenesolomons7313]

Golf 4 looks soooo goooooood.. Better than the rest

[@Kdyso]

Just sold my MK5 R32 last week... biggest regret of my life 😂😭

[@JOHNKLERK69]

u can buy another one mk5 r32 is cheap

[@kylemarsh5313]

You all are crazy, my 04 R is the most reliable car I have owned in a long time. Then again you get out of something what you put in it. I have had it 4 years bought with 86k miles for 12k and love every minute of owning it. I have a bunch of muscle cars and yet this is the car everyone loves most and it is bone stock!

[@love.pugsss449]

I've had the same experience with my corrados as well

[@midobibo9286]

Hello all. If i wanna replace my v5 engine with R32 engine. Do i need to anything else???

[@oyurcha1]

I’m just happy it didn’t break during the shoot ;P

[@CRIFLIFE]

An r32 is the evolution of the mark 2 rallye golf. The true og.

[@doylee469]

Love watching someone elses golf, would never own my own

[@jfnovae]

Pads etc.. even a leaking vacuum line could be the poor brake feel. Stock brakes w sticky tires is impressive. These are slotted and drilled...

[@69bock69]

just got my one out of storage, that engine!!!! it's a vw that thinks it's a TVR

[@friscostreetstories5403]

the driver doesnt deserve to drive it. The Mk4 R is too good, remember its going up in value. Good review.

[@LeoVillacorte]

Where was this filmed? Would love to check out those roads

[@rileys8741]

Leo Villacorte looks like skyline in NorCal

[@SOLOWERKSUSA]

Backside of Calaveras Milpitas, pops out 680. watch out for bikers.

[@newground1341]

Yeah man; Golf R whatever yo, Natural Aspiration!

[@erwinvandebeek7086]

Not the first 4 wheel drive Golf with a VR6. My Golf 3 VR6 syncro from 1996 has 4 wheel drive.

[@axe2grind772]

First car ever sold with a dual clutch transmission.

[@roberthawkins216]

why you look like neo from matrix?

[@thumbthumperton2460]

I still love this car!!! I’m mad that I wasn’t old enough to own this car but if someone knows some one on the east coast that owns one please let me knw🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽

[@daniransilva9296]

Carro mais top do mundo

[@bimmerlife5452]

i have to say this better sounding VW and Audi made amazing car

[@semird615]

It's yhr coolest looking Golf except the super limited versions of course. The thing is this Golf wasn't that impressive to me. The engine noise is awesome I guess but it was heavy and didn't really corner that well. The Haldex 4WD was fake wheel drive anyways and it was heavy af. An S3 of this era would probably smoke this Golf stock, even though it had less power.

[@landrover3596]

MK4 Golf R32 is the best VW golf ever. And this was not the first AWD golf the 1990 or 1992 MK 2 golf rally was the first AWD plus lots not forget the golf AWD Country both were not offered to the states.

[@achimohmeis4617]

The first AWD Golf was the MK2 "syncro" 1986 and 1,8L /90 HP. The AWD was a Visco-Clutch-System. The same System work in the MK2 Rallye Golf G60 wird the homogolated 2H engine.

[@pablocastro7180]

😂❤😅...the "character" of the VW GOLF, is very difficult to control and understand, I have had a G40.(polo). then a GTI 16v MK2, and a G60..;. GOLF MK3 Turbo Diesel and an R32 for more than 15 years and honestly they are not competitive "cars" in the hands of any driver... my brother had a CLIO 16v and he reviewed me GREAT when cornering... but for me the ideal car is the PORCHE GT3 RS and the M3 E30 ❤❤

[@TOOLAPC68]

i just wish these cars were faster with bolt ons

[@naserihsan3759]

That's not the original golf r its the rallye golf which is the original r

[@07989074102]

MK4 chassis is awful ! interesting to hear you found the brakes lacking. Mine stopped on a pin. 345mm and 310mm on the back are some pretty big discs. I own the MK5 version now. Had the mk4, night and day in terms of a driver. The brake feel in the MK5 is quite frankly the best i've had. The reason why the mk5 is better is because VW designed the shell around the engine. The V6 lump was an after thought in the mk4 because sales were so bad. The mk5 doesn't have as much body flex and rattles. MK4 is a lovely looking motor though. Even by today's standards

[@antoniosadorra4961]

too bad it only came in dsg, at least in the US. it would be much more desirable if they came in manual

[@LorolinAstori]

Either I cannot drive or they cannot. I will give them the nod since they have a channel but they did not show much at all. Original owner

[@hellatightdude]

I don’t get these cars at all, especially when you could buy a focus rs or civic type r for the same price as a stock low mileage one of these. Is the VR6 really all that special? But to each their own.

[@Zygrene]

Low mileage examples are definitely overpriced for what you get. Examples at 10-15k make more sense. It's mostly about the nostalgia factor, styling, and unique sound.

[@hellatightdude]

Zygrene for 15k I get this all day. Anything above 20k and you lose me on it. The prices on these remind me of how E46 M3 and ITR prices have skyrocketed to the stratosphere as well. Nostalgia is a powerful thing.

[@robertoparada7198]

There are mathematically waaayyy better cars than the mk4 r32. Cheaper, faster, more reliable. BUT this car has a very endearing personality that attracts certain drivers. I bought mine about 5 months ago and I still smile everyday. I didn’t choose it; it chose me.

[@hellatightdude]

Roberto Parada guess I should give one a drive some time. It just blows my mind cause as you start heading into the 30k and 40k realm of sports cars there are SO many good cars you could buy. But we live in a world where integra type r’s sell for 80k so That shows a car is worth how much someone is willing to pay for it lol!

[@visualblur]

A focus RS!? lol🤣😭😂

[@jorgemontes4231]

You will break the tranny man, the guy said don't like shift quick and you did it again...lol

[@newground1341]

Can I put this shit in my 2010 Beetle?

[@ThreePedalGarage]

Nice job man! check out my most recent video "All you need to know about the R32" love this car so much!

[@verdict1163]

obligatory comment. does commenting really help views?

[@Zygrene]

No clue how the algorithms work. I stopped worrying about that a while ago 🙂

[@JasonBryantGreen]

this owner seems so meh about this car.

[@webbscorpio]

He just talks shit about dude’s car!

[@hernes0071]

IMO VR6 sounds so bad, its like someone is farting in a jar