Top Gear - Golf MK5 R32 Review by Jeremy Clarkson

The formula is a simple one: performance provided by a 3.2-litre 250 PS V6 engine; 0 to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds; a top speed (limited) of 155 mph and 4MOTION intelligent four-wheel drive combine with the Golf's traditional values of interior space, comfort, refinement, driver enjoyment and highly competitive front-end price and running costs.
The Volkswagen Golf R32 is available in three and five-door guises, with a choice of six-speed manual or DSG automatic transmission. Volkswagen's innovative DSG gearbox combines the convenience of an automatic with the efficiency and driving qualities of a manual. Unlike most automatics it can produce even better performance than a manual as can be seen from the acceleration figures: 6.2 seconds to 62 mph for the DSG against 6.5 seconds for the manual.
With the UK firmly established as the world's leading market for the Golf GTI, it comes as little surprise that the R32 is highly sought-after. The UK's original allocation of 450 cars sold out shortly after the car went on sale; while continued heavy demand for the vehicle means residual values remain high.

[@warrenjones789]

Had a Mk4 R32 for 7 years and now the mk5 for nearly 7 years and still going strong (both 3 door and manual). No real issues, just standard servicing which is amazing considering its a 2008 so 14 years old. You'll drive this in winter with windows down and heated seats on - You will never get bored of the engine note. Most enjoyable cars Ive had

[@wilspu5590]

Manual best?

[@S-u-p-a]

@@wilspu5590 yes

[@mouaxiong8618]

@@wilspu5590 modern DSG faster and pretty reliable.

[@danielfl.9347]

You should get the MK5 Golf rust protected... Trust me!

[@warrenjones789]

@@danielfl.9347 no need, its absolutely clean underneath

[@yorktronic]

Had my mk5 R32 almost 10 years, and I love every moment of it.

[@bierlyynn]

What happened to it?

[@roadmanpussio4562]

@@bierlyynn I think they still have it

[@ewanduplessis9682]

Reliability wise?

[@szeggie]

@ewanduplessis9682 I've had mine since 2011 and the only things that have gone wrong were things I did to it, lol. Did have a crank speed sensor go but thats about it out of the abnormal.

[@nate678]

Has to be one of my favorite cars I've ever owned! Keep in mind Jeremy has driven almost every single kind of car and look at the fun he's having! Truly feels like driving a go-kart.

[@jayzredfezz]

Got my R32 a few weeks ago and I am already in love with it! So much more theater and soul than in the newer hot hatches I've previously owned

[@danielfl.9347]

Have you made sure it has been given a rust protection?

[@Diyman43]

Still enjoying mines 6yrs ownership full spec bucket seats only mod, scorpion exhaust vrooooom 🎶 💨

[@Aadilf1]

They've got so expensive now, cant find a good one :(

[@austinsuper4291]

I have an mk5 gti fahrenheit it is such a good car

[@duttonfx]

Sold my R32 6 months ago. Regret it so much. Awesome, awesome cars!

[@Mohm.1]

How is maintenance?

[@zacroixx3380]

Where did you get the bucket seats?

[@landrover3596]

Golf R32 all day long over a bimmer. Had a 2004 VW GOLF R32 with a stage 2 VF ENGINEERING SUPER CHARGER wish I still had her 😑

[@MrRoyck10]

R32 all fart no poop!

[@conconr322]

@@MrRoyck10 bro you've got another man's bugatti on your picture shut up dream boy

[@elliotttalksf1825]

@@conconr322 Spot on. 👌😄

[@ogloftus]

@@MrRoyck10 sounds like coming from someone that’s not even old enough to have a license

[@Two_Phones_Eddie]

@@MrRoyck10 Best thing is a like farts so it works for me...

[@paulwalker7514]

Mk4 R32 Alltime Favorit Golf 😍😍❤ Sound and Design Beautiful!

[@sub_zero_911]

Just bought 1 today ❤️

[@GuninGames]

I still find it odd that a Skyline was called an R32 because of its chassis, and this Golf is an R32 for its engine, Both cars are all-wheel drive with 6 cylinders, I still find it creepy that how similar both these cars are despite looking completely different

[@TheSticz]

R32 skyline was just inside codename. Actually never official instead of VW which trademarket it.

[@mrchris6519]

Had a mk5 r32....without doubt the best car I've owned. Brilliant on a long journey and didn't cost alot to run during the week or maintenance. Only thing that got me in the end was taxing it...was ridiculous. Haveing said that I'd recommend one to anyone..shame the don't still make them.

[@carlospacheco8640]

I was going to trade my MK5 Rabbit and get a MK5 R32. Sadly here in the US we only got the terrible 1st gen DSG. I need a manual and after hearing the 5 cylinder for 16 years. I love it.

[@berniejaw6552]

Thanks for posting.

[@t8polestarcyan22]

And that goes again for the more recent GTI but in greater depth when it comes to practicality.

[@BbkEddy16]

Had a mk7 golf R which was insanely quick with a JB4 and a few mods but moved to a dsg r32 and the sound and the character the car has is unmatched, full vw service history and just done 100k last week 😎

[@themanwhocan1000]

Doing the same had a golf r stage 2 etc etc etc not much can keep up but so so boring to drive 😴

[@user-ul4wy2lx2m]

I have the mk2 tt vr6 and it’s the same car but with a manual transmission 😊

[@arturbahr1711]

Brawo Jeremy

[@carparkcampers8407]

R32 all day for me ❤️

[@speakingout6345]

The fact they have dual clutch is so epic

[@Daveyboy_GolfR]

Currently own a 2015 mk7 Golf R finally paid off. And I find myself watching videos and reviews of the MK5 R32. I love my dual clutch gearbox and all around German golf loveliness. Why not sell my mk7 r and pay cash for a 2008 R32 which keeps the dual clutch and AWD adds that roaring V6. Just have to find one that's hasn't been trounced on.

[@deanwilliams7790]

Lots about if you have patience…. I just got one 60k, one owner and full VWSH, mint…..&11.5 k but I honestly believe it will be double this in five years time!! Go for it

[@Veiee]

Just do it. It wont be nearly as quick as the mk7, but it will make you smile always

[@Mc88Flyy]

@@deanwilliams7790 that’s a good price, I found an 08 with 80k for $16k

[@bigmoney4685]

If it was me i would have a golf r32 with a turbo or a r32 with the r36 engine in and a turbo. Running at 400 or 500 bhp it will last longer than the 2.0 engine in a golf r. They go bang with high power after a while.

[@Daveyboy_GolfR]

@@bigmoney4685I've gotten rid of my MK7 golf R about 6 months back. Spent a fortune on mods (FBO) and some wheels and minor exterior stuff. In the end, I was always having trouble with the APR tune, going into limp mode, and always having to go back to USP Motorsports to update the software. It was a great car but once I started modding it it became a headache. I think at this point I'd be very happy with an m240i which is similar in price to an MK8 out the door, and is a blast to drive. Also looks great. 55k for an MK8 after taxes and everything is just too much. But you are right about the r32s with turbo setups. There's a few around me and they're sick 👍

[@HAZYFALKIRK]

The best golf IMO mk5 R32

[@peteronister1488]

um No bro, my MK4 is the best...

[@DabDabGoose]

@@peteronister1488 mk5 better more power better standard exhaust so it sounds better too.

[@peteronister1488]

@@DabDabGoose No, it's still technically an automatic/DSG tranny...not as fun LOL

[@DabDabGoose]

@@peteronister1488 mk5 comes in manual as well though.

[@jamiekhan9029]

best golf car made

[@TangoSuckaa1]

Both lovely but I’d still have the beemer. For rwd reasons

[@killerdragon5584]

"The Golf is better." -Kuru

[@88tmilko]

🔥

[@waifuracer6516]

I wish clarkson reviewed the Passat R36. Imo it takes the Golf R32 to the next level.

[@saniwada]

Auto

[@rnldmanuel88]

​@@saniwadaso what if it's auto the DSG shifts very nice.

[@deividasrunca3596]

Golf all the way and put for 4k upgrades

[@kanomorojele4956]

VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOO....🔥🔥🔥👏🏽

[@TheFakeFatLegitimate]

I had one. Now I have a 350z. R32 sounded so much better. But rwd is fun. A friend now has an R32 with lots of problems

[@liljuz1981]

just got one in at my dealership and it's a basketcase. The DSG is failing badly and it lurches like a novice standard driver

[@Saida561]

130i RWD=Fun and N52B30 engine is solid.

[@rnldmanuel88]

Who gives af lol the r32 has a vr6 that sounds amazing plus it's got a DSG with a AWD haldex system. It's not the fastest by today's standards but it's a fun car.

[@conorf8091]

Both are good 👍

[@JaredGti07]

Reason I bought my A32

[@JDT-19933]

A32 that's a phone

[@JaredGti07]

@@JDT-19933 audi a3 3.2 Quattro

[@N2eJyriOo]

One day…

[@TheSoSoftCrew]

What number season is this?

[@clarksonian5336]

7

[@grahamwhitehead9498]

Nice engine and sound but too heavy.... I'd Rather have the edition 30 GTI in DSG.

[@TheKickboxingCommunity]

These cars still cost just as much as they did 10 years ago

[@scitec717]

I know but just got a mk2 TT 3.2 manual quite a bit cheaper than the R32 but still get the engine sound and i prefer the TT shape anyway🙂

[@Aileron90]

its weird, it must be for legal reasons that they state 0-100 as 6.2 seconds, i consistently got mine 0-100km/h 5 sec or lower, Video on my profile as proof

[@Stellaaa-tu5qi]

He slated the 3.2 TT that practically is the same car.

[@EYLOGITOS]

I like BMWs and RWD but this bimmer is so ugly... Golf is much nicer...

[@qasimmir7117]

Indeed.

[@johna.4334]

Video editing needed in the beginning -a big thumbs down vote.

[@clarksonian5336]

Jesus...I will fix this mistake...

[@johna.4334]

@@clarksonian5336 Recently changed to thumbs up -thanx for listening.

[@mk1maad]

vurrrrrra

[@Mfana_vn_berlin]

R32 over bimmer

[@Dex-mx4jg]

Angry car

[@ShamyTV5k]

Never liked BMW

[@jasonm2506]

Wouldn't be seen dead in one. Good for the Mrs tho lol

[@Aileron90]

lol fragile masculinity much? rofl.

[@robertoparada7198]

Literally one of the most influential car enthusiast praised it as a great car. Your word against his is worthless.

[@Aileron90]

@@robertoparada7198 lol i wouldnt worry about this guy, his masculinity is so fragile he won't be seen in nothing less than a V8, the insecurity must be exhausting in his family haha

[@robertoparada7198]

@@Aileron90 He must be compensating for something lol.

[@88tmilko]

His wife’s boyfriend told him that so he could drive it with her.

[@Boostlagg]

This was by far the most unreliable car I've ever owned.

[@512460]

What issues did you have?

[@jn5433]

Like with most cars if you don’t maintain them or buy one that someone hasn’t

[@dhies1792]

@@512460 that engine is reliable, it may have issue but not a major one. electronics may go bad but not the engine

[@BMW_Switzerland]

@@dhies1792 That VR6 engine has massive timing chain problems... l read lots of complaints in forums and there was even a german news reportage about the failing engine.

[@BMW_Switzerland]

@@dhies1792 I would definitely recommend to pick the 130i (or 125i Coupé). The N52B30 is rock solid.