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2008 VW R32
How do you think VW's R32 compares with the GTI?
1.
P.S. Both of my R32's have been very reliable and the DSG is actually an evolution of the dual clutch Porsche PDK gearbox used in 80's road racing not a B-W design as indx in another posting. Get the Euro R32 std smoked taillights thru the USA parts network since they look a lot better and help distinguish the car from the riffraff ;-) !
2. I have a Porsche 993 six speed, the Porsche is great, air cooled and cut from a block of steel, not a lot of fun going in LA Traffic; a 12 cylinder Mercedes, yes a cruiser, and the new R32. I drive the R32 constantly, 6000 miles on the odometer no problems. I totally disagree with the comments about the handling being boring. Take the car to Willow Springs, there are four ways to shift this trans, the drive mode- forget it, the sport mode-much better, the stick to the right shifting with stick on floor - one gear at a time, not the greatest, and the paddle shifters - YES ... quick, run to redline each gear or past with a "chip" .
3. I think my new Mark V R32 is fun to drive even in LA traffic wherein a sequential especially one as good as the DSG is the way to go. I traded in my Mark IV R32 for the new one and the progress in handling and chassis integrity is remarkable. Several inexcusable things on the Mark V: the central QI driving lights don't work unless you re-flash the computer control module to UK specs which has the additional benefit of eliminating the "lawyer warning" on the NAV screen. A Homelink garage door opening system should be available: I had one installed and used the 3 center console switch blanks but had to get the switches from a London VW dealer.
4. The R-32 is a worse idea than Shaq coming to Phoenix. I own a '06 Acura RSX-S that's almost as fast, and it's reliable - which even the best of German cars have yet to become. GTI, Jetta, Bimmer Mercedes - great cars but they just ain't dependable.
5. i (almost) completely agree with dan. i have the 2004 r32 - with the manual 6spd. when vw came looking for all the previous r32 owners to give them the first crack at the replacement, i looked into it, and am glad that i didn't go for it for many reasons. the most important is the lack of the manual - i don't live in so cal anymore, so i can actually drive empty roads. for the people complaining about quality: i've had no problems in 4 years. i know, you're going to say that i'm the exception...
6. EMILY, I would also like to point something out, if your going to be the grammer police be EXTREMELY careful in what you write your self, such as the following quote: "I also agree that the vehicle's purpose is not well served by it's prestine quality. Simply put. It ruins the fun of being on the line." As you used "it's" incorrectly as I don't think "it is prestine quality" and is prestine even a word?? try not to be so cocky, it's the flippin internet, not engrish crass!!
7. This "DSG gearbox" was developed by Borg-Warner, not VW (so I'm not sure what all those paragraphs about some guy at VW intend). DSG is actually just a marketing term, like "Posi-traction" that VW came up with to describe someone else's product. If another company were to buy these transmissions from Borg-Warner they would have to call them something else, but they would remain the same gearbox.
8. VW = Vehicle Woes by the months full. I would not buy another one even if they gave me 12 for every one I purchased. Garbage, Garbage, Garbage as far as dependability is concerned. I can not think of any other auto I have ever owned that was so unreliable with so many problems. Just read any auto web blog or reputable auto reviewer and they will list bad reputation just like they do the other specs. Buyer Beware should be listed on the sitcker along with the price,etc.
9. I would like to point out that the word "finally" in the most recent note preceeding this one is in the wrong context. It should be finely, as in well in quality. Not finally , as in at last. Thank you. I also agree that the vehicle's purpose is not well served by it's prestine quality. Simply put. It ruins the fun of being on the line.
10. Another finally crafted review by Dan Neil -- for a car that I have road tested several times. I've been waiting to hear from the esteemed Mr. Neil, and this review has given me pause. Since I am not a fan of torque steer, and prefer the even distribution of weight, his mention of the heavy front end was interesting. My perception of the car was that the navigation system was not worth the money, and yes, I would prefer a 6-speed manual. Perhaps given the qualms expressed in this review, I should go back and re-test the turbor-charged GTI.
Submitted by: Russ
2. I have a Porsche 993 six speed, the Porsche is great, air cooled and cut from a block of steel, not a lot of fun going in LA Traffic; a 12 cylinder Mercedes, yes a cruiser, and the new R32. I drive the R32 constantly, 6000 miles on the odometer no problems. I totally disagree with the comments about the handling being boring. Take the car to Willow Springs, there are four ways to shift this trans, the drive mode- forget it, the sport mode-much better, the stick to the right shifting with stick on floor - one gear at a time, not the greatest, and the paddle shifters - YES ... quick, run to redline each gear or past with a "chip" .
Submitted by: Phil
3. I think my new Mark V R32 is fun to drive even in LA traffic wherein a sequential especially one as good as the DSG is the way to go. I traded in my Mark IV R32 for the new one and the progress in handling and chassis integrity is remarkable. Several inexcusable things on the Mark V: the central QI driving lights don't work unless you re-flash the computer control module to UK specs which has the additional benefit of eliminating the "lawyer warning" on the NAV screen. A Homelink garage door opening system should be available: I had one installed and used the 3 center console switch blanks but had to get the switches from a London VW dealer.
Submitted by: Russ
4. The R-32 is a worse idea than Shaq coming to Phoenix. I own a '06 Acura RSX-S that's almost as fast, and it's reliable - which even the best of German cars have yet to become. GTI, Jetta, Bimmer Mercedes - great cars but they just ain't dependable.
Submitted by: Darenjon
5. i (almost) completely agree with dan. i have the 2004 r32 - with the manual 6spd. when vw came looking for all the previous r32 owners to give them the first crack at the replacement, i looked into it, and am glad that i didn't go for it for many reasons. the most important is the lack of the manual - i don't live in so cal anymore, so i can actually drive empty roads. for the people complaining about quality: i've had no problems in 4 years. i know, you're going to say that i'm the exception...
Submitted by: hater
6. EMILY, I would also like to point something out, if your going to be the grammer police be EXTREMELY careful in what you write your self, such as the following quote: "I also agree that the vehicle's purpose is not well served by it's prestine quality. Simply put. It ruins the fun of being on the line." As you used "it's" incorrectly as I don't think "it is prestine quality" and is prestine even a word?? try not to be so cocky, it's the flippin internet, not engrish crass!!
Submitted by: FastTypingTool
7. This "DSG gearbox" was developed by Borg-Warner, not VW (so I'm not sure what all those paragraphs about some guy at VW intend). DSG is actually just a marketing term, like "Posi-traction" that VW came up with to describe someone else's product. If another company were to buy these transmissions from Borg-Warner they would have to call them something else, but they would remain the same gearbox.
Submitted by: Fact check
8. VW = Vehicle Woes by the months full. I would not buy another one even if they gave me 12 for every one I purchased. Garbage, Garbage, Garbage as far as dependability is concerned. I can not think of any other auto I have ever owned that was so unreliable with so many problems. Just read any auto web blog or reputable auto reviewer and they will list bad reputation just like they do the other specs. Buyer Beware should be listed on the sitcker along with the price,etc.
Submitted by: jr
9. I would like to point out that the word "finally" in the most recent note preceeding this one is in the wrong context. It should be finely, as in well in quality. Not finally , as in at last. Thank you. I also agree that the vehicle's purpose is not well served by it's prestine quality. Simply put. It ruins the fun of being on the line.
Submitted by: Emily Cardoza
10. Another finally crafted review by Dan Neil -- for a car that I have road tested several times. I've been waiting to hear from the esteemed Mr. Neil, and this review has given me pause. Since I am not a fan of torque steer, and prefer the even distribution of weight, his mention of the heavy front end was interesting. My perception of the car was that the navigation system was not worth the money, and yes, I would prefer a 6-speed manual. Perhaps given the qualms expressed in this review, I should go back and re-test the turbor-charged GTI.
Submitted by: Chris Kane