GTI, Edition 30 or R32?

106_racecar · December 14, 2012, 09:37:39 PM

I am looking at getting a Golf as a commuting car keeping a 4WD for family duties. I have shortlisted the Golf GTI, GTI Edition 30 and R32 and interested in feedback on the models, whether its better to get a manual over DSG as I personally prefer manual and it might be a better proposition on a Golf in the mid 20k range?

Initial thoughts are that I quite like the sound of the R32 but it seems heavy and less nimble compared to a GTI. I recall my 2001 S3 went well but always felt a little heavy and less nimble compared to a FWD car. Sure AWD is good for traction but I see that people have modified Edition 30's on the forum and are rapt with them. Consequently, are all the Edition 30's DSG?

alexh · December 14, 2012, 10:10:06 PM

My ed30 stage2 is fast as hell No r32 would keep up without a turbo. Love it

GLIDN · December 14, 2012, 10:50:32 PM

Pm me. I can happily provide feedback for a GTI or ED30 even R32.

In short you can have a GTI or ed30 DSG or manual.
As long as you have MFSW with flappy paddles. Then DSG over manual everytime.
Happy to take you for a drive in our GTI's

schattenblau · December 14, 2012, 11:10:22 PM

Quote from: 106_racecar on December 14, 2012, 09:37:39 PM
I am looking at getting a Golf as a commuting car keeping a 4WD for family duties. I have shortlisted the Golf GTI, GTI Edition 30 and R32 and interested in feedback on the models, whether its better to get a manual over DSG as I personally prefer manual and it might be a better proposition on a Golf in the mid 20k range?

Initial thoughts are that I quite like the sound of the R32 but it seems heavy and less nimble compared to a GTI. I recall my 2001 S3 went well but always felt a little heavy and less nimble compared to a FWD car. Sure AWD is good for traction but I see that people have modified Edition 30's on the forum and are rapt with them. Consequently, are all the Edition 30's DSG?

Your initial thoughts are spot on.

(Mk5) GTI - best all-rounder

GTI Ed30 - best of the Mk5's to drive but you lose versatility - NZ only got 3dr versions in manual and DSG.

R32 - not as nice as a GTI to drive but has one of the great sounding engines, more cruiser than hot hatch.

Manual vs DSG - both are great gearboxes, less hassles and lower servicing costs with manual. DSG quicker shifting, less involving, service history essential.

GLIDN · December 15, 2012, 07:35:50 AM

Do not forget the 3 and 5 door Pirelli edition.
It's the same as the ED30 engine wise. But the you have the ability of a 5 door and slighty nicer seats and yellow accent stiching throughout the car.

RS ZWEI · December 15, 2012, 07:49:18 AM

Quote from: GLIDN on December 15, 2012, 07:35:50 AM
Do not forget the 3 and 5 door Pirelli edition.
It's the same as the ED30 engine wise. But the you have the ability of a 5 door and slighty nicer seats and yellow accent stiching throughout the car.

Though NZ only got 2? Pirelli editions? And Ive seen one secondhand import?

A Ed30 manual is the way to go if you can live with a 3 door.

R32's sound nice but look ugly with that chrome grill and flowery wheel design. VW really dropped the ball on the R32 design from the Mk4 to the Mk5.

rambo_005 · December 15, 2012, 09:05:54 AM

There's been a few GTI Pirellis come in from Japan, there's two on TM at the moment:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/volkswagen/auction-543282909.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/volkswagen/auction-474592620.htm

schattenblau · December 15, 2012, 10:37:18 AM

does the op want an import ?

that pirelli is a typical juc with patchy spec ( no mf steering wheel etc.).

M · December 15, 2012, 10:38:30 AM

Edition 30 all day long. And DSG would be my choice I think.

GLIDN · December 15, 2012, 10:59:06 AM

Quote from: schattenblau on December 15, 2012, 10:37:18 AM
does the op want an import ?

that pirelli is a typical juc with patchy spec ( no mf steering wheel etc.).

The Pirelli actually has the highest spec out of factory. The Japanese however remove the MFSW. Which is stupidly easy to add btw. It's just anothe form of ED30.

As far the OP is concerned about import or NZ new. Personally I would a import over a NZ new any day of the week. Due to higher spec and more safety features.
I.E. all the airbags front and rear with xenon.
Most NZ new do not have them not even all leather equipped NZ new GTI's have them.

But this goes specifically to the MK5 maybe even mk6 I would consider an import.

As long as you know how to rectify oil burn or prevent it. Which I think I have. Will follow on the girlfriends GTI in the coming months. You will have a damn hard car to replace, unless you replace it with another MK5 to be honest.

schattenblau · December 15, 2012, 11:38:49 AM

The European Pirelli may have been the highest spec'd Mk5 GTI ex-factory but the two new ones bought into NZ (by EMD ?) were low spec orphans from Japan.

Non-MF steering wheel.

Mid-line dash display.

No parking sensors.

Single CD.

But they did have xenon headlights !

Plant me in the NZ new corner.

GLIDN · December 15, 2012, 04:51:48 PM

Schattenblau -

Adding MFSW is stupidly easy especially if you already have flappy paddle
Midline to highline upgrade can be done. 2007 onwards is harder, still can be done.
That and having my radio station on the dash does personally not phase me. Nice to have not need to have.

RCD300? - anyone contemplating keeping an RCD300/500 in there golf should have the heads read.
RCD310/510 well worth the upgrade.

I can understand the NZ corner component. It comes down the specific golfs some in Japanese form are better and dare I say even more reliable then NZ version. That being said easily can go the other way as well.

There are some really good points being made not only about the country of origin but also spec levels and what to look out for etc.

RS ZWEI · December 15, 2012, 06:48:37 PM

Quote from: schattenblau on December 15, 2012, 11:38:49 AM
The European Pirelli may have been the highest spec'd Mk5 GTI ex-factory but the two new ones bought into NZ (by EMD ?) were low spec orphans from Japan.

Non-MF steering wheel.

Mid-line dash display.

No parking sensors.

Single CD.

But they did have xenon headlights !

Plant me in the NZ new corner.

I wouldnt own a Jap import for the crappy Jap spec bumpers. NZ new all the way for me as well.

polo_GTI · December 15, 2012, 06:55:48 PM

Drive all of them in manual and DSG - pick the one you like. You are not likely to go wrong with any of them!

I do love Edition 30s - but likely others states - it's 3 door only, and I like 5 doors due to practicality. Pirelli is a good option but they seem to be quite expensive for what it is.

For me NZ new any day - as changing odometer is often as easy to plug in a laptop and dial in the number you want. Or just change the the instrument. That's what I hear from the mechanics that I know... go by what the interior / and car looks like rather than judging by the kms. And if you can get a service history from Japan or UK - fantastic.

It takes time to find a good spec car, I do agree. But they are out there.
And yes, I do like my euro plates. (German plates even more!

)

00quattro00 · December 15, 2012, 07:12:49 PM

Quote from: polo_GTI on December 15, 2012, 06:55:48 PM
Drive all of them in manual and DSG - pick the one you like. You are not likely to go wrong with any of them!

I do love Edition 30s - but likely others states - it's 3 door only, and I like 5 doors due to practicality. Pirelli is a good option but they seem to be quite expensive for what it is.

For me NZ new any day - as changing odometer is often as easy to plug in a laptop and dial in the number you want. Or just change the the instrument. That's what I hear from the mechanics that I know... go by what the interior / and car looks like rather than judging by the kms. And if you can get a service history from Japan or UK - fantastic.

It takes time to find a good spec car, I do agree. But they are out there.
And yes, I do like my euro plates. (German plates even more! )

I have read that the ecu also record mileage and it cannot be changed so if the cluster matches the ecu reading its correct

schattenblau · December 15, 2012, 08:13:07 PM

Quote from: RS ZWEI on December 15, 2012, 06:48:37 PM
I wouldnt own a Jap import for the crappy Jap spec bumpers. NZ new all the way for me as well.

I believe the NZ new Pirellis had the bumpers changed to accommodate NZ plates.

creepdontsleep · December 15, 2012, 10:15:24 PM

you should totally buy a silver r32, they're so rare...

slowmo · December 15, 2012, 10:27:02 PM

Quote from: creepdontsleep on December 15, 2012, 10:15:24 PM

you should totally buy a silver r32, they're so rare...

hahahaha

GLIDN · December 16, 2012, 01:16:17 AM

Very good point Basil,

The DSG cars has its own odometer in the DSG computer, one in the ECU and one in the cluster.

xring · December 16, 2012, 05:45:00 PM

Always makes me laugh when someone puts up a query on here about a car. There is always someone who makes the comment that one car is quicker than another etc, or that one car handles better than another. When comparing the MkV GTI and MkV R32, it is totally irrelevant. They are so close in performance that the difference will never be noticed on the road. Both cars will get to 100kph in 6.5 - 7 secs if caned. Both cars will comfortably exceed 140kph, at which point you are in loss of license territory.

The only time it would even remotely be an issue is if you were racing on a track. And even then the driver would make the difference. It is entirely up to the individuals preference which one of these cars one should go for. I have had two MkV GTI's, and I have had several VW V6's. The one BIG difference is the sound. In my opinion (notice, I say MY opinion), the sound of the V6 is what makes the difference. And that sound can be enjoyed while still driving at the legal speed limit.