R32 buying advice

[George Smiley]

Hi all

my friend has decided to treat herself to a car she's always hankered after. A MK5 R32.

Is there any good information on what to look for? So far in searches it has been hard to find unmolested ones or cars not for sale at traders that specialise in finance for the unfinancable (Ie I think these places are shysters who punt off overpriced tat at high APR)

She is a cash buyer but has it in her head that dealer bought provides protection, I pointed out she should consider warranty direct and buy a well looked after private example but are there any well respected traders (a bit like Munich legends)?

DSG is a requirement due to disability. How reliable are these boxes, considering the age.

Is there any potential big bills to be considered?

Thanks

[idge]

I gave up looking at R32s, I couldn't find one in anything like good condition. Trade or private.

Most I saw had poor bodywork (lacquer peel, bubbles over front arches), missing services, despite claiming FSH, jerky DSG and a lot of them i was put off even going to see by the sheer number of previous owners - the expensive tax for the 2006 onwards (i think) ones probably doesn't help with this.

Sorry, not much help, but good luck! There must be some well looked after ones out there!

[George Smiley]

Unfortunately that tally’s up with my thought unless there’s one of those unicorn privately looked after one but I suspect that would be around the price of a newer one

[Freakuk]

Yup 2006 onwards will see you road tax over £500 and they're no faster than a GTI, weigh a tonne and possibly still a theft magnet.

I had one for a while 56 plate, VW wanted to pull my pants down for servicing so went to an indy for considerably less. Mine occasionally blew a rear bulb for some reason and once wouldn't let me open the fuel cap for hours (and also the boot) which left me stranded at a motorway services.

It eventually developed a wheel speed sensor issue so wouldn't engage the rear diff, turned out to be an ABS unit.

Good when it worked, but nothing special.

[Sir_Dave]

Have a look on the R32oc forum, might find a well looked after private one on there.

Also, try a wanted advert, ive found cars that way before.

Having found one for a friend recently on ebay, most of the R32's we saw at traders were absolute sheds.

[xof]

r32oc.com is where you need to go.

[six port]

Had mine since October, from a dealer. Needed a warranty claim (they only ended up coughing up for 1/3 of cost of timing chains) and a maf, 2 x lambdas but its running spot on now and I love it. Dsg I understand there's a few specialists out there now if it does go wrong. Mainly bought mine as it was clearly garaged most of its life had no rust or paint issues and a great spec. Other than the tax its really cheap to keep going, new Brembos all round and pads just cost me £160. Last of the Vr6 Golf. Here's a pic of mine

Eta Check the R32OC Facebook pages for sale or wanted posts.

Edited by six port on Friday 29th March 21:51