Looking at an R32
Discussion
Hi am going to look at a couple of R32s tomorrow with the thought of buying one, ive been through Youtube at all the videos on there, is there anything i should be aware of that wont jump out and hit me?
Im looking at one 2008 with 95k miles on it @ £9k, the other, also 2008, has 56k miles on @ £12.5k.
I dont mind spending a bit of money on getting them up to top spec and I`m thinking the lower miles car would be the best bet when thinking about future values.
Is there anything i should particularly be looking at on the cars tomorrow?
Im looking at one 2008 with 95k miles on it @ £9k, the other, also 2008, has 56k miles on @ £12.5k.
I dont mind spending a bit of money on getting them up to top spec and I`m thinking the lower miles car would be the best bet when thinking about future values.
Is there anything i should particularly be looking at on the cars tomorrow?
The volkswizard YouTube vid on mk 5 R32s is pretty good starting point and covers 10 typical things.
Listen out for overly noisey timing chains. Are they dealer or private? If dsg check changes are nice and smooth. Oil services on haldex and dsg done on time etc.
I'd be taking mileage out of the equation and going with how they drive, condition, service history and owners. Many have had 7 owners by now as people dont realise they can be quite expensive to run, quickly sell on and those are usually the ones that have scrimped on maintenance compared to someone who has owned it for a number of years.
Good luck
Listen out for overly noisey timing chains. Are they dealer or private? If dsg check changes are nice and smooth. Oil services on haldex and dsg done on time etc.
I'd be taking mileage out of the equation and going with how they drive, condition, service history and owners. Many have had 7 owners by now as people dont realise they can be quite expensive to run, quickly sell on and those are usually the ones that have scrimped on maintenance compared to someone who has owned it for a number of years.
Good luck
si_xsi said:
Look forward to the updates, if there are any questions shout. I'd probably skip the 8 owner car if you are interested in resale values but that's just my opinion.
Another way to look at it is that it's had 8 people spending their money on it. I'd go on condition, history and mileage over number of owners in that order personally, but maybe that's just me.Went to see both of them today:
The blue one 2008, 96k miles, some service history, 8 owners, 2 rusty front wings where the sponge pads are fitted, all wheels were kerbed badly, 3 could be refurbed but one would need to be changed, needs discs and pads all round, drivers seat had a hole/split in the door side bolster. The engine sounded sweet and it had a full cat back Miltek. It had some chome R32 kick plates fitted to the entry ills and the bottom of the doors had been rubbing on them and rubbed through the paint so they had left rusty scrape marks on the plates. The body work was generally tired, lots of stone chips.
The black R32 2008 56k miles, wings were good, had new front discs and pads but needed the rears doing and genuinely clean car, i asked the dealer if there was any sercice history, he told me its all in the glove box and threw me the keys, in the glove box there was a V5 that showed 7 owners, a service handbook that had some signatures and no garage stamps and afew ticks in the brake fluid boxes. There was one receipt for a set of locking wheel nuts bought from Halfords close to his garage, so i asked him where all the other receipts were, he said thats it, thats how we got it.
So i came away very disappointed, especially when these people tell you the car is in lovely condition and has service history, obviously their "lovely" is completely different to my "lovely" condition.
Anyway i came home had a coffee and got a message from my son to tell me a really nice Golf GTi Pirelli has just come on, so phoned the owner who just happens to be a VW Tech and had a very long chat with him and i almost wanted to buy the car over the phone but resisted, so im going to see it tomorrow evening and will report back with my findings, i have a very good feeling about this one as he tells me it is "mint", hes also a GTi geek....ill get back tomorrow.
The blue one 2008, 96k miles, some service history, 8 owners, 2 rusty front wings where the sponge pads are fitted, all wheels were kerbed badly, 3 could be refurbed but one would need to be changed, needs discs and pads all round, drivers seat had a hole/split in the door side bolster. The engine sounded sweet and it had a full cat back Miltek. It had some chome R32 kick plates fitted to the entry ills and the bottom of the doors had been rubbing on them and rubbed through the paint so they had left rusty scrape marks on the plates. The body work was generally tired, lots of stone chips.
The black R32 2008 56k miles, wings were good, had new front discs and pads but needed the rears doing and genuinely clean car, i asked the dealer if there was any sercice history, he told me its all in the glove box and threw me the keys, in the glove box there was a V5 that showed 7 owners, a service handbook that had some signatures and no garage stamps and afew ticks in the brake fluid boxes. There was one receipt for a set of locking wheel nuts bought from Halfords close to his garage, so i asked him where all the other receipts were, he said thats it, thats how we got it.
So i came away very disappointed, especially when these people tell you the car is in lovely condition and has service history, obviously their "lovely" is completely different to my "lovely" condition.
Anyway i came home had a coffee and got a message from my son to tell me a really nice Golf GTi Pirelli has just come on, so phoned the owner who just happens to be a VW Tech and had a very long chat with him and i almost wanted to buy the car over the phone but resisted, so im going to see it tomorrow evening and will report back with my findings, i have a very good feeling about this one as he tells me it is "mint", hes also a GTi geek....ill get back tomorrow.
phumy said:
Went to see both of them today:
So i came away very disappointed, especially when these people tell you the car is in lovely condition and has service history, obviously their "lovely" is completely different to my "lovely" condition.
That was my experience as well, plenty of dodgy R32's for sale around the Bradford & Birmingham areas that should be avoided. Just over 12 months ago I travelled from Lancashire to just outside Glasgow to buy a 2007 Edition 30 from a really decent seller, no regrets.So i came away very disappointed, especially when these people tell you the car is in lovely condition and has service history, obviously their "lovely" is completely different to my "lovely" condition.
I gave up looking for a R32, the performance figures & overall weight swayed me towards the Edition 30. The difference in torque, 0-60 & 30-50 is so small that you wouldn't notice it & as a bonus you'll be getting more mpg without that heavy boat anchor up front.
Good luck with the Pirelli edition, they seem to hold their value quite well.
Ray100 said:
phumy said:
Went to see both of them today:
So i came away very disappointed, especially when these people tell you the car is in lovely condition and has service history, obviously their "lovely" is completely different to my "lovely" condition.
That was my experience as well, plenty of dodgy R32's for sale around the Bradford & Birmingham areas that should be avoided. Just over 12 months ago I travelled from Lancashire to just outside Glasgow to buy a 2007 Edition 30 from a really decent seller, no regrets.So i came away very disappointed, especially when these people tell you the car is in lovely condition and has service history, obviously their "lovely" is completely different to my "lovely" condition.
I gave up looking for a R32, the performance figures & overall weight swayed me towards the Edition 30. The difference in torque, 0-60 & 30-50 is so small that you wouldn't notice it & as a bonus you'll be getting more mpg without that heavy boat anchor up front.
Good luck with the Pirelli edition, they seem to hold their value quite well.
Yup very annoying when dealers descriptions dont match up to reality, always had better experiences buying privately as you can tell so much from seller and how it's been looked after
Agreed there are some really ropey R32s on the market but with a budget of up to £12k you should be able to get yourself into a decent 32 or ed30/pirelli's.
I've had 4 mk 5s now 1 x standard GTI and 3 x R32s, the GTI was a great car, put 60k miles on it in 3 years and was ultra reliable and cheap to run. But I love the R32s, very different character so wouldn't rule them out. Would recommend driving both before you make up your mind! I dont notice the extra weight over the nose, 1380kg vs 1500kgs is not a huge amount.
Hope the viewing tonight goes well.
Agreed there are some really ropey R32s on the market but with a budget of up to £12k you should be able to get yourself into a decent 32 or ed30/pirelli's.
I've had 4 mk 5s now 1 x standard GTI and 3 x R32s, the GTI was a great car, put 60k miles on it in 3 years and was ultra reliable and cheap to run. But I love the R32s, very different character so wouldn't rule them out. Would recommend driving both before you make up your mind! I dont notice the extra weight over the nose, 1380kg vs 1500kgs is not a huge amount.
Hope the viewing tonight goes well.
Usual things apply with the Mk5 s.
Timing belt, pcv, cam follower, rust on front wings and sills.
Check for any unusual knocking over bumps, known issues are subframe bolts and steering racks, the latter of which may sound like a drop link but isn't.
Temp should hold rock steady at 90 degrees, if its lower thermostats fail and are a bit of a pita to change.
I've done a lot of work on my Edition 30 since buying it a year ago so just be aware there are a lot of issues that may crop up soon if they have not been addressed already.
Timing belt, pcv, cam follower, rust on front wings and sills.
Check for any unusual knocking over bumps, known issues are subframe bolts and steering racks, the latter of which may sound like a drop link but isn't.
Temp should hold rock steady at 90 degrees, if its lower thermostats fail and are a bit of a pita to change.
I've done a lot of work on my Edition 30 since buying it a year ago so just be aware there are a lot of issues that may crop up soon if they have not been addressed already.
Belle427 said:
Usual things apply with the Mk5 s.
Timing belt, pcv, cam follower, rust on front wings and sills.
Check for any unusual knocking over bumps, known issues are subframe bolts and steering racks, the latter of which may sound like a drop link but isn't.
Temp should hold rock steady at 90 degrees, if its lower thermostats fail and are a bit of a pita to change.
I've done a lot of work on my Edition 30 since buying it a year ago so just be aware there are a lot of issues that may crop up soon if they have not been addressed already.
The owner of the car i am seeing tonight told me that he has changed the thermostat, cam followers, cam belt, water pump, turbo actuator, all new discs and pads all round, new springs, new speakers and upgraded head unit. He tells me there is no rust on the bodywork anywhere. Being honest he has also told be he has had the front and rear bumper sprayed and now looks very much like brand new. If it is as he says, and i can check all of his information from the recepits, then i will alsmost certainly have it.Timing belt, pcv, cam follower, rust on front wings and sills.
Check for any unusual knocking over bumps, known issues are subframe bolts and steering racks, the latter of which may sound like a drop link but isn't.
Temp should hold rock steady at 90 degrees, if its lower thermostats fail and are a bit of a pita to change.
I've done a lot of work on my Edition 30 since buying it a year ago so just be aware there are a lot of issues that may crop up soon if they have not been addressed already.
Personally, i'd stick with trying to find an R32. You'll find one eventually and 'everyone' has a GTI, the R is just more special. IMO.
not to mention the sound, the character, and the traction differences. Pulling out of T-junctions in the R verses the GTI is a day and night difference in experience. - I'd take the 4motion all day long and twice on Sundays.
Just have some patience and stick with your filters, don't 'settle' for anything less than your dream car.
not to mention the sound, the character, and the traction differences. Pulling out of T-junctions in the R verses the GTI is a day and night difference in experience. - I'd take the 4motion all day long and twice on Sundays.
Just have some patience and stick with your filters, don't 'settle' for anything less than your dream car.
Looking forward to your visit results.
I may know the owner you’re going to see, i know he bought a Pirelli version. He only has super tidy cars, buys them, drives them a little bit, details the hell out of them and moves on to something else.
If it is him, I bought an RS4 from him a few months ago, it’s utterly standard and in amazing condition. I bought it without looking at it, as i once looked at a Jap import Defender he was selling and i didn’t buy it, as it was so tidy (like, ridiculously) , i would have ruined it.
I may know the owner you’re going to see, i know he bought a Pirelli version. He only has super tidy cars, buys them, drives them a little bit, details the hell out of them and moves on to something else.
If it is him, I bought an RS4 from him a few months ago, it’s utterly standard and in amazing condition. I bought it without looking at it, as i once looked at a Jap import Defender he was selling and i didn’t buy it, as it was so tidy (like, ridiculously) , i would have ruined it.
I went to see the Golf Pirelli last night and it is in superb condition, even from when i contacted the owner and chatted with him i kind of got this "feel good" factor, so went to see it and it is in immacualte condition, a very full service history, there is not a mark or scratch inside the car. He has put a brand new set of BBS alloys (genuine) on it as he was going to get the Pirelli wheels refurbed, the Pirellis will come with the car.
He has only owned the car for 18 months now wants to buy a house and during his ownership he has spent a lot on brand new discs and pads all round, cambelt, water pump etc, new head unit, new speakers all round, (he is a musician and had to have the music perfect in the car), cam followers were changed out too as these are a usual failure point. Lots of other little bits sorted too, in fact he said anything that might potentially give an issue, he had addressed.
We agreed a price and i bought it, I pick it up on Saturday as he needed to put a private plate on retention, I shall be keeping the car totally standard too so once the Pirelli wheels are refurbed they will be going back on it.
I think im going to enjoy this after selling my RS2 a few weeks ago, this will be somewhat different but keeping it in the family.
He has only owned the car for 18 months now wants to buy a house and during his ownership he has spent a lot on brand new discs and pads all round, cambelt, water pump etc, new head unit, new speakers all round, (he is a musician and had to have the music perfect in the car), cam followers were changed out too as these are a usual failure point. Lots of other little bits sorted too, in fact he said anything that might potentially give an issue, he had addressed.
We agreed a price and i bought it, I pick it up on Saturday as he needed to put a private plate on retention, I shall be keeping the car totally standard too so once the Pirelli wheels are refurbed they will be going back on it.
I think im going to enjoy this after selling my RS2 a few weeks ago, this will be somewhat different but keeping it in the family.
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