I was going to get an R32 but today I am going to BMW to test 1 series.

[professor]

balls, you have it eloquently enough, but i'll add that that is the most fun thing about driving the r32 that the bmw will not provide. when in a turn, where the rear has been encouraged to slide out, you can feel the power getting transfered in a frenzy from the front to the back and then back to the front as the car "pulls" itself out of the slide. its a bloody brilliant feeling when its done right!

[GT3]

Guys,

The VW site has the R32 listed at 6.5 seconds 0-60mph. Is that accurate or are they being extremely conservative? It seems very slow. I thought the R32 was a mid-5s car. At least the MkIV was...?

[sluday]

Originally Posted by ManMachine

If the R32 indeed is selling for 28K new, that's a huge discount and definitely a sales flop. Probably priced too high in the U.S. I have driven the GTI but I have not driven the R32. I think the AWD system on VW/Audi are probably superior to BMW's Xdrive for now (not sure how the BMW DPC torque vectoring will change the game).

DSG question - no matter how good it is, the driver still doesn't use a clutch to shift, right? The satisfaction of manual shifting just can't be overtaken by technology,

Lastly, like real estate, do you want to buy the most expensive house in an average neighborhood, or the lest expensive house in a very fine neighborhood (of course, for appreciation and school district purposes)? I think the choice for 128i or R32 is pretty obvious for most, unless you really need a hatch.

That said, VW is a good brand. Recent reports show great results for VW, in terms of resale (#1) and even consumer report reliability (tied 4th with BMW). Those guys are working hard.

You can buy one for under $29000 but this is after $1000 off from VW for owner loyalty and another $2000 off if you finance the car from VW's bank. if not you can get invoice or an few hundred lower.

[Genericuser1]

Originally Posted by GT3

Guys,

The VW site has the R32 listed at 6.5 seconds 0-60mph. Is that accurate or are they being extremely conservative? It seems very slow. I thought the R32 was a mid-5s car. At least the MkIV was...?

250hp, 3,547lbs 6.5 is about right. My 232hp and 3,050lbs only does it in 6.0.

The R32 is a fun and pretty refined car but its not quick. Try the new STI, more refined than in the past and much quicker, mid 4 second car.

[GT3]

Originally Posted by Design1stCode2nd

250hp, 3,547lbs 6.5 is about right. My 232hp and 3,050lbs only does it in 6.0.

The R32 is a fun and pretty refined car but its not quick. Try the new STI, more refined than in the past and much quicker, mid 4 second car.

Yeah apparently.

After some research I found these figures:

VW official times 0-60
6spd - 6.5
DSG - 6.2

C&D - 5.5
Motortrend - 5.8
R&T - 6.0
Automobile - 6.5

Seems to be all over the place. 1 second difference is pretty damn significant for a 0-60 time.

[Robert]

the new STI is that fast?

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by professor

balls, you have it eloquently enough, but i'll add that that is the most fun thing about driving the r32 that the bmw will not provide. when in a turn, where the rear has been encouraged to slide out, you can feel the power getting transfered in a frenzy from the front to the back and then back to the front as the car "pulls" itself out of the slide. its a bloody brilliant feeling when its done right!

Well I have 25,000 miles with that system in my now ex-TT 250 DSG. I know what you mean. My TT was measurably faster around roundabouts than the 135i. Night and day actually. Just shows how much grip it's able to obtain under power. Unbelievably neutral too. With the Haldex Performance Controller you'll think it's mostly a RWD car. About the only time it'll revert to FWD is during high speed cruising. At that point you don't need AWD.

I imagine 0-60 times suffer without launch control. It's real domain is the tight twisty stuff, and the motor is very torquey. The brakes are actually quite good too, but not as good as the 135i's brembos (although they are low end brembos). Again, for $2200 you can bolt on Porsche Cayenne brakes which are god-like.

[GT3]

Originally Posted by GT3

Yeah apparently.

After some research I found these figures:

VW official times 0-60
6spd - 6.5
DSG - 6.2

C&D - 5.5
Motortrend - 5.8
R&T - 6.0
Automobile - 6.5

Seems to be all over the place. 1 second difference is pretty damn significant for a 0-60 time.

Well to correct myself above:

I found out VW doesn't even offer a 6spd in the new R32 - only DSG apparently, so I have no idea where they got that 6spd time from. :iono:

DSG is quicker anyways so its a non-issue I guess.

[GT3]

Originally Posted by robert

the new STI is that fast?

Robert,

Since their introduction into the US market in 04 they have always been a high 4's car to 60mph.

[AJN334]

fyi, 0-60 time is no way to evaluate a cars true performance.

[Genericuser1]

Originally Posted by AJN334

fyi, 0-60 time is no way to evaluate a cars true performance.

Agreed! 0-60 and 1/4 mile times are just e-peen and only matter to drag racers. Same with HP amounts, it needs to be a total package.

[135iTurbo]

i would totally buy the R32:. becuz of the AWD and the practicallity. the only reason why im waiting for the 135i is, i had a VW GTI 1.8t and from my exp, any VW i mean ANY VW is only FUN when u start tweeking with it. turbo etc... but now that im old enoght, i just want a car that can go quik/fast without me doing much to it, oh yeah and fun to drive.

[peppebmw]

Originally Posted by 135iTurbo

i would totally buy the R32:. becuz of the AWD and the practicallity. the only reason why im waiting for the 135i is, i had a VW GTI 1.8t and from my exp, any VW i mean ANY VW is only FUN when u start tweeking with it. turbo etc... but now that im old enoght, i just want a car that can go quik/fast without me doing much to it, oh yeah and fun to drive.

I made the change for this very same reason!

[NY SLC 93]

I would have bought an '08 R32 should it have come in a 6-spd. I absolutely love my R. I would get the R32 over the 128, I but I got the 135 over the R32.

[NY SLC 93]

Chit, you guys are making me want to keep the R also!!