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VW Golf R32
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thank you
Good luck!
PS
I have an 88 Porsche Carrera and have a tough time deciding which one to drive!
I now have just over 2500 miles on my car and loving it. Mileage is steadily improving to about 23 mpg with about 75% highway. Can get 25 at a steady 65 mph.
So you got your new ride?? Congrats! Mine just hit 700 miles and I'm itchin to get to 1000 to try the launch control. If you mind me asking, did you get a good deal? Were you able to pull off $4K under invoice. Gray w Nav eh, you've gotta be stoked!
Congrats again. I'm loving mine.
I'm glad I got the nav now that I have it. It's not the most user friendly though. I really like the ipod interface, even though it doesn't display the track title on the screen, but I can skip through tracks on the ipod with the steering wheel controls.
So far it's been great. I did have the "loose fuel cap" light come on out of the blue yesterday, but it cleared itself the next time I started it. I hadn't opened the cap in a week or so. Hopefully just a one time glitch.
It sure is hard keeping you foot out of the gas though!
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The gas cap thing was something they harped on upon delivery; and I told them I have owned VWs and Audis in the past and have grown to ignore the "check engine" light...although, I didn't realize they now have a seperate "loose fuel cap" light"...good idea VW.
In ref to the speed, I couldn't agree more. In fact my first two tanks have returned a sad 17.9 and 17.6 mpg (all around town, no interstate yet) and I know this is due to the way I'm driving it....but, I can't help it. Of course, I still have yet to use the "S" mode and have stayed inbetween 4K-5K on the tach; thus, i still haven't redlined it yet....imagine what my mpg will be when I start doing that. Oh well, I knew this when I bought it and I still love it....I just wish it had a bigger gas tank for a longer cruising range.
Enjoy your new ride and report back with an new updates (good and bad).
Torque steer is not really an issue with the GTI, that I can tell..
But, congrats on the new car! Those are great deals!
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I've been trying to be careful with the gas pedal. I haven't tried launch mode, or a real heavy Sport mode take off yet either. But I really want to!
Gas mileage is a bit low, but my other vehicle which this replaced, is a '98 Cherokee, which I've never gotten over 14mpg except for long freeway trips which I seldom make. I kept the Jeep as a second vehicle for house hold chores, really bad weather, etc.
Since the gas cap light incident, I've driven it 2 or 3 times without a problem.
What number did you say yours was?
I was in the exact same boat as you in ref to the torque steer. I have owned an A3 2.0T and although the tug on the steering wheel is not as bad as say a Mini Cooper S, it is certainly noticeable. And I've got to say that I am pretty much done with FWD cars. The AWD in the R32 is really perfect. It provides the confidence in take off and around the corners that I crave. Like I've said before, i believe this car is the perfect balance of luxury, speed, grip & style for the price point of $30K. However, it is no doubt a niche car...but that niche was perfect for me....C&D put it best: its either a bargain TT 3.2 Quattro with practicality (read, backseat) or an overpriced GTI...depends on your point of view.
Anyway, quite a fun experience. I love the way the car "squats" just before take off...like a tiger ready to pounce....good times :shades:
It is really a cool feature; make sure you find some nice open road to try it out. Let me know how it goes.
The first time it happened, I thought maybe I did leave the cap loose, or didn't click it, etc. The second and now 3rd time it happened, I hadn't touched the cap, hadn't filled up etc., since the last time the light came on. I was just driving along, with about a half a tank of gas or so, suddenly I hear "bing", and looked down to see the light on.
The vw mechanic explained that there are several components in the system that will result in the light coming on. I go back on the 23rd, so I'll let everyone know what happens.
BTW, he also said that after 2 or 3 "fuel cap" lights in a given time, it will trigger the "check engine" light to come on, so that part makes sense.
Pros: Effortless speed; others may cry for more than 250 hp, but I never find myself in a situation where I've needed more power. DSG; IMO the best transmission on the planet (and this is coming from a guy who only owned manuals). Grip; the R really sticks in the turns. Haldex 4motion; it has come in handy on a few snowy days here in VA, but most importantly it eliminates all torque steer that you get in the GTI and other FWD rockets. Well appointed interior. Excellent sound system. Understated style inside and out; I love the center dual exhaust (and the sound it makes).
Cons: There is a rattle somewhere in the center stack that comes and goes. It's not very loud, but I notice it when the HVAC and radio are off. I'm going to have this addressed at the service next week. To complete the look, I wish the R came with fog lights...not a big deal, but it would be a nice touch. And my biggest complaint would have to be the small gas tank. For a little GT, this puppy is only going about 225 to 250 between fill ups. I don't mind the gas mileage, but I would love a longer cruising range.
So, there you have it. I'm about 3 1/2 months into ownership and I couldn't be happier with the car. And I have only seen one other R32 on the road since my purchase....which I love!
604doc, how did your little gas cap light situation turn out? How's your R treating you?
On the previous visit, I was told that some sort of emissions valve had to be ordered, so another appointment was made.
When I brought it in, the service advisor confirmed my appointment, gave me a loaner and said they'd call when it was done.
So here's the weird part. When I picked it up, the service advisor was busy, so I just grabbed my copy of the repair order, and my keys, and went out to the car. Before I left the lot, I read the repair order, and it basically said, "tested system, no fault found". There was no mention of a part being replaced.
I went back inside for an explanation, and the service advisor acted like he had no idea what I was talking about when I asked why the part hadn't been installed. I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone or something. He said there was no record of a part even being ordered. So I asked, "If no part was ordered, why did you schedule an appointment for me to come back in?" He just hemmed and hawed, and said they didn't find any problem, and to come back if it happened again.
Since that visit, I've had zero issues, which is great, but strange. I sometimes think that they did change the part, but didn't want the visit to count towards a possible "lemon law" visit. It's the only thing I can think of.
A few days later, the service manager called and said that he'd overheard the conversation and was investigating what had happened. He said to call him personally if I had any more issues. The whole thing was just weird.
BTW, do you guys base you service interval on time, or mileage? I'll hit 6 months before I hit 5000 miles as far as the first service goes.
I'm actually going by the computer. Mine says I need to have the first service in 5 days or 750 miles....since this is my first service, I'm gonna go by the "5 days" part. After this one though, I'll be going by the mileage recommendation. I don't know if it's myth or truth, but I'm always itching to get that first oil change done and it's hard enough for me to wait til 5K (or with my prior BMW, almost 15K miles!!). So, if I were you, I would head in there by the 6th month and then go by the mileage intervals from then on.
1. Fuel Light Fault - I've had this fault almost as long as I've owned the car. Also immediately after fueling when I try to start the engine it will choke and sometimes die without starting. This only happens immediately after fueling. I've taken it to the dealer a half dozen times but they can't seem to figure out what the problem is. I've learned to ignore it.
2. DSG Transmission Problems - For the last month I've noticed that when I'm on the autobahn (I live in Germany) driving between 100 and 120 mph and then have to slow down to stop and go for traffic, when the transmission goes from 2nd to 1st gear the whole car shudders like I hit the brake. Then when I lightly apply the gas pedal the RPM needle bounces like if I was driving a manual and not giving it enough gas while letting off the clutch. I'm taking it back to the dealer this week to have it looked at again.
3. VW Roof Rack Dented Car - The VW roof rack I purchased from the VW dealer that is specifically built for the 2008 Golf has dented my car where it attaches in the rear over the passenger side rear window. I tightened the rack with the tool that came with the rack to the specified torque shown on the tool and it dented my car.
4. Engine Check Light & Stereo Problems - This has only happened one time so I'm not too upset about it. When the engine check light went on for the fuel cap fault my stereo immediately lost all function. The stereo was still powered on but none of the buttons worked and the sound had cut off. This all happened while I was driving on the autobahn. I was able to restore functionality by pulling over and turning the car off then back on.
Overall I'm pretty unhappy with the R32. Although it drives wonderfully in the snow which I tested all winter long in the Alps in Austria. Also, it is fun to drive in the city and high speed corners going on or off the autobahn are a blast. All in all though it just doesn't perform as well as I had expected it to. I took it head-to-head against my friends Mini Cooper S on the autobahn and it was nose to nose all the way to where I hit my limiter at 130mph and then he pulled away because he's had his limiter removed. I expected more from the V6!
I wish I would have gone for one of the German Audi turbo diesels that are here. They're faster than the R32 and get over 30mpg.
Cheers,
Keith
Just a quick note on your fuel issue. I don't know if this applies to you, but here in the States, VW released a recall on the fuel system. I had it done last week, and haven't had the fuel cap light since. It didn't come on a lot with my car, so I'm not 100% sure that it's fixed.
I don't know if your car's fuel/emissions system is the same as US spec cars, but you might ask your dealer.
he beat you due to a removed speed limiter but you are blaming it on the engine?
its the limiter man.
and i thought all r32's were limited to 150mph?
My 2008 R32's DSG transmission is doing the exact same thing you describe above in point #2 when going from 2nd to 1st gear. Do you know what this problem is? Has your dealer corrected it?
2.
I just ordered the VW basic roof rack for my car. Any advice to avoid the dents in the roof?
Thanks
I've got just over 10K now, and besides the occasional "check fuel cap" light, I've had zero problems. The car is still a blast to drive.
Now when the fuel cap light comes on, I just ignore it, because it usually goes out and stays out at the next start. I've pretty much given up on the dealer being able to fix it.