Which Mk4 Volkswagen R32 is for You?

Sean Rooks | May 10, 2024

Simultaneously criticized and lauded by the motoring press at launch, the Mk4 Volkswagen is now well over 20 years old and approaching classic status. The ultimate Mk4 is probably the Volkswagen R32, which celebrates its 20th birthday in the US this year and is our Good Find Friday feature.

Volkswagen

The Mk4 platform was a quantum leap in overall quality for Volkswagen. The bodies were laser welded and panel gaps were precisely set at 3mm. The interior fit, finish, and materials were of BMW or Audi quality and segment-leading. The interior gauge illumination was an eye-catching combination of blue dials with red needles, intended to protect the driver’s night vision.

Volkswagen

The base 4th generation Golf had an anemic but VERY fuel efficient and dependable 2.0 liter engine. I’ve owned one for over 10 years as a daily driver and it’s extremely practical in that role. Since purchase, I’ve added almost 200,000 miles and it’s still on the original clutch.

The GTI was much more potent than the Golf, with the iconic 1.8 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder moving it along at a brisk 0-60 of 7.3 seconds for the 150hp version. That particular engine is remarkably tunable, meaning a Mk4 with a 1.8T can be very quick. The VR6 engine was an upgrade option for the GTI and reached 60mph about 0.2 seconds faster, but still contemporary car reviews felt the car was too heavy and ponderous on the road.

To send the Mk4 out in style before the Mk5 in 2005, the first ever über-Golf was created: The R32. 

The Volkswagen R32 built on the GTI, adding all-wheel drive and a VR6 engine that was punched out to 3.2 liters, making it the most powerful VR6 ever offered in a production Golf. The R32 had 240 horsepower and 236 lb ft of torque at a relatively low RPM, a benefit of being naturally aspirated. 

All R32s in the US came with a 6-speed manual, whereas in Europe VW’s (and the world’s) first ever dual-clutch transmission was an available option. Obviously, the 6-speed is vastly preferred by enthusiasts. It’s an unusual and welcome example of VW doing the right thing for the US market.

VW Group’s Haldex all-wheel drive system, called 4MOTION, provides traction at all four corners, where the 18 inch alloys wore sticky Goodyear F1 tires when new. 

All two-wheel drive Mk4 VWs—whether Golf, GTI, or Jetta—all had a torsion beam rear axle, a staple since the beginning of Golf production in 1974. The R32, owing to its AWD system, got an independent rear. It’s worth noting that the R32 isn’t the first all-wheel drive Golf, but it’s the first one available in the United States. Thicker roll bars, a lower ride, and stiffer springs reduced some of the Mk4s trademark body roll (a sport spring upgrade to any Mk4 completely transforms the car).

Braking was provided by oversize vented rotors and blue painted 4-piston calipers on all four corners, meaning the car finally responded like a hot hatch should.

Exterior differentiation from the GTI included a new front bumper design with larger intakes, side skirts, rear spoiler, and smoked taillights. But the big differentiator to other models are the two polished exhaust tips on either side of the rear valance. Gorgeous.

Interior-wise, brushed aluminum trim familiar to those who bought 337 Edition and 20th Anniversary Edition GTIs made it to the R32. The seats were König buckets and had the deepest and most supportive bolsters on any Golf to that point, short of a race car. Most were fully covered in leather, but a limited number were optioned with fabric center inserts.

The R32 was praised for finally feeling like a hot hatch. Unfortunately, Volkswagen only imported 5000 R32s to the United States, making it a relatively rare car for the time and the MSRP reflected its exclusivity. The R32 started at $29,675, which was a lot of money 20 years ago.

Today, many consider this first R-line Volkswagen to be the best Golf ever made. Desire from my generation who wanted one new, but couldn’t afford one, is pushing used values way up. Low mileage examples have sold in the high 4 figures in recent years. 

Obviously, that’s not achievable for many of us. So can one find a reasonably-priced, but good condition R32 in today’s market? Here are two examples that might qualify.

While not a bargain price, this Volkswagen R32 listed on Craigslist in Wyomissing, PA features a tremendous amount of recent work that should make it a reliable and enjoyable driver with a minimum of initial expenditure. 

The R32 only came in four colors: Reflex Silver, Black Magic Pearl, Tornado Red and perhaps the most desirable: Deep Blue Pearl. 

The odometer indicates the car has covered 112,000 miles which results in somewhat of a discount, but the car’s overall condition appears excellent for its age. Some rock chips in the front hood have been touched up, but there appears to be no evidence of rust in the usual locations. An in-person inspection is advisable to ensure this car is actually as good as it looks.

$26,995 is a lot to ask for an R32 with over 100K miles, so what can we find for a little less money?

The most common color and accounting for 40% of overall R32 production, Reflex Silver still looks great on an R32 and really helps those blue calipers pop. This car is currently listed on Facebook Marketplace at a reasonable (and perhaps negotiable) $17,500.

Unlike the previous example, the exterior of this car is less stellar. The rear spoiler’s paint is fading, the driver’s rear quarter is said to have paintwork (the quality of which is difficult to discern from the photos), the headlights are foggy, and the interior has at least some sagging based on the description.

The engine bay is reasonably clean, but not as tidy as the Deep Blue Pearl example, and has a wonkily installed cold air intake and is missing the battery cover. While it has had a Haldex service according to the seller, there are no underbody photos or notes on other maintenance. 

It’s also apparently for sale by a dealer rather than a private seller, but that means some negotiation may be possible. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced R32, this one only has 10,000 more miles than the previous example.

Final Thoughts

I will be an enthusiast of water-cooled Volkswagens to the end, and will absolutely die on the sword that the Mk4 is a great car. The fifth generation VWs were awkwardly styled, and while the Mk6 and Mk7 are gorgeous and capable cars, they introduced problematic technologies like direct injection and are even bigger and heavier than the Mk4 ever was. 

The biggest challenge with a Volkswagen that’s approaching 20 years old is the tragic lack of factory support. The aftermarket is helpful for maintenance parts like wear items, suspension bits and the like, but trim components and body panels are unobtanium. 

Yours truly’s hardworking Mk4 Golf 2.0

One can only hope that this will change as these become classics, but Volkswagens are economy cars for the most part and sadly man, perhaps including the factory, consider them disposable.

Unless you’re handy with tools, steer toward a low mile or well-maintained example like the Deep Blue Pearl R32 above. In return, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best driving experiences from VW’s long history. 

As always, Wolf and Mare is here to help with pre-purchase evaluation and advice.

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisal and auction services for sellers and buyers of collector European cars. We also provide importation services. Give us a call or drop us a line!

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