I was in these forums about 4-6 months ago asking about the A3 3.2 or the A4 2.0T each w/quattro or the Lexus IS 250. I have finally made my choice and found the most perfect car for my needs. As a former A4 owner (2005.5 2.0T sold 1 year ago) I love the german feel, so I just ordered an R32. Not audi, but the finish is just as nice as the A3, w/ superior performance to either trim all the way around. I AM SO EXCITED!!!! Perfect car at the perfect time : )

check it out son:

http://www.caranddriver.com/autoshow...wagen-r32.html

it's VW and it's SICK.

 

congrats on the purchase. I'm curious to know how it compares performance wise to a chipped a3...

 

Same performance as an A3 3.2L, with a little less weight. A chipped A3 should do quite well against the stock R32. It does have the all-wheeled drive, but less power to the ground than the 2.0T.

Cheers!

 

one of the bright sides of FWD is less parasitic drivetrain loss, so we have that in our favor... (yes im jealous of the awd anyway)

 

How isthe performance"superior" to an A33.2? [sm=bangbang.gif]

 

Well, I certainly didnt mean to step on anyones toes but it appears i have done so. The A3 is a beautiful car, excellent fit and finish, and very sporting, I was once (very recently) an A4 owner, so i am not trying to "bash" the A3 at all. Go do your research, look at the information OBJECTIVELY,because when idid so, i found the R32 to be the most for the money. Period. I was also comparing it to BMW 328xi as well as an IS250.
So i guess my superior comment mean thatit simply is not the sherman tank (3660lbs!!! R32 = roughly 3200 lbs)that the A3 is plus it's suspension is a bit more tuned as well as lower center of gravity (sits lower to the ground). Wouldn't a GTI outgun most (all) you guys anyway????

 

GTI and A3 in 2.0 formare pretty much even, performance wise. I think the Audi gets wider tires and different tuning, weighs just slightly more. Nicer amenities and overall feel, but close
R32 and A3 3.2, that's a bit different. I've spent time in both, Though I have not driven the Mk 5 version. The Mk 4 R32 is definitely rawer and sportier than the A3 - nervous and quick, a bit rough riding, snappy clutch. You can feel the haldex working.The sport seats make it difficult to get in and out of, and it's really hard to access and use the back seat. A blast to drive- a definite pocket rocket, and that 2 stage exhaust makes a great sound. The A3 3.2 is much more refined and civilized - four doors, good comprimise seats, refined road manners, DSG. Same engine with more weight to pull around. Kinda like a refined GT to the R32's boy racer.
I wouldn't want the R32 as a daily driver around here now- too many potholes and seams, and I don't need more dental or rectal workBut I would definitely havebought it instead of the A3 in my younger days.

 

R32 weighs 3200 lbs. hahahahahahaha!
The R32 weights more then 300 lbs compared to a VW GTI!

2007 GTI -4dr 2.0T DSG weighing 3,212 lbs = 6.9 seconds (0-60)
2007 A3 2.0T DSG weighing 3329 lbs = 6.7 seconds (0-100 km/h)

2008 R32 3.2 V6 Quattro DSG weighing 3540 lbs = 6.4 seconds (0-100 km/h)
2007 A3 3.2 V6 Quattro DSG weighing 3660 lbs = 5.9 seconds (0-100 km/h)
* all speed specs per manufacturer

We all been down this discussion before, the R32 is a limited production VW that is quite not equal in build/finish quality to a A3 3.2 V6.

 

don't forget, a modified, tuned, chipped A3 2.0T 0-60 in the mid 5's. 3200lbs slap on that KO4, under 5 seconds easy. slap on the GT28's, forget about it it, even faster.

isn't there a turbo or supercharger for the R32?

 

I suggest you to do more research instead. I'm on the R32 Vortex forum quite a bit, and I have also driven a R32 when I was in Asia last year. It is only about 100 lbs lighter, and by all means it's no where close to "superior". When you get a chance, compare the A3 to the GTi. The A3 actually sits lower than the GTi. Now the R32 with the Euro suspension does sit lower than a normal golf. But we will have to wait and see what the US version looks like.

If you are looking for best bang for the buck, the GTi would be a much better buy. In fact, the R32 overpriced topic has bee beaten to death on the vortex forum. They are priced high due to the "limited edition" label and the cost of manufacturing this car. If you are looking for best money for performance, EVO or STi would be the one. If you are looking for luxury and performance, the 335 would have been a better choice for more money of course.