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Learning to drive my MkV R32


rs32
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What a great post!! grin.gif

As said previously, I can fully support what's been mentioned here. The ARB's really did a lot to change the way this car felt in my opinion. Out of interest, what setting did you go for? I've got the most aggressive at the rear and least aggressive at the front (I think) and the handling is sublime!

Things that I've noticed is just how composed the car is at higher speeds. It just feels perfectly "hunkered" down and very very solid indeed!! I did consider upgrading my suspension before going for the ARB's and I'm so glad I decided against the suspension! The ARB's are perfect for fast road use 169144-ok.gif You can cruise along without getting crashed about or grounding out (that comes with suspension mods) but at the same time, the handling is absolutely awesome!!

Regarding the Milltek, I can't actually remember what the standard car sounds or feels like as my exhaust was put on at 500 miles. However I absolutely LOVE it and couldn't be without it now!!

Did you go for a remap also? This really does make a difference yet again! When you mention about willing the car down the road in "great wooshes of thrust", this is amplified again with the remap. My car now just pulls like a steam train and there really is no let off. At 3 figure speeds, she keeps on pulling!!

I've not had the Haldex upgrade but it is something I'll consider after my cams are installed grin.gif

Cheers and enjoy that car!! 169144-ok.gif

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Absolutely brilliant write-up, ' shadow' notworthy.gif Really nice use of language - A good read. The trouble is that I would now almost want one. I say "almost" only because I'm so happy with my GTI and it simply wouldn't make sense to swop.

Sounds great for cars in Dubai 169144-ok.gif.

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C'mon RR. You know you want the V6 beast. Don't kid yourself sekret.gif

yelrotflmao.gif

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I totally agree with ChrisBuer's take on the suspension mods -

going for the ARBS alone has given a pronounced improvement to the car's handling in every way without the drawbacks and relatively high expense of coilg for a full coilover setup. It's as if the improvemet is there when you want it but the near perfectly judged OEM damping remains intact, making the car as liveable day to day as it ever was.

I went for soft in front/hard rear just like most other ppl here and don't see any need to fiddle with it - having too much fun now!

Thanks for the kind words on the review all, I just love this little blue car even more with these simple little mods and felt like adding some more weight to rs32's observations laugh.gif

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Don't time stages on the 'private track' but, using the modded Clio as a benchmark, I can say that the R32 with ARBs, Haldex, Milltek and a filter on street tires was quicker than the stock R was when I ran it with just semislicks against the same Clio.

Stock R on street tires was only able to keep an even pace with the modded Clio - it's his home track! With the mods, am now able to let him go and reel him in at will smile.gif

Will know for sure how much faster the car is when I get ot to the next AutoX event in April.

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the reason I started this thread and the "ESP Off" one was to try and encourage R32 driving debate.

I'd like to add a bit more having driven 1500+ miles this weekend in some of the most treacherous and tough conditions that you're likely to throw at this car.

Picture the scene - drive to the Scottish Highlands where you find 0-10 degrees celcius, heavy rain, snow, sleet, hail, 40+ mph winds with freak and sudden weather changes and ESP OFF. 600 miles of the stuff.

Now you're talking. This car is incredibly well suited to hard, fast stretches of undulating and twisty empty road, and makes 20 miles seem like 3.

Make no mistake, the car has taken a real pounding but came through it all with flying colours.

Absolutely loved every single second of the experience. Now I really know what the car is capable of I have a lot more respect for it, and the other plus point is that the engine has taken another step forward in terms of performance FIREdevil.gif

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Sounds good Rich. Just like my typical days drive up here on the storm lashed west coast. The R simply shrugs it off 169144-ok.gif

Next month i've got a wedding to go to up in Orkney, i catch the ferry on the north coast at scrabster. It will really give me a chance to stretch the R's legs, i can't wait grin.gif

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Make no mistake, the car has taken a real pounding but came through it all with flying colours. Absolutely loved every single second of the experience. Now I really know what the car is capable of I have a lot more respect for it, and the other plus point is that the engine has taken another step forward in terms of performance.

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Shame it was at the end of the day that you warned me the ESP was off - I was trying to keep up in sections too !!! blush.gif

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After the weekend, I've concluded the main performance difference between a Legacy Spec B and a standard MkV R32 is the nut behind the wheel. yelrotflmao.gif

I've also concluded that I really like the R32! I've been completely ambivalent toward it previously - wasn't on my "I want" list at all. But now I've seen two of them in action (and I mean action) for several hundred miles I'm well impressed.

Sound glorious (especially rs32's), go like stink, and grip like you wouldn't believe! 169144-ok.gif

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I want one back frown.gif What an awesome weekend - and some awesome driving from everyone. Meets in Scotland - I don't think there's anywhere better for them jump.gif

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I have to again admit that I'm completely taken by the R32 and I agree Garcon, Rs32's Milltek's sound the dogs !! Having said that, the Polo GTi held it's own very very well IMHO !! 169144-ok.gif

On the charge of being a nut behind the wheel - "guilty ma 'Lord" !!!! ECLIPSe.gif

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