stripethree.net
2004 Volkswagen R32
Jump to: Known Issues - Engine - Transmission and Driveline - Brakes - Suspension - Wheels - Exterior - Interior - Photos - Videos - Included Extra Parts - Stock Parts That Are Not Included
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I originally purchased this car in April 2004 with 45 miles on the odometer. It now has approximately 148,500 miles. This car saw regular autocross, rallycross, and track events from 2006 through 2022. It spent the majority of its time (2007 onwards) in Arizona and Texas so rust isn’t an issue. The clear Texas title is in my possession and the car passed annual safety and emissions checks without issue in December of 2023.
The car is definitely not perfect but is mechanically sound. I drove it to Houston and back in a day just a few weeks ago to pick up some Miata wheels without any issues. The indicated mileage should not rise much as I have other cars I can drive.
In addition to regular maintenance per the VW recommended schedule, there are three major services that I will reference in the details below.
- August 2009 @ 71017 miles: the transmission was rebuilt by Induktion Motorsports following a failure of the original differential. Everything except the main gears was replaced and an LSD was added.
- February 2016 @ 124590 miles: the rear differential aassembly was replaced by a shop in Austin (no longer in business). The diff was whining and changing the fluid revealed significant metal shavings. The replacement diff was sourced from an Audi TT with approximately 87k miles on it.
- October 2021 @ 145249 miles: the engine was replaced with a used unit of nearly identical mileage. The original motor locked while at a track event due to suspected oil starvation. The car was shipped to Induktion Motorsports for the work and numerous maintenance items were completed on the donor motor before it was installed including:
- Timing chain service
- New rear main seal
- New accessory belt and tensioner
- New ignition coils and spark plugs
- New metal coolant “crack” pipe
- New thermostat housing
- New Mk5 R32 oil pan and pump
Known Issues
- Driver door microswitch failure: the car doesn’t recognize when the driver door is open but the locks and alarm, including on the remotes, work fine.
- Both bumpers have cracks/damage. The front bumper is cracked on the passenger side. The rear bumper is cracked (someone hit it while parked) and warped (heat from the exhaust coming off the hanger at a track day). Both bumpers still attach securely to the car at the original locations. They both stay in place on the car just fine, even at track speeds.
- Front sway bar endlinks are clicking and may need replacement
- Brakes are glazed from track use and squeal a bit. The car stops just fine and has a streetable pad compound installed, it can just be noisy. Everyone has their own preferences on brake rotors/pads/etc, so I am leaving this to the new owner.
Engine
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https://cdn.jvolpe.com/r32fs/engine-drivetrain/IMG_8798-800x600.png
- Replaced in October 2021 @ 145249 miles
- Stock airbox
- Techtonics 264/260 Cams (installed Oct. 2021)
- GIAC 93 Cam tune
- Mk5 R32 Oil Pump / Oil Pan / Dipstick and Tube (installed Oct. 2021)
- Stock engine & transmission mounts
- Stock catalytic converter
- Custom single exit (driver side) exhaust: no muffler, two resonators
- DieselGeek skid plate and full metal jacket
- Aluminum oil filter housing
Transmission and Driveline
- Transmission rebuilt in August 2009 @ 71017 miles
- Peloquin front LSD (installed Aug. 2009)
- Rear differential replaced in February 2016 @ 124590 miles
- Replaced w/a used unit from an Audi TT w/87k miles on it when installed
- HPA Orange Haldex controller
- Haldex fluid & filter last replaced Oct. 2021
- Clutch, Flywheel, Pressure plate replaced w/engine work (Oct. 2021)
- Driveshaft replaced w/engine work (Oct. 2021)
- Dogbone bushings last replaced in February 2019 - OEM mount w/BFI Yellow inserts + ECS Red center bushing
- HPA short shifter
Brakes
- Stock calipers, rears replaced in 2019 @ 140161 miles
- Tyrolsport brake caliper stiffening kit
- Hawk pads, ATE fluid
- Stainless lines
Suspension
- KW Variant 3 coilovers (installed May 2020)
- H&R front and rear sway bars
- Unibrace
- OEM front control arms with MCPI Defcon 1 kit (installed Oct. 2021)
- Adjustable rear lower control arms
Wheels
- 17x8 et35 Flik FTDs repainted silver (purchased in 2006! And used for autocross, rallycross, and track)
- Kumho Ecsta 4X A/S tires (255s)
- Wheel studs replaced (ECS) - November 2020
Exterior
- OEM headlights rebuilt with glass lenses, new wiring, and protective film (May 2020)
- Euro RSSR “dark smoked” tail lights
- Smoked fender and bumper markers
- Black front grille and emblems (front and rear)
- Front and rear fenders rolled
- Black side mirror caps
- Antenna deleted (glass plug, no body work)
- Rear wiper deleted (glass plug)
- Windshield replaced in March 2022
- Front passenger and rear hatch glass replaced in 2005 (yes, 2005 after the car was vandalized)
- Modified OEM mud guards
- Blue aspherical blind spot side mirror glass
- Lower bumper fog lights with yellow film, wired to rear fog light position on the light switch and mounted to the metal bumper reinforcement
- Paint: front and rear bumpers have some scars as mentioned. The front fenders have some cracking on the leading edge from the rolling. The roof has some oxidation that should be addressable with a proper paint correction. Everywhere else is in great shape.
- The side skirts are removed but are intact and come with the car
Interior
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- Stock leather seats (no rear headrests), the fronts are in great shape in part because they were in storage for 8 years while the car had race seats.
- Billet adjustment knob covers on the front (both sets)
- Billet seat latches
- Headliner and pillars recovered with black fabric. Pillars are fine, headliner near the front dome lights has a little sadness and saginess.
- Door lock pins deleted (they rattled like crazy)
- Euro headlight switch w/DRLs disabled
- Monster mats
- OEM Monsoon stereo and speakers w/Dension iPod adapter
- A/C intact and blows cold. Heat does the expected heat things. Climatronic is 100% functional.
Photos
Click on any photo for a larger version
Brakes
Engine
Exterior
Interior
Lights
Underside
Wheels
Videos
Clicking on an image to go to the YouTube video
Exterior Walkaround - engine idle, all lights on
Warm startup from the driver perspective
Exhaust sound on a warm start up
Sunroof controls demonstration
On track, in car at Harris Hill Raceway in March 2021
Included Extra Parts
- Second set of OEM front brake calipers w/Tyrolsport brake stiffening kit
- Second set of front brake rotors and Carbotech XP10 track pads
- Another set of used rear brake pads (Carbotech Bobcats I think)
- Stock rubber brake lines
- Stock cams
- Extra set of unmodified mud guards
- OEM mirror glass
- OEM headlight switch
- OEM side skirts (mounting tabs were cut when they were removed)
- Additional OEM dogbone mount w/BFI green inserts
- Additional set of OEM engine and transmission mounts
- KW top hats from ClubSport coilovers (compatible with V3s)
- Ground control adjustable sway bar end links (front and rear)
- Conical lug bolt set for the Flik wheels
- Various OEM hardware spares (subframe, dogbone, suspension)
- OEM exhaust hangers
- OEM shifter
- Custom removable tow hitch built by a fellow autocrosser in AZ. It is attached with three pins and has towed tire trailers over 10k miles.
Stock Parts That Are Not Included
These parts were previously sold and are no longer in my possession
- OEM exhaust & heat shield
- OEM taillights
- OEM rear seat headrests
- OEM carpeted floor mats
- OEM front upper grille (original color)
- OEM clear front fender markers
- OEM hatch foam insert and tool set (minus the tow hook, which is included)
- OEM engine cover
- OEM Aristo wheels