Possible New R36 Wagon Owner - Pros - Cons

[Blacky]

Howdy All!

I am thinking of picking up an R36 Wagon from my current ride a BMW 130.
I love my 130 but I am looking for something a little bigger and it is time for a change.

For all those people who already have their R36's I would love to hear your love and hates for the beast.


All help is appreciated.


Thanks in advance.

[Lance B]

Howdy All!

I am thinking of picking up an R36 Wagon from my current ride a BMW 130.
I love my 130 but I am looking for something a little bigger and it is time for a change.

For all those people who already have their R36's I would love to hear your love and hates for the beast.


All help is appreciated.


Thanks in advance.

I have had the R36 for about 2 weeks now and so far there are no "Hates" whatsoever and plenty of "Loves". Previously, I had the Passat wagon 3.2lt V6 version 4 Motion and the only real "hate" with it was the flat seats, but the R36 addresses this issue most admirably.

The R36 is a STUNNING vehicle and so far I cannot really fault it. Points to ponder under the "Loves" column:
a) Extreme power/grunt
b) DSG seems better sorted than with the 3.2lt version for some reason
c) Smooth seemless power
d) Seats are awesome
e) the handling is very well sorted
f) Everything just seems to work so well.

Points to ponder under the "Hates" column:
a) 0
b) 0
c) 0
d) 0
e) 0
f) 0

[Steve]

Negatives for me are the bloody rattles that can't seem to be fixed. There's one constantly from the the centre console and it's infuriating. I think it's where the console joins the non console bit. It's been in to be fixed twice in the past year but hasn't been fixed yet.

Another negative is... um... well, good Bluetooth is $expensive$ and the RNS-510 is a bit stupid, even though it has some great features.

Oh, and the automatic tailgate can't be closed remotely (from the key fob or the button on the drivers door) but must instead be closed by a button on the tailgate itself. Not sure if a VAG-COM switch can fix this.

[Blacky]

Negatives for me are the bloody rattles that can't seem to be fixed. There's one constantly from the the centre console and it's infuriating. I think it's where the console joins the non console bit. It's been in to be fixed twice in the past year but hasn't been fixed yet.

Another negative is... um... well, good Bluetooth is $expensive$ and the RNS-510 is a bit stupid, even though it has some great features.

Oh, and the automatic tailgate can't be closed remotely (from the key fob or the button on the drivers door) but must instead be closed by a button on the tailgate itself. Not sure if a VAG-COM switch can fix this.

Rattles that is something I am familiar with the 1er

[GHW]

Hey Steve, just wondering why you would need to close the tailgate by remote???? I've optioned this as I'll be loading the back a bit because of my work but, once loaded, you're right there so it makes more sense to me to simply hit a button rather than fiddle around with the key fob?

[reverseworm]

I have had the wagon for about 2 months now and offer the following impressions:

Pros

Power - delivery is seamless and effortless. Loads of grunt when you need it and a wonderful smooth drive when you want to take it easy.

Sound - I think the V6 sounds wonderful and is nice and throaty under load. Have had lots of comments about the exhaust note.

DSG - simply superb. Instant gear changes, and an uncanny way of anticipating your driving style. Paddle shifters are good fun too.

Styling - apart from the Audi, I think this is the best looking wagon on the road. A great combination of prestige and real road presence.

Handling - compared to your bimmer, the R36 will at first seem quite big and bulky i think, however after a few days you will really appreciate the handling and grip of this size vehicle. I have pushed mine pretty hard and in the tighter stuff it really hangs on - the grip is quite incredible - and the V6 just punches you out of corners.

Seats - awesome.

Directional lighting - not a gimmick at all.

Build quality - materials are first class.

Value - For around $70k fully loaded, what else is there? Nothing.

The little things - seat warmers, umbrella in the door, multi function display, the hard drive in the stereo is a better option than an ipod, autohold, auto tailgate, cooled glovebox etc etc. The list goes on.

Cons

Sunroof - the dial for operating the sunroof is difficult to use. Rather than an on-off switch, there is a dial that allows you to determine how far you want to open the roof. It is hard to see fromt he driver's position and it is not illuminated, so you can't really use it at night. I know I know - thats why it is a sunroof and not a moonroof.

Heater/A/C switch gear - made of cheap feeling plastic. Should have been aluminium.

Tailgate - as previously said you should be able to close it with the remote.

Paddle shift - the paddles turn with the wheel so if you are in a decent corner and want to use the paddles, this can be quite difficult.

That's a pretty petty list of cons, but it really is a helluva car. I say go for it.

[Steve]

Hey Steve, just wondering why you would need to close the tailgate by remote???? I've optioned this as I'll be loading the back a bit because of my work but, once loaded, you're right there so it makes more sense to me to simply hit a button rather than fiddle around with the key fob?

I'd find it useful when other people are putting stuff in the back (I often give various mates lifts to various golf courses) when I'm not around. They all try to pull the tailgate shut and that's not so cool.

I've also accidentally opened the tailgate whilst attempting to open the fuel filler lid, and whilst digging my keys out of my pocket or even putting them in another bag or something. I reckon it makes sense for the same button to both open and close.

[Lance B]

I have had the wagon for about 2 months now and offer the following impressions:

Pros

Power - delivery is seamless and effortless. Loads of grunt when you need it and a wonderful smooth drive when you want to take it easy.

Sound - I think the V6 sounds wonderful and is nice and throaty under load. Have had lots of comments about the exhaust note.

DSG - simply superb. Instant gear changes, and an uncanny way of anticipating your driving style. Paddle shifters are good fun too.

Styling - apart from the Audi, I think this is the best looking wagon on the road. A great combination of prestige and real road presence.

Handling - compared to your bimmer, the R36 will at first seem quite big and bulky i think, however after a few days you will really appreciate the handling and grip of this size vehicle. I have pushed mine pretty hard and in the tighter stuff it really hangs on - the grip is quite incredible - and the V6 just punches you out of corners.

Seats - awesome.

Directional lighting - not a gimmick at all.

Build quality - materials are first class.

Value - For around $70k fully loaded, what else is there? Nothing.

The little things - seat warmers, umbrella in the door, multi function display, the hard drive in the stereo is a better option than an ipod, autohold, auto tailgate, cooled glovebox etc etc. The list goes on.

You have managed to mention a few excellent extra points that I had missed and this is the thing, there are so many "little" things that go to make up how great the Passat R36 is. By themselves they may not amount to much, but when all added together as a package it really is an amazing car, featurewise and performancewise.

Cons

Sunroof - the dial for operating the sunroof is difficult to use. Rather than an on-off switch, there is a dial that allows you to determine how far you want to open the roof. It is hard to see fromt he driver's position and it is not illuminated, so you can't really use it at night. I know I know - thats why it is a sunroof and not a moonroof.

You are quite right, the dial can be a little difficult to use, but I think I have mastered it.

Heater/A/C switch gear - made of cheap feeling plastic. Should have been aluminium.

Tailgate - as previously said you should be able to close it with the remote.

I think the reason that there is no remote tailgate closing from the remote or the door switch is for safety reasons, ie you have to physically be at the tailgate so as to make sure that there is nobody around for you to clunk on the head or get fingers jammmed in the tailgate.

Paddle shift - the paddles turn with the wheel so if you are in a decent corner and want to use the paddles, this can be quite difficult.

I think that the paddle shifts on each side of the steering wheel should have an shift up/shift down on each side so as you can drive one handed and when the wheel is upside down, you can easily work out which is to shift up or down. As they are, you've got to try and work out which side the shift up button and the shift down button are when the wheel is turned. If you had a "+" on the top of each paddle and the "-" on the bottom of each you would clearly be able to use the steering wheel in any position and one handed.

That's a pretty petty list of cons, but it really is a helluva car. I say go for it.

It certainly is a helluva car!

[Rocket36]

Sunroof - 7 clicks to the left (or hold full for full open). 5 clicks to the right for tilt. Simple to use without even looking at it. Just count the clicks. Or when leaving the car it closes with the remote.

Paddles - BRILLIANT!!! Of course they should move with the wheel. You shouldn't be shifting at the apex of a corner. At worst you'll be down shifting just as you turn int and then up shifting as you power out. Both times, the wheel won't be turned very much at all. When driving hard, you shouldn't be lifting your hands off the wheel at all inf you can avoid it. Unless of course it's a really tight corner, but then it would also be relatively slow and the correct gear should be selected before hand anyway. Maybe that's just my track experience talking.

My only two cons with the car are:
Stereo controls - you shouldn't have to change the MFD to the stereo details before you can skip forward and back. When you un-mute it should un-mute back to the volume it was at when you muted.
Factory Bluetooth - Should be standard in a $70k car for basic phone call / stereo mute functionality. $700 extra for that is just stupid! As for the premium bluetooth, at $2000 it's laughable that anyone would buy it.

[Lance B]

Sunroof - 7 clicks to the left (or hold full for full open). 5 clicks to the right for tilt. Simple to use without even looking at it. Just count the clicks. Or when leaving the car it closes with the remote.

This is how I use it now.

Paddles - BRILLIANT!!! Of course they should move with the wheel. You shouldn't be shifting at the apex of a corner. At worst you'll be down shifting just as you turn int and then up shifting as you power out. Both times, the wheel won't be turned very much at all. When driving hard, you shouldn't be lifting your hands off the wheel at all inf you can avoid it. Unless of course it's a really tight corner, but then it would also be relatively slow and the correct gear should be selected before hand anyway. Maybe that's just my track experience talking.

That's fine if you want to race everywhere, but if you just want to dodder around town, then the paddle set up isn't implemented as well as it could be and my suggestion of +/- on each paddle is a good work around, or they should be like they are in a Lambo etc where the paddles don't turn with the wheel, but are mounted on the steering column.

My only two cons with the car are:
Stereo controls - you shouldn't have to change the MFD to the stereo details before you can skip forward and back. When you un-mute it should un-mute back to the volume it was at when you muted.
Factory Bluetooth - Should be standard in a $70k car for basic phone call / stereo mute functionality. $700 extra for that is just stupid! As for the premium bluetooth, at $2000 it's laughable that anyone would buy it.

I agree that a standard bluetooth should be include.

I really do not understand why the car and phone companies don't get together and work out some standardised system whereby a mobile phone can be plugged into some sort of a socket, like the Ipod socket or the like, that would allow direct interaction with the stereo system rather than this silly bluetooth set up.

[reverseworm]

Sunroof - 7 clicks to the left (or hold full for full open). 5 clicks to the right for tilt. Simple to use without even looking at it. Just count the clicks. Or when leaving the car it closes with the remote.

Paddles - BRILLIANT!!! Of course they should move with the wheel. You shouldn't be shifting at the apex of a corner. At worst you'll be down shifting just as you turn int and then up shifting as you power out. Both times, the wheel won't be turned very much at all. When driving hard, you shouldn't be lifting your hands off the wheel at all inf you can avoid it. Unless of course it's a really tight corner, but then it would also be relatively slow and the correct gear should be selected before hand anyway. Maybe that's just my track experience talking.

My only two cons with the car are:
Stereo controls - you shouldn't have to change the MFD to the stereo details before you can skip forward and back. When you un-mute it should un-mute back to the volume it was at when you muted.
Factory Bluetooth - Should be standard in a $70k car for basic phone call / stereo mute functionality. $700 extra for that is just stupid! As for the premium bluetooth, at $2000 it's laughable that anyone would buy it.

hmmm how about one push for open, one push for close? 5 clicks to the left, 7 to the right sounds like the combination to a safe.

with regards to the paddles, I understand the dynamics of cornering yet I have been in plenty of situations where I want to grab another gear and the steering wheel is not perfectly straight. And yes I do change gears mid corner all the time actually - in fact if you leave it in auto mode the car will do it for you

[passatpout]

Sunroof - the dial for operating the sunroof is difficult to use. Rather than an on-off switch, there is a dial that allows you to determine how far you want to open the roof. It is hard to see fromt he driver's position and it is not illuminated, so you can't really use it at night. I know I know - thats why it is a sunroof and not a moonroof.

Does the R36 have a different sunroof dial to a standard Passat? Mine's pretty easy to use, never had to go fumbling for it, and I'm sure it's illuminated....

[Rocket36]

It's the same - definitely not illuminated but it is very simple to use...

[reverseworm]

yeah simple to use for sure after you take the time to work it out - turn it to the left, the roof opens. turn it to the right and it closes. in terms of pros and cons, in my view, this is one of the few cons. good controls should be completely intuitive - unless you are inspector gadget you simply cannot see exactly the point you need to turn it to to close the roof. and i dont want to be counting clicks either. no biggie but a con for me nonetheless.

Blacky will need to make the decision for himself, but every other sunroof I have had is far simpler and it aint a deal breaker anyway.

and right next to the sunroof control is the worlds smallest sunglass holder. so that is another con, but the flip side pro is that it is great for pens

[Rocket36]

Both pairs of my Ray-Bans and both pairs of my Oakleys fit in the sunglasses holder. Only one pair at a time, but they all fit.