Opinions wanted please

[GHW]

Hi All,

I'm doing some mild cosmetic changes to my black R36 wagon and would like ppl's opinions on several options I'm considering.

Those who like your vehicle to remain standard (and I stress, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, it's a good looking car) will probably not like what they read.
Please give me constructive ideas it would be appreciated.

The side chrome strips will be colour coded black (I'm leaving the chrome trim around the windows) the wheels and the front silver surround are now dark charcoal.

I am trying to decide whether to colour code the roof rails black or have them removed altogether (this will involve welding up the holes and respraying the roof, not that difficult)

Incidentally I have kept the factory wheels and it is very easy to return the vehicle to totally stock look for future resale if I want to, I'll worry about that in 3 years.

Of these two options, what would you do if it was your car?

[Brisben]

Hi All,

I'm doing some mild cosmetic changes to my black R36 wagon and would like ppl's opinions on several options I'm considering.

Those who like your vehicle to remain standard (and I stress, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, it's a good looking car) will probably not like what they read.
Please give me constructive ideas it would be appreciated.

The side chrome strips will be colour coded black (I'm leaving the chrome trim around the windows) the wheels and the front silver surround are now dark charcoal.

I am trying to decide whether to colour code the roof rails black or have them removed altogether (this will involve welding up the holes and respraying the roof, not that difficult)

Incidentally I have kept the factory wheels and it is very easy to return the vehicle to totally stock look for future resale if I want to, I'll worry about that in 3 years.

Of these two options, what would you do if it was your car?

I wouldn't weld the roof, likely to distort.

I wuld buy some kind of bung and seal them up, so you could remove later and put roof rails back on. always consider if you can return it to original, welding is quite permenant.

I also think the chrome trim is best as is, as you will ruin the look only doing a partial colour change..

ARe you bored ?

[Rocket36]

rather than colour code the chrome black, consider black anodising instead. but if you're going to do it, do the chrome window surrounds too. doing some chrome and some black will look crap!

[FJ Steve]

Incidentally I have kept the factory wheels and it is very easy to return the vehicle to totally stock look for future resale if I want to, I'll worry about that in 3 years.

Sounds like a leased (Salary Sacrifice vehicle). If so, have you read the fine print of your lease agreement?

[GHW]

Sounds like a leased (Salary Sacrifice vehicle). If so, have you read the fine print of your lease agreement?

No, it's a company purchased vehicle (my company) so not an issue.

[GHW]

rather than colour code the chrome black, consider black anodising instead. but if you're going to do it, do the chrome window surrounds too. doing some chrome and some black will look crap!

I like this idea. I didn't think of anodising so I'll need to investigate it further. You're right, it would need to be windows and side trim, all or nothing.
I might work out what to do with the roof rails first, leave the chrome trim and make a decision from there, one step at a time.
Atm I'm leaning toward simply colour coding the rails.

[GHW]

ARe you bored ?

yeah. I always buy a car, swear black and blue it will remain stock (the last one I stuck to this promise to myself and left it totally stock) but usually end up changing something !
This is the reason I stayed away from a turbo'd car otherwise I get far too carried away. N/A all the way from now on !

[Rocket36]

Regarding the rails, I'd leave them on the car but change them to the same colour as you changed the front matte silver grill section. Since they're the same from the factory...

[Maverick]

I am trying to decide whether to colour code the roof rails black or have them removed altogether (this will involve welding up the holes and respraying the roof, not that difficult)

I wouldn't remove and weld, to remove you'll need to drop the roof lining down which involves removing the trim from the A, B, C and D pillars and you're asking for untold number of rattles from doing this. The paint will never be the same again after you respray either. I'd go with them painting them on the car if you wanted to do this although you may not be able to go back depending on how they prepare the finish.

[GHW]

Thanks all, it's given me heaps to think about.
At this stage I think I'll stick with the roof rails, paint them body colour to help make them disappear a bit, leave the chrome as it is then look at the anodizing thing (which I think would look really good in the black).

cheers

[Jayse]

Thanks all, it's given me heaps to think about.
At this stage I think I'll stick with the roof rails, paint them body colour to help make them disappear a bit, leave the chrome as it is then look at the anodizing thing (which I think would look really good in the black).

cheers

GHW,
If you're going for this look
...then i'm all for it!!! BTW, have you already painted the rims? Can you put up a pic? Yeah, i'd keep the roof racks on.
Cheers,
Jayse.

[gead]

Oemplus.com sell a black chrome kit for the passat...from memory it was about 1100usd.... Had all the parts including window surrounds and door trims....
As for the roof rails, don't the non r36 wagons get black roof rails.... I saw one in the street the other day and it looked good....I have been thinking about the same mods, but can't come at the prices as the moment...

Good luck

[pj's]

I have a question, how difficult is it to remove the rear spoiler on an R36 station wagon? The reason for the question is that if you drive on dirt or gravel roads you find the dust build up on the rear window far more excessive than anywhere else on the car. It seems the spoiler causes the wind to swirl thus causing the dirt or water to deposit on the window. Cheers pj

[R36 Dreamer]

Thanks all, it's given me heaps to think about.
At this stage I think I'll stick with the roof rails, paint them body colour to help make them disappear a bit, leave the chrome as it is then look at the anodizing thing (which I think would look really good in the black).

cheers

There is a website which has the blacked out chrome kits for the Passat which may interest you.

http://oemplus.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=75_21_47&products_id=89

I am pretty sure you can get the nomenclature and logos "smoked" as well if you are keen.

with regard to the roof rails, you should be able to photoshop them out to see what they look like. It would definately improve (ie reduce) the wind noise at speed.

Each to their own, but I like the idea of small mods to improve the look of your car, not matter what they are.

Good luck, and please put up some photos for us to see what youve done so far!!

[Swallowtail]

Thanks all, it's given me heaps to think about.
At this stage I think I'll stick with the roof rails, paint them body colour to help make them disappear a bit, leave the chrome as it is then look at the anodizing thing (which I think would look really good in the black).

cheers

GHW, I'd like to see some pics of the wheels and front... didn't notice them when you came past me the other day.

I reckon go for it - it'll look hot with all black or the dark grey look. Leave the rails on though I agree with others on that one.