MY10.5 R36 wagon - impressions after a week of ownership

[wandersen]

And the lack of conversion for RHD markets. For the left hand auto-dip mirror for example, it says that the mirror control has to be in the "R" position for the mirror to auto-dip. Which makes no sense. It has to be on "L" for it to auto-dip in RHD markets. Love this feature though - it's made me a reverse parking king !

[R34]

I've owned quite a few cars over the years and I must say the owners handbook is diabolical.
Makes the simplest task very difficult

[Pana]

manual was a shocker - I just pressed all the buttons and saw what they did - its how I figured out how to make the cruise control increments go up/down in single increments

[kleung]

And the lack of conversion for RHD markets. For the left hand auto-dip mirror for example, it says that the mirror control has to be in the "R" position for the mirror to auto-dip. Which makes no sense. It has to be on "L" for it to auto-dip in RHD markets. Love this feature though - it's made me a reverse parking king !

They've fixed this in the manual I've got. They changed the wording so it's universal - the manual makes reference to the 'front passenger exterior mirror' now. The back cover of my manual says:

Owner's manual:
Passat Estate, Magotan Estate
Print status: 09.04.2010
Englisch: 05.2010
Art.-Nr.: 111.5R1.PV6.20

[GTI147]

Congrats KLeung.......Another Melbourne R36 owner!

Hahah....... Don't know how you boys are avg in the 10's/100km for consumption??? I keep avg around the 12/13's but emmm.....maybe that's just my trusty old right foot playing up all the time

Enjoy,
Ray

[kleung]

Congrats KLeung.......Another Melbourne R36 owner!

Cheers, Ray. There seem to be a lot of us in Melbourne. Clearly we have good taste...unlike the other states and territories

Hahah....... Don't know how you boys are avg in the 10's/100km for consumption??? I keep avg around the 12/13's but emmm.....maybe that's just my trusty old right foot playing up all the time

I'm getting in the 12s on my second tank of fuel, with very mild driving. It's hard keeping control of the right foot. That loud pedal is so tempting.

I live in, and drive around a moderately hilly area, so that probably doesn't help my fuel consumption numbers either.

[Pana]

Hahah....... Don't know how you boys are avg in the 10's/100km for consumption??? I keep avg around the 12/13's but emmm.....maybe that's just my trusty old right foot playing up all the time

About 60% of my commute is freeway against traffic which helps - if I'm really careful can even get into the 9's but then - if I wanted fuel economy - would have bought a tractor... :p

[Steve]

Hahah....... Don't know how you boys are avg in the 10's/100km for consumption??? I keep avg around the 12/13's but emmm.....maybe that's just my trusty old right foot playing up all the time

I'm the same - I only ever get more than 400km from a tank when I'm not driving around town...

...but then again, I didn't buy a car like this to take it easy with the right foot. I certainly don't thrash it, but it does sound best above 4200rpm...

I live in, and drive around a moderately hilly area, so that probably doesn't help my fuel consumption numbers either.

Sounds like me. I work from home, but I live on a hill and there are about 2km of fun twisty bits either way to anywhere that isn't on the hill. Sometimes I post letters at the post office several times a day...

[GTI147]

I'm the same - I only ever get more than 400km from a tank when I'm not driving around town...

...but then again, I didn't buy a car like this to take it easy with the right foot. I certainly don't thrash it, but it does sound best above 4200rpm...

Me neither, I try to be sensible but sometimes the car's a little quiet so I just want to make sure the exhaust is still there!

[kleung]

You know...it just occurred to me that when cruising at highway speeds, it feels like the R36 could use an extra cog or two - at 100km/h, it's turning around 2500rpm.

[DNA Tuning]

Is there audible engine/exhaust noise while holding 2500rpm @ 100km/h? Car manufacturers will usually choose a variety of factors when deciding on gear ratios and so forth; even factors such as the weight of the chosen flywheel, and of course factors such as top speed, fuel economy, cabin ambience, etc.

Congrats on the purchase by the way; you didn't mention it, but I'm sure one of the biggest advantages over your euro is the ability to plant the throttle on a rainy Melbourne day at the lights and not need to worry about traction!

[kleung]

Is there audible engine/exhaust noise while holding 2500rpm @ 100km/h?

There is just a little bit of a drone.

Congrats on the purchase by the way; you didn't mention it, but I'm sure one of the biggest advantages over your euro is the ability to plant the throttle on a rainy Melbourne day at the lights and not need to worry about traction!

Haven't had the opportunity to explore that 'feature' yet - still a) running in and b) learning the capabilities of the car. But yes, I imagine that the R36 gets its power down through all paws much more effectively than the FWD Euro would, in all conditions.

[szikou]

I was hammering mine off the line last night in Melbourne where it was extremely wet.

I don't think traction control kicked in once. It was like a slingshot.

The only other cars I have been in which felt the same in those conditions were my relo's S4, S5 and RS4. (Surprise, surprise)

[deano646]

Haven't had the opportunity to explore that 'feature' yet - still a) running in and b) learning the capabilities of the car.

I've been told from a number of sources that there is absolutely no need to run these cars in. As long as you haven't got it on the red line all day all should be good. That has come from a very reliable source so I'm running with it!!

You do have to try VERY VERY hard to get the thing to lose traction - very impressive how it sticks to the road!

[Pana]

You do have to try VERY VERY hard to get the thing to lose traction - very impressive how it sticks to the road!

been quite easy the last few days in Melbourne - nailing it from standstill while turning..... but then again the Dunslips have about 30K on them so that may have something to do with it as well.