R36...pre-ordered!!!

[t25turbo]

R36 for me! (Please?)

I have a great interest in this car also. I wanted something that was practical, roomy (fit a bike inside), and quick. There aren't really many options unless you go for a SS commodore or a XR6 or XR8. By quick I mean at least as quick as these Oz vehicles and after having driven an S4 with 220kw a while ago, this R36 is about the closest you can find that is new. And the price, although seemingly high when compared with Japanese rivals, is really very inviting when you look at the options list and check out the build quality. Having said that I would say that the quality of the interiors of Volkswagens has dropped a little, but I wouldnt say in the build quality, only the materials used, and when trying to be competitive with the other cheaper marques, somthings gotta give and I praise Volkswagen for it.

I spoke to my dealer today and he said about September delivery. I want a wagon (I have a blue 02 Liberty RX wagon) but the wife wants a sedan. I will kick myself if I dont get a wagon, but either way, if I can just get my hands on one, would be a dream thats been a long time coming (s4, GTI, R32 been thorugh all these but could not bring myself to commit due to family situation)

R36 is like a Euro GT Falcon, SS Commodore or Subaru Liberty Spec B or similar for close to same money.

Go R36!

[Northy]

Was talking to my local dealer about a pre order and the Hands Free bluetooth is an option in the new sat nav but at $700+ im not sure its really worth it....

[Vene]

Guys, whats this I hear about a facelift for the passat in 2009? Sorta thinking now if its worth going with the R36 or switch to the new Passat CC. Interested to know everyone's opinions...

[t25turbo]

Apparently this happens when the models gain popularity and more demand is created in the larger markets (i.e Europe and USA) or may just happen at the end of the lifecycle of the vehicle. As I understand it the high performance model is released in Germany and the larger markets just as the factory's are re-tooling for the the next generation of that model. Then we are forced to wait for the orders tto be filled elsewhere until we get the vehicles delivered here. I dont know exactly but it seems to make sense to me. The Mk4 R32 was close or overlapping if you count overseas releases,with the Mk5 Golf range release or may have even been before I am not one hundred percent, but I know other persons will know more than me and would welcome some further clarification if possible. I think that is what will happen with the R36 and we will probably be the last on the list as usual. The new or facelifted passat comes out soonafter the R36 but if the R36 is what we have been waiting for (hallelujah, I dont have to settle for a WRX especially one that looks like that (opinion only, sorry to anyone who has one)) a performance luxury vehicle that has room for the family and a bmx bike in the back without taking off the front wheel, then I will gladly pony up the dough for the vehicle and lovingly care for it for the next eleventeen years. I am not one of those guys who can lease a car through a business, so I will probably pay close to retail and just keep it for a long time. Yay!

[Northy]

Placed my Order sarvo, Biscay Blue R36 Wagon, Satnav RVC, Dynaudio, Auto Tailgate, UV Tint & Bluetooth

[Steve]

Haha, we're all going to have blue wagons

[Vene]

Melbourne Motor Show

So who's in Melbourne? Noticed some write ups about the motor show on Drive.com. I'm assuming the R36 will feature.

[docjames]

Pics on caradvice.com.au.......

[Steve]

Does anyone know when these things are going to start getting to customers internationally? I can't find any useful information on the UK Volkswagen site, and last time I checked the German site I couldn't find anything either. They don't even have obvious R36 pages like the VW Australia site has.

[Vene]

Extremely disappointing imo. I recall reading about the R36 two years ago. It can't possible take this long to get to market. It better be an awesome car when it hits Oz shores......high expectations to live up.

[Steve]

Yeah it's a pain in the arse. I wonder what the enormous delay has been caused by? I know the 3.6 engines in the US 4MOTION Passat has had some problems but that's now fixed - maybe the R36 delay is related.

Still, not hearing anything and Volkswagen's elastic ETA's is frustrating me. It seems we have more information than most foreigners.

[Vene]

If I recall correctly, we should get a VIN# approx 3 months before delivery as the car is being prepared to be shipped. In fact, I think dealers are notified when the car goes into production........so, if I don't get a confirmation the car is in fact on its way (around late June/July), I might reconsider my plans.

I don't doubt its a great car but I'm not waiting around forever for it. In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned a friend of mine has ordered a BMW 335i conv. in Aug last year for April delivery. Well he just found out his car hasn't even been built yet so its now pushed out to June 08. Unacceptable.

So with any luck the car will arrive in Sept otherwise.....back to the drawing board. What else can do 0-100 in 5.8 seconds, can accommodate a family and doesn't cost the earth?

[Steve]

Yeah I'm with you on that... we heard out GTI was on the way a few months before it got here.

If it wasn't so expensive, I'd love an RS6. Unfortunately... I don't have the coin.

If I didn't need the space, I'd be after a 135i in a flash. It's not big enough, though.

Hmph.

[Northy]

Was talking to my dealer today and he said that we would get some kind of ref number as soon as the car has started to be built, when this is going to be is another matter, Also on the issues with the 3.6L engine, its had issues with oil pump failures, the 3.6L thats in the R36 is not the same engine as there is a 24hp power output diff....

[R36 Dreamer]

[QUOTE=Northy;135658]Was talking to my dealer today and he said that we would get some kind of ref number as soon as the car has started to be built,

That was definately the case with my GTI, I was given a commission number and Vin number as soon as it was in production.

The dealer should be able to pass those details through as soon as the car is built.

Then you can track the transit through Willem Willhemsen website (spelling could be incorrect)

Using my last car as an example as follows -

Go to -

http://schedule.2wglobal.com/AppTracking/searchCargo.do?trackType=RoRo

Type in the Vin which is WVWZZZ1KZ6U031768

You will then get the details of when the car left port and you can then track the ships location. This will only work if the car is on a WW branded ship. Sometimes when the cars are coming from Germany they go on another ship.

I found it made the last month quicker, and I could also put pressure on the dealer when it arrived -

I actually had the dealer call me about a month later to ask how I had tracked it!!

Hope this helps!!