R36...pre-ordered!!!

[Steve]

Good news!

I just got off the phone with the dealer we're buying the R36 from, and we have a build week! Week 15, which is early April (I think).

She reckons that it takes around 8 or 9 weeks for most Passat's to get to the dealer from the time they are loaded on to the ship.

So, it's looking like September arrival is a bit pessimistic - we're now looking at June or July instead!

As well as that, she confirmed the pricing change from the contract I signed a few months ago. It's going to be $5200 less

[Vene]

Steve,

That's great news........are you getting the price cut off the RRP.

[Steve]

Yep. The "cash price" on the contract for the car without anything else and no options was $71990, and the $5200 is coming off that.

[OilBurna]

great news Steve, I'm sure you can't wait.

[Steve]

Yeah, I'm pretty happy - especially that I'm no longer going to New Zealand for a few months.

My birthday is in July... an R36 would make a nice present

[R36 Dreamer]

Good news!

I just got off the phone with the dealer we're buying the R36 from, and we have a build week! Week 15, which is early April (I think).

She reckons that it takes around 8 or 9 weeks for most Passat's to get to the dealer from the time they are loaded on to the ship.

So, it's looking like September arrival is a bit pessimistic - we're now looking at June or July instead!

As well as that, she confirmed the pricing change from the contract I signed a few months ago. It's going to be $5200 less

Steve,

That sounds great. I am contacting my dealer to confirm the timeframe (not because I dont believe your post, just to get a second confirmation) - I dont want to get my hopes up just yet.

Good to hear you got that discount, revised pricing was released just prior to me signing up.

[slitko]

Was there any reason to the price drop? Strong Aussie $$ ?

[Steve]

Steve,

That sounds great. I am contacting my dealer to confirm the timeframe (not because I dont believe your post, just to get a second confirmation) - I dont want to get my hopes up just yet.

Good to hear you got that discount, revised pricing was released just prior to me signing up.

Good idea trying to get some confirmation - it'd suck if I was getting a wind up! The dealer was adamant (and very excited) so I do believe her, even though the news was quite unexpected. I'll definitely be interested in hearing what your dealer says... in fact, I'd like to know if everyone is now expecting their car to arrive early

Was there any reason to the price drop? Strong Aussie $$ ?

The AUD isn't moving a whole lot against the EUR - at least, not fundamentally enough and long term enough to warrant adjusted pricing. For example, one Euro buys 1.6775 Australian Dollars now, 1.6143 on February 12, and 1.6814 on the day I placed the order (January 21).

The reason for the price drop was that I did the paperwork before pricing was confirmed and even before the car was oficially launched, and the new contract will reflect the confirmed pricing - which is cheaper than the dealer's patchy preliminary documentation indicated.

I'm pretty happy the confirmed pricing was passed on so readily. I've heard of people - admittedly buying far more expensive and exclusive cars - having to battle to get the cheaper confirmed pricing while the dealer is only too happy to pass on price increases!

[R36 Dreamer]

Good idea trying to get some confirmation - it'd suck if I was getting a wind up! The dealer was adamant (and very excited) so I do believe her, even though the news was quite unexpected. I'll definitely be interested in hearing what your dealer says... in fact, I'd like to know if everyone is now expecting their car to arrive early

Well Stevo, I just got a response from Barloworld advising that the build week is 17. This is the week commencing the 21st April.

The dealer was also able to give me a commission number, which confirms the order is in the VAG system. Closer to the date the VIN will also be available.

The dealer is trying to find out what the release date is in Australia, because it hasn't officially been brought forward - but he advises it probably will be given the above info.

He is also trying to get a final specification list for the car, which to date is just a guide.

I just hope the drop in RRP doesn't also result in a drop in standard features advertised.

My countdown to the release as previously advised showed 222 days until delivery, now I should hopefully have the car in about 120 days (4 months)

How bloody fantastic.

[Steve]

Sweet, that's great news

I went to my dealer today and signed the revised contract. We don't have a commission number yet because while the original order was in the system, it was incomplete because we were still trying to figure out who or what the registered owner would be. That's all sorted out now.

I don't think the confirmed pricing will reflect a lower equipment level, I'm confident that it's just that - confirmed pricing. The break down is $5000 less for the car and $200 less stamp duty.

I had a chat with the dealer and she said the delivery process will go like this:

1) The car will be built in week 15-ish.
2) Car sits around waiting for a ship. Car gets on ship.
3) 7 to 9 weeks later, the ship arrives in Melbourne or Sydney or whatever.
4) 3 weeks after that, the car arrives in my garage.

So that's what... week 25 to 27. July, I guess.

I also checked to make sure my golf clubs fit in the boot. They do, just - gotta take my putter and driver out of the bag - and the cargo cover hides everything nicely

[Steve]

Now I'm thinking... I'm very tempted to go with the Dynaudio setup.

Does anyone have any insight? I forgot to have a listen to the standard versus Dynaudio systems when I was at the dealer today... is the standard RNS510 stereo severely lacking, or is it up to scratch? I guess Dynaudio would be wasted on MP3's anyway... right?

Decisions!

[Northy]

Now I'm thinking... I'm very tempted to go with the Dynaudio setup.

Does anyone have any insight? I forgot to have a listen to the standard versus Dynaudio systems when I was at the dealer today... is the standard RNS510 stereo severely lacking, or is it up to scratch? I guess Dynaudio would be wasted on MP3's anyway... right?

Decisions!

I know ill be mighty pissed if the $5,000 I have shelled out for (RNS510+Dynaudio) dosent sound like a premium audio setup....

[slitko]

Now I'm thinking... I'm very tempted to go with the Dynaudio setup.

Does anyone have any insight? I forgot to have a listen to the standard versus Dynaudio systems when I was at the dealer today... is the standard RNS510 stereo severely lacking, or is it up to scratch? I guess Dynaudio would be wasted on MP3's anyway... right?

Decisions!

I was going to put Dynaudio in the EOS but the dealer was honest and said it would not make much difference to justify the price. Maybe it sounds different in the Passats? I did not put Dynaudio in the Passat so cant comment on that.

[R36 Dreamer]

I was going to put Dynaudio in the EOS but the dealer was honest and said it would not make much difference to justify the price. Maybe it sounds different in the Passats? I did not put Dynaudio in the Passat so cant comment on that.

In the passat doesn't the Dynaudio add reversing camera as well? Still if the sound doesn't dramatically improve it seems like a bit of a waste.

I know that upgrading the stereo from standard to Symphony in the Audis make a HUGE difference....

[Northy]

In the passat doesn't the Dynaudio add reversing camera as well? Still if the sound doesn't dramatically improve it seems like a bit of a waste.

I know that upgrading the stereo from standard to Symphony in the Audis make a HUGE difference....

The RVC (reverse camera) is part of the Satnav upgrade.