Image of R36 dashboard 2008 v 2009

[Spaceman]

Hey guys. Tried searching but can't find the images I want. Need to see how different the 2008 dash is to the 2009 onwards. Particularly at night, I've seen both dashboards during the day and really like how the 2009 looks at night. Is the 2008 as good or not as well lit? Anyone have a shot of the 2008 dash at night? Boring question I know but I'm pretty fussy about these sort of things. Cheers.

[Tigger]

As with most VW products in the golf etc rage, the MFD was red in illumination for the earlier models, and lacked a digital speedo.
The later models have a white MFD and include a digital speedo

[kleung]

Hey guys. Tried searching but can't find the images I want. Need to see how different the 2008 dash is to the 2009 onwards. Particularly at night, I've seen both dashboards during the day and really like how the 2009 looks at night. Is the 2008 as good or not as well lit? Anyone have a shot of the 2008 dash at night? Boring question I know but I'm pretty fussy about these sort of things. Cheers.

R36 09+ dash at night

R36 08 dash at night

R36 08 dash at night (clearer)

Not sure if you're aware, but the 09+ dials also have variable backlighting even during the day. Not sure if the 08 had that. It's particularly noticeable if you drive out of bright sunlight into a darkened area (tunnel, underground carpark).

It's also possible to replace the 09+ AUDM cluster and its white MFD with a colour MFD model.

[111]

R36 09+ dash at night

R36 08 dash at night

Not sure if you're aware, but the 09+ dials also have variable backlighting even during the day. Not sure if the 08 had that. It's particularly noticeable if you drive out of bright sunlight into a darkened area (tunnel, underground carpark).

It's also possible to replace the 09+ AUDM cluster and its white MFD with a colour MFD model.

it sure is possible, i had this colour MFD fitted to my R36. I do have a new one for sale if your interested,

[Spaceman]

R36 09+ dash at night

R36 08 dash at night

Not sure if you're aware, but the 09+ dials also have variable backlighting even during the day. Not sure if the 08 had that. It's particularly noticeable if you drive out of bright sunlight into a darkened area (tunnel, underground carpark).

It's also possible to replace the 09+ AUDM cluster and its white MFD with a colour MFD model.

Thanks man. Seen these videos but the 2008 one wasn't very clear. To me though, the 2009 dash just looks a lot cleaner and I like the colour tones better.

[tinto]

Interesting - I'm the opposite, there's not a lot of visual hierarchy with the newer dash.Everything is at the same level so (at a glance) it looks a bit messy and noisy.


May be a very different story during the day - I've always liked the white mfd, and and I think that would be a bit crisper during the day. But at night the visual definition in the earlier ones really works for me.

Edit - dammit! Shouldn't have followed the ebay link. I'll just keep telling myself "if it ain't broke..."

[kleung]

Thanks man. Seen these videos but the 2008 one wasn't very clear. To me though, the 2009 dash just looks a lot cleaner and I like the colour tones better.

Try this one instead. Ignore the title - the cluster is clearly R36 (blue needles, white dial graphics, 3-window trip computer, 270-degree fuel and temp guages)

I like the 09+ cluster better too - I like the way the numbers and graduations in the dials are laid out better than the earlier cluster, and the MFD is easier to read (better contrast), despite having to have the information from all three trip computer windows condensed into one.

[High-Fidelity]

Edit - dammit! Shouldn't have followed the ebay link. I'll just keep telling myself "if it ain't broke..."

If it helps... the price of the cluster is not the only cost involved...

In my '08 I also needed an adapter (car systems sell these as well... another EUR89) and the replacement dash trim since the ancillary dials are moved into the main gauges. I bought one of these from carsystems too, but it was the wrong colour brushed aluminium (EUR80 from carsystems), so had to go to the dealer to pick up the correct colour (which was $290 and there was only 1 in the country at the time). You also lose the settings menu, which I didn't realise until after install. Not a problem if you've got a VCDS though, as you can configure everything through there.

I believe the later cars with the updated convenience module are OK on the settings menu front. Also, I can't remember if I required the updated CAN gateway for that or not, but I definitely needed it for the new steering wheel controller/MKVI wheel and RNS-510 install that I did at the same time.

So, it's an expensive swap... I reckon it's worth it though, the premium cluster has a much nicer MFD! The parts *may* be easier to come by now with the new CC having the colour cluster available in it.

[booba]

I have a cluster that will suit up to 2013 v6 passat without vis package if anyone is interested .. it is the newer model that will lose convenience menu on older cars.