R36 vs B7 Highline

[b j p]

I'm looking at a Passat Wagon at the moment and it's increasingly hard to find a low klms example and even more so with the option book thrown at it. There is a greater chance of getting a B7 Wagon with all the boxes ticked.

So they did an engine transfer and improved the fuel slightly.. it lost the sportier exterior and interior. What other differences are there between the two. Did some web searches but couldn't find much in the way of direct comparisons.

[nermal]

Have you considered searching interstate?

I found the options in Brisbane were quite limited and flew down to Melbourne to pick up my R36 about a month ago. It was worth the airfare (day trip) and transport to get the options I wanted for a lower price.

Personally, I'm not that impressed with the style of the B7.

[b j p]

Yeah I did have mate. My search criteria on Carsales atm is:

2009+
<80,000klms

As far as optioned up ones, there is only one really. Following on without sunroof in Sydney atm, guy has a deposit on it pending finance. A white one came up yesterday in Vic, but had no RNS510 and was sold 12 hours after it went on CarSales.

The carsales email notification is pretty good.

[nermal]

It's worth waiting for the car you want. There should be some 2009+ models starting to come out of 5-year finance, so you may see more appear on the market over the coming months.

Have you been looking for long?

FYI - you can get a genuine RNS-510 fitted aftermarket. The unit costs ~$1600 + fitting from JKU.com.au .

[NickZ]

Wait for the r36, one will come up. Just be patient. The b7 is a great car but the r36 is a bit more special (I am biased of course!)

[R36er]

I see you are looking for a wagon - would you consider a sedan? My mate is selling his 2009 R36 Sedan. It's white with about 47,000km's. It has sunroof, RNS510, Bluetooth, and he has fitted the reverse camera from a Golf (pops out from badge).

Mine would suit your criteria too but I love it too much!!!

[Passat R36]

It took me 7-8 months to find my R36 in blue. Options are good but in the end I gave up and did not care about options as long as it's in perfect condition and really low kms.

I am stilling watching the sales on carsales but so far still nothing exciting in wagon shape!

Be patient and keep looking.

[kleung]

What other differences are there between the two. Did some web searches but couldn't find much in the way of direct comparisons.

In comparison to the MY09.5+ R36, the B7 has the following differences:
+ Improved front seat headrests (longitudinal adjustment was added)
+ Visual indicators for rear seat belt status
+ Standard bluetooth connectivity
+ Standard satnav, RVC and power tailgate on MY2012.5+ (possibly MY13+)
+ Standard adaptive chassis control
+ Optional City Emergency Brake function
+ Additional backlighting on air vents
+ Analog clock on centre stack
+ Improved multi-position cargo blind in luggage compartment
+ Optional panoramic sunroof
+ Standard driver fatigue detection system
+ Optional lane assist and lane departure warning system (part of the Driver Assistance and Visibility option package)
+ 0-100 sprint faster by 0.1sec
+ Combined fuel consumption better by 0.4l/100km
= Full leather upholstery vs microfibre/alcantara upholstery
? Tyre pressure monitoring (R36 had the sensors inside the tyre, not sure about the B7s)
- Standard 8-speaker stereo (vs 10 speaker 8ch 250w in the R36)
- Incandescent tail lamps unless the "Driver Assistance and Visibility Package" is optioned.
- Optional bi-xenon headlamps with active cornering lights (part of the Driver Assistance and Visibility option package)
- Optional gearshift paddles (part of the Sport option package)
- R36 exclusive bits like the exterior aesthetics, chunky steering wheel, blue needles, aluminium pedals, sports seats with pneumatic bolsters
- Not an R-car

[Passat R36]

Oh these is a full optioned one in silver asking for $45000 in NSW.

[b j p]

Thanks for that comprehensive list. Bloke from VW (Vic) rang me last night on an ex-demo (7000klm), every option for $54k. I think i'll go and kick the tyres on a local one up here and see if I can live with the further family car compromise.

This is the list of cars I've been through (I should change my username to TYRE-KICKER)

Off-list
Defender (too small)
300C (horrible inside)
HSV (Resale)
FG (Resale)
Pajero (Boring)
Evo 8MR (too old)
Evo 9 (Too old)
7 Series (too expensive)
VW Golf R (too small/common)
Vito (may as well keep van)
x6 (Too expensive)
s5 (too expensive)
FJ Cruiser (too boring)
Hilux (too boring)
Audi q7 (too bigggg)
335i (Too Small)
x6 (too expensive)
SRT8 (Excessive Fuel)
Evo X (Too rough/uncomfortable)
WRX (Too Small)
STI (Too Small)
Audi A5 (Too Small)
s4 (Too Expensive)
Forester (Too small)

[b j p]

Oh these is a full optioned one in silver asking for $45000 in NSW.

I'm watching that one. I rang him about 5 weeks ago and said he was firm on $45k. Silver is probably my last choice of colour (unless immediate black powder coat wheels) and I think 45k is TOP dollar.

[NickZ]

45k is optimistic but good luck to him especially with dsg and haldex service due this year. I think if that was mid to high 30s it would be a fair price.

[b j p]

Yep. I'm with you. It does have the advantage of extended warranty. However, to be honest if I get a B7 Highline for low 50s, it's worth the extra <10k for a 3 year newer car with no klms, warranty etc. R36 as described @ mid 30's makes it competitive.

Still just a little stuck on the street cred as well. Family in the car, yeah not problem White B7... but when you're by yourself and a hot chick pulls up, a white B7 isn't as cool as a black R36.

[kleung]

This is the list of cars I've been through (I should change my username to TYRE-KICKER)

Off-list

VW Golf R (too small/common)

And if you want a new Mk7 one, be prepared to wait...

Does anything from the Skoda stable appeal? Octavia RS wagon or the Superb V6 4x4? The Superb V6 uses the same 3.6 VR6 engine and 4-MOTION system as the Passat, but is slightly detuned (191kw vs 220kw). It's also a slightly bigger than the Passat.

x6 (too expensive)

And gut-churningly ugly. It tries to be a sporty coupe and an offroader at the same time, but it ends up with the worst traits of both, while compromising on the positive traits.

Forester (Too small)

What about the Liberty? There are go-fast models available (GT and 3.6), and it, along with maybe the Audi A4 2.0T Quattro are probably the only real competitors to the R36/B7 V6 Highline if you want a go-fast family AWD wagon at non-stratospheric price.

[Passat R36]

R36 is a collector's car now and it's still so sought after in the market. $35000 for that described R36 is impossible.