High km R36

[kamold]

Am considering getting into an R36.
Am I being foolish in considering high km offerings, >150k provided that the service history is sound?

[tigger73]

I'd save up a few more $ and buy a low km example. I'm assuming you're after a wagon?

There's a few around with 60,000km on the clock and if they have had their major service done I'd be looking at one of these (or factor in the service cost into the purchase price).

If you buy something with 150,000+km on the clock, even if it has been regularly serviced it's possibly going to be at the point of needing some major maintenance performed to keep it on the road. I'm actually surprised at the prices that people are asking for some of these high km cars.

DSG failure outside warranty would be one of my bigger concerns. I noted one guy on carsales had the complete DSG/drivetrain replaced at 135k.

[kamold]

Yeah thats what I'm thinking also...but thought I'd ask the collective wisdom.
Yes wagon it is.

There are some on the market @ $45k!
Tell em they're dreamin!

[tigger73]

I think any dealer selling a high km DSG car (R36 aside) is going to inflate the price as there's the real risk that they will be liable for high cost repairs under statutory warranty. Even though it's a relatively low probability, it's a high $ item. So the higher km cars being sold through car yards probably have a large chunk of risk $ added to them to cover any possible repairs. I bet the managers of the car yards are relieved when they make it through the warranty period without a problem.

That's why I'd go a lower km car or buy privately (or both) as you're not paying such a high premium for possible cost of warranty repairs being added into the actual value of the car. On the other hand it is a bit of an insurance policy for the first 3-6 months whichever way you look at it.

Redbook Price on a 2008 Wagon:

* Private Price Guide $17,500 - $19,900
* Trade In Price Guide $13,700 - $16,100
* Average Km 90,000 - 150,000

So it looks like nobody with a higher km car on carsales is being realistic with their advertised price as there are no sub $20k prices. And some people clearly aren't ready to let their cars go either ($45k price tags).

If I was looking at one of these I'd be going for one that had the updated MFD (white not red) and either white, blue or grey - I'm not a fan of the silver/black cars in the R36 (though this is personal preference) and if you found a great example in a non-preferred colour I'd probably still consider it.

[2muchcoffeeman]

So it looks like nobody with a higher km car on carsales is being realistic with their advertised price as there are no sub $20k prices. And some people clearly aren't ready to let their cars go either ($45k price tags).

Maybe yes, maybe no. Mine (2009 MY 10) was admittedly only 30k km but I sold North of $40k. Good money is out there for cars in great nick.

[kamold]

Yeah I am looking for a white MFD version, and am partial to the Biscay Blue or white.
I've had black cars and they are just too much work to keep clean

I think there is a fair bounty on R36s given they were a bit of a hero model, and most also have some options over stock, like nav, powered tailgate etc which people paid a fortune for at the time, and therefor think they add a lot of value.

Will just have to see how my negotiating skills can go, and with a trade on the Golf which is going to be another fun exercise...

[Passat R36]

The R36 is a kind of collectors car for a while now. When I was shopping my R36, I found out that it's impossible to get R36 at redbook price, not even close. Especially those low kms(under 60k kms, under 50k kms), they always get sold in one or two weeks. I still consider myself lucky when I got my hands on my R36(Carsales pictures had not been uploaded yet and listed as Sedan by the dealer, the sales send me some iPhone photos, I paid refundable deposit the next morning without sighting the car. It took me 8 months to find a perfect one)

Get a MY09 onwards one(white MFD), for the high kms, if they are genuine highway mileage.

[tigger73]

Maybe yes, maybe no. Mine (2009 MY 10) was admittedly only 30k km but I sold North of $40k. Good money is out there for cars in great nick.

Yeah I think that something with 30k km on it probably is worth what you got for it. Those low km cars are getting rarer and so you can ask a premium.

It's a matter of supply and demand.

Though I still think pricing for some of the higher km cars is a bit high given the increased likelihood and cost of major repairs. It makes more sense to get a lower km car for not that much more.


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[Darks RS]

That's my car.

VWA replaced the lot out of warranty as the car had an excellent one dealer service history and the dsg went 2-3k after the previous service.

The original owner had no ide what had been done, I got the history from the dealer when I sought service history advice from them and an idea of what had been replaced. It cost VWA >20k to replace every bit of the driveline in my car, and it really does feel new (granted the car has only put on 20k since replacement in 2013.

My suggestion is check the things that can go wrong on them pre purchase i.e. Dsg and the timing chain tension thingy. As they were the only things that could go wrong (lol that is the bulk of the cost on the car!!!!)

I'd save up a few more $ and buy a low km example. I'm assuming you're after a wagon?

There's a few around with 60,000km on the clock and if they have had their major service done I'd be looking at one of these (or factor in the service cost into the purchase price).

If you buy something with 150,000+km on the clock, even if it has been regularly serviced it's possibly going to be at the point of needing some major maintenance performed to keep it on the road. I'm actually surprised at the prices that people are asking for some of these high km cars.

DSG failure outside warranty would be one of my bigger concerns. I noted one guy on carsales had the complete DSG/drivetrain replaced at 135k.

[R36]

The value of an R36 is more likely based on supply and demand rather than the red book guide. If you want?
• Low km
• One mature owner
• Full history
• Never crashed/damaged
• Heavily optioned
• Wagon
• Colour preference (blue?)

This is probably a fairly common list of requirements with relatively limited supply, so you will likely pay a price more than the standard red book ‘value’, or wait a long time. As you remove specific criteria the price should be lower, but the red book appears to be based on flawed research and a standard depreciation formula (it even offers future price guides!), rather than current market reality. An R36 that meets these criteria available at less than $20k is certainly not average or typical. For example, $15k will can get this most of 2010 model with only 22k km! Volkswagen R36 Passat 4D Wagon 2010 V6 3 6L 6SP Auto Wrecking FOR Parts | eBay

[BennieDaBlade]

I bought my R36 a couple of months ago for $22k. (Private sale) 2008 Biscay Blue wagon with just under 100km on the clock. Two owner with full VW dealer service history. Flew up to Sydney and drove back to Tas.

Now that I have been in and around it a bit (Just an engine oil and filter so far) I think it has been garaged most of it's life. Looks VERY clean underneath as well. The worst thing I have found is the gutter rash on the front passenger side wheel, but it's still not horendous. Was looking for about three months I guess before I found it.

There were two under $20k at the time but one was 170Km and the other 198km. Mine had the VW tow bar and an after market nav and reverse camera head unit.

Very happy camper.

Nigel

[tigger73]

Agree that although the advertised prices (and possibly sale prices too) of these cars is above redbook that if you went to trade one in that they will be offering you something close to redbook prices.

And the DSG/drivetrain replacement cost of $20k is exactly why I would be looking for a low km car. Although it's not a guarantee that you won't have a problem, you've got a lot better chance of having trouble-free motoring than something with 150,00km on the clock (particularly if no major maintenance has been done).

So if you buy a high kms car for $20k and spend another $20k on it, I'd much rather have spent the same money on a low km example.

[Darks RS]

Tigger, the DSG is only 5k, VWA replaced My DSG, mechatronic and anything else driveline related hence the cost.

[tigger73]

Tigger, the DSG is only 5k, VWA replaced My DSG, mechatronic and anything else driveline related hence the cost.

Yeah OK maybe a $20k repair bill is absolute worst case, however my main point is I'd much rather buy a 60-80,000km car than something with 150-180,000km on the clock for not a whole lot less.

I'd put the expected life on most modern cars at 250,000km (where cost to keep the car on the road is more than the value of the vehicle). My benchmark price would be $10-12k for a 200,000km R36 and $17-18k for something with 150,000 on the clock. That's just me and what I'd be prepared to pay but maybe market value would keep these prices up given supply/demand.

Of course this is me looking at this in a rational sense and not once you fall in love with the car.... [emoji4]



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[kamold]

Appreciate everyone's thoughts. Drove a black one today. Must say I am now very keen to get one as my daily drive as my wife has pilfered my vrs from me and I am now driving the golf.
Love the exhaust note and planted though heavy feel.
Now need to find one with the specs I want which may take a while but it's worth waiting for what you want..isn't it?