Paddle shift is now an after sales option

[R36 Dreamer]

I'm with you Lance, go the paddles for sure!

Only problem is i've heard they are not in a great position, and they are a bit hard to reach (especially if you have short fiongers like me!).

Does anyone know if they are adjustable, like the Shimano RapidFires on my Trek mountain bike?

Don't know about paying $1000 for paddles, but i would shell out for launch control, ala the Golf GTI. Hope its made available, or a mod is found for it. Not likely i reckon, DSG clutch prob couldn't cope with the extra weight / grunt / 4Motion hey?

Does R36 have launch control?

The way I understand it, all cars with DSG have launch control.

To test, simply put the car in "S", turn off the ESP, and put your (left) foot on the brake. Then try to rev the car with your right foot, the clutch should disengage the gear and the car should free rev. If you hold your foot flat on the accelerator it will rev to about 3,000 rpm (petrol) and then when you take your foot off it will take off.

I am certain the 3.2 has this feature (tried it out on the test drive) and my R36 definately does.

Have a go and let me know.

[OilBurna]

hmmm might try on the way home from work... yes mr officer I was just testing my new launch control feature

[Mischa]

The way I understand it, all cars with DSG have launch control.

To test, simply put the car in "S", turn off the ESP, and put your (left) foot on the brake. Then try to rev the car with your right foot, the clutch should disengage the gear and the car should free rev. If you hold your foot flat on the accelerator it will rev to about 3,000 rpm (petrol) and then when you take your foot off it will take off.

I am certain the 3.2 has this feature (tried it out on the test drive) and my R36 definately does.

Have a go and let me know.

only certain cars have it. pretty sure no diesels across the range do

[R36 Dreamer]

only certain cars have it. pretty sure no diesels across the range do

I could be wrong, as I have never owned a diesel, so haven't ever tested.

I would have thought that it would be a pretty simple mod - but I have also heard that the early versions of DSG were unable to cope with big Nm torque loads, which is why DSG wasn't available on higher capacity petrol engines early on - maybe same for diesel as well.

[STV4SYT]

I would say i use the paddles less than 10% of the time, just driving around, it's in D, if im on a road with speed humps its manual in 3rd, if i hit the twisties i use the paddles, rarely use S it just holds the gears out higher and IMO with 350NM of torque on the TDI there is no need for it.

[3Putt]

Already tried for launch control.

No joy.

3.2 4Motion definately does not have it!

Doh!

[Man In Black (MIB)]

Although we have spoken about the paddles, what about the steering wheel? I love the steering wheel (with paddles) in my GTI and wish I could get it for my Passat. Great feel over the thiner Passat wheel.

What is the VW after market wheel with paddles like? Does it come for any particular exsisting model?

[Sloth]

Already tried for launch control.

No joy.

3.2 4Motion definately does not have it!

Doh!

Yup, have tried it also, doesn't have it.

[RF 4MOTION]

The standard look steering wheel with paddles is $1199, the GTI wheel with paddles is $1499 and the R36 wheel (available next month) is also $1499. The will all work with the Passat.

[OilBurna]

fitted from the stealer?

[RF 4MOTION]

That is the accessory price, dont know the dealer price to fit it. I was told by VW accessories it takes an hr including the programming.

[Lance B]

That is the accessory price, dont know the dealer price to fit it. I was told by VW accessories it takes an hr including the programming.

They took about 20min to do mine, even though they got the computer codes wrong and I had to go back on another day for them to fix it. I think it would still only take 20min and my dealer fitted the wheel for free.

[RF 4MOTION]

Which wheel did you get Lance? What was the price?

[Lance B]

Which wheel did you get Lance? What was the price?

I got the standard leather bound wheel which has the radio controls and the multi function disply controls which is the same as what came with my V6 4 Motion. I didn't get the R36 wheel as (a) I didn't know you could and (b) if I did know, I don't think I would want the R36 logo on my wheel as mine is an R32 and (c) I don't think the extra $ warranted it even if I did know one was available.

Price was $1100 fitted.

[Steve]

mine is an R32

It can't be... it's a Passat!