Differences between R36 model years

[whichonetoget]

Besides the change to a white MFD, was there anything else significant that changed?

Wondering whether it'd be easier to update bits and pieces (eg. colour MFD) for one of the later models.

[kleung]

Besides the change to a white MFD, was there anything else significant that changed?

The climatronic panel was updated at some point - the early R36es came with the 3-dial climatronic panel with the LCD temperature displays and the rotary heated seat controls, while the later ones came with the two dial climatronic panel with the amber LED temperature indicators and the pushbutton heated seat controls.

Broadly, the significant electronics changes between model years were:
MY08: Red MFD, RCD300 head unit, 3-dial Climatronics panel
MY09: White MFD, RCD510 6.5" touchscreen head unit, 3-dial Climatronics panel
MY10: White MFD, RCD510 6.5" touchscreen head unit, 2-dial Climatronics panel

Wondering whether it'd be easier to update bits and pieces (eg. colour MFD) for one of the later models.

There's at least one howto on here for someone who has retrofitted a colour MFD cluster - some of the CANBUS controllers were updated between model years so you will need to consider that when planning any upgrades. AFAIK the mechanical package wasn't changed at all for the enitre model run.

[kamold]

Mechanical package is essentially the same, however the MY10 at some point switched to a newer revision of the engine, in order to meet EU5 emissions requirements.
MY10 Steering wheel control module and slipring is different.
MY10.5 Door control modules are Gen4 (means you can comfort fold the mirrors from the keyfob).

MY09 or later makes it easier to upgrade cluster.
MY10 or later makes steering wheel upgrade easier.

[prn31]

The climatronic panel was updated at some point - the early R36es came with the 3-dial climatronic panel with the LCD temperature displays and the rotary heated seat controls, while the later ones came with the two dial climatronic panel with the amber LED temperature indicators and the pushbutton heated seat controls.

Broadly, the significant electronics changes between model years were:
MY08: Red MFD, RCD300 head unit, 3-dial Climatronics panel
MY09: White MFD, RCD510 6.5" touchscreen head unit, 3-dial Climatronics panel
MY10: White MFD, RCD510 6.5" touchscreen head unit, 2-dial Climatronics panel.

The newer Climatronics panel was a feature of the MY10.5 introduced here in February 2010 see this thread for further details:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f234/r36-my10-my10-5-differences-117790.html?highlight=MY10.5