Purchasing R36 Wagon

[owen010101]

In the market for an R36 Wagon..

I'm looking for some advice on wether to go for a lower km 2008 MY08 with more options OR a 2009 MY09 with less options and slightly more km.

Your wisdom would be greatly appreciated

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[prn31]

MY08s are prone to DSG issues and have the orange MFD. Probably a lot more of these around for sale.
MY09s onwards have the white MFD.
MY10 and MY10.5 are much rarer but have a choice of more options available. I understand they have the least issues too.

I'm biased, but if was me I would be keeping an eye out for an optioned MY10 - just like everyone else. And if it's Biscay Blue then you need to act fast as they don't last very long. I know this from experience...

[owen010101]

Yes I gathered 2010 would be preferable and as you said more sought after by buyers.

So sticking to a budget and making some compromises would you still go later model with less options?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kamold]

What options do you want/not want?
Some can be easily retrofitted.

[prn31]

Yes I gathered 2010 would be preferable and as you said more sought after by buyers.

So sticking to a budget and making some compromises would you still go later model with less options?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As Kamold said, some items are easily retrofitted - RNS510 Sat Nav and RVC. I did the later retrofit as due to a VWA bungle most MY10s didn't get the Reversing Camera. The Power Tailgate is useful but I don't think easily retrofitted.

Other options like Dynaudio and DCC are more difficult - but have been done. Kamold wants to retrofit Adaptive Cruise Control (a great feature but rare due to being expensive) which I think would be a lot of work....

[owen010101]

Yes I have been reading up on everyone's retrofits. Very entertaining.

Sat Nav, RVC and phone Bluetooth would be preferred options to have. The one I'm looking at has tailgate.

Not fussed on DCC. Would be nice though.

What's your opinion on sunroof? I think I could take it or leave it..

Also what would rough cost of nav, rvc and Bluetooth end up at?

Thanks for your help


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kamold]

If the only options you are after are nav, and bluetooth they are the easiest retrofits to do - don't pass on a car just because it doesn't have these.

RVC is a little more involved but not that bad, just has cables to run from the back to the front of the car.

I don't have a sunroof and have only ever had 2 cars with them. Nice to have but for me a take it or leave it option.

If you're in Melbourne talk to VW Central for your retrofitting needs.

[prn31]

Yes I have been reading up on everyone's retrofits. Very entertaining.

Sat Nav, RVC and phone Bluetooth would be preferred options to have. The one I'm looking at has tailgate.

Not fussed on DCC. Would be nice though.

What's your opinion on sunroof? I think I could take it or leave it..

Also what would rough cost of nav, rvc and Bluetooth end up at?

Thanks for your help


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I forgot about Bluetooth - BT 9w7 is the OEM kit that you need.

For me a sunroof was a must have - I love it. On an R36 it is a pretty common option.

As kamold says VW Central in Melbourne are good - they advertise on this forum or you could try ebay, which is what I did for my RVC.

Talking of the RVC, this was a pretty tricky retrofit on my car - factor in 3-4 hours of labour if you get someone else to do it.

[owen010101]

Great info guys. Much appreciated.

So I've been out to see a few now and have had a couple RACV tested with not the best feedback.

If you were located in VIC I'd be interested to know which car you would spend your hard earned money on...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kamold]

Why limit your search to your home state?
Find the best car available and either have it shipped or catch a plane and drive it home.

[owen010101]

Yes I wouldn't limit to just VIC obviously have to consider time and extra costs..

But yer. If you had to choose one what would you recommend?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kamold]

Don't know what your priorities, colour preference or budget is.

I'd probably get this candy white one:

https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volkswagen-Passat-2010/SSE-AD-4454549/?Cr=1

Or this Biscay Blue:

https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volkswagen-Passat-2009/SSE-AD-4452089/?Cr=11

[owen010101]

Didn't really mind what colour. Preferably not silver. Preference would be to end up with a solid car that isn't going to be a big gamble. And my pockets aren't the deepest but prepared to spend what's necessary to avoid a bad purchase.

Went to see the white one. It looked like a family of chimpanzees had been living in it. Every thing was scratched, dented or broken. Electric functions not all working. No tailgate option. Needed a new windscreen for RWC. He also had another buyer who is purchasing it tonight.

I have also seen the blue one. The owner has an aftermarket exhaust and pod filter fitted. He is getting RWC and selling without mods on but will sell separately with sale. Could these mods potentially cause issues?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[prn31]

If you have the luxury of time it is probably best to wait until the right car comes along - that may be interstate though and you may have to pay a bit more, but with these cars condition is paramount.

You may also want to check out a B7 V6 FSI Highline with the Sports Package on Carsales. There aren't many about but most would have Bluetooth, RNS510, RVC and Power Tailgate and DCC is standard. The Sports Package has lowered suspension, sports seats and steering wheel paddles.

A poor-mans R36, but you still get the stonking 220kW V6 engine in a newer car with less kms. I test drove one (without the Sports Package) when I was looking for my R36 and it was quite impressive.

[vagr36]

I wouldnt say 08 was more prone to dsg issues, like the majority of dsg's it can just be the luck of draw. Had my 08 for 4 years and have only ever had one single issue being autobootlid latch failing. Some cars can be gems and some are just lemons. I feel like the value of my 08 has just dropped significantly due to people giving negative info that they cant back up on.