New Passat 206TSI R-Line

[Eaglehawk]

More pics and review soon then?

[chopper]

More pics and review soon then?

Of course! Ironically, the first time I'll drive a 206TSI... is when I drive her out of the showroom. It better be good...

[Rocket36]

I really wish that plastic mount for the euro style front number plate was optional!

[adamking]

Usually they come off with two screws I think it's something to do with the adr rules and it being mounted on a flat surface


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[wm7503]

Mine arrives on the 24th. Unfortunately I'm overseas for business for the next 3 weeks. Some more pics and reviews would be great Chopper.
Enjoy it👍

[chopper]

I finally have her in the garage!

Initial thoughts... given I've only driven her home. She's nice... very nice! Not as sporty as I was hoping (or as loud), but it goes like a rocket when you prod it. I'm expecting when I play with the driver select settings, this might change.

On a pleasant note - the sound system seems to sound much better than the 140TDI Highline I test-drove. I noted before, there seems to be two sets of 'basic' speakers in the VW parts list. I wonder if these have a better, or newer version of what was in the Highline (which was an older MY16 model)? Perhaps it's a placebo effect and wishful thinking... but it isn't as bad as I remembered! Also, the digital dash is a highlight!

I'll post more when I've had a chance to have a bit of a play...

[ope126]

Looks the goods mate!!!

[Rocket36]

Brilliant! Good work mate! Can't wait for more of a detailed analysis and more pics. But go and really enjoy it first!

[chopper]

Day two thoughts (while the kids are doing Karate!).

I've done about 60kms in it today. The car is still surprising and delighting me. Little things, like the Bluetooth audio (it's only taken a day for me to become too lazy to plug it in to access the Apple CarPlay!) continuing where I left off. This might be nothing new to some of you... but coming from a GTI, which had about 6 steps to access the Bluetooth audio, it's a revelation! Probably not what you're hoping to hear about... but goes to the great leap in tech. this car has over something 5 years older. The digital dash is SOOO good! Customisable and rich in info... it transforms the car's interior. I couldn't buy a Passat without it now (poor Alltrack buyers!). The interior is great... no complaints so far. I suspect the roof might get a bit hot in summer... but I have a plan / hack for that, should it become an issue. If it works... I'll share it!

The car is not as sporty / loud as my old Mark. VI GTI. This is probably my biggest disappointment with the car... and the risk I took buying before test-driving. Having said that... not much at this end of the market would be more sporty or loud, short of driving a V8 Commodore wagon. That was never going to happen...

It's not that it isn't sporty... more I was hoping (given the power etc.) it would feel like a bigger GTI. It more feels like a faster Passat, if that makes sense. My only other complaint is the DSG gearbox is VERY hesitant off the line. It SEEMS like it's more pronounced than the GTI was. You really need to gently lean on the throttle until you feel it bite... then sink the boot, otherwise you risk a sudden dump of power. Not so much an issue with the AWD (4Motion... bloody proprietary names!) like it was in the GTI, but annoying. I was hoping this was ironed out somewhat. Luckily I'm already used to DSG driving.

Other than that... the driving experience is solid and enjoyable. Corners well (the progressive steering isn't so pronounced it's annoying, rather it complements the character of the car) and goes where you point it. The ride is very comfortable...interestingly, due to the DCC (which only comes with the 206TSI), they don't lower the suspension the same 15mm of the other R-Line cars. It looks something like a half Alltrack... but it gives it good ground clearance (I don't scrape the nose like I did in te GTI on my driveway) and is ultra absorbent of bumps.

All in all, for a circa $62,000 car... I'm very happy. I'd definitely recommended it as a comfortable, quasi-luxury family cruiser... which can hammer when you feel like it! ��

[adamking]

New Passat 206TSI R-Line

You've got me Hanging for mine to arrive now, I am told it's in the next week or so


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[Wynnston]

Going to the dealer later in the week to check one out. I was really curious about whether it had a sporty note or not. Thanks for clearing that up.

Would love to hear what you think of the lighting (dynamic headlights etc.) as I wont get a chance to test drive one at night.

[chopper]

Going to the dealer later in the week to check one out. I was really curious about whether it had a sporty note or not. Thanks for clearing that up.

Would love to hear what you think of the lighting (dynamic headlights etc.) as I wont get a chance to test drive one at night.

Funny you should ask! I'm just back from my first night drive.

I borrowed a 140TDI Highline over a weekend before we ordered, so I had the opportunity to drive it at night as well. When I returned it, I only had two complaints with it (so much so, given the price difference, we briefly contemplated getting the TDI)... the audio (see one of my previous forum posts about it... which as you'll have read in this thread earlier, seems to no longer be an issue!) and the lights. They are bright, sharp and the active system is good. It also has the static cornering lights which light your corners almost 90 degrees... a fantastic feature.

The problem with the lights was they were set too low. As with the old Bi-Xenon lights, there is a distinct point where the lights stop (as opposed to the older style halogen lights, which just start to dim away from the main beam). That cut off point seemed to be a bit low (I measured it between 50-80m, depending on if you were accelerating (as the car's nose would rise up during accelerating). I was reading somewhere they were speed dependant... but in this case, they didn't seem to be. Even at 80km/hr, you're traveling at 22m/sec. It gives you about 3 seconds view down the road. Not much reaction time on a dark night. Animals, pot holes etc...

I did a quick google search prior to returning it, I was so worried... which seemed to show I wasn't the only one with the issue (mostly UK drivers).

I spoke with the dealership service team, who said they can fix it. There's apparently a 'grub screw' which allows a small amount of manual adjustment. it would only need a small number of degrees up to be fixed.

So... this is the long way around to say yes, my car also seems to be a bit short... but I will just drop it in and get it adjusted.

I should also probably mention, the high beams are great!!!

Ohhh - completely off topic, but I'd recommend anyone with the pano. roof... get it tinted. I did and it's great! I'm planning to use some of the ultra-thin insulation i used on our house (it's called Kingspan air-cell) to fit between the glass and the blind if it's really too hot over summer. I imagine it will fit (it's less than 8mm thick from memory) and has an R-Value around R1.5 from memory. Coupled with the tint, it should see off the heat on the 40 degree days!

[Rocket36]

The headlight adjustment is something you should be able to do (up or down). I did back in the days of my old R36.

They're still self levelling, but it's an adjustment for the overall housing of the lights. They are conservatively set that's for sure.

[Wynnston]

Nerd question...

Is the interior ambient LED multi colour (changeable) or fixed?

[chopper]

The headlight adjustment is something you should be able to do (up or down). I did back in the days of my old R36.

They're still self levelling, but it's an adjustment for the overall housing of the lights. They are conservatively set that's for sure.

I'm not exactly the most handy bloke... so I'll probably get the workshop to do it, but good to know!

Nerd question...

Is the interior ambient LED multi colour (changeable) or fixed?

It's fixed (whiteish). It's in the doors and the footwell. The only adjustment is the brightness. The Skoda has multi-coloured lighting... which also extends to the dash (not on the VW).