Monday 22nd August 2016

VW Passat R36: PH Carpool

This PHer explains why the rare VW fast estate has just as much appeal in New Zealand

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Name: Cae Bellis
Car: VW Passat R36
Owned since: July 2015
Previously owned: Mini Clubman, two Mk2 VW Golf GTIs, Peugeot 106 GTI, Subaru Impreza WRX, Subaru Legacy Spec B

Had to be Biscay Blue!

Why I bought it:
"I always coveted the Mk4 R32 in Deep Blue Pearl but once I moved to New Zealand it was all about Subarus - cheap, numerous and good bang for your buck. Then kids and dogs happened and I needed a wagon. The Legacy was good but the cheap interior and soulless 2.0-litre turbo became boring. In NZ we get lots of Japanese imports and a fair few R36s started appearing. I'd seen one a few years earlier and decided I wanted one in Biscay Blue if they ever became affordable. So whilst remortgaging I lied to the bank about 'doing some house modifications' and used the extra money to buy a car. There's a road in Auckland where a lot of the big dealerships are but I found my car at a pokey little dealer (which has since gone into liquidation - oops!) at the other end of that road. Japanese imports have no history, but after a mechanical check and diagnostic I took the plunge."

What I wish I'd known:
"There weren't too many surprises as I spent ages researching and re-reading reviews. I was always worried about giving up my manual gearbox but the DSG makes more sense in Auckland traffic which is stop-start at the best of times, but mostly just stop these days. I knew the DSG would need an oil change and the Japanese stereo and sat-nav couldn't be converted for NZ, so would need to be replaced. I've had a few electrical gremlins but as the guy at the independent VW garage said: "If you want a reliable car, buy a Toyota"."

This looks even better coming from a Subaru

Things I love:
"It's all about the engine really. The 3.6-litre VR6 is a breath of fresh air. My kids even ask me to "make the race car sound again" every time they are in it. The seats are really comfortable and have lots of adjustment, plus the interior is from a different century to the Legacy. I also like the understated Q-car feel, but the blue is less subtle than the black which really does look like a TDI. Or a hearse. Interestingly, the Japanese spec car has two suspension settings - Comfort and Sport, but I can't find any information about how it has been implemented. Comfort is perfect for pottering around town and Sport does firm things up nicely. It is heavy and not especially involving, but when ferrying kids and dogs around it covers ground quickly and effortlessly. Consider also that in NZ an Audi S6 of a similar age, albeit with a bit more power, is nearly twice the price."

Things I hate:
"Not a lot really. The seating position is too high and the bolsters are so prominent that they get squashed when getting in and out, so the foam will need replacing before long. I can tell it is going to eat brake discs and pads. I haven't figured out how to alter the headlight washers yet and they just spray plumes of water in the air. People think you are an idiot when you park your car the wrong way when they need a jump start until they realise the battery is in the boot."

Cae has got used to the DSG over time

Costs:
"Car registration in NZ has actually dropped hugely in the last couple of years. It costs just $86 for 12 months! BP Ultimate is less than $2 a litre and insurance is $650. This sort of car makes more sense here. The DSG oil and filter change should happen at 60,000 kilometres but hadn't been done; it was completed at 90,000 kilometres when I got the car and the transmission guy said the filter was still in good shape and hadn't delaminated. The independent VW/Audi specialist I use for servicing is cheaper than main dealer but parts are still expensive. Everyone here says European cars are more expensive but the costs are similar to Subaru."

Where I've been:
"We regularly go to the Coromandel on the North Island's East coast and took the car to the Leadfoot Festival (think a really small NZ version of the Goodwood Festival of Speed) at Rod Millen's farm. I'm planning a trip down into the snow at some point to see if it outfoxes the Haldex."

What next?
"So far the car is definitely a keeper. It just covers all the bases without being too pretentious. And it's not an Audi - Audi drivers are just as irritating down here. I'm looking at getting the ECU remapped to give it a little extra at the top end where it just runs out of puff. I still need to replace the head unit as well, so I'm looking at an aftermarket Dynavin system. And possibly a full paint restoration at a local detailer to really bring out that blue. Plenty to do!"

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Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at [e-mail]!

[PistonBroker]

Good piece and interesting to see an EU car being used in NZ. As an outsider I'd also presumed Japanese stuff was the only way.

And a result for Carpool as it's a keeper! ;-p

[Rindergulasch]

I'm not surprised by reading that for you, the car is all about the sound - I really love the sound of these VR engines, beats most V6s. I drove a ~96 passat with the 174 hp 2.8 VR6 engine in the nineties, and since then the sound of the VR6 incarnations has improved even more. I'm currently thinking about buying a 3.6 passat from the successor generation - you get the same engine as in the car described here, but without the shouty looks, making it even more Q. It's sad that these VR engines have now been phased out throughout the VW group (I'm not sure whether they're still sold in some VAG model or other, but for VWs they're gone).

[R36vw]

I'm not surprised you're enjoying it. I still regret letting mine go, had it for 4years and was a great work horse. Best colour too. I was looking around for 1 a few months ago but couldn't find a great example. Rare as rocking horse s#!t over here and any decent ones people are keeping hold of. Incredibly they are holding their value well. Sold mine in 2013 and the best examples weren't far off what I sold mine for.

[jiggawhat2k]

Interesting read, I only discovered these existed when I saw one parked up in Chelsea, London, sort of car that would fit in anywhere. Looked just the right level of aggressive, maybe they'll come down to my price level soon fingers crossed.

[C7 JFW]

This, in black, yes please.