2010 Passat R36 estate
Discussion
After a some years of liking my fast VWs, some MK2 GTIs, Corrado VR6, R32 x 2, I found myself in a lovely clean E39 touring for a few years but missed the old VR6.
Logic took me to the R36 estate after flirting with the idea of an S4 estate here we are.
2010 last of the line with updated clocks and climate panel, solar sunroof option which runs the cooling on the interior with the engine off, spare wheel delete option (why?!) and just 62,000 miles.
Drove from Newcastle to Essex no dramas and used surprisingly less fuel than anticipated.
Little niggles,
-brakes squealing despite trying to scrub them off a few times at speed, think it needs new discs and pads, the importer has kindly sent me some Delphi ones to change them out
-musty smell in the cabin, changed out the cabin filter and dropped an A/C bomb in, seems to be solved!
-Japanese infotainment has to go asap - have a CarPlay VW lookalike to go in, hoping it s an easy install
-Has had a replacement headliner in black but the rest of the trims are cream
Very comfortable car and feels exotic despite being a Passat! What a crack to drive really, I think an exhaust box removal is on the cards but even without that it has a lot of gruff engine noise upfront and really thumps those up shifts, those VW engineers were allowed some fun on these I feel!
Some photos from collection day
Logic took me to the R36 estate after flirting with the idea of an S4 estate here we are.
2010 last of the line with updated clocks and climate panel, solar sunroof option which runs the cooling on the interior with the engine off, spare wheel delete option (why?!) and just 62,000 miles.
Drove from Newcastle to Essex no dramas and used surprisingly less fuel than anticipated.
Little niggles,
-brakes squealing despite trying to scrub them off a few times at speed, think it needs new discs and pads, the importer has kindly sent me some Delphi ones to change them out
-musty smell in the cabin, changed out the cabin filter and dropped an A/C bomb in, seems to be solved!
-Japanese infotainment has to go asap - have a CarPlay VW lookalike to go in, hoping it s an easy install
-Has had a replacement headliner in black but the rest of the trims are cream
Very comfortable car and feels exotic despite being a Passat! What a crack to drive really, I think an exhaust box removal is on the cards but even without that it has a lot of gruff engine noise upfront and really thumps those up shifts, those VW engineers were allowed some fun on these I feel!
Some photos from collection day
Edited by six port on Friday 13th June 21:50
Hi, is that from JM Imports in Benton? They seem to get a few in there. Not far from me 6 miles or so. I did the opposite journey in the middle of covid when I bought my van from Dartford and brought it back up here.
I had a Corrado VR6, wonderful engine. I would put the R36 version in one if I bought another Corrado.
I had a Corrado VR6, wonderful engine. I would put the R36 version in one if I bought another Corrado.
Heaveho said:
Hi, is that from JM Imports in Benton? They seem to get a few in there. Not far from me 6 miles or so. I did the opposite journey in the middle of covid when I bought my van from Dartford and brought it back up here.
I had a Corrado VR6, wonderful engine. I would put the R36 version in one if I bought another Corrado.
Yes that’s the place, they have a stock of R36s there and a lot of lovely Japanese stuff.I had a Corrado VR6, wonderful engine. I would put the R36 version in one if I bought another Corrado.
Sure there are a few R32 Corrados knocking about now, an R36 would be fun!
Believe the engine is also used in Porsches of the same era.
That looks a brilliant buy...
When I moved my Jap import E39 Touring on I seriously considered one of those, there's a company in East Lancs that sells imports and they had a few in, one like that and a stunning blue one...
But I didn't fit. The seats were just too narrow for me and uncomfortable (wide back, shoulders and arse from years of powerlifting etc)
Sounded epic on the test drive though and drove really well...
When I moved my Jap import E39 Touring on I seriously considered one of those, there's a company in East Lancs that sells imports and they had a few in, one like that and a stunning blue one...
But I didn't fit. The seats were just too narrow for me and uncomfortable (wide back, shoulders and arse from years of powerlifting etc)
Sounded epic on the test drive though and drove really well...
I love these, TR Hamza has restored one on YouTube to a very high standard.
https://youtu.be/j4lmefupiGM?si=4-I9CUTT7nPxkIhy
A fantastic daily, I’m off to search AutoTrader
https://youtu.be/j4lmefupiGM?si=4-I9CUTT7nPxkIhy
A fantastic daily, I’m off to search AutoTrader
danb79 said:
That looks a brilliant buy...
When I moved my Jap import E39 Touring on I seriously considered one of those, there's a company in East Lancs that sells imports and they had a few in, one like that and a stunning blue one...
But I didn't fit. The seats were just too narrow for me and uncomfortable (wide back, shoulders and arse from years of powerlifting etc)
Sounded epic on the test drive though and drove really well...
We have similar tastes Dan for sure, you powerfully built director ha haWhen I moved my Jap import E39 Touring on I seriously considered one of those, there's a company in East Lancs that sells imports and they had a few in, one like that and a stunning blue one...
But I didn't fit. The seats were just too narrow for me and uncomfortable (wide back, shoulders and arse from years of powerlifting etc)
Sounded epic on the test drive though and drove really well...
drgoatboy said:
Looks lovely, congrats.
Is this cheaper on tax as it's an import or do you get the full £700+ treatment? I know it should'nt but that tax amount always scares me off! Only had 1 car with it and the monthly direct debit made me very sad
Taxed for the year £360! So can pretty much get my insurance with the difference Is this cheaper on tax as it's an import or do you get the full £700+ treatment? I know it should'nt but that tax amount always scares me off! Only had 1 car with it and the monthly direct debit made me very sad
Great choice, I really really like these.
Never taken the plunge though… I used to have a Vectra VXR which enjoyed similar VED bands to the UK Spec R36 (at the time £500+ now gone to £700+) and therefore haven’t been brave enough to go back to those kind of outlays.
Didn’t realise there may be a loophole to a more palatable VED rate with an import however… and it looks like a number of imports have far lower mileage too! Food for thought!
Never taken the plunge though… I used to have a Vectra VXR which enjoyed similar VED bands to the UK Spec R36 (at the time £500+ now gone to £700+) and therefore haven’t been brave enough to go back to those kind of outlays.
Didn’t realise there may be a loophole to a more palatable VED rate with an import however… and it looks like a number of imports have far lower mileage too! Food for thought!
six port said:
danb79 said:
That looks a brilliant buy...
When I moved my Jap import E39 Touring on I seriously considered one of those, there's a company in East Lancs that sells imports and they had a few in, one like that and a stunning blue one...
But I didn't fit. The seats were just too narrow for me and uncomfortable (wide back, shoulders and arse from years of powerlifting etc)
Sounded epic on the test drive though and drove really well...
We have similar tastes Dan for sure, you powerfully built director ha haWhen I moved my Jap import E39 Touring on I seriously considered one of those, there's a company in East Lancs that sells imports and they had a few in, one like that and a stunning blue one...
But I didn't fit. The seats were just too narrow for me and uncomfortable (wide back, shoulders and arse from years of powerlifting etc)
Sounded epic on the test drive though and drove really well...
How are you enjoying the R36?
djgritt said:
Great choice, I really really like these.
Never taken the plunge though I used to have a Vectra VXR which enjoyed similar VED bands to the UK Spec R36 (at the time £500+ now gone to £700+) and therefore haven t been brave enough to go back to those kind of outlays.
Didn t realise there may be a loophole to a more palatable VED rate with an import however and it looks like a number of imports have far lower mileage too! Food for thought!
Jap imports are always lower tax which is a very good thing... More so, as you said, with the low mileage they come with tooNever taken the plunge though I used to have a Vectra VXR which enjoyed similar VED bands to the UK Spec R36 (at the time £500+ now gone to £700+) and therefore haven t been brave enough to go back to those kind of outlays.
Didn t realise there may be a loophole to a more palatable VED rate with an import however and it looks like a number of imports have far lower mileage too! Food for thought!
danb79 said:
six port said:
danb79 said:
That looks a brilliant buy...
When I moved my Jap import E39 Touring on I seriously considered one of those, there's a company in East Lancs that sells imports and they had a few in, one like that and a stunning blue one...
But I didn't fit. The seats were just too narrow for me and uncomfortable (wide back, shoulders and arse from years of powerlifting etc)
Sounded epic on the test drive though and drove really well...
We have similar tastes Dan for sure, you powerfully built director ha haWhen I moved my Jap import E39 Touring on I seriously considered one of those, there's a company in East Lancs that sells imports and they had a few in, one like that and a stunning blue one...
But I didn't fit. The seats were just too narrow for me and uncomfortable (wide back, shoulders and arse from years of powerlifting etc)
Sounded epic on the test drive though and drove really well...
How are you enjoying the R36?
R36 was out in use for a seaside trip loaded up, very practical car.
They have all have (JDM ones at least) rear sun shades which are very useful, front and rear heated seats, front and rear parking sensors and the dimensions feel about identical to the old E39 touring but it’s better on fuel and handles better despite being a technically inferior layout.
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