RE: Volkswagen Passat R36: PH Used Buying Guide

[Bigade]

I had 2008 VR6 model in the states, 285HP. Not the full 300HP R36, (they didn't import them into the US)

I wasn't a huge fan of the R36's looks, thought the body kit tried too hard.

VR6's were proper Q cars and with winter tyres on, went everywhere.

Had it for 3 years with no mechanical issues, although the leather bucket seats did get worn too quickly. Awesome car.

[Harrison-91xcg]

I like these, way too expensive now.

However could not justify this over a E90 330i, Spec B, Saab 2.8 V6 Turbo, MPS... let alone a 335i.....

It's biggest problem.... it's a Passat !!

[V8RX7]

st4 said:

V8RX7 said:

So it's not fun to drive, it's not that fast, it has no image, it's not cheap t buy or run... no wonder they didn't sell many.

Just like the W8

It is quite fast, and cheap to buy (new at the time) and running costs aren't Porsche/BMW/Mercedes dealer prices.

It's also more discrete, more conspicuous which matters a lot to a lot of people.

But it isn't a Porsche/BMW/Mercedes - I bet it's cheaper to run than a Ferrari too

There are various better alternatives from Subaru, Mazda, Saab etc

[Test driver]

jbforce10 said:

Robmarriott said:

Volkswagen also put the 3.6 in the EOS as a front wheel drive only 260bhp model.

I thought they used the 3.2 in the Eos.

Anyway, I had the choice between an R36 and a Saab Turbo X, I went with the Saab. Similar stats as the Passat but IMHO a better looking car (especially with the Turbo X wheels) and Saab set-up the Haldex 4WD to be rear biased.

You can get the R36 haldex upgraded, much better car than the Saab hence why Saab are now defunct.

[Test driver]

Harrison-91xcg said:

I like these, way too expensive now.

However could not justify this over a E90 330i, Spec B, Saab 2.8 V6 Turbo, MPS... let alone a 335i.....

It's biggest problem.... it's a Passat !!

I’d take the Passat over all of those except a 335i tbh.

[kingswood]

£150 for a cam chain change?!

the plus fitting will put another zero on the end!

sick car, ive the R32 and would love one of these 2. cant afford the fuel and tax for one, neither mind 2

[ZX10R NIN]

For the price of this R36:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'd take one of the Insignia VXR everytime:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[anonymous-user]

I love these. Bloke lives near me has a silver estate and it looks great

[Test driver]

ZX10R NIN said:

For the price of this R36:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'd take one of the Insignia VXR everytime:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Nope I’d take the R36 all day long. Vauxhall now owned by poogeot says it all. GM are trash.

[J4CKO]

Test driver said:

ZX10R NIN said:

For the price of this R36:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'd take one of the Insignia VXR everytime:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Nope I’d take the R36 all day long. Vauxhall now owned by poogeot says it all. GM are trash.

VW's arent paragons in the reliability stakes, known a few people with Passats of this gen and they have had various issues, DSG, suspension, electronic handbrake etc.

I prefer the looks of these but dont think its going to be massively better than the Vauxhall, thats mostly perception based, only driven a 2.0 diesel and it was ok but not what you would call fun, a Mondeo is a better drive.

Seems like the prices are based on rarity and it being a bigger R32 rather than a sportier Passat.


Passat or something like this,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Mercedes-Benz-E-CL...f:0

[BFleming]

Test driver said:

You can get the R36 haldex upgraded, much better car than the Saab hence why Saab are now defunct.

I don't think Saab went bankrupt because of the Passat. Or VW come to that. It was more to do with the manipulative way in which GM plundered the coffers and left. But there's plenty written on it, if you fancy some education.

[Test driver]

J4CKO said:

Test driver said:

ZX10R NIN said:

For the price of this R36:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'd take one of the Insignia VXR everytime:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Nope I’d take the R36 all day long. Vauxhall now owned by poogeot says it all. GM are trash.

VW's arent paragons in the reliability stakes, known a few people with Passats of this gen and they have had various issues, DSG, suspension, electronic handbrake etc.

I prefer the looks of these but dont think its going to be massively better than the Vauxhall, thats mostly perception based, only driven a 2.0 diesel and it was ok but not what you would call fun, a Mondeo is a better drive.

Seems like the prices are based on rarity and it being a bigger R32 rather than a sportier Passat.


Passat or something like this,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Mercedes-Benz-E-CL...f:0

I have a clk 55 amg so know a bit about the mercs, lovely motors I’d have above a r36.

Vauxhall are not in the same league as either VW or Mercedes.

Not even the same sport.

[Test driver]

BFleming said:

Test driver said:

You can get the R36 haldex upgraded, much better car than the Saab hence why Saab are now defunct.

I don't think Saab went bankrupt because of the Passat. Or VW come to that. It was more to do with the manipulative way in which GM plundered the coffers and left. But there's plenty written on it, if you fancy some education.

They went bankrupt because their products were inferior to the competion. The Passat is a successful product that made/makes VW money by selling well due to its performance/cost/desirability etc.

[ZX10R NIN]

Drive one handling wise they're very similar with the Vauxhall just edging it on holding off the understeer better, most are remapped to put the the torque back in that Vauxhall took out, their respective AWD systems are near identical for me the Vauxhall has the better engine, it's just a personal preference having driven a few R36's & a fair few VXR's. My money would be buying a VXR.

[lbc]

9k is crazy money for an old Passat.

I regularly drive a 65 reg 2.0 Passat and it is ok for a car that is now worth 9k.

The 2.0 is more than fast enough but it lacks grip from a standing start..

[Ron99]

ZX10R NIN said:

..... My money would be buying a VXR.....

I agree.
I very nearly bought an Insignia VXR on a handful of occasions but decided that it was a bit too lairy as a family car so bought the 'Elite' variant instead.

[V8RX7]

Test driver said:

The Passat is a successful product that made/makes VW money by selling well due to its performance/cost/desirability etc.

Really... bearing in mind that we are talking about the R36 - how many did they sell ?

I doubt it covered the development costs.

[a7x88]

I briefly looked at these before going for my S6. I thought if I wanted poor mpg and potentially ruinous bills I may as well do it to the sound of a V10

[lbc]

a7x88 said:

I briefly looked at these before going for my S6. I thought if I wanted poor mpg and potentially ruinous bills I may as well do it to the sound of a V10

That would be my line of thinking, or a Merc AMG.

[Test driver]

V8RX7 said:

Test driver said:

The Passat is a successful product that made/makes VW money by selling well due to its performance/cost/desirability etc.

Really... bearing in mind that we are talking about the R36 - how many did they sell ?

I doubt it covered the development costs.

The R36 is the Passat range topper, most of the development cost is shared by the lower spec/higher volume models.

Saab didn’t sell well as it (towards the end) was a Vauxhall in drag which is basically a pile of shyte. I don’t think VW need to learn anything from the GM group personally.