2008 Volkswagen Passat R36
2008 Volkswagen Passat R36
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Discussion

Pelo

Original Poster:

542 posts

289 months

Saturday 5th December 2020
quotequote all
Hello, I just bought this 2008 VW Passat R36 in Biscay Blue. NZ new with FSH. This is my first Euro car after a lot of Mazdas and Toyotas.
After selling my RX7 for a house deposit, I have been on the hunt for a "sporty dad wagon" to replace my 2003 Mazda 6. I was looking at Subaru Legacy, Audi S4, BMW 335i, 550i... but then I discovered the R36.

I'd never thought about owning a VW before. It isn't perfect, there are a number of things on my list to tidy up and fix. I've always been a DIY guy but I'll probably start taking this car to a workshop - free time vs money etc.

  • cam cover gasket
  • reverse camera & aux in head unit
  • seat bolster
  • tints
  • wheel restoration
  • dent removal
  • front suspension bushes
  • replace 1 front window washer jet
  • stone chip & scratch paint touch ups
I quite enjoy the R36 so far, fast enough for me and comfortable.

Cheers, Chris






Edited by Pelo on Thursday 17th December 17:59


Edited by Pelo on Thursday 17th December 18:00

hondafanatic

4,969 posts

217 months

Saturday 5th December 2020
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Nice looking car and the right colour too smile

Post pics of your handy work...always interesting to see DIY projects.

anonymous-user

70 months

Saturday 5th December 2020
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Lovely

Bright Halo

3,566 posts

251 months

Saturday 5th December 2020
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I do like that!
A rare beasty.

Drive it fix it repeat

1,046 posts

67 months

Saturday 5th December 2020
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These are extremely cool, only ever seen one in the wild and that parked up next to me at Santa pod, had to do a double take.

Heaveho

6,269 posts

190 months

Saturday 5th December 2020
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I won't lie, I think it'll be a comparative headache to own after only having Jap stuff, and I wouldn't do it, but I like the idea of a fast estate, and I admire you for getting it. I hope it works out for you, it's a great looking car and the colour really suits it.

StuntmanMike

11,671 posts

167 months

Saturday 5th December 2020
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OP I know nothing about these, so educate me.

Does it have one of those narrow angle engine thingys in it?

Heaveho

6,269 posts

190 months

Saturday 5th December 2020
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StuntmanMike said:
OP I know nothing about these, so educate me.

Does it have one of those narrow angle engine thingys in it?
Yep, it's basically an enlarged Corrado VR6 engine. I would have been on the hunt for one of these engines if I still had my Corrado.

Paul S4

1,225 posts

226 months

Saturday 5th December 2020
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i like that...!

I used to have a 1996 Passat 2.0 Estate which was a really good handling car....apparently it shared the same chassis with the Corrado, and it was a very good driving car, and looked good with the facelift front as well.

I was not aware of an R36 Passat, so interested to read this thread.
More about it please !

Court_S

14,345 posts

193 months

Saturday 5th December 2020
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That’s pretty cool. These were always a bit of a curiosity over here.

Pelo

Original Poster:

542 posts

289 months

Sunday 6th December 2020
quotequote all
Heaveho said:
I won't lie, I think it'll be a comparative headache to own after only having Jap stuff, and I wouldn't do it, but I like the idea of a fast estate, and I admire you for getting it. I hope it works out for you, it's a great looking car and the colour really suits it.
The Passat is certainly more complex than any other car I've owned. I hope this doesn't turn out to be a terrible financial decision, my wife will not be happy! eek This is our "one car household compromise". Champagne car on a sparkling wine budget hehe

StuntmanMike said:
OP I know nothing about these, so educate me.

Does it have one of those narrow angle engine thingys in it?
Yep a VR6 although they just called it a V6. I reckon it is closer to a straight six though, having a single head.



Paul S4 said:
I was not aware of an R36 Passat, so interested to read this thread.
More about it please !
PH has done a few articles on the R36, here's the Buyers Guide

Basically it is a 300 bhp / 220 kW atmo V6, all wheel drive, DSG equipped version of the luxury spec B6 Passat. I would never in a million years buy a normal Passat! But this has a special feel to it.

Heaveho

6,269 posts

190 months

Sunday 6th December 2020
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It was marketed as a narrow angle V6, the sell being the fact that it allowed it to have a single head. I'm sad to report that, although being a sensational car to drive, in Corrado format, it was plagued with issues, and in a 30 year span of car ownership, regardless of the fantastic on road entertainment, remains the stand out reminder of bad decision making in my car buying experience as far as reliability is concerned.

As said, I very much hope the op of the thread has a much better experience.

mwstewart

8,344 posts

204 months

Sunday 6th December 2020
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These cars always piqued my interest along with the W8. The VR6 and its derivatives always sound good for a V6.

Pelo

Original Poster:

542 posts

289 months

Wednesday 16th December 2020
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Installed an RCD510. Cheap simple upgrade from the RCD500. Bonus 6 CDs of Dad Rock cool Just need to find an RGB reversing camera kit, and aux input kit now.

I spent forever deciding what flaky Chinese Android head unit to go with, vs overspending on a Pioneer or RCD330. But I don't really need all the extra functions.



Jcwjosh

960 posts

128 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
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Really like these i think ive only ever seen 1 or 2 on the road. Lovely colour OP.

I think the seats look really good, are they comfortable.

Have my eye on one of these as a family wagon just a bit worries by how thirsty they may be

Pelo

Original Poster:

542 posts

289 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
quotequote all
Jcwjosh said:
Really like these i think ive only ever seen 1 or 2 on the road. Lovely colour OP.

I think the seats look really good, are they comfortable.

Have my eye on one of these as a family wagon just a bit worries by how thirsty they may be
The seats are very comfortable, I like the suede style centres as they don't get hot and sticky like a full leather seat. The only issue is that it has so many adjustments, it takes forever to find the perfect position!
Also the lower outer seat cushion always collapses on these too, as it is near impossible to get in and out without sitting on them.

The engine is certainly thirsty, I've only filled up twice so far as I don't drive every day. I've got 10.4 L/100 km so far (27.1 UK mpg). Seems fair for the power output!

DaveyBoyWonder

3,234 posts

190 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
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An R36 would be pretty near the top of my list if I was to get rid of my VW camper. Really like that shape of Passat and in R36 form looks really nice and understated.

TheDukeGTi

202 posts

152 months

Thursday 17th December 2020
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Love this. I remember these R36's coming out, and then never saw one! They just didn't seem to take off. Shame, I bet it sounds nuts.

Make sure to take some videos please!

Pelo

Original Poster:

542 posts

289 months

Friday 28th May 2021
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Nothing too exciting for this car lately. I've nothing to complain about.

The original 13 year old AGM battery gave up the ghost, so $679 (~ £350) later I have a new OEM spec Varta G14 installed. I couldn't believe the price. These are about half the cost in UK!

  • door mirror glass fell off, replaced
  • new wiper blades
  • dashcam - already have two mediocre clips posted to youtube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3d6kKsW9LB...
  • new boot gas struts
  • new window washer jets and washer pump - needed to remove the whole front bumper to do this.
  • Added a second kid seat to the back for our son born two weeks ago biggrin









amateurdad

87 posts

55 months

Saturday 29th May 2021
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Looks great! Is this on standard suspension?