I have owned 40+ cars in my life. Some of them very nice. But the only one I really miss and regret ever selling was my MkIV 2 door R32 6spd manual. Only 32 of these were ever imported new into New Zealand, and all of them were 2 door. The sound of that V6 was intoxicating.
In this era a lot of people are kicking themselves to not keeping the mk4 r32. It wasn't the fastest - decent in it's time. Didn't drive the best. But it had soul.
@@natmeechubot1978 It had a certain rawness to it. But the sound of that V6 made up for any shortcomings. May not have been the fastest car around, but it was a very good long distance car. And the worse the conditions got, the better it became.
@@NicholasLeung_nktleung Ask about the service history, having the chain done is definitely a pro. Otherwise, if this engine had regular service you don't have much to worry about. Feel for play in the drivetrain, when shifting to lower gears for example. These engine mounts get worn out rather quickly on these cars. Not that expensive to replace but good to check.
@@NicholasLeung_nktleung i have mine literally sitting in a garage driving only once every 2 weeks! trying to keep my kms low! hoping the prices on them go up! they hella rare in my books not many in Australia and i love how the wagon has similar lights to a r33 Nissan skyline.
Have had mine for 11 years now.....and absolutely love it! My R36 is in white and it's one of last ones off the line, the gauge cluster is much improved and modern compared to the one featured here. And it's got the aluminum looking trim panels with the swirl patterns (sorry, i don't know what it's called)...anyway, it is utterly stunning in my opinion and it makes the interior timeless. Despite having a small collections of cars that changes from time to time, the R36 variant is the only one I am keeping forever.
@@BenjamanWoolner i retrofitted the full colour cluster to my B6 (it was originally a half size red cluster) so it's definitely possible and does make the car much more modern. Also worth checking out is the 'Discover Media' replacement for the hideously slow RNS510 radio. Not cheap but has apple Carplay and Android Auto, and has the same software as the Passat B8 MIB2 units
Good to see another review of the R36. I've had one for a few years now, it isn't cheap to run, but is fun to drive for a big wagon. Mine is the classy blue colour and hasn't had any major issues. Perfect for taking the family camping, with a couple of bikes and a box on the roof!
Great to see a review of this car , one that was largely ignored by the motoring press at the time. Mine is a silver wagon too and am liking it more and more due to engine handling etc. Thanks from NZ.
Actualllllyyyyy, the CC got 6 cylinders which was part of the Passat family and later than these. I maintain the CC is a cool car for young people, I love mine!
Yeah. I had to get to own a VR6, for the sound that for me is simply the best exhaust note in the world. So I had a few cars to choose from (excluding the 2.8's and 2.9's): Golf R32, Audi A3 3.2, Passat B6 3.2 and 3.6, Passat B7 3.6, or Passat CC 3.6. I went for the CC, what a great car. I skipped the 3.2's, because I just wanted a bit more power... And the CC definitely is a looker. Mine has some aftermarket exhaust stuff done to it, but it's not loud and certainly does not pop and bang. I average about 9-10 litres per 100 km, which is the same or slightly better than my previous A4 with that 3.2 V6 (less power, less torque, car was about 150kg lighter, manual...), so coming from that - this CC is one hell of an improvement.
It's my car in the video, I may be wrong on this so happy to be corrected if I am, but I believe the 3.6 in the CC's has slightly different internals, cams etc so I don't think they quite match the figures of the actual R36's
only just started watching -- no messing about - well organized -- easy to follow and search through content - says it as it is -- TOP YOU TUBER - great vid = now subscribed
i love these, honestly think it’s one of the coolest VWs money can buy. the styling changes of the r36 really change it from a fairly boring car (my dad owns a 2.0 tdi that’s been in the family since new), into a very nice sleeper that’s very quirky, interesting and fun.
I know you say frequently in videos about diesel cars once being what everyone wanted and now no one wants. I have to assume this is just your opinion, because nearly every time I speak to someone looking to buy a used car, except just for the city, tells me they’re looking at diesels. Don’t get me wrong. I much prefer a petrol, but the demand for diesel cars on the used market is still very much alive and kicking for obvious reasons over their petrol equivalent and also looking at used prices the diesels get a higher sale price than their petrol version of that model. If anything it seems as though larger petrol engine cars in various models up to V6 and V8 are the least popular despite being the nicest to drive purely because of running costs. They are the most expensive to tax and fuel and often more to insure. My point is that from my experience many people still opt for an oil burner as a used purchase.
Oqning a diesel myself, and living in a country populated primarily by diesels, this was absolutly the case just a few years ago, but from what I can see on the used market, the trend is changing (fairly rapidly too). Just a few years ago I`d find any given diesel car for sale, and I would come across petrol versions with less miles for less money, while now used petrols pop up for sale much more rarely in comparison, and high mileage ones are for sale for similar money to a diesel car with similar mileage, and in come cases the mileage is actually higher on said petrol car, vs diesels of a similar price... Peole are becomming increasingly aware of the pitfalls of diesels as a short distance commuter, and the fact that diesel is now nearly the se price as petrol (it used to be significantly cheaper), combined with higher insurance and repair costs makes it an increassingly less atractive proposition. The fact that diesels are basicly banned in city centers, the fact that petrol cars can be afapted to run on the significantly cheaper E85 (which is becomming increasingly readily available), while diesels have no eco friendly alternative (bio diesel is a thing but almost impossible to find in my area, and it doesn`t play well with modern oil burners either due to it`s methanol content)... I personally love diesels for their torque end fuel economy, but even I am tempted to go (turbo) petrol, mostly because my commute is way too short to justify a diesel
@@andreanastacio9548 This is interesting and people’s requirements must vary. In the part of the country I live we don’t have the big city emissions zones to contend with and I think I’m talking mainly about cars of a certain age. Things like 1.0 turbo engines in family hatchbacks are quite recent and I see the benefit there in tax, fuel economy, ulez etc.
@@jameshunterford4099 I live fairly close to a low emissions zone and the average commute for most peole in the area is either short or mostly stop and go traffic. Diesels before 2011 aren`t allowed in the low emissions zone during the week, while post 2006 petrol cars are still allowed (legislation is set to change this summer, but still) the used car market is also mostly diesels, so all these things are making cheap low mileage petrol cars rare and vary desireable...
I bought my Mazda 6 diesel for £11k less than list price at 8 months old (ex company car). It has now lost another £4k in four years. Based on that I'd say that diesels were unpopular a few years ago but the recent 2nd hand car price hikes (and fuel price hikes ?) have made them more popular again.
If you want low running costs, IMO, you're best off with a port-injected petrol engine car with no turbos or superchargers. Diesels may give you good fuel economy but if it's an HPDI diesel and your DPF, fuel pump or injectors die, then you'll be paying a lot.
Nice review! I have the sensible but silly Skoda Superb 3.6 with a similar (slightly detuned apparently) VR6 engine to the R36. 4x4, DSG gearbox, leather, all the same goodies as the R36 but much more space in the back. Very rare (only a couple of hundred sold in the UK) and also a real sleeper. Would be an interesting comparison..
I have the 3.2 V6 Passat also with 4x4. Acceleration from 0-100 is just one second slower, but it was much cheaper in 2008. It still gives me joy on every ride.
Great cars. My wife got a Passat B7 V6 Highline wagon, and I liked it so much that I bought a MY10.5 R36 wagon for myself. Very underrated in Australia which makes it excellent value.
I currently have the American equivalent (nearly), the 4Motion vr6 wagon. Two, actually. A 2008 DD and a 2007 that was recently totalled by a stopsign-runner. The drivetrain from that car will live on in my 1997 Passat wagon as a donor. Love these cars!
I have the slightly smaller brother of this engine - a MK1 Audi TT 3.2 VR6, with manual gearbox! It feels so special whenever you get in for a drive, bespoke interior that hasn't been replicated in any other VAG car of the era or since - it still looks brand new. The VR6 engine makes the car feel like a mini GT supercar, until you smash it through the gears and down the B roads, then it really sings. 0-60 in under 6 seconds (Audi figures are incorrect) It really is a fantastic machine.
Nice review. We never got the R36 in Canada but I've got an 07 2.0T 6MT wagon and have over 300,000km on it. Best car I've ever owned. Tons of space and comfort, good looks and reliable AF and yes, even fun to drive. Thanks for the review.
I owned a 2010 R36 wagon for 6 years. Loved every day. Even took it to track days with the baby seat in the back, even beat a few evo’s! Same fuel gauge issue with it only working half the time. Upgraded to a 2015 B8 RS4, absolutely love it. Strangely though still miss the R36. Such a great car. Thank you so much for the video. Amazing how you can tease out all aspects of the car that probably took me 6 years! Really hope you get one as a daily driver.
Nice review and hit all the main points Jay. I’ve owned 2 R36s - both saloons and loved every mile in them. Seats are so good and supportive for those with bad backs and the DSG+VR6 combo are exceptional! Definitely one of the best cars I’ve owned but just a little bit dated now. Highly recommended 👍🏼
@@skylined5534 if you’re worried about fuel figures… it’s probably not the car for you! On a steady run motorway miles… can hit 33mpg. About town and enjoying it… then half that number. But plenty smiles per mile 👌🏼
I owned the closest thing you can get here in North America.. 2006 sport package 3.6 4motion. About 30 less horse and a tiptronic box. I loved the car and hopefully one day will have another
Blimey, can't believe I've watched nearly a thousand of James' videos 😀 That thing sounds awesome, the VR6 still has the best sounding 6 cylinder exhaust note imho
Saw this car at our local car meet and had a chat to the owner. Lovely oddball car and enthusiast owned. A bit different and a cool talking point - a bit more exciting than our B6 Passat TDI 2.0, but just as practical! ;)
I've had one of the even rarer B6 SEL with the 3.2 VR6 in it. Mines artic blue & blends nicely into the sea of diesel ones! Had it 6 years now & it handles everything I've thrown at it with a family of 5 + Labrador!
I bought a 1992 944 from a guy who had to sell as his wife was about to have twins. He promised he would sell the 944 and buy a sensible estate car, and an R36 was what he bought. I thought that was hilarious.
Pop out key pad back 2008/9 when model generation c.4/5 years old was so so exciting just to see as a lowly car trader selling these. Came on SE-L Models as an option…. Saw 1 or 2 never more than 3. Had about 50 of these. The diesels, even as Highline models, dire dull yawn boring drive. The SE L DSGs Petrols were nice. But at 21 Classic car show video’d a black R36!! Up at Ten grand. Was tempted. Glad of this video , thanks. Aurally ace this video. The engine note , Hmmmmm. Nice. !!! You wouldn’t get much in cabin windows up winter guess ?????
Do what I did. Get a B6 2.0 TDI manual. Easily mapped to around 300lb-ft and still get 60mpg on the motorway. Nicely tuned suspension and it handles superbly while maintaining ride comfort. A real sleeper. Yes,, you don't get the fabulous V6 soundtrack but as the former owner of two Alfa 75 3.0 QVs, I can tell you that the noise will inevitably lead you to drive the R36 in such a way that you'll end up getting 20mpg.... Can confirm that the e-brake motors are a consistent and regular problem but they're easy to change.
My dad still drives his bought new '07 Passat Estate 3.2 VR6 4Motion. They brought out the R36 just afterwards, he would have got it if it came out 6 months earlier. The 3.2 is also a great engine, and any passat that isn't a 4 pot diesel is cool in my books
A mate of mine has a Black estate R36, and it is a fantastic car. I think he has had it for a few years now. His was owned by the manager of a vw dealership before he got it.
I have done 160k miles in mine now - still puts a smile on my face 14 years on. Can't think what I might change it for when it eventually dies, but it keeps passing MOTs with no advisories so why change?
I’ve got a b6 tdi and it’s actually the best car i’ve had so far. Interior is amazing, seats are so good, actually a bit fun at times since i bought it with some very good tires
B7 2.0TDI owner here. Do any of you B6 owners have experience of the the B5 or B5.5 generation? While i love this car it feels very much like a build quality downgrade over that era of Passats.
@@lesrogers7310 Yes, i had a B5.5 saloon before my B6. I think the B6 definitely feels 'lighter' in terms of doors shutting and things like that. The 1.9 TDI 130 engine in my B5.5 was far rougher than the 2.0TDI in my B6 but arguably the 1.9 is a more reliable engine. Swings and roundabouts. The B7 did quite a lot to right some of the wrongs of the B6 (particularly electrical issues) and added more sound deadening. Having said all that, i think the B5/5.5 era is rose tinted slightly, they still have mega issues with Window regulators and door locks and peeling trim like most VWs of their era. Dependable engines but the rest of the car slowly starts to fall apart around the mechannicals as with all German cars.
@@timprice5 Thanks for your reply. I get what you're saying about the rose tinted aspect of the B5/B5.5. Mine developed problems with the central locking quite early into my ownership. The trim was actually really solid and in my 10 years of owning my 2.0 petrol, all i had done to it was a cam belt job, exhaust downpipe/flexi, tyres and brake discs/pads (all round).The ride in that thing was superb, beating many of the previous older luxury cars i had owned.
Enjoyable video, nice car/spec for money. like that fact that it was modified . Think it would worth looking a cams/pistons to bring rpm limit up 1000 rpm for more drama and maybe a few extra horses. I’m sure if it was a long term keeper, you could take 100 kg out without much trouble.
As one of those "VAG guys groaning about the W8 video" (only because I own one), was this an apology video or an actual R36 appreciation video? 🤣I think you nailed the key differences and comparison factors though. And as one of those W8 folks, I'll admit that an R36 is probably a much more sensible runabout. Too bad we never got one in the US though!
Cool car. If you are looking for a more 'sensible' replacement for the Maserati you need to try a 159 SW 2.4JDTM Q4 - just a bit bigger than this, economical for the long haul and the most beautiful estate ever to boot. If you want it to sound as good however you will need to be the first to stick a Busso in it - this VR6 sounds glorious. The 2.4 JDTM is possibly one of the best sounding diesels if you let it breath, but no competiton for the VR6. A stroked, 3.7L Busso V6 however with the Q4 system from a 156 Crosswagon and now we are talking the unicorn of estates.
i love my vr6 passat. i bought a 3.6 CC, pretty sure it's the same underpinnings but with a sleek saloon body. It's fast and extremely quiet and comfortable. I'm disappointed that VW has gone away from the vr6. with a lot of performance cars starting to go more for turbo v6s rather than v8s, i reckon the compactness of the vr6 would have been an absolute boon if vw had properly kept with it.
I owned one for a spell, chewed full set of tyres every 10k, brick hard stock suspension and drank fuel. No use for my 20k average miles at the time. I still miss it.
A favour James if possible. I have a Octavia vrs with a similar shape steering wheel as the Passat. Any chance you could find out where the owner got his wheel retrimmed ?
I considered getting an R36 not long ago but with EVs and more eco friendly engines, the R36 is enjoying a renaissance, alot of owners are no longer willing to part with them and those who are can charge a pretty decent amount especially on unmodified versions.
The vw passats are such nice cars usually. I have a b7 i4 passat and it looks amazing with such awesome small futures. Although I would've preferred the vr6, apr does tunes for ecu that can bring the horsepower into the high 200s. Such a fun car to drive, and the turbo sounds amazing.
I am always toying with the idea of swapping my Edition 30 in for one of these - do you think the maintenance costs would be a bit of a shock in comparison?
It flies under the radar, a lot of people don't know what it is, even if you tell them it's a bored out version of the R32 engine they don't understand 🤦🏼♂️🤣
The VR6 3.6..vs the W8.....More reliable. More power. Better gas mileage. A great engine. The 3.6 wagon a sleeper. In the US you could get it as a fwd or awd. Forget the awd. Just a shame you can't have it with an MT. The car in the video sounds great!
As an owner of a Passat 3.2 of the same type I had similar experience. The thing with the automatic brake happened to me twice as well. If you know what to do it isn‘t even that big of a deal. The little motor driving the brake is shot anyway in most cases, so you just rip it off with bare hands. The two plastic mounts break easily. Then you use what you have to screw back the actual brake and just drive off. Get a new motor from eBay or similar (VW won‘t sell the motor separately), mount it and off you go.
I almost bought this car in the us but I was scared off by possibility of reliability issues as it’s hard to find one with decent mileage and not rusting away. Got the sport wagon instead.
Definitely a left field choice, cool looking car. However, no automatic car needs more than 6 gears, it just makes them more indecisive as to which ratio they should be in, when in 'D'. For most people looking for an estate though (and don't live in a emission controlled city), the diesel variant still appeals to the majority of people other than petrol heads.
The 2.0 pd can be a good choice if either you or the previous owner took care of the hexagon shaft problem, which can destroy the engine. It’s a common fix nowadays though and it’s permanent once you do it. After that, it’s a fairly good powertrain
The note from a vr6 is intoxicating ,,, then you have to feed it and the novelty soon wears off ,, then you press the loud pedal again , and remember why its worthy of the cost to run as a daily.
I had a B6 saloon 2.0 diesel 170PS with the DSG box until 2012. It was a good car that always felt very solid, with the need for some more space I should probably got the R36 estate but I got an ex-demo Focus ST Estate instead that was good for the price but always felt tinny and cheap in comparison.
I've owned a black r36 saloon for about 5 years. I'm going to try and keep it another 5. It should be fine. The body is galvanised, Ithink, but the front wings are not. We can bolt on new ones if they go. I had the parking brake issue and a couple of sensors, when I got it. New exhaust, but it's been totally reliable since then. Not seen another one yet. That's a first for me , even though I've had other rare models.
I was waiting for your comment on the amber aftermarket running lights :-) . Whenever I see a car with these kind of modifications , 9 out of 10 times the performance badges are fake. I would respect it more as a sleeper. Even remove the R36 badge.
I have owned 40+ cars in my life. Some of them very nice. But the only one I really miss and regret ever selling was my MkIV 2 door R32 6spd manual. Only 32 of these were ever imported new into New Zealand, and all of them were 2 door. The sound of that V6 was intoxicating.
🇳🇿
VR6. 😉
In this era a lot of people are kicking themselves to not keeping the mk4 r32. It wasn't the fastest - decent in it's time. Didn't drive the best. But it had soul.
@@natmeechubot1978 R36 ;)
@@natmeechubot1978 It had a certain rawness to it. But the sound of that V6 made up for any shortcomings. May not have been the fastest car around, but it was a very good long distance car. And the worse the conditions got, the better it became.
The "chopped" sticker on the back windows actually gives it an additional 100bhp.
Wikipedia says an additional 101 bhp 😆
I thought it was 100 kilowatts?
@@JayEmmOnCars 100 kiloWatt, not kilowatts.
@@7spower998 it's the same thing, you just added a capital letter and isn't kilowatts more than one?
@@CL4SSiCS Unit of measurement is constant.
These things were so popular in Australia back in the day, and I still see them reasonably often (usually with a loud exhaust 😂)
Now Australia has the Passat as a Police car.
I'm trying to buy one from Sydney? Any recommendations?
'Back in the day'?! Jesus 😂
@@NicholasLeung_nktleung Ask about the service history, having the chain done is definitely a pro. Otherwise, if this engine had regular service you don't have much to worry about. Feel for play in the drivetrain, when shifting to lower gears for example. These engine mounts get worn out rather quickly on these cars. Not that expensive to replace but good to check.
@@NicholasLeung_nktleung i have mine literally sitting in a garage driving only once every 2 weeks! trying to keep my kms low! hoping the prices on them go up! they hella rare in my books not many in Australia and i love how the wagon has similar lights to a r33 Nissan skyline.
Have had mine for 11 years now.....and absolutely love it! My R36 is in white and it's one of last ones off the line, the gauge cluster is much improved and modern compared to the one featured here. And it's got the aluminum looking trim panels with the swirl patterns (sorry, i don't know what it's called)...anyway, it is utterly stunning in my opinion and it makes the interior timeless. Despite having a small collections of cars that changes from time to time, the R36 variant is the only one I am keeping forever.
Do you have the white or full colour display between the gauges? That's my beast in the video, had it about 4 years & love it
@@BenjamanWoolner i retrofitted the full colour cluster to my B6 (it was originally a half size red cluster) so it's definitely possible and does make the car much more modern.
Also worth checking out is the 'Discover Media' replacement for the hideously slow RNS510 radio. Not cheap but has apple Carplay and Android Auto, and has the same software as the Passat B8 MIB2 units
@@BenjamanWoolner That's awesome! My cluster is still the black n white LCD in the middle with the dial needles in blue.
What year is yours as my 32 is an 06 with the swirly metal trims
@@ogloftus 2010
You've captured my car so well, the weather was kind to us. A real pleasure to meet & work with, Thank you
Hi, you have really nice car and i like those rims... Could you please tell their name or at least brand? Thanks and good luck with your Passat :)
@@drayke8886 those wheels are actually stock VW 18" wheels that came with the R36s, just mine have been resprayed. I believe they are called Omanyts
@@BenjamanWoolner thanks!
Gotta love a VR6! Small correction though, the B7 (generation after this one) did also come with a VR6 on top of the line trims
True, although B7 was basically just a facelifted B6.
@@vibingwithvinyl not really, it was an entire new generation
As well as the atlas which still uses a vr6
@@aadi8568 its a facelift. Its the same chassis, the doors are swappable between the two
It s a more serious facelift made by walter de silva with the mission to make a pretty radical facelift. It s more like the b5 vs b5.5 generations
Good to see another review of the R36. I've had one for a few years now, it isn't cheap to run, but is fun to drive for a big wagon. Mine is the classy blue colour and hasn't had any major issues. Perfect for taking the family camping, with a couple of bikes and a box on the roof!
Friend of mine got one of these imported from Japan and loves it. Nice rare item to have on the road, mapping the gearbox improves its nicely
This is what i like to see, excellent review. really enjoyed this one!
Great to see a review of this car , one that was largely ignored by the motoring press at the time. Mine is a silver wagon too and am liking it more and more due to engine handling etc. Thanks from NZ.
Fabulous car James. And awesome work on hitting 1,000 videos - That’s mental.
Actualllllyyyyy, the CC got 6 cylinders which was part of the Passat family and later than these.
I maintain the CC is a cool car for young people, I love mine!
Yeah. I had to get to own a VR6, for the sound that for me is simply the best exhaust note in the world. So I had a few cars to choose from (excluding the 2.8's and 2.9's): Golf R32, Audi A3 3.2, Passat B6 3.2 and 3.6, Passat B7 3.6, or Passat CC 3.6. I went for the CC, what a great car. I skipped the 3.2's, because I just wanted a bit more power... And the CC definitely is a looker. Mine has some aftermarket exhaust stuff done to it, but it's not loud and certainly does not pop and bang. I average about 9-10 litres per 100 km, which is the same or slightly better than my previous A4 with that 3.2 V6 (less power, less torque, car was about 150kg lighter, manual...), so coming from that - this CC is one hell of an improvement.
@@EFerrorfile Hell yeah. The facelift CC is gorgeous!
Such a timeless design
@@supersecularboypants I have the non-facelifted version, but still a very good looking car.
It's my car in the video, I may be wrong on this so happy to be corrected if I am, but I believe the 3.6 in the CC's has slightly different internals, cams etc so I don't think they quite match the figures of the actual R36's
@@BenjamanWoolner My CC from 2009 has the 3.6 BWS, isn't that the exact R36 engine? EDIT: Well, according to Wikipedia - R36 engine code is BWS.
Awesome car. Saw one recently in that blue colour they came it was fantastic. Nice video. Keep up the good work.
You... you did it! You reviewed a car that is high on my list of ultimate wants, especially in estate flavour!
only just started watching -- no messing about - well organized -- easy to follow and search through content - says it as it is -- TOP YOU TUBER - great vid = now subscribed
i love these, honestly think it’s one of the coolest VWs money can buy. the styling changes of the r36 really change it from a fairly boring car (my dad owns a 2.0 tdi that’s been in the family since new), into a very nice sleeper that’s very quirky, interesting and fun.
I know you say frequently in videos about diesel cars once being what everyone wanted and now no one wants. I have to assume this is just your opinion, because nearly every time I speak to someone looking to buy a used car, except just for the city, tells me they’re looking at diesels. Don’t get me wrong. I much prefer a petrol, but the demand for diesel cars on the used market is still very much alive and kicking for obvious reasons over their petrol equivalent and also looking at used prices the diesels get a higher sale price than their petrol version of that model. If anything it seems as though larger petrol engine cars in various models up to V6 and V8 are the least popular despite being the nicest to drive purely because of running costs. They are the most expensive to tax and fuel and often more to insure. My point is that from my experience many people still opt for an oil burner as a used purchase.
Oqning a diesel myself, and living in a country populated primarily by diesels, this was absolutly the case just a few years ago, but from what I can see on the used market, the trend is changing (fairly rapidly too). Just a few years ago I`d find any given diesel car for sale, and I would come across petrol versions with less miles for less money, while now used petrols pop up for sale much more rarely in comparison, and high mileage ones are for sale for similar money to a diesel car with similar mileage, and in come cases the mileage is actually higher on said petrol car, vs diesels of a similar price...
Peole are becomming increasingly aware of the pitfalls of diesels as a short distance commuter, and the fact that diesel is now nearly the se price as petrol (it used to be significantly cheaper), combined with higher insurance and repair costs makes it an increassingly less atractive proposition.
The fact that diesels are basicly banned in city centers, the fact that petrol cars can be afapted to run on the significantly cheaper E85 (which is becomming increasingly readily available), while diesels have no eco friendly alternative (bio diesel is a thing but almost impossible to find in my area, and it doesn`t play well with modern oil burners either due to it`s methanol content)...
I personally love diesels for their torque end fuel economy, but even I am tempted to go (turbo) petrol, mostly because my commute is way too short to justify a diesel
@@andreanastacio9548 This is interesting and people’s requirements must vary. In the part of the country I live we don’t have the big city emissions zones to contend with and I think I’m talking mainly about cars of a certain age. Things like 1.0 turbo engines in family hatchbacks are quite recent and I see the benefit there in tax, fuel economy, ulez etc.
@@jameshunterford4099 I live fairly close to a low emissions zone and the average commute for most peole in the area is either short or mostly stop and go traffic. Diesels before 2011 aren`t allowed in the low emissions zone during the week, while post 2006 petrol cars are still allowed (legislation is set to change this summer, but still) the used car market is also mostly diesels, so all these things are making cheap low mileage petrol cars rare and vary desireable...
I bought my Mazda 6 diesel for £11k less than list price at 8 months old (ex company car). It has now lost another £4k in four years.
Based on that I'd say that diesels were unpopular a few years ago but the recent 2nd hand car price hikes (and fuel price hikes ?) have made them more popular again.
If you want low running costs, IMO, you're best off with a port-injected petrol engine car with no turbos or superchargers.
Diesels may give you good fuel economy but if it's an HPDI diesel and your DPF, fuel pump or injectors die, then you'll be paying a lot.
you know it’s legit when the engine revs and youtube’s automatic closed captions go [Music]
Nice review! I have the sensible but silly Skoda Superb 3.6 with a similar (slightly detuned apparently) VR6 engine to the R36. 4x4, DSG gearbox, leather, all the same goodies as the R36 but much more space in the back. Very rare (only a couple of hundred sold in the UK) and also a real sleeper. Would be an interesting comparison..
I have the 3.2 V6 Passat also with 4x4. Acceleration from 0-100 is just one second slower, but it was much cheaper in 2008.
It still gives me joy on every ride.
I didn't know the Škoda Superb came with the same bonkers drive train, that's got to be an ultimate Q car.
Proud owner of 3.6L Škoda Superb here. Its a cool family car that has a nice pull. Special fun in winter and icy roads :)
It's definitely a sleeper, it gets tired when you press the throttle
And today's cars are all shit, wow I'm so happy.🙄
Great cars. My wife got a Passat B7 V6 Highline wagon, and I liked it so much that I bought a MY10.5 R36 wagon for myself. Very underrated in Australia which makes it excellent value.
I currently have the American equivalent (nearly), the 4Motion vr6 wagon. Two, actually. A 2008 DD and a 2007 that was recently totalled by a stopsign-runner. The drivetrain from that car will live on in my 1997 Passat wagon as a donor. Love these cars!
I sincerely hope you "totalled" the stop-sign runner...
These R36 were so underated.. Never seen many of these at all on the road.. People favoured the TDI versions over these..
This engine gives me goosebumps, partly because that's what the VR6 in the Golf 3 sounds like, but the R36 design is already hard to digest.
I have the slightly smaller brother of this engine - a MK1 Audi TT 3.2 VR6, with manual gearbox! It feels so special whenever you get in for a drive, bespoke interior that hasn't been replicated in any other VAG car of the era or since - it still looks brand new. The VR6 engine makes the car feel like a mini GT supercar, until you smash it through the gears and down the B roads, then it really sings. 0-60 in under 6 seconds (Audi figures are incorrect) It really is a fantastic machine.
Nice review. We never got the R36 in Canada but I've got an 07 2.0T 6MT wagon and have over 300,000km on it. Best car I've ever owned. Tons of space and comfort, good looks and reliable AF and yes, even fun to drive. Thanks for the review.
I owned a 2010 R36 wagon for 6 years. Loved every day. Even took it to track days with the baby seat in the back, even beat a few evo’s! Same fuel gauge issue with it only working half the time. Upgraded to a 2015 B8 RS4, absolutely love it. Strangely though still miss the R36. Such a great car. Thank you so much for the video. Amazing how you can tease out all aspects of the car that probably took me 6 years! Really hope you get one as a daily driver.
Nice review and hit all the main points Jay. I’ve owned 2 R36s - both saloons and loved every mile in them. Seats are so good and supportive for those with bad backs and the DSG+VR6 combo are exceptional! Definitely one of the best cars I’ve owned but just a little bit dated now. Highly recommended 👍🏼
Quick question, in real world driving (commuting, a bit of fun at the lights and a quick dash along B roads etc. What fuel figures did you see?
@@skylined5534 if you’re worried about fuel figures… it’s probably not the car for you! On a steady run motorway miles… can hit 33mpg. About town and enjoying it… then half that number. But plenty smiles per mile 👌🏼
I owned the closest thing you can get here in North America.. 2006 sport package 3.6 4motion. About 30 less horse and a tiptronic box. I loved the car and hopefully one day will have another
Blimey, can't believe I've watched nearly a thousand of James' videos 😀
That thing sounds awesome, the VR6 still has the best sounding 6 cylinder exhaust note imho
Saw this car at our local car meet and had a chat to the owner. Lovely oddball car and enthusiast owned. A bit different and a cool talking point - a bit more exciting than our B6 Passat TDI 2.0, but just as practical! ;)
I've had one of the even rarer B6 SEL with the 3.2 VR6 in it. Mines artic blue & blends nicely into the sea of diesel ones! Had it 6 years now & it handles everything I've thrown at it with a family of 5 + Labrador!
Don’t forget, they did a Skoda superb estate with the same engine etc if you want a total ‘q’ car, and less creaky dash plastics.
The Superb is definitely more superior than the Passat.
Had mine 6 years... Love it.
I bought a 1992 944 from a guy who had to sell as his wife was about to have twins. He promised he would sell the 944 and buy a sensible estate car, and an R36 was what he bought. I thought that was hilarious.
That guy knew what he was doing, and he did it well!
The blue R36 is the best colour. I'd love one but outta my price bracket.
The fact that it is just a VAG product but a very unusual one is why I love mine
Favourite TH-camr reviewing what almost certainly will be the car I buy to keep as a collectable. Todays a good day!
Never knew that I own one too
Just got to love the exhaust note from the VR 6
Pop out key pad back 2008/9 when model generation c.4/5 years old was so so exciting just to see as a lowly car trader selling these. Came on SE-L Models as an option…. Saw 1 or 2 never more than 3. Had about 50 of these. The diesels, even as Highline models, dire dull yawn boring drive. The SE L DSGs Petrols were nice. But at 21 Classic car show video’d a black R36!! Up at Ten grand. Was tempted. Glad of this video , thanks. Aurally ace this video. The engine note , Hmmmmm. Nice. !!! You wouldn’t get much in cabin windows up winter guess ?????
Oh my God!! When I saw this upload, I literally went yahoo!!! 🤦♂️🤷♂️👌
Do what I did. Get a B6 2.0 TDI manual. Easily mapped to around 300lb-ft and still get 60mpg on the motorway. Nicely tuned suspension and it handles superbly while maintaining ride comfort. A real sleeper. Yes,, you don't get the fabulous V6 soundtrack but as the former owner of two Alfa 75 3.0 QVs, I can tell you that the noise will inevitably lead you to drive the R36 in such a way that you'll end up getting 20mpg.... Can confirm that the e-brake motors are a consistent and regular problem but they're easy to change.
I was thinking about this yesterday, "Why hasn't JayEmm made a video on the R36 yet?"
this car in my opinion is very much your kind of car!
And you're correct
Nice video. Greetings from Germany
I was pulled over by one of these once in the Czech Republic. Good times.
900 videos on porche.
97 on everything else 😂😉
Keep up the good work !
My dad still drives his bought new '07 Passat Estate 3.2 VR6 4Motion. They brought out the R36 just afterwards, he would have got it if it came out 6 months earlier. The 3.2 is also a great engine, and any passat that isn't a 4 pot diesel is cool in my books
love these, we have a b6 as well, 2 litres down tho, these r36's have the best sounding 6cyl imo
The 3.6 VR6 isn't entirely gone, though. The Atlas (US only three row crossover) still has it, as well as a few other VW models that I don't know of.
A mate of mine has a Black estate R36, and it is a fantastic car. I think he has had it for a few years now. His was owned by the manager of a vw dealership before he got it.
Sporty wagons will always be cool to me! Never knew about this car until i saw this video.
I drive a B6 (2.0TDI) myself and Jesus I love this car so much. Put 50kkm on per year and still smile every time I get in it. Great video!
I have done 160k miles in mine now - still puts a smile on my face 14 years on. Can't think what I might change it for when it eventually dies, but it keeps passing MOTs with no advisories so why change?
I’ve got a b6 tdi and it’s actually the best car i’ve had so far. Interior is amazing, seats are so good, actually a bit fun at times since i bought it with some very good tires
B7 2.0TDI owner here. Do any of you B6 owners have experience of the the B5 or B5.5 generation? While i love this car it feels very much like a build quality downgrade over that era of Passats.
@@lesrogers7310 Yes, i had a B5.5 saloon before my B6. I think the B6 definitely feels 'lighter' in terms of doors shutting and things like that. The 1.9 TDI 130 engine in my B5.5 was far rougher than the 2.0TDI in my B6 but arguably the 1.9 is a more reliable engine. Swings and roundabouts.
The B7 did quite a lot to right some of the wrongs of the B6 (particularly electrical issues) and added more sound deadening.
Having said all that, i think the B5/5.5 era is rose tinted slightly, they still have mega issues with Window regulators and door locks and peeling trim like most VWs of their era. Dependable engines but the rest of the car slowly starts to fall apart around the mechannicals as with all German cars.
@@timprice5 Thanks for your reply. I get what you're saying about the rose tinted aspect of the B5/B5.5. Mine developed problems with the central locking quite early into my ownership. The trim was actually really solid and in my 10 years of owning my 2.0 petrol, all i had done to it was a cam belt job, exhaust downpipe/flexi, tyres and brake discs/pads (all round).The ride in that thing was superb, beating many of the previous older luxury cars i had owned.
Loved mine, had it for about 3 years a real sheep in wolfs clothing, fastest VW at the time. Loaded with extras even heated rear seats.
Heated REARS? That's pretty swish! I'd love one of these.
The R36 was the car I recommended to you when you were asking for suggestions and ended up with the Maserati.
You can buy 5 R36's for 1 Maserati.
I daily drive this in Australia, the recent fuel price hike has made me upset however haha. It's still a wonderful car and I love it though.
Would love to know which car rated highest in the industry standard husky-on-the-backseat test! Brilliant review as always!
Enjoyable video, nice car/spec for money. like that fact that it was modified . Think it would worth looking a cams/pistons to bring rpm limit up 1000 rpm for more drama and maybe a few extra horses. I’m sure if it was a long term keeper, you could take 100 kg out without much trouble.
He is right about ne numbers thing. always got me as a child.
Cool cars, always liked them.
As one of those "VAG guys groaning about the W8 video" (only because I own one), was this an apology video or an actual R36 appreciation video? 🤣I think you nailed the key differences and comparison factors though. And as one of those W8 folks, I'll admit that an R36 is probably a much more sensible runabout. Too bad we never got one in the US though!
W8 club represent!
Fabolous sound of the VR6!
Cool car. If you are looking for a more 'sensible' replacement for the Maserati you need to try a 159 SW 2.4JDTM Q4 - just a bit bigger than this, economical for the long haul and the most beautiful estate ever to boot. If you want it to sound as good however you will need to be the first to stick a Busso in it - this VR6 sounds glorious. The 2.4 JDTM is possibly one of the best sounding diesels if you let it breath, but no competiton for the VR6. A stroked, 3.7L Busso V6 however with the Q4 system from a 156 Crosswagon and now we are talking the unicorn of estates.
i love my vr6 passat. i bought a 3.6 CC, pretty sure it's the same underpinnings but with a sleek saloon body. It's fast and extremely quiet and comfortable. I'm disappointed that VW has gone away from the vr6. with a lot of performance cars starting to go more for turbo v6s rather than v8s, i reckon the compactness of the vr6 would have been an absolute boon if vw had properly kept with it.
I owned one for a spell, chewed full set of tyres every 10k, brick hard stock suspension and drank fuel. No use for my 20k average miles at the time. I still miss it.
A favour James if possible. I have a Octavia vrs with a similar shape steering wheel as the Passat. Any chance you could find out where the owner got his wheel retrimmed ?
I would love a R36 passat. Lovely sound
Thanks James!
I've got the very first generation of Passat that camr with a VR6, excellent cars
I have a B7 3.6L VR6 Passat wagon/estate from 2012. One full generation after the R36. Same 300bhp.
Fabulous car, this thumbnail is me at the ring!!
I considered getting an R36 not long ago but with EVs and more eco friendly engines, the R36 is enjoying a renaissance, alot of owners are no longer willing to part with them and those who are can charge a pretty decent amount especially on unmodified versions.
I ❤ VW. Keep making VW vide Jay
The vw passats are such nice cars usually. I have a b7 i4 passat and it looks amazing with such awesome small futures. Although I would've preferred the vr6, apr does tunes for ecu that can bring the horsepower into the high 200s. Such a fun car to drive, and the turbo sounds amazing.
I loved my 2.0tdi b6. Always wanted a R36.
90% of the time the handbrake problems is the switch.
Just get a genuine part.
Holy F that wagon looks insane! Amazing!
Thank you 😊
The Nickname of VR6 engines was "Wookie" because of the sound when revving...
I am always toying with the idea of swapping my Edition 30 in for one of these - do you think the maintenance costs would be a bit of a shock in comparison?
Definitely get a blue R36 as your next sensible car.
Yes! Give me those sensible points to convince others that it is the correct choice.
I own one of these myself and this is a really rare car here in NZ. (150 in nz)
waht about the CC 3.6. didn't get the R badge but had everything else. i love mine. had it 3 years now. great video though!
You can find the same engine from the R36 on the next generation Passat, the B7, without a special bodykit, that is a factory sleeper
The Mark 5 Golf R32 is one of my favourite cars, this just just a bigger version. Good looking and like a mini Audi RS6
Precisely that!
It flies under the radar, a lot of people don't know what it is, even if you tell them it's a bored out version of the R32 engine they don't understand 🤦🏼♂️🤣
Looks a lot like the Golf R Estate I had in 2015, inside and out.
The VR6 3.6..vs the W8.....More reliable. More power. Better gas mileage. A great engine. The 3.6 wagon a sleeper. In the US you could get it as a fwd or awd. Forget the awd. Just a shame you can't have it with an MT. The car in the video sounds great!
You had me at opening throttle
🤤🤣
Where did u bought the front bamper?
As an owner of a Passat 3.2 of the same type I had similar experience. The thing with the automatic brake happened to me twice as well. If you know what to do it isn‘t even that big of a deal. The little motor driving the brake is shot anyway in most cases, so you just rip it off with bare hands. The two plastic mounts break easily. Then you use what you have to screw back the actual brake and just drive off. Get a new motor from eBay or similar (VW won‘t sell the motor separately), mount it and off you go.
Love how you compare it against the Maserati for being a daily. It is missing something that the Maserati has though.
Yes, all the pain that comes with owning a Maserati :)
I almost bought this car in the us but I was scared off by possibility of reliability issues as it’s hard to find one with decent mileage and not rusting away. Got the sport wagon instead.
Sounds just like my straight piped insignia vxr supersport with the 2.8l v6 turbo engine. It's a tad too loud of im honest, but it sounds so good 👍
Definitely a left field choice, cool looking car. However, no automatic car needs more than 6 gears, it just makes them more indecisive as to which ratio they should be in, when in 'D'. For most people looking for an estate though (and don't live in a emission controlled city), the diesel variant still appeals to the majority of people other than petrol heads.
The 2.0 pd can be a good choice if either you or the previous owner took care of the hexagon shaft problem, which can destroy the engine. It’s a common fix nowadays though and it’s permanent once you do it. After that, it’s a fairly good powertrain
I know the blue you're talking about. I knew someone with the blue saloon. Gorgeous
Biscay Blue (LC5C)
Got rid of the R32 a few months ago as needed something bigger - still gutted every day!! Think I need to update to the R36 now!
Well worth it, I love driving that beast around
The note from a vr6 is intoxicating ,,, then you have to feed it and the novelty soon wears off ,, then you press the loud pedal again , and remember why its worthy of the cost to run as a daily.
@S F lol ,,, thats what Im shopping for at the moment ,,, so I really hope your right . And I hope I get a better than 12mpg out of a dub too.
@S F man please! My B6 Passat is the better sounding than any 6 cylinder BMW without question!
Bit like a Maserati then!
@@JayEmmOnCars Its why I seem to do sensible car ,,, silly car ,, turn and turn about .
I can confirm as a 3.2 vr6 tt owner the noise does strange things to people
There's something about a VR6 that's so right!
I wish I bought one when I had the chance. Everyone talked me into getting a 🤬TDI
Just a note, the 3.6 VR6 engine has a 10.6 degree V, not 15 degree like the rest of the VR6s.
I had a B6 saloon 2.0 diesel 170PS with the DSG box until 2012. It was a good car that always felt very solid, with the need for some more space I should probably got the R36 estate but I got an ex-demo Focus ST Estate instead that was good for the price but always felt tinny and cheap in comparison.
Then you definitely need to look at a B8. A million miles smoother and quieter than a B6
@timprice5
I had a 2.0 TDI B8 A4 Avant, loved it! Saw it the other day parked up in Walsall, still looks utterly mint 3 years on!
I've owned a black r36 saloon for about 5 years. I'm going to try and keep it another 5. It should be fine. The body is galvanised, Ithink, but the front wings are not. We can bolt on new ones if they go.
I had the parking brake issue and a couple of sensors, when I got it. New exhaust, but it's been totally reliable since then.
Not seen another one yet. That's a first for me , even though I've had other rare models.
I don't remember posting this. Still got car though!
I was waiting for your comment on the amber aftermarket running lights :-) . Whenever I see a car with these kind of modifications , 9 out of 10 times the performance badges are fake. I would respect it more as a sleeper. Even remove the R36 badge.