R36 vs V6 FSI Highline Engine question

[Passat my07]

The above fuel ron list is listing a min of 95 only for the 3.2 vr6. If you look at the Passat cc with the 3.6 engine it requires 98 like the r36. The 2011 wagon will have the 3.6 engine.

[kleung]

The 220 FSI engines are identical in the 2010 R36 Passat Wagon or the 2011 V6 FSI Highline Wagon. The only difference I believe is that the B7 (2011+) has a regenerative system that assists the alternator and along with revised gearbox ratios (5th and 6th gears are taller) makes the B7 slightly more economical. The lower weight makes the B7 marginally faster as well.

The revised gearbox ratios for 5th and 6th would explain the 4-5% improvement in combined fuel economy, while not sacrificing 0-100 times.

There's very little variation in weight between the two though:

2010 R36 sedan/wagon: 1679kg/1738kg
2011 V6 Highline sedan (wagon): 1681kg(+2kg)/1747kg(+9kg)

As for fuel, 95RON is the minimum for both but you would be mad not to use 98RON where you can.

The sticker inside the fuel filler on mine has 98 in big numbers with 95 in smaller numbers.

And I was also reading about fuel requirement amendments VW put out for the cars in 2009 suggested the R36 needs 98.

According to the Australian sales brochures, both the 2010 R36 (brochure published Feb 2010) and the 2011 V6 Highline (brochure published 2011) require a minimum of 95RON. No mention of 98RON. Take that as you will.

Incorrect, minimum for R36 is 98, definitely. I own one, there is no question it is min 98, it's all over the car/manuals.

In my owner's manual, it doesn't say anything about the minimum RON - just that you should not use fuel with a lower octane rating than what is required for your specific engine, and to refer to the sticker on the fuel filler door for the minimum octane levels.

As for why to pick one over the FSI... I am not really sure if the engine is tuned differently but the interior and exterior styling, brakes, wheels, suspension, possibly chassis (???) are all improved on the R36. I saw an earlier comment that the FSI has the same brakes but although I am happy to be proven wrong, I doubt that. The R36 has very beefy brakes, much larger than you would see on a run of the mill family wagon. Surely they must be upgraded either in caliper or rotor size.

The calipers are blue.

There's no mention of the rotor size in the sales brochures, only that both the R36 and the V6 Highline get ventilated discs front and rear. You'd want the brakes to be beefier though - the nearest equivalent Mazda 6 and Subaru Liberty wagons are at least 150kg or so lighter than the V6 Passats.

[Jesterarts]

The revised gearbox ratios for 5th and 6th would explain the 4-5% improvement in combined fuel economy, while not sacrificing 0-100 times.

There's very little variation in weight between the two though:

2010 R36 sedan/wagon: 1679kg/1738kg
2011 V6 Highline sedan (wagon): 1681kg(+2kg)/1747kg(+9kg)



The sticker inside the fuel filler on mine has 98 in big numbers with 95 in smaller numbers.



According to the Australian sales brochures, both the 2010 R36 (brochure published Feb 2010) and the 2011 V6 Highline (brochure published 2011) require a minimum of 95RON. No mention of 98RON. Take that as you will.




In my owner's manual, it doesn't say anything about the minimum RON - just that you should not use fuel with a lower octane rating than what is required for your specific engine, and to refer to the sticker on the fuel filler door for the minimum octane levels.



The calipers are blue.

There's no mention of the rotor size in the sales brochures, only that both the R36 and the V6 Highline get ventilated discs front and rear. You'd want the brakes to be beefier though - the nearest equivalent Mazda 6 and Subaru Liberty wagons are at least 150kg or so lighter than the V6 Passats.

Wow. Very informative response!

Thanks for that.

[Riker]

Apart from the obvious appearance differences the difference between the R36 & V6 Fsi brakes:

* R36: 345-310mm
* V6 Fsi highline: 340-310mm

In essence however they are performance wise virtually identical when all factors are taken into account apart from the blue calipers of the R36 of course.

As mentioned engine/driveline difference is simply the higher top in 5th & 6th gear for the V6 highline allowing for a very slight economy improvement, otherwise they are the same.

[snerlo]

Get the R36. They just have that prescence about them. Plus the seats are unreal!! and the exhaust note, and the brakes, and the steering wheel, and the alcantra........need I go on!!

[kleung]

Get the R36. They just have that prescence about them. Plus the seats are unreal!! and the exhaust note, and the brakes, and the steering wheel, and the alcantra........need I go on!!

You forgot the blue brake calipers and the blue instrument needles. It's all about the blue

[Jakeys]

You forgot the blue brake calipers and the blue instrument needles. It's all about the blue

Don't forget you can order in blue coil pack covers!

[Jesterarts]

Yeah, I think I'm pretty much sold now. Slowly working on the wife to get less "what do you need another fast car for?" type questions. Though I have a few months to work on this before I'm ready to buy.

And then, the final test.... will I fit being 6 foot 5. :p

I figure I fit into my old 1989 e30 Coupe so I should fit in the passat, right?

[booba]

Yeah, I think I'm pretty much sold now. Slowly working on the wife to get less "what do you need another fast car for?" type questions. Though I have a few months to work on this before I'm ready to buy.

And then, the final test.... will I fit being 6 foot 5. :p

I figure I fit into my old 1989 e30 Coupe so I should fit in the passat, right?

i'm just over 6'4", i have probably 10mm to the roof.

[Jesterarts]

i'm just over 6'4", i have probably 10mm to the roof.

Oh dear. That's not a promising sign...

I'm just over 6'5" at 197cm so that 10mm may evaporate quite quick.

Hmm, may have to find a passer at a dealer to sit in soon and check this out.