Passat V6 highline

[snapper17]

The old man is looking at getting this car:
Volkswagen Passat Prices & New Car Values - Red Book

2010 Volkswagen Passat V6 FSI Highline

Ive looked online and failed to find reviews for this particular car finding only CC reviews or the 2l turbo variant. Any one know of an online review of this car?

Also what are your opinions on this car?
Any known problems?

Thanks

[Caddyman]

Hi Snapper, I have one of these, but a wagon. I used to own an R36 sedan, and for reasons that I won't go into, sold it and bought the wagon. Whilst I am happy with the wagon, the one major gripe I have is the gearbox and the final drive ratio. When comparing to the R36, the V6 has 36 less KW and 20 less NM. not a major amount, BUT, it also has 20% taller final drive ratios.

The R36 was doing 2400 rpm at an indicated 100km/h, whereas the V6 is doing 2000 rpm, big difference when driving in hilly terrain, on the highway, whilst we get quite good economy (mid 7's/100km) on the highway, come to a slight hill and it doesn't take much to be down a gear or even two...

The other thing is that the gears seem to be spaced differently i.e. there seems to be a large gap between third gear and second gear which creates a bit of an all or nothing drive at times. Sport mode seems to iron out some of this though as it hold onto gears a bit longer.

Having said all that, yes I do like the car, it comes standard with Adaptive chassis control which is a marvel, varying it from mushy to firm, it also firms up the steering when in sport mode. Mine also has a few other options which really make the car, Dynaudio I could not live without! Our economy average has been 10.6 l/100km for the first 20,000km, this is mostly city driving with a bit of freeways etc.

If you are looking to buy new, make sure you get the MY10.5 update model as it came standard with 18 inch alloys, electric memory seats and MDI as standard for the same price as the MY10 cars. There should be a few good deals to be had with dealer stock about now as the updated passat has been reported to be released in the 2nd quarter of the year here.

Matthew

[snapper17]

thanks for the info

Do you think its worth the extra $15k to get the r36 over the standard v6?

thanks

[kleung]

Do you think its worth the extra $15k to get the r36 over the standard v6?

To help you decide, the R36 gets the following features standard over and above the V6:
- Heavily bolstered seats with inflatable side bolsters, upholstered in leather and microfibre
- 250w 8-channel, 10-speaker stereo
- Bodykit including chrome exhaust tips
- Dark glass on rear and rear side windows
- Bi-xenon cornering headlights
- Aluminium pedals and door sill inlays
- R36-specific cosmetics (radiator grille, darkened rear lights, blue needles in the instrument cluster etc)
- Heated outer rear seats
- Chunkier steering wheel with aluminium inserts
- Wheel-mounted gearshift paddles
- Blue painted brake calipers

The V6 gets the following features standard that the R36 doesn't:
- Adaptive Chassis Control
- Front foglights
- Full leather upholstery
- Optional integrated child seats in rear
- Newer style steering wheel with the 'square' button pads.

For me, it was worth the difference for the engine, seats and the bi-xenon headlights. The other stuff like the better stereo, the cosmetic enhancements etc just served to seal the deal for me. That said, the seats in the 09 and later V6 were MUCH better than the 08 and earlier ones - the earlier ones were too cushy and didn't provide enough support. By the time you optioned up the V6 a little, the difference in price between the R36 and the V6 is much narrower.

Nothing wrong with the standard V6, it's still an excellent car with oodles of features and a great drivetrain. I'd go so far as to say that it's probably a better daily than the R36, as you can use the ACC to adjust the suspension so that it's not as harsh when you're just cruising around on crappy suburban roads.

[Caddyman]

thanks for the info

Do you think its worth the extra $15k to get the r36 over the standard v6?

thanks

They really are quite a different car, if comfort is your thing, don't go for the R36. We had nearly worn a hole in the bottom of the front bumper of the R36 after a year, just because of the area we live in - it is quite hilly with lots of steep driveways etc, with the V6, it has touched gentle once.

Matthew

[snapper17]

thanks for the info

Its a tough call.
The car will be used as a weekend car but comfort is important.
I think the standard v6 with acc would suit. The seats in these were comfy but the looks of the r36 is hard to pass up.

thanks

[V6Passat]

just search V6 Passat highline..works for me. I have one of these (pearl black sedan), the first of the 10 MY built in 2009 so just over a year old. I love it, very comfortable, easy on the juice and passangers always comment on how nice it is.

Dad buying new or second hand?

[V6Passat]

thanks for the info

Its a tough call.
The car will be used as a weekend car but comfort is important.
I think the standard v6 with acc would suit. The seats in these were comfy but the looks of the r36 is hard to pass up.

thanks

spot on my cousin has an R36 and for me, i like the comfort. The r36 seats are very firm! The highline for me are the perfect combination of firmness and comfort

[snapper17]

looking at getting a used one, its one year old has good options and its the right color.
We looked at the photos of the 2011 model but he prefers the current shape.

I quite like the car but he seems to feel there may be better options around.
We looked at lexus etc.. but I still prefer the passat.
He really likes the Audi s5 but its about 130k almost triple the passat
I think thats the reason he hesitates its hard to go past something that really grabs you but the cost is just too much.
Even an A5 once optioned is more than double the passat and I doubt you get triple the car.