R36 Experience

**How much more black** · 05-07-2009, 08:04 PM

Have been watching this forum for some time, thought it about time to share my own experience.

First saw R36 at Brisbane motor show 08. Was attracted to the car on combination of price, performance and understated appearance. Did not get to test drive until November and again in Feb 09 when the 30% incentive was introduced. Also looked at Audi S3 and BMW 325. Both seemed to offer less for the money.

Ordered late Feb. and delivered late March as a suitable vehicle was already in Oz. Visited 2 Brisbane dealers and was underwhelmed by level of knowledge and service. Salespeople a bit Gordon Farcas.

On delivery some aspects of vehicle were not right. Salesperson neglected to mention that $2k premium bluetooth was not OEM and in addition was fitted by a third party. Turned out to be the fiscon unit which would have been fine if they could get it to work properly ( no steering wheel control or MFS menu). After 3 visits I asked for removal and refund which they agreed to.

No RVC was fitted even though as a wagon with sat nav an extra $500 is included in price to cover this. Turns out that to meet the spec I asked for the RNS was retrofitted so no RVC. The dealer has since fitted camera ( another third party job although with genuine parts apparently ). At this stage the RVC is inoperative but I am assured that a fix is coming, a new interface apparently.

Suffered a steering failure about 2 months in, warning chime and red light then no steering at all! This happened twice but at very low speed ( walking pace). Took car in, again, advised 4 weeks for new steering rack, contacted 3 days later, car fixed with a software upgrade. A little concerned that windows volksy can shut down steering. Assured wont happen again.

Despite these problems I still love the car and would recommend to others.

I am getting an advancedice refitter to install a replacement fiscon for less than half the dealers price in a couple of weeks so will post results of this and update progress of RVC as and if occurs.

Please note that this is not a whinge just some info for the forum. I have found this forum to be both informative and entertaining ( I found it whilst googling for Fiscon fixes ). Cheers

**Swallowtail** · 05-07-2009, 08:13 PM

You've had a mixed bag of experiences! I fitted the Fiscon unit yesterday to mine, took me less than an hour to completely fit and code the VAGCOM so the MFD works. It works brilliantly, very impressed with it. I just mounted the mike at the top of the steering column.