VW Passat, Audi A4, BMW 3?

[MrVW]

I am looking to purchase a new car within the next 3-4 months. Criteria is:

- $80k max (for...)
- Sat Nav.
- Leather (easier to clean when you have an 8 month old son?).
- Foot down = very quick off the lights. Anything has to be better than my current 108kw Jetta!
- Easier to get baby in car seat compared to Sedan. I am a tall guy. Wagon?
- Elegant look.

Considered options:
- BMW 3 series.
- Audi A4.
- VW Passat (R36, of course).

Any advice?

[deano646]

I did exactly the same comparison and whilst all vehicles satisfy most of your wants there is only one that ticks all boxes based on your price range and the below comment:

- Foot down = very quick off the lights.

Plain and simply, you will not get an Audi or BMW for less than $100k (conservatively) than has ANYWHERE near the grunt and specifications of the R36. Unless you want to buy a 5 year old M3 or S4 or Merc C63 there really isn't a comparison.

The only other issue you will have is that they are not bringing any more R36's out as the current Passat is being superceded (with no R36 replacement apparently) so you will have to either buy a second hand one or be lucky enough to find a demo or new one somehow still at a dealer!

Goodluck with your search, if you can get into a R36 wagon you will not be disappointed.
Cheers

[BrettD]

The only other issue you will have is that they are not bringing any more R36's out as the current Passat is being superceded (with no R36 replacement apparently) so you will have to either buy a second hand one or be lucky enough to find a demo or new one somehow still at a dealer!

There is a Demo 'Black R36 Wagon' at Pickerings Volkswagen in Townsville, QLD..might be worth a look

[PA.]

There is a Demo 'Black R36 Wagon' at Pickerings Volkswagen in Townsville, QLD..might be worth a look

Could be a bit water logged.

Hope all the members in wetter parts of this great big brown land of ours are copping well with the floods.

[flyingfridge]

The only other issue you will have is that they are not bringing any more R36's out as the current Passat is being superceded (with no R36 replacement apparently) so you will have to either buy a second hand one or be lucky enough to find a demo or new one somehow still at a dealer!

There is a Demo 'Black R36 Wagon' at Pickerings Volkswagen in Townsville, QLD..might be worth a look

We still have a few R36s around, I wouldn't say they're in short supply yet, every time I think the last one has gone through they manage to pull one out from somewhere... we delivered a brand new black wagon yesterday and have a white wagon demo and a blue sedan demo. I guess if you want something really specific you might have some trouble.

[MrVW]

Sooo...

RE: C class interior being too plasticy. I am not surprised to hear that, and that rules it out – I am not spending 80k on a plastic interior, otherwise I would buy a Honda (and get change for my 80k!)

RE: HSV GTS, it's too kitted up for me. If I were looking for a performance machine, you're right - it's a no brainer. Unfortunately, I want elegance and prestige also. Sorry if that offends anyone.

RE: Leather in R36 - you're right. That's a shame; I figured Leather is better for cleaning child related spillages (ice cream, soft drinks etc). Any thoughts on that?

RE: Water Logged R36 - I feel guilty for laughing at that comment (I have a poor sense of humour). I agree - hope all members in wetter parts are OK. The core comment however, regarding an ex-demo R36, is a decent one... however I think about how thrash demo/loaner cars... and that makes me not want to buy one.

RE: Availability of R36 - I have already talked to my dealer and there are a few in stock. It’s next to impossible finding one in my spec!

Re: Passat CC V6 AWD, my wife hates the back end. "It looks like a squashed alien"...

RE: 2011 Passat R - I have read that VW are / are not producing any more R36s in different places. How positive are we all that there will be no more produced? To hear that VW are no longer producing a Passat R surprises me, as:

1. I thought VW’s goal was to have an R series for each Production model;

2. The R36 has been VW’s fastest Production vehicle.

I will be disappointed if there isn’t a 2011 Passat R, that may take me away from the VW brand...

[flyingfridge]

From what I have read, there will be a 2011 Passat with the 220kW AWD in highline trim... With regard to Passat R, I guarantee VW are doing the classic German thing saying there will be no performance model and then turn around and launch it 18 months after the 'regular' models come out. In everything German there is always a delay to the hi-po cars, look at the M BMWs, AMG Mercs, Golf R, R50 and so on...

On the upside, the 2011 Highline Passat will have full leather trim rather than Alcantara....

[MariusGT]

Re: Passat CC V6 AWD, my wife hates the back end. "It looks like a squashed alien"...

RE: 2011 Passat R - I have read that VW are / are not producing any more R36s in different places. How positive are we all that there will be no more produced? To hear that VW are no longer producing a Passat R surprises me, as:

1. I thought VW’s goal was to have an R series for each Production model;

2. The R36 has been VW’s fastest Production vehicle.

I will be disappointed if there isn’t a 2011 Passat R, that may take me away from the VW brand...

Really? i think the passat CC is an amazing all round looker. everyone is different thank god else we would all be driving corollas.

AND the CC w 3.6 V6 AWD is in fact quicker than the R36...... yes, it's true. due largely to the weight difference (approx 100kg's i think).

[tryingavw]

Sooo...

RE: C class interior being too plasticy. I am not surprised to hear that, and that rules it out – I am not spending 80k on a plastic interior, otherwise I would buy a Honda (and get change for my 80k!)

now having 2x merc c class i would say the interior is better than the CC but not quite as good as the r36. but to say plasticky is not fair. i have the c320 cdi sedan ( 165kw/500nm) and now the c220cdi wagon ( 125kw/

on paper the c220 is the same speed as the passat 125kw but in use feels much quicker as the twin turbo means there is always torq and its feels responsive except if in neutral and slipped into gear ( a habit i have at the lights)

check out the c220 which is quite roomy and i think will have enough punch once you've tried it. you should easily be able to pick up a demo with satnav and xenons for under 80k.

looking past all these issues, the merc c class chassis with RWD, excellent steering and repsonsive power is very hard to beat! plus the car feels so rock solid.

[Dr Block]

I am looking to purchase a new car within the next 3-4 months. Criteria is:

- $80k max (for...)
- Sat Nav.
- Leather (easier to clean when you have an 8 month old son?).
- Foot down = very quick off the lights. Anything has to be better than my current 108kw Jetta!
- Easier to get baby in car seat compared to Sedan. I am a tall guy. Wagon?
- Elegant look.

Considered options:
- BMW 3 series.
- Audi A4.
- VW Passat (R36, of course).

Any advice?

Have you considered the Lexus 1S250?