VW Golf R32 vs Passat R36 - The Best VW's Ever Made

[@ztworks6524]

Excellent review mate feel the same when i drive them back to back. Both cars in the review will be for sale if anyones interested and the r32 is fully fixed and getting gold wheels soon.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Thanks for letting me film a video man! Two of the best VW’s ever made I reckon!

[@spadgm]

Nice comparo mate. A mate in Melbourne had an R32 and it was a really fun car! For me though, I would love to have an R36!

[@KiwiCarLife]

Agree the R36 is a lovely car

[@sivuyiledumalisile6308]

We had a Passat 3.2 VR6 for 16 years at home . Such a lovely car , this video brought me so many memories . The South African market never had the R36 , but we did have the same engine in a sleeker Passat CC . But only a few people bought them .

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@sivuyiledumalisile6308 yeah Passat CC was ugly. SA market is really interesting, with the M745i and 333ci and all sorts of SA only models

[@sivuyiledumalisile6308]

@@KiwiCarLife Yeah , We've had some interesting cars in the past . The E30 325is Evo1 and Evo 2 are worth a fortune nowadays . The Opel Kadett ( known as the Astra in other countries ) was an epic car as well . There was a Superboss version with a C20xe making 125 kw . It was a built as a Homologation special for the then famous group N racing challenge in 1990/1991 .

[@porkkanaraaste6692]

@@KiwiCarLife What, CC was "ugly"? How so? One of the best-looking VW's ever made. What about that body is ugly, in your opinion? Certainly can't agree with that take, but I'd like to hear some reasoning. They were silly expensive with the 3.6, but ugly? Nope.

[@TheJayden3977]

@@porkkanaraaste6692I have a 3.6L CC and it’s gorgeous 🔥

[@The_Noticer.]

The R36 Passat Wagon is probably the dopest looking, I think you reviewed that once. But finding one without a checkered past... I'd only dare buying one if it was single-owner and I got to talk to him.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah tbh it’s one of the rare cases where I reckon the wagon looks better than the sedan. But yeah that’s the thing, overall these are pretty good cars but I’d want one with solid service history otherwise they’d be a little scary to own

[@ventross4149]

W8 Passat takes the cake for me

[@keeshectors8261]

Especially a manual one ;)

[@johnsterfer5906]

Except for when its an auto haha. Speaking from experience

[@KiwiCarLife]

HAHA I was expecting to see you in this thread Kees

[@joserickerts9427]

They have one of the best sounding engines for me. It sounds like a V6 and a V8. I love it

[@SmokeMirrors-ys7pj]

I purchased a Blue R36 in 2015 with 36000km on it and kept it up until about 2017 . I had to sell it due to my partner needing money relating to health issues so the pride and joy had to go. This car was one owner from New. A elderly gentleman owned it from new and it was immaculate. No sunroof or Dynaudio upgrade unfortunately but not thrashed and pristine. The only thing I replaced was the spring-loaded chain tensioner myself as it would clack clack on a warm restart. Also did the brakes and put new Michelin PS3's on it. This car was heavy but very quick for it's size. I am looking for another one but now with the age and a lot of them being thrashed and mistreated, I am not sure as it could just become a money pit. Definitely the best car I have ever owned and that exhaust note was epic.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Very nice!

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

I like the understated subtle appearance of the Passat. Both this and the W8 were great cars rarely seen today

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@jjefferyworboys8138 yes I did the W8 manual a year ago and it was a glorious car

[@berniejaw6552]

3:08 Check Engine Light - Common R32 issue check leaking Flexi Pipes

[@KiwiCarLife]

I think this one was an O2 sensor the guy just hadn't had it fixed yet

[@bennysmith2007]

I wanted a R32 Golf first, but being the practical man I am, I wasn't paying the high price for the Golf, just because they're so popular. I then saw the R36 Passat wagon, for half the price. Twice the car, for half the price? No brainer. Now that I own one... I made the right decision.

[@KiwiCarLife]

That is excellent. Good decision

[@shadowguyonline]

R36 sedan is a go for me but cant forget the r50 total machine

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@shadowguyonline HOH yeah that was when vw was making some truly insane cars aye

[@ayske1]

Was looking at the r36 wagon years ago but the weight of it put me off and fear of transmission issue costs. Great looking wagon though!

[@ztworks6524]

Not many transmission issues mate have owned three r32s (red one and this silver one that liam reviewed) two gtis and a r36 ( in this video) all with dsg transmission never had a single issue if you service them on time and buy a car with service history you will never have a problem.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah DSG’s seem to be reasonably reliable overall. And I guess they’re so good when they are working, any small niggles you may have I’d say are worth it

[@ayske1]

I watched redrivens review on it (Aussie channel), and their mech actually states a lot of issues. I actually don't see many of them in my part of Sydney

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@ayske1 bear in mind, mechanics always see the worst examples. There’s probably a lot driving around that don’t need to go to a mechanic because they’re just fine!

[@ztworks6524]

​​@@ayske1the 3.6 vr6 problem they mentioned is only known to the us spec 3.6 with less hp where the chain sprocket breaks the r36 specific bws vr6 is one of vws most reliable and robust engines with hardly any problems hence most on market are well above 200kms they go forever litreally and if you take care of them you will never have problems. Also they are quite rare i think nz and aus combined recieved 1500 in total and they made 6792 units in total for the entire world so you don't see many on the roads.

[@spencerl885]

Peugeot 308 gti 270 vs Megane Mk3 RS Trophy be a cool one to do. The French hot hatches. Great vid by the way as always, R36 sounds great and real revvy

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@spencerl885 yeah that would be a good one, although I know the Megane would win for sure

[@spencerl885]

@@KiwiCarLife Would it though ;) Sounds like it needs testing my man haha

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@spencerl885 I’ve driven a Megane RS275 and a Peugeot 208 GTi (not the same I know) but still. The Peugeot was HORRIBLE

[@Vikturus22]

How do you know a vw meet is near by? Look up in the sky for the orange from all the check engine lights! In all seriousness I have a mk6 and love vws

[@KiwiCarLife]

HAHA yeah not a great look for VW the fact this one had an engine light on but it was just an O2 sensor which could go on any car

[@sensei_habibi8925]

Do a video on Mazda Mps gen 1 vs 2

[@KiwiCarLife]

That would be interesting

[@victorwilks88]

They love them check engine lights 😮

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah just an O2 sensor out on the R32, the owner has fixed now

[@victorwilks88]

@@KiwiCarLife just teasing buddy

[@fred3527]

A Passat R32 and a BMW E46 M3 are 2 cars that I coveted in there day but never pulled the trigger as the prices where a bit prohibitive.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Well now is the time to buy! The r36 at least is quite affordable now

[@Aussiebuck]

Sound of R32's put the biggest smile on my face

[@KiwiCarLife]

I know it’s awesome aye

[@antonpetersen3183]

R32 vs Gti vs Golf R next bro

[@KiwiCarLife]

That would be interesting

[@chad6876]

​​@@KiwiCarLife I wouldn't mind putting my car up for a video (Golf 6R)

[@MrDamburger]

Love the idea of them, and love riding in them, but will never own one, I enjoy just doing oil changes on my Toyota while others sink thousands into their $5000 cars

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@MrDamburger I had the same view on euros, hence why I just owned Hondas. But until you actually own a euro you don’t realise what you’re missing out on. There’s horror stories out there sure but if you buy the right one they are epic

[@toms8900]

Just recently sold my manual MkV R32 after I bought an R36 wagon from a family friend - one owner full service history. I think the Passat is better too.

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@toms8900 wow a manual R32! But yes I think the Passat is a sensational car

[@phillxor]

I recently sold my 36 wagon and bought a manual R32. They both have their pros and cons, but man do I miss the Passat. I'm contemplating swapping back.

[@gerzos4256]

The r36 sedan handles extremely well for its size

[@KiwiCarLife]

Oh yeah it sure does

[@danielbarnabybroad]

Ohhh jeez I’ve wanted an r36 for forever but all the bad reviews had stopped me. Why did you do this to me?

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@danielbarnabybroad bruh I dunno what’s not to like about it. One of the last raw and engaging VW’s before they all went turbo and bland

[@ztworks6524]

If you in Auckland u can checkout mine will change your mind for sure

[@ztworks6524]

If you are in Auckland you can drive mine will change your mind for sure.

[@jensapensa]

1 minute in and I have to correct two things you said. The grille is a brushed/matte finish, not chrome. Tail lights are the same non-led ones as the regular golf, not the valeos. The valeo led tails like on the passat and eu jettas, were never sold on golfs by vw themselves, you could only buy them directly from their manufacturer.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Thanks for clearing that up

[@jerrytong2209]

owned a mk5 r32..was an ok car the mk4 r32 and passat r36 are the only vag cars i would buy wouldnt touch another vw or audi

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@jerrytong2209 yeah I’d probably get a GTi, but yeah I dunno the R36 in particular just feels like a very strong car. A lot of other VAG cars I think would just have me a bit worried to own

[@jerrytong2209]

@@KiwiCarLife vag cars arent as reliable as they used to be theres vag technic youtube chanel based in england guy with a beard and its just audis with serious problems engine failures with less than 60k miles drove a mk7 r and s3 hated the s3

[@EyelessSnowy]

After watching your review of the Legend years ago, I went out and got one....... NOW Ive gone out & got a Passat 3.2 VR6. Please dont review a exotic anytime soon ;-)

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@EyelessSnowy HAHA honestly that’s a nice upgrade man

[@EyelessSnowy]

@@KiwiCarLife I LOVED the legend. But when it's $911.44. for the front wipers and $1048 per shock, The upkeep gets pretty expensive pretty quick 😕

[@IBOO57]

Blue R36 wagon, yes. R36 Sedan, pass.

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@IBOO57 fair, the R36 is the one car I prefer as a wagon

[@IBOO57]

@@KiwiCarLife Legnum > Galant as well

[@Birmingham_racing]

Being 37 I prefer the more practical more sleeper like Passat

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah me too

[@Tiger_Pawzzzzz]

Will we see a ferrari review ?

[@KiwiCarLife]

Haha maybe one day!

[@samartz]

Briloiant engineering, but ashame they are falling apart over time

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@samartz these ones aren’t, the Passat in particular was reeeally nice

[@ChozunWOR]

Any car sales

[@KiwiCarLife]

Elaborate? Me selling cars? Or someone else?

[@thatguyben3128]

😂 just O2 sensor don’t worry …. _i knew a bloke who had a Passat R36 and sold it for a Holden, what a bogan🤣_

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@thatguyben3128 HAHA yes that is quite the bogan switch. The engine light is all fixed now the owner tells me

[@choclateskinman]

im curious, so when you do these reviews and drive other peoples cars do you pay for their gas ?

[@KiwiCarLife]

If I ask them yeah, if they ask me not usually. I don’t use much anyway only drive for like 10 minutes so probably use $10 at most

[@EliDufoo]

None cuz you need deep pockets for this 2 beast . If you have a regular job. Please stay away from this cars . That been said. Pretty fun cars

[@KiwiCarLife]

Not really, there’s definitely far worse cars you can own

[@GandhiBeatz]

You should add fuel economy for each car in your tests/comparisons, especially for city driving. Also what car is better vaule for money. Btw, after Phaeton, that v6 Passat is the most pointless car VW ever made , in my opinion.

[@KiwiCarLife]

True yeah that would be interesting, and I disagree, phaeton completely flopped, Passat was a major success. Honestly an R36 would probably be faster too haha

[@GandhiBeatz]

@@KiwiCarLife passat has a badge of a "watermeloner" in european countries, meaning a car that you dont care about, and you put all sorts of laguage in it, from watermelons to garbage no matter weight, so equpping a car that has such badge with ultra sports engine is like making an ultra luxury sedan with VW logo.

[@edmund111]

Too much euro stuff haha

[@perpetualgrin5804]

He must have tested every Euro in NZ?

[@KiwiCarLife]

Bruh I’ve tested basically every Japanese car in nz hence why I’m driving euros now

[@ayske1]

@@KiwiCarLifebest reply lol choice!! 😂

[@craigauty6756]

Passet headlights look very similar to a b7 rs4

[@jimes69]

Everyone's switching since Jap cars becoming unaffordable haha.