Kamold's R36

**kamold** · 01-12-2014, 07:13 PM

I am now the VERY proud owner of an MY09 R36 wagon.

Thought I'd start a thread just to document the little mods I do along the way, as I've enjoyed reading similar threads from other members.

Bought at >60K, in very good condition, no changes from factory:
Biscay Blue, powered tailgate, RNS510, RVC.

First change was just updating the RNS from the original 0900 software (!?) to 4120 with my custom partition ratios. Updated maps, added Aussietig's POI database, then an R splashscreen.

Installed the MObridge Bluetooth unit that had been installed my Octavia from the dealer. Its almost as good as the 9w7 except that it doesn't support AVHCP, so I can't control streaming music from the steering wheel, and it doesnt show the track/title info on screen. So eventually I'll replace it.

Next up I got an ECU and DSG tune from CPI as they had the special running with the DSG tune for free.
Haven't had a chance to properly test it but so far so good, just a touch more urge through the band and more up at the top. DSG feels smoother in day to day driving and totally seamless in sport. Downshifts in sport also not too forceful.

Today a few LEDs arrived.

Installed a cheap interior set from Aliexpress
Comprises all interior dome lights, glove box, boot and license plate (these ones didn't fit which I wasn't phased about as I have some proper ones ordered). Looks much more modern, I personally can't stand filament globes any more.

Next I installed some T10 LEDs for the horrible yellow parkers.

Apologies in advance for phone pics...

Original parkers with low beams as comparison:

One original, one LED:

Both LEDs, with low beam xenons:

**JB's Dub** · 02-12-2014, 08:51 AM

Looks mint. I love it.

**snerlo** · 02-12-2014, 01:12 PM

Looks good mate. The only thing I haven't done yet with mine is do the interior lights. Keen to hear your thoughts. Are they much brighter than the stock filament globes? I am more worried about having the lights whiter than having them brighter. Would be good to see a photo if you can. Cheers.
Check out some of my threads that I have started. There is a couple more ideas that you can do to yours as well.

**kamold** · 02-12-2014, 02:09 PM

Yeah they are brighter than stock, as well as being white.
The individual SMD LEDs are visible through the plastic diffuser which is not ideal, but it doesn't overly bother me personally.
Will take a pic tonight, wife has taken the R36 for a drive for the first time, so hopefully I get it back, as she stole my last car

**kamold** · 02-12-2014, 07:28 PM

Pretty difficult to get a real idea via a phone shot but you can see it's very white...

**snerlo** · 02-12-2014, 08:39 PM

Cool. Thanks mate. Does it come with the footwell lights as well

**kamold** · 02-12-2014, 08:54 PM

Actually I need to check . Perhaps what I thought are incorrect license plate leds are footwell. Will let you know.

**Jakeys** · 03-12-2014, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by kamold

Actually I need to check . Perhaps what I thought are incorrect license plate leds are footwell. Will let you know.

We discovered after I bought the same LED license plate panels that snerlo bought that there was a license plate light revision at some point. Yes, really. That may be why your license plate lights don't work. His were festoon, mine had been revised to the same globes as the parkers and mirror puddles.

I like your parkers, I had the same thought, the factory filament parkers next to the xenons look ridiculous, don't know what the hell VW were thinking with that. I also would suggest swapping your bend lighting (The corner lights that come on) with Philips BlueVision at some point, LED's don't work there because of the slow fade out the car does. And also, don't just put an LED globe in your mirror puddles, TRUST ME, buy the proper panels like in snerlo's thread somewhere. The mirror puddles are by far my favourite LED mod and probably one of the best LED mods I've ever seen for a car. Refer:

As for interior, I prefer the warm glow of the incandescent globes in there so I've kept those as is. Personal preference, exterior LED and interior incandescent.