Passat W8, talk to me.

[SVX]

Pavgub said:

Mars said:

I probably need to start my own topic about this but my 3 litre Legacy has always returned around 320miles per tank of fuel for my commute (motorway) but as an experiment this week I've tried it with SUL for a change and it seems to perform imperceptably better all round, including economy.

Please do start your own topic. I am interested in getting a 3.0 Legacy.

320 miles per tank, but how many litres to fill up? Are they really thirsty.
Is yours auto or manual?

Ok - will start a new thread in GG now

[Roan]

I have had a W8 for the last six months. I honestly felt like I stole it from the previous owner I got it at such a good price. It is an 02 reg with 70k miles. The list of standard equipment is huge (Nappa leather, climate, Xenons etc) and I also have a solar sunroof, heated rear seats, 8-way electric memory seats and a few other bits. For the money there was nothing else that BMW/Audi/Merc had on offer that matched it for value, equipment, engineering that wasn't 10+ years old. I get about 23mpg but I mostly drive in town (6 miles to work) but get 30mpg when on a motorway run.

The car was built as a forerunner to the Phaeton and the build quality is above the level of an ordinary Passat, so much so that most of my mates who drive various other VWs, BMWs, Porsches etc. have commented on how solid it feels. Some parts are expensive (brake discs are 334mm and only VW make them for the W8 - £230 each!) and the ZF auto gearbox as fitted to a host of other Audis of the same vintage is prone to Torque Converter failure (unfortunately for the W8 this means an engine out job due to access) but it's not guaranteed to happen to all cars.

For the stealth factor though, I don't think anything comes close. I simply bought mine as I'd always admired the engineering and the discrete looks and for the price I paid, I simply couldn't say no.

[davel*]

SVX said:

marcusjames said:

SVX said:

So in the time honoured tradition of PH "What car threads", and from the current penchant for "Terry Tibbs" titles, I was wondering what the PH collective thought about the W8 Passat as a prospect.

Part of me isn't too taken with the styling per se. But after seeing and hearing one apply a lead weighted right hush puppy I am intrigued.

Any owners, experiences with the W8 powerplant, people telling me it's more of a potential money pit than say a V70R Volvo of similar vintage would be welcome.

Half or full fat cream ?

Point is I need a replacement for the Subaru, end of Jan latest. Budget of £8-10K including chopping in the 'Leg, must haves are:

Adequate power
Auto/'Tip
AWD preferred, RWD fine, FWD with a decent diff.
Toys
Sleeper-esque

I like unusual!

Look at a Mitsubishi Legnum VR4 - Estate, 280bhp, tip box, 4wd, very sleeper-esque, not sure on the toys and you could pick up a very tidy one for 5k and go on a holiday as well!

[k-ink]

Steer clear. Mine had 40k miles with a full VAG history.

Torque convertor failed, multiple engine components failed, CVJ failed, gearbox rebuilt. Cost about 6k to fix. Then there was the normal maintenance on top of that lot at another grand. Engine damage was caused by VW specifying cheap grade filters which corrode and get sucked into engine. Expect maybe 5 years tops between rebuilds. All faults are well known to VW engineers, yet the forums offer little warning.

HTH