VW Passat B5 PD115

[evwalls]

Looks really good. The new wheels will make a huuuuge difference.

[Loyly]

I can remember when every taxi in the town I work in was either a black saloon model of this Passat or a 406 HDi!

[Barchettaman]

samj2014 said:

Even then, buying one with a few issues and getting them sorted is still WAY cheaper than owning a newer car. You might not get much return on your investment, but if you consider depreciation on a newer car and the cost of parts etc. it probably works out better to keep an older car running (that's my logic anyway).

As long as you have the know-how and skills of someone like Grant it'll work out cheaper, that's for sure.

The problem is finding one where the previous owner(s) haven't skipped maintenance. So many people just run these basically worthless cars as disposables, so the problems just mount up for anyone that wants to finally get round to sorting them out down the line, as Grant is doing.

If there are too many faults, or rectifying them is beyond ones skills, well you're either left with a colossal amount of work or a potentially expensive-to-sort, broken and worthless car. That's the risk.

I should add that I do something similar - my daily is a cheap E90 320d, it's a lovely thing that I will try to take up to 300,000km. My maintenance skills are basically oil and filter changing, so nothing like some of the talented lunatics on here, but even the little I can do makes a significant difference in both the running costs and potential life span of the car. It also helps that the previous owner changed the DMF/clutch just before I bought it, another big bill neatly dodged.

I bought the car with a cracked front bumper and broken undertray - now that would have been a bill of a few hundred €€ at any bodyshop, but I managed to fix it all with cut-out ice cream lids, cable ties and NoMoreNails adhesive. It's an invisible repair and has held up fine for 30,000km at basically zero cost. It sounds a bit Blue Peter but works a treat.


Here's a picture of mine, bought for approx £3.3k equivalent at Easter last year:

Edited by Barchettaman on Saturday 17th December 09:52

Edited by Barchettaman on Saturday 17th December 09:56

[GrantB5]

evwalls said:

Looks really good. The new wheels will make a huuuuge difference.

Thanks cant wait to get them on!

[GrantB5]

Loyly said:

I can remember when every taxi in the town I work in was either a black saloon model of this Passat or a 406 HDi!

Always a good sign!

[GrantB5]

Barchettaman said:

As long as you have the know-how and skills of someone like Grant it'll work out cheaper, that's for sure.

The problem is finding one where the previous owner(s) haven't skipped maintenance. So many people just run these basically worthless cars as disposables, so the problems just mount up for anyone that wants to finally get round to sorting them out down the line, as Grant is doing.

If there are too many faults, or rectifying them is beyond ones skills, well you're either left with a colossal amount of work or a potentially expensive-to-sort, broken and worthless car. That's the risk.

I should add that I do something similar - my daily is a cheap E90 320d, it's a lovely thing that I will try to take up to 300,000km. My maintenance skills are basically oil and filter changing, so nothing like some of the talented lunatics on here, but even the little I can do makes a significant difference in both the running costs and potential life span of the car. It also helps that the previous owner changed the DMF/clutch just before I bought it, another big bill neatly dodged.

As much as I wouldlike to take credit for this, it's my mate who has the mechanical skills. Although I help out, have an understanding of whats going on, I dont have the tools or workspace.

But agreed, these kind of cars are only worth it if you can do the labour yourself or like me help out and pay peanuts. I also do a lot of photos for my mate on his car(s) and for a couple sponsorships he gets etc.

But no chance I would have bought once of these knowing the work needed and potential labour costs of getting full service & cambelt etc done and then clutch and dmf. That alone i no doubt nearing double what I paid for thr car.

I may be now having thr clutch and dmf done at my work on the ramps. I work at a Nissan dealership. I'm abit 50/50 with doing it on axle stands after my friends recent expeirence doing his.

Updates soon though just been very busy with working weekends with the run up to Christmas.

[Barchettaman]

Nice one. Keep the updates coming, it's a cracking thread!

[Trollied]

Such a great thread to read. Bookmarked, waiting on more updates!

[GrantB5]

Took the car in to work today to have my brakes bled as my pedal is a bit soft. It's not made to much of a difference but still needed to be done as a fair amount of air was removed from the front calipers.









You may remember I changed the N/S/R caliper so I will also change the O/S/R soon too and see if that helps the brakes any.

I want to refresh the front brakes also, while I am at it I will do the 312mm conversion so need to have a look in to buying the new caliper carriers.

In 1000 miles I have another oil change lined up too.

While the car was on the ramp I took some photos of bushes etc. I wanted to be let loose with a wire brush and some cleaning goods, but I can't do that while at work it will make a mess!













Ordering a new set of droplinks. Also pricing up polybushes for the rear lower arms & anti roll bar bushes. The rest can be changed at later dates but these are the worn culprits for now.

Picked up a Unibond dehumidifier, hopefully this will help with any water leaks that have been in the car previously. If at all, just till I can source time to lift the carpet up.



I have just booked my train ticket and hotel for a trip to Belgium in March for the Heaven On Wheels show. The show isn't great but it's a good drive out there, have some food and drink on the Saturday in the evening, have a wander round a show in Europe on the Sunday and head home. Oh and Chocomel.

By this show in mid March the clutch and DMF will be done, I am just getting Christmas out the way for this. Speakers and sound deadening for the front doors. Wheels & tyres. Coilovers will be bought at the end of February. I will also have to get the machine polisher out.

I gave the car a clean / detar / iron x / clay at work also. Must have picked up a bit of dirt towards the end as I have some clay bar trails but nothing the machine will not sort.



One of my headlight bulbs I purchased recently also blew, so purchased a set of Philips Diamond Visions to replace. Not ideal.



While I'm here, my bike is closer to being finished.



Just had my new Campagnolo chainset turn up and torque cups.



Some real car updates soon after Christmas

Edited by GrantB5 on Thursday 22 December 20:36

[scrambler95]

Ive been following this thread since you posted it, I have to say im astonished at the condition of your B5! sadly when you see these on the roads now they look so tired but yours is so fresh looking. plans sound great keep the updates coming in 2017 !

[samj2014]

Can I ask why you're spending so much on that Carrera?! For the money you've spent on it you could have bought something MUCH better!

[GrantB5]

scrambler95 said:

Ive been following this thread since you posted it, I have to say im astonished at the condition of your B5! sadly when you see these on the roads now they look so tired but yours is so fresh looking. plans sound great keep the updates coming in 2017 !

Thanks, can't wait to get some more done.

[JakeT]

Excellent work on what is the best Passat made. Excellent photography too.

[GrantB5]

samj2014 said:

Can I ask why you're spending so much on that Carrera?! For the money you've spent on it you could have bought something MUCH better!

The plan was to a pretty cheap build but then, I don't know, just thought I'd keep at it. May change the frame at some point and keep the components.

It will do to get me back in to riding anyway. I want to do London to Southend this year, I'll see how I feel about the frame after that.

[GrantB5]

JakeT said:

Excellent work on what is the best Passat made. Excellent photography too.

Thanks, I hate uploading iphone photos, makes me feel lazy

[samj2014]

GrantB5 said:

The plan was to a pretty cheap build but then, I don't know, just thought I'd keep at it. May change the frame at some point and keep the components.

It will do to get me back in to riding anyway. I want to do London to Southend this year, I'll see how I feel about the frame after that.

Fair enough, it's always fun to have things to tinker with. I'm a bike shop mechanic so couldn't help but comment hope it does you well!

[GrantB5]

samj2014 said:

Fair enough, it's always fun to have things to tinker with. I'm a bike shop mechanic so couldn't help but comment hope it does you well!

Thanks, itching to get started.

Have also just ordered some sound deadening and a roller ready for speaker installation. Just need to order the adaptors also.

Quite a parts list waiting to go on.

[GrantB5]

So following LozW86 post adding up a tally of how much has been sent etc, I had some paperwork to arrange in to my folder I added up my bits and pieces.

Almost wish I didn't now but it's all working to a, currently & hopefully long term reliable car and also refreshed. Some of these costs hopefully don;t have to replicated, and if so not any time soon.

Anyway I will start (Give or take a few £ as I have rounded up and down to the nearest 10 unless its a round 5.



Brings me to a all round total of £2520, not including the 'labour' I have paid my friend but it's probably not worth listing. Half of that list is still waiting to go on the car which makes it even worse.

Merry Christmas and updates soon!

Edited by GrantB5 on Saturday 24th December 17:48

[GrantB5]

So recenty checked my power steering fluid level and it was below minimum, on this assumption that it had not been topped up or changed in a while it was time to flush it out.

So here is the level it had been sitting out..



It was below the minimum marker on the dipstick, never realised till just now I took the photo on the wrong side of the dipstick. Oops lol



Dipped some tissue in to get a rough idea of the condition of the fluid and it wasn't great.



Comma MVCHF was to be used in replacement..



Suction tool of choice..



Filter atleast looked pretty clean which is a good sign.



First load siphoned out from the res.



How it should look for reference..



Started clearing out after 3 flushes..



After 5 flushed in total and 1L of fluid used I got it too this stage which I was happy enough with.



I filled up to the max level in between each flush, left running for a few moments and turned the steering wheel from side to side to circulate the fluid.

2L of fluid cost me £20.00 and I had the tool at work so for me it was a very easy and cheap bit of maintenance.

With the 1L I had left over I also done my friends 1.8T MK4 Golf, he may be interested in a swap but at this stage we are still in talks.

Updates soon, maybe.

[Grant20V]

Bit of a last minute plan, but it went ahead today. The passat has been swapped with a friend at work.

5 door MK4 golf gti 1.8 20v turbo. 5 speed manual with cream leather heated recaros.

Had an itch for one of these engines for a long time so thought I would give it a shot. Will be starting a thread now.