The Amazing PH Passat Alltrack Thread
Discussion
morgandeano said:
Well it's been 6 months since I have had my leased all track and all I can say about it is the car overall has many issues...
1st The 190bhp engine feels like the engine from a VW polo there is no power and is very sluggish.
2nd The DSG gearbox is very poor it's like driving a 1980s automatic. You have to use paddles to get any kind of life out of it.
3rd The start / stop is a pain in the ass it cuts out even before you have actually become stationery.
4th The mpg is very bad. I am getting average doing town and motorway miles over a 300mile week about average 28mpg.
5th The seats are terribly uncomfortable on a long journey
6th The so called car play is not standard that's a nice trip to the dealer and a £160 for the pleasure.
I can't wait to get of it and the only saving grace it's £65 a month on lease and I haven't bought the car out right or I would be at the dealer asking them to take the piece of s
t back ..
Recognise elements of those concerns for sure.1st The 190bhp engine feels like the engine from a VW polo there is no power and is very sluggish.
2nd The DSG gearbox is very poor it's like driving a 1980s automatic. You have to use paddles to get any kind of life out of it.
3rd The start / stop is a pain in the ass it cuts out even before you have actually become stationery.
4th The mpg is very bad. I am getting average doing town and motorway miles over a 300mile week about average 28mpg.
5th The seats are terribly uncomfortable on a long journey
6th The so called car play is not standard that's a nice trip to the dealer and a £160 for the pleasure.
I can't wait to get of it and the only saving grace it's £65 a month on lease and I haven't bought the car out right or I would be at the dealer asking them to take the piece of s
t back ..I don't think there is a problem with the engine, its the throttle mapping/DSG gearbox that's the issue I think.
Eco mode is a disaster so must be avoided, literally no throttle response. I don't see the point in a driving mode where you ask for throttle and the engine doesn't deliver any acceleration.
Normal - well, what annoys me too. I don't know about anyone else but gentle/mid level squeezes of the throttle don't appear to do much, and any more input results in a kickdown. Not great for smooth, progressive driving as the inevitable acceleration is seconds after when you wanted it and it's delivered with a slight kickdown jolt.
Sports mode I find also a bit rubbish. It doesn't change up early on small throttle input - it holds gears unnecessarily long even if you're driving miss daisy.
As a compromise what I find is I leave it in N most of the time, and flick the selector across to Sport for when I need a bit of go. And that is quite often - on approach to roundabouts for roundabout exit, turning into and out of junctions, any time you want to be reasonably getting on with things.
Start/stop seems to have a life of it's own. I'm paying attention to the circumstances in which it works and it is literally random.
MPG whilst ok is not what I expected - I do 90 miles a day 90% motorway and am averaging mid 40s. I don't hang about but I'd have to be doing sub 70mph in order to get north of 50mpg, which isn't great against a claimed extra-urban of 64mpg. 4wd and DSG no doubt contribute.
Seats and general comfort are very good I think, as well as cabin ambience being top notch. It is a pleasant place to sit on a long commute.
Overall I'm happy with it for doing what it needs to do for me, however now I've lived with it I wouldn't spend my own money on one due to the drivetrain niggles.
Sympathise and agree with a lot of those points too - particularly the gearbox. I do wonder whether the bi-turbo version would be night and day better in terms of feeling more responsive. The start-stop really is a pain in the arse though - cutting out on the way into a roundabout isn't surely what it was designed to do.
However, it remains an absolute bargain for the money and I'm struggling to see what it will be replaced with that carries out the same duties - towing a big caravan, ferrying family about and lugging stuff to the tip - for anything like the same money. The interior is also superb, IMO.
ETA - I'm struggling to average 40mpg over 7k miles, which is pretty poor given my largely motorway commute.
However, it remains an absolute bargain for the money and I'm struggling to see what it will be replaced with that carries out the same duties - towing a big caravan, ferrying family about and lugging stuff to the tip - for anything like the same money. The interior is also superb, IMO.
ETA - I'm struggling to average 40mpg over 7k miles, which is pretty poor given my largely motorway commute.
bedonde said:
However, it remains an absolute bargain for the money and I'm struggling to see what it will be replaced with that carries out the same duties - towing a big caravan, ferrying family about and lugging stuff to the tip - for anything like the same money. The interior is also superb, IMO.
Yes total bargain. I've resigned myself to the fact that there is no way on earth I'll be getting any kind of deal like this next time round so am simply enjoying dirt cheap motoring in a brand new car.I'm now leaning towards a 340i Touring next time around and hang the expense - though in terms of running costs at least, from the figures, I don't think they'll be a million miles off in terms of empeegees.
hornetrider said:
Yes total bargain. I've resigned myself to the fact that there is no way on earth I'll be getting any kind of deal like this next time round so am simply enjoying dirt cheap motoring in a brand new car.
I'm now leaning towards a 340i Touring next time around and hang the expense - though in terms of running costs at least, from the figures, I don't think they'll be a million miles off in terms of empeegees.
340i would be great but one of the Passat's slightly unexpected strengths is as a tow car, I'd need something at least as heavy and with the ability to tow a 1600kg caravan (and handle the noseweight etc). The Alltrack just happens to be the Caravan Club tow car of the year..That'll be the nail in the coffin to its detractors I'm sure. I'm hoping for a used biturbo as a replacement, or a Disco 4...I'm now leaning towards a 340i Touring next time around and hang the expense - though in terms of running costs at least, from the figures, I don't think they'll be a million miles off in terms of empeegees.
Sheepshanks said:
Surely most people just turn it off? My wife does it automatically now as part of the starting sequence - if I'm driving her car I forget until the first time it cuts out.
Generally, yes I turn it off. Occasionally forget though and it cuts out at the most irritating opportunity. Whilst on a rant, may as well mention the parking sensors also frequently go nuts for no apparent reason. First world problems...hornetrider said:
Speaking of first world niggle rants. Rear wiper. Mine vibrates/bounces across the rear screen and is really, massively noisy in anything other than a full downpour. Just me or anyone else?!
Mine too. Also coolant under-fill like others. No-one else has trumped my suspension creak though. Or ill-fitting rear door kick plate trim.bigfish said:
hornetrider said:
Ah I see.
In other news - mine has pinged a low coolant warning two days in a row now after early starts. Seems its not entirely unheard of... http://www.passatworld.com/forums/volkswagen-passa...
Reading that I suspect a slight underfill from the factory and colder starts. Not great! If there's no leak, coolant is not something I'd expect to pay for on a 4 month old car.
Mine had exactly the same, popped in some anti freeze and put it down to underfil from factory. Hope so anywayIn other news - mine has pinged a low coolant warning two days in a row now after early starts. Seems its not entirely unheard of... http://www.passatworld.com/forums/volkswagen-passa...
Reading that I suspect a slight underfill from the factory and colder starts. Not great! If there's no leak, coolant is not something I'd expect to pay for on a 4 month old car.
Spumfry said:
Me too, in my Leon. Drove to the local Eurocarparts to get the correct shade of purple coolant but it took so little to take it from below minimum to above max I should have just used tap water.
Decant in to 100ml bottles and sell on Ebay as a specific VAG fix. £2/bottle and you'll be rolling in the money 
hornetrider said:
Recognise elements of those concerns for sure.
I don't think there is a problem with the engine, its the throttle mapping/DSG gearbox that's the issue I think.
Eco mode is a disaster so must be avoided, literally no throttle response. I don't see the point in a driving mode where you ask for throttle and the engine doesn't deliver any acceleration.
Normal - well, what annoys me too. I don't know about anyone else but gentle/mid level squeezes of the throttle don't appear to do much, and any more input results in a kickdown. Not great for smooth, progressive driving as the inevitable acceleration is seconds after when you wanted it and it's delivered with a slight kickdown jolt.
Sports mode I find also a bit rubbish. It doesn't change up early on small throttle input - it holds gears unnecessarily long even if you're driving miss daisy.
As a compromise what I find is I leave it in N most of the time, and flick the selector across to Sport for when I need a bit of go. And that is quite often - on approach to roundabouts for roundabout exit, turning into and out of junctions, any time you want to be reasonably getting on with things.
Seats and general comfort are very good I think, as well as cabin ambience being top notch. It is a pleasant place to sit on a long commute.
Overall I'm happy with it for doing what it needs to do for me, however now I've lived with it I wouldn't spend my own money on one due to the drivetrain niggles.
I agree with all this - I drive exactly the same - I've set up customer mode to be in D (Normal) as standard and then I regularly go into Sport as you describe. I have ACC set for Sport, as I like to test my nerve as it batters up behind a slower moving car in the *fastlane! I don't think there is a problem with the engine, its the throttle mapping/DSG gearbox that's the issue I think.
Eco mode is a disaster so must be avoided, literally no throttle response. I don't see the point in a driving mode where you ask for throttle and the engine doesn't deliver any acceleration.
Normal - well, what annoys me too. I don't know about anyone else but gentle/mid level squeezes of the throttle don't appear to do much, and any more input results in a kickdown. Not great for smooth, progressive driving as the inevitable acceleration is seconds after when you wanted it and it's delivered with a slight kickdown jolt.
Sports mode I find also a bit rubbish. It doesn't change up early on small throttle input - it holds gears unnecessarily long even if you're driving miss daisy.
As a compromise what I find is I leave it in N most of the time, and flick the selector across to Sport for when I need a bit of go. And that is quite often - on approach to roundabouts for roundabout exit, turning into and out of junctions, any time you want to be reasonably getting on with things.
Seats and general comfort are very good I think, as well as cabin ambience being top notch. It is a pleasant place to sit on a long commute.
Overall I'm happy with it for doing what it needs to do for me, however now I've lived with it I wouldn't spend my own money on one due to the drivetrain niggles.
I can't get into using the paddles.
- =yes I appreciate it should be called lane 3 or the outside lane...
hornetrider said:
I have considered it, but given its a lease I'm not going to take the risk.
What do you consider the risk? A colleague put a Brabus tuning box on his Merc Eclass E350 (I think) estate and it turned it into a rocket ship. He just removed it for servicing etc and then flogged it when it went back. He didn't have any problems.The only reason I'm not trying one is it doesn't seem worth it for just 18months, and I doubt an aftermarket VW tuning box will hold the value like a Brabus one.
Edited by Emeye on Saturday 12th November 12:49
Emeye said:
Anyone thought about trying a tuning box?
As well as adding a useful dump of power and torque, I am thinking it may improve the drivability?
Does a DSG Golf GTD drive as badly?
I've got a DSG GTD and can relate to a lot of the comments in this thread! Seems to have got worse from new too, box can be really slow to respond sometimesAs well as adding a useful dump of power and torque, I am thinking it may improve the drivability?
Does a DSG Golf GTD drive as badly?
morgandeano said:
Well it's been 6 months since I have had my leased all track and all I can say about it is the car overall has many issues...
1st The 190bhp engine feels like the engine from a VW polo there is no power and is very sluggish.
2nd The DSG gearbox is very poor it's like driving a 1980s automatic. You have to use paddles to get any kind of life out of it.
3rd The start / stop is a pain in the ass it cuts out even before you have actually become stationery.
4th The mpg is very bad. I am getting average doing town and motorway miles over a 300mile week about average 28mpg.
5th The seats are terribly uncomfortable on a long journey
6th The so called car play is not standard that's a nice trip to the dealer and a £160 for the pleasure.
I can't wait to get of it and the only saving grace it's £65 a month on lease and I haven't bought the car out right or I would be at the dealer asking them to take the piece of st back ..
1st The 190bhp engine feels like the engine from a VW polo there is no power and is very sluggish.1st The 190bhp engine feels like the engine from a VW polo there is no power and is very sluggish.
2nd The DSG gearbox is very poor it's like driving a 1980s automatic. You have to use paddles to get any kind of life out of it.
3rd The start / stop is a pain in the ass it cuts out even before you have actually become stationery.
4th The mpg is very bad. I am getting average doing town and motorway miles over a 300mile week about average 28mpg.
5th The seats are terribly uncomfortable on a long journey
6th The so called car play is not standard that's a nice trip to the dealer and a £160 for the pleasure.
I can't wait to get of it and the only saving grace it's £65 a month on lease and I haven't bought the car out right or I would be at the dealer asking them to take the piece of s
t back ..You need to keep it in sport mode at all times. We've just added a 3L twin turbo BMW X6 to our driveway and the missus was dissappointed that the X6 isn't as fast as the Alltrack. Clearly, she is wrong, but the alltrack (well, mine anyway) has plenty of grunt. Its a 2L engine carrying a 2 tonne weight so you can't expect miracles but barring a bit of turbo lag, mine takes off very well indeed. Eco mode I've never even tried, and normal mode is a frustrating drive for me but once it sport mode, it starts to drive much better overall IMO.
2nd The DSG gearbox is very poor it's like driving a 1980s automatic. You have to use paddles to get any kind of life out of it.
See point above - you need to try sport mode for a week or so and see how that performs (or maybe you have already?) The shifting is silky smooth, its just the software in eco and normal mode that makes it rubbish.
3rd The start / stop is a pain in the ass it cuts out even before you have actually become stationery.
Agreed, I always turn it off by default and only if I'm at a red light, will i turn it back on again. The Audi's are the same, turning off before the car is even stopped! What the hell?!?
4th The mpg is very bad. I am getting average doing town and motorway miles over a 300mile week about average 28mpg.
Agreed - mid 30's for me, about 140 miles a week, 60 in town, 80 on a/b roads - no motorway driving. But then again, my previous V6 Jag diesel was even worse for MPG and it weighs about the same and had roughly the same power.
5th The seats are terribly uncomfortable on a long journey
I can't say I've noticed lack of comfort. Not as comfortable as my previous Jag or RR Sport but they were as good as it gets for comfort. These alltrack seats are a little firmer IMO.
6th The so called car play is not standard that's a nice trip to the dealer and a £160 for the pleasure.
Seriously? - this car is fully loaded considering the base spec of similar cars. The safety features are world class and great reassurance for lugging the family around. There are crash test video's on you tube. These cars perform extremely well and safety is only one aspect of these feature laden cars.
Overall, I love mine and am thinking of trying to get another year out of it. Sure, there are some foibles, but I think the overall package of performance, space, features etc is a well rounded package. The 4wd haldex system works a treat when you are driving with a bit of spirit - very sure footed for such a big car.
Emeye said:
Anyone thought about trying a tuning box?
As well as adding a useful dump of power and torque, I am thinking it may improve the drivability?
Does a DSG Golf GTD drive as badly?
DSG Octavia with 2.0 tdi 184bhp engine drives very nicely with none of the issues outlined in this thread. The comments surprise me. As well as adding a useful dump of power and torque, I am thinking it may improve the drivability?
Does a DSG Golf GTD drive as badly?
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