Passat W8, talk to me.
Discussion
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.
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.
DennisTheMenace said:
Whats this "talk to me" b
ks ? management speak ?
Its a passat with a unique w8 engine that will cost a lot to fix and will drink like oliver reed . what else do you need to know ?
At almost 1.8 tonnes it's also a full 280-odd-kg heavier than a 4-pot passat (combination of engine, 4wd and interior trimmings) and has 270hp, which isn't all that much for a 4 litre 8-cylinder engine. ks ? management speak ? Its a passat with a unique w8 engine that will cost a lot to fix and will drink like oliver reed . what else do you need to know ?
In it's favour, they do make an extremely good noise, and are jolly fine sleepers being as they look like any old passat. You will earn the appreciation of VW enthusiasts, if that's your thing.
Edited by pilchardthecat on Thursday 12th November 22:52
Motorrad said:
The main problem with these is failing auto boxes as far as I'm aware. The manual is meant to have less problems and be usefully quicker the main problem is they are pretty rare.
Fuel consumption is what you'd expect from a 8 cylinder vehicle.
You can get a manual? I'm definitely having one of these as a bargain barge in a few years time.Fuel consumption is what you'd expect from a 8 cylinder vehicle.
Motorrad said:
The main problem with these is failing auto boxes as far as I'm aware. The manual is meant to have less problems and be usefully quicker the main problem is they are pretty rare.
Fuel consumption is what you'd expect from a 8 cylinder vehicle.
Is the fuel consumption significantly worse than a 3.0 Legacy? I had (perhaps incorrectly) assumed that the autobox was standard Audi quattro kit... interesting... Fuel consumption is what you'd expect from a 8 cylinder vehicle.
SVX said:
Motorrad said:
The main problem with these is failing auto boxes as far as I'm aware. The manual is meant to have less problems and be usefully quicker the main problem is they are pretty rare.
Fuel consumption is what you'd expect from a 8 cylinder vehicle.
Is the fuel consumption significantly worse than a 3.0 Legacy? I had (perhaps incorrectly) assumed that the autobox was standard Audi quattro kit... interesting... Fuel consumption is what you'd expect from a 8 cylinder vehicle.
I looked seriously into buying one when I moved to the states as a cheap and interesting car to run around in as fuel is so cheap. A bit of research revealed many reports of torque convertor failures on VW Vortex. I have no idea if it's the standard Audi box but as that's reliable to high mileages I doubt it.
Motorrad said:
SVX said:
Motorrad said:
The main problem with these is failing auto boxes as far as I'm aware. The manual is meant to have less problems and be usefully quicker the main problem is they are pretty rare.
Fuel consumption is what you'd expect from a 8 cylinder vehicle.
Is the fuel consumption significantly worse than a 3.0 Legacy? I had (perhaps incorrectly) assumed that the autobox was standard Audi quattro kit... interesting... Fuel consumption is what you'd expect from a 8 cylinder vehicle.
I looked seriously into buying one when I moved to the states as a cheap and interesting car to run around in as fuel is so cheap. A bit of research revealed many reports of torque convertor failures on VW Vortex. I have no idea if it's the standard Audi box but as that's reliable to high mileages I doubt it.
The Audi verson comes with the flappy paddle option I think. The engine has so much potential it's criminal that it has only found its way into executive barges and doesn't have a real gear box stuck to it in most cases. Before it was shelved in favor of a V10 the W8 was looking at a new home in the R8 chassis. I hope there's one being shoe horned into the back of a Caddy somewhere. 
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.
Now I know that shouldn't be possible because I'm pretty sure that engine has so much compression and timing headroom that using SUL is pointless, and as its manual advises you to use regular 95RON it is very unlikely that the ECU has a SUL map buried inside it, waiting to be activated when the knock sensor tells it there's some special formula coursing through its veins. Yet it has given me 20 more miles to a tankful than I've managed before, and it feels more willing to *go* than previously.
Why mention this? Well if there was ever a comparison to be made with the VW then surely longevity ought to be factored-in. As I'm sure you know, having run a Scooby for a while, the brand isn't known for unreliability. It is known for poor economy though so if that can be partly addressed by selecting a better fuel [see note] you might be better with the devil you know.
Note: I have considered that, even with the extra miles from my tank, it might be false economy but I'll give it a go for a few tankfuls (I fill up 2 or 3 times a week) and see how it pans out. I remain sceptical because I understand a little about fuel brews and engine ECUs.
Now I know that shouldn't be possible because I'm pretty sure that engine has so much compression and timing headroom that using SUL is pointless, and as its manual advises you to use regular 95RON it is very unlikely that the ECU has a SUL map buried inside it, waiting to be activated when the knock sensor tells it there's some special formula coursing through its veins. Yet it has given me 20 more miles to a tankful than I've managed before, and it feels more willing to *go* than previously.
Why mention this? Well if there was ever a comparison to be made with the VW then surely longevity ought to be factored-in. As I'm sure you know, having run a Scooby for a while, the brand isn't known for unreliability. It is known for poor economy though so if that can be partly addressed by selecting a better fuel [see note] you might be better with the devil you know.
Note: I have considered that, even with the extra miles from my tank, it might be false economy but I'll give it a go for a few tankfuls (I fill up 2 or 3 times a week) and see how it pans out. I remain sceptical because I understand a little about fuel brews and engine ECUs.
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.
Now I know that shouldn't be possible because I'm pretty sure that engine has so much compression and timing headroom that using SUL is pointless, and as its manual advises you to use regular 95RON it is very unlikely that the ECU has a SUL map buried inside it, waiting to be activated when the knock sensor tells it there's some special formula coursing through its veins. Yet it has given me 20 more miles to a tankful than I've managed before, and it feels more willing to *go* than previously.
Why mention this? Well if there was ever a comparison to be made with the VW then surely longevity ought to be factored-in. As I'm sure you know, having run a Scooby for a while, the brand isn't known for unreliability. It is known for poor economy though so if that can be partly addressed by selecting a better fuel [see note] you might be better with the devil you know.
Note: I have considered that, even with the extra miles from my tank, it might be false economy but I'll give it a go for a few tankfuls (I fill up 2 or 3 times a week) and see how it pans out. I remain sceptical because I understand a little about fuel brews and engine ECUs.
Hmmm feel free for a little trip down onto a seperate thread on 3.0 Leggys Now I know that shouldn't be possible because I'm pretty sure that engine has so much compression and timing headroom that using SUL is pointless, and as its manual advises you to use regular 95RON it is very unlikely that the ECU has a SUL map buried inside it, waiting to be activated when the knock sensor tells it there's some special formula coursing through its veins. Yet it has given me 20 more miles to a tankful than I've managed before, and it feels more willing to *go* than previously.
Why mention this? Well if there was ever a comparison to be made with the VW then surely longevity ought to be factored-in. As I'm sure you know, having run a Scooby for a while, the brand isn't known for unreliability. It is known for poor economy though so if that can be partly addressed by selecting a better fuel [see note] you might be better with the devil you know.
Note: I have considered that, even with the extra miles from my tank, it might be false economy but I'll give it a go for a few tankfuls (I fill up 2 or 3 times a week) and see how it pans out. I remain sceptical because I understand a little about fuel brews and engine ECUs.
A mate on mine had one as a demo car, while working for a VW dealership. The only thing I can remember of the experience was seeing the fuel needle dive to the left, in a very short space of time.. Very thirsty, however performance was sub standard.. I do agree with the OP, did make the right sound..
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 ? 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.
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 ? 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.
Adequate power
Auto/'Tip
AWD preferred, RWD fine, FWD with a decent diff.
Toys
Sleeper-esque
I like unusual!
[quote=Mars]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?
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?
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