2006 VW Passat Estate - 1.9 S Tdi (140bhp) - Intrigue me

[Mikeyplum]

Looking at getting one of the above in the near future. I like the looks of it and currently have a VW Bora now but would prefer something a little newer and preferably an estate. The above offers decent power, excellent MPG, good looking, well equipped and reasonably priced.

Been looking at one:

72k miles
FVWSH
Leather
Black
All the toys and looks very clean

£3995..

Anyone have any experience and reasons why to/not to buy one of these?

Cheers
Mikey

[Mikeyplum]

Bumpety bump - don't think anyone read it due to PH sleeping for a while

[Mikeyplum]

Oh and just realised it's not a 1.69 as the title says, its a 2.0... D'oh!

[VeeFour]

Strange spec!

If it's an 'S', then it won't have 'all the toys' and will feel distinctly spartan and under-equipped.

SE is acceptable.

But Sport or SEL are the best specs - mostly because you get proper climate in them, rather than semi-auto 'climatic'.

Very odd that someone would spec. a poverty model with leather.

[realfun]

i had a 2006 sport estate up until around 3 years ago, owned from a couple of months old. good car but the 2.0 engines are a bit noiser than the 1.9 and i felt it wasnt anywhere near as well built as the previous model passat. also make sure it has the auto hold function for the awful electronic handbrake as its a pain without this option!

[DanielJames]

Sounds way too cheap, I was looking at them the other week and it was hard to get one under £5k with under 100k miles

[nobrakes]

I had one, it was a bit noisey @ idle. The handbrake switch helps – though probably more for resale than actual practical use.

We did a 2k+ miles France trip loaded up in a 2.0tdi 140 S estate, loaded to the roof + the biggest roofbox. Anything that passed us pulling away from the tolls was subsequently passed once we wound it up. 40+ mpg. We were pushing a ton most of the way – less time on the road = more time at the bar! It was great at soaking up the miles. A very good balance of economy and ability to perform well at speed with a huge load.

The base spec S meant we got a newer car for the same money and it was quite adequate.

[Mikeyplum]

Thanks for the replies...

To be honest my budget is around £4500 and I was shocked that this shape Passat came within that budget. I already have a Bora with the 1.9 tdi pd 130 and have got to say that the combo of MPG and reasonable power are fantastic. Though I have had a few issues with it (EGR valve, alternator, oil leaks, boost kraal) granted it does have 150k miles on the clock!!

Regarding the S spec boggo standard, the one I'm looking at ha climate control, leather, cruise control etc... Could these have been added as optional extras from new perhaps??

I would love one like the SEL fully specced, but I am planning on keeping the car for a few years and to get one of those on budget would have moon miles on it.

Are people view then to go for the 1.9 130bhp engine over the newer 2.0 140 bhp engine?

Also, if anyone has any alternative suggestions to a Passat, then feel free to comment

Cheers
Mike

[Willber]

I've had a 2.0TDI SE for the past two years and have done 35k miles in it. It is a nice car and very good at munching motorway miles. Personally I like the electronic handbrake and never had a problem with the semi-auto climate - it does a good job of keeping me warm or cold (what more do you need?)

The build quality is not great and the cabin has is squeaks and creaks but it is a nice place to be overall. Engine is a bit noisy but will hustle along when needed to, power delivery not the best!

Handles well for a big car, I often chuck mine around a bit on the way to work and it's quite good really.

[DickSkruttock]

Pretty sure the 1.9TDI in the model of Passat is 105 BHP, the 2.0TDI is 140 or 170BHP.

[Rabbo]

DickSkruttock said:

Pretty sure the 1.9TDI in the model of Passat is 105 BHP, the 2.0TDI is 140 or 170BHP.

[Mikeyplum]

Rabbo said:

DickSkruttock said:

Pretty sure the 1.9TDI in the model of Passat is 105 BHP, the 2.0TDI is 140 or 170BHP.

Indeed you are correct, I think I was getting my MK4 and Mk5 engines confused!

To be honest, I think the 105BHP is a little on the low side for my liking. I'm definitley inclined to get the 140BHP (170 too high on insurance) as it seems to offer a decent combo of power to MPG ratio as well as being decently specced.

I think a test drive will be forthcoming to have a poke and a fiddle with one

Anyone have any other alternative suggestions?

Cheers
Mikey

ETA - If any mods could possibly change the title from 1.9 to 2.0 I would be eternally grateful for a day Cheers
Mikey

Edited by Mikeyplum on Friday 12th August 09:42

[frosted]

Hmmm 06-07 diesel passats have been the most problematic , if you look on the net it tell you the engine codes that did have problems . As long as its been fixed you got nothing to worry about . I paid 12k for my sel 170 passat a year ago , feel a bit sick now

[Mikeyplum]

frosted said:

Hmmm 06-07 diesel passats have been the most problematic , if you look on the net it tell you the engine codes that did have problems . As long as its been fixed you got nothing to worry about . I paid 12k for my sel 170 passat a year ago , feel a bit sick now

What are the most common then would you say? I know someone who has the 140bhp engine in an Audi A3 and not much, if anything has gone wrong really.

[frosted]

Ask helldiver and 80% of PH . I think for the money there's no better car

[Mikeyplum]

frosted said:

Ask helldiver and 80% of PH . I think for the money there's no better car

Exactly my thought when looking at them. The amount of car ou get for ytour money is incredible!

I have been reading some reviews that suggest owning one could lead to hefty repair bills when it comes to injectors going etc. But I'm sure if I could find one that had a) already had the work done or b) full service history and evidently well maintained, then I shouldn't really have much to worry about.

Plus, there is always the possibility of taking out a warranty to protect myself yes I will read the small print first

[martin mrt]

I worked at a VW Dealer until recently and i cannot think of one redeeming feature of a 3C Passat that would make me go out and spend my own money on one

AWFUL drab interior, coarse 2.0 TDi engine, inferior build quality, rear calipers are over £300 each when they fail, and they fail regularly, honestly i have nothing good to say about the 3C Passat.

If the injectors fail they are now part of a goodwill replacement programme via VW, any that have not been replaced will be done at the same time as the faulty unit

[Mikeyplum]

martin mrt said:

I worked at a VW Dealer until recently and i cannot think of one redeeming feature of a 3C Passat that would make me go out and spend my own money on one

AWFUL drab interior, coarse 2.0 TDi engine, inferior build quality, rear calipers are over £300 each when they fail, and they fail regularly, honestly i have nothing good to say about the 3C Passat.

If the injectors fail they are now part of a goodwill replacement programme via VW, any that have not been replaced will be done at the same time as the faulty unit

Thanks for your view, Martin.

What would be your alternative suggestion?

Cheers
Mikey

[VB]

I have a Passat 140 Sport. I don't really want to talk about it.


I'd rather talk about what I could be driving instead.

[nickdrinkwater]

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

Discussed here. Avoid the 2.0 TDIs from 2006 due to various issues.

I've just bought a 1.9 TDI as I think it will be less complex and it has been suggested more reliable. It has enough go for me having driven a couple, but if you need performance you can always getting it remapped...

As for spec, avoid the S as no cruise or rear speakers and front electric windows only.