1998 Passat buying advice
Discussion
I'm viewing a '98 Passat Estate on Friday, a 1.8 20v petrol model with about 130k on the clock. It's got a fresh MOT so that's not a concern, but apparently it needs brakes front and back (I'm assuming discs & pads) and there's no evidence of a cambelt change ever having been done (current owner has had the car 4 years and 45k and not changed it, and no previous receipts are present).
Is there anything in particular that I need to look out for on these models? What goes wrong, besides the obvious?
Also, roughly how much would you expect to pay for cambelt (presumably also waterpump), discs & pads all round? Just a ball park figure would be useful to give me an idea of parts prices.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Is there anything in particular that I need to look out for on these models? What goes wrong, besides the obvious?
Also, roughly how much would you expect to pay for cambelt (presumably also waterpump), discs & pads all round? Just a ball park figure would be useful to give me an idea of parts prices.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Head along to http://www.ukpassats.co.uk/
Great bunch of people over there. Very helpful when I had my 'sat.
Good luck.
Great bunch of people over there. Very helpful when I had my 'sat.
Good luck.
MajorGav said:
Head along to http://www.ukpassats.co.uk/
Great bunch of people over there. Very helpful when I had my 'sat.
Good luck.
Cheers for the link, looks to be a useful site. I'd found passatworld but that appeared to be more US-centric.Great bunch of people over there. Very helpful when I had my 'sat.
Good luck.
Well, I viewed the car this lunchtime.
Good points:
Comfy leather seats in ok nick & working A/C
Drove nicely - no clonks, rattles or other bad noises.
Nice gear change
It's a turbo (didn't realise that - brrmmm!)
FSH, MOT and 6mths tax.
Bad points:
All the interior "wood" trim is cracked.
Engine ticks at idle
When idling and A/C switched on, a belt starts screeching Needs front pads, rear pads & rear discs
Needs a cambelt
VERY tatty bodywork - dented, scratched, you name it! "Parking dents" apparently. Hmmm. Not convinced - at least one dent looks like someone drove in to it.
I think it needs about £700+ of work to make it mechanically sound (the cosmetic stuff is neither here nor there tbh) and there's the lingering doubt that it's not been terribly well maintained...
Good points:
Comfy leather seats in ok nick & working A/C
Drove nicely - no clonks, rattles or other bad noises.
Nice gear change
It's a turbo (didn't realise that - brrmmm!)
FSH, MOT and 6mths tax.
Bad points:
All the interior "wood" trim is cracked.
Engine ticks at idle
When idling and A/C switched on, a belt starts screeching Needs front pads, rear pads & rear discs
Needs a cambelt
VERY tatty bodywork - dented, scratched, you name it! "Parking dents" apparently. Hmmm. Not convinced - at least one dent looks like someone drove in to it.
I think it needs about £700+ of work to make it mechanically sound (the cosmetic stuff is neither here nor there tbh) and there's the lingering doubt that it's not been terribly well maintained...
Not really planning to get rid. Keep thinking about it, but never seem to find anything better.
Done 137k never missed a beat.
Just got some bodywork damage, but cosmetic only which never bothered me as it was left in a station car park so you soon learn to ignore dinks.
Mind you mines a 2000 TDi 115 sport, but i briefly had a 20v with 212k on it and the engine was spot on still.
Local taxi driver had the same as mine and only got rid at 275k, interior was worn away but still ran fine.
Done 137k never missed a beat.
Just got some bodywork damage, but cosmetic only which never bothered me as it was left in a station car park so you soon learn to ignore dinks.
Mind you mines a 2000 TDi 115 sport, but i briefly had a 20v with 212k on it and the engine was spot on still.
Local taxi driver had the same as mine and only got rid at 275k, interior was worn away but still ran fine.
Bill Carr said:
Ah well, it was worth asking. I'm sure the Passat is one of those cars that just keeps running if you look after it. If you look after it.
Oil and filter change regularly and thats about all it needs.In 4 years and around 45k the only non service part has been a MAF sensor which many would argue is a service item on a VAG car.
ABS Pump issues??
All the B5 models (1996-2000) and I believe the passat B5.5 (2000-2003) along with the Audi A4's 96-2001 have an issue with the ABS Pump, if the lights on its gonna cost you to get it fixed, if it isnt it will come on eventually!
Look to see if the pump had been replaced, if so then it should be fine!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/caradvice/hone...
http://audi-vw-abs-recall.blogspot.com/2005/07/aud...
etc etc
Just Google VAG ABS PUMP and you will see what i mean!
All the B5 models (1996-2000) and I believe the passat B5.5 (2000-2003) along with the Audi A4's 96-2001 have an issue with the ABS Pump, if the lights on its gonna cost you to get it fixed, if it isnt it will come on eventually!
Look to see if the pump had been replaced, if so then it should be fine!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/caradvice/hone...
http://audi-vw-abs-recall.blogspot.com/2005/07/aud...
etc etc
Just Google VAG ABS PUMP and you will see what i mean!
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