RE: Shed of the Week: Volkswagen Passat V6
Discussion
Not on your nelly.
I'd rather search down the back of the sofa for another £100, and buy this fantastic W124...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I'd rather search down the back of the sofa for another £100, and buy this fantastic W124...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Yes, after some excellent Mk2 Golfs and having bought in to the "VW Reliability" mantra I bought one of these brand new in 1999. Worst car I have ever owned by a long way, no end of problems from day one, suspension, climate control, radio, lights, then more serious stuff like head gaskets and clutch. Dealers and VW would never admit to issues and in those days it was more difficult to find other owners - but I did find some and discovered I was not alone.
There were some design problems but mostly it was really poor components and build quality. Finally got rid after a total headlight failure one dark night on an unlit dual carriageway. I remember when less than a year old it needed new rear tyres (tracking was wrong from day one) and the tyre fitters couldn't get them off as the alloys had corroded on to the steel hubs.
They were also one of the first CANbus cars which meant after faulty electrical stuff was replaced it often didn't work properly as the dealer didn't understand and hadn't configured it correctly.
Not a good shed, I did have a Subaru estate later which was much better by every measure, that's what I would look for.
There were some design problems but mostly it was really poor components and build quality. Finally got rid after a total headlight failure one dark night on an unlit dual carriageway. I remember when less than a year old it needed new rear tyres (tracking was wrong from day one) and the tyre fitters couldn't get them off as the alloys had corroded on to the steel hubs.
They were also one of the first CANbus cars which meant after faulty electrical stuff was replaced it often didn't work properly as the dealer didn't understand and hadn't configured it correctly.
Not a good shed, I did have a Subaru estate later which was much better by every measure, that's what I would look for.
The first thread I ever posted in after signing up to PH was about one of these; someone had made a low-ball offer (like 30% of asking price) to a private seller who rejected him, and the follow up 50% offer. Bidder then came on here all butt hurt at being rejected, stating it was a totally undesirable car that no-one wanted so how dare the seller refuse him a sale. I might have joined in the chiding of him.
Good shed.
Good shed.
Toyoda said:
A few years ago the Passat became the chav car of choice round my way. Is this uninspirational POS really the best shed can find at the new budget?!
The bling disco light CD player and blue edged floor mats probably confirm this example is no different...Edited by Toyoda on Friday 15th September 11:41
That interior looks completely shagged as well for "only" 78k..
Toyoda said:
A few years ago the Passat became the chav car of choice round my way. Is this uninspirational POS really the best shed can find at the new budget?!
Less than 5 minutes of searching the PH classifieds turned up this which even with the cold rattle is where my £1500 would go -Edited by Toyoda on Friday 15th September 11:41
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Passat's of this era are soo dull its untrue. I can understand the reasoning behind a 1.9TDI version seeing as it seems to be one of the most reliable diesels at shed price point, however I really can't see the appeal of a petrol version. If you want a large V6 Estate by a Mondeo ST220 or even a 2.5, if you must have 4x4 get a Legacy estate, if you must buy German get an E39 estate. Simples! really can't see anything going for this at all!
£1495 is top dollar for one of these. The B5.5 is a better option - I had the 2.3 V5 (FWD) Tip with an alleged 170bhp. Don't underestimate the weight of these & the sloppy handling. The 2.8V6 is probably the last of the good V6's that Volkswagen offered (although a 3.6 as featured recently would probably be ok). The 3.2V6 wasn't great though.
Good looking cars, but I knew people who had these 5 years ago, and were constantly putting money into them to keep them going. Serial component failures, water leaks, suspension issues. Underneath that handsome body and expensive looking interior, they're really not very well made or reliable. I'd take a punt on one at £500, but only because I could afford to bin if it broke expensively. At £1500 there'd be an ROI dilemma if something expensive broke in the first year. Which there's a good chance it would.
Either the crappiest leather known to man or it's had a significant haircut.For the same money I'd try and find a good high mileage B5.5. I borrowed a 2.5 TDI one last year with 165k on it and covered nearly 1,000 miles in wafty comfort. It had the same interior, which was less worn than this one apart from the perhaps the alcantara part of the drivers seat base. The seats are much better than an A6 C5.
If you got bored of this you could make it into an actual shed: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=5... That is a B5 V6 Syncro underneath
If you got bored of this you could make it into an actual shed: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=5... That is a B5 V6 Syncro underneath
Limpet said:
Good looking cars, but I knew people who had these 5 years ago, and were constantly putting money into them to keep them going. Serial component failures, water leaks, suspension issues. Underneath that handsome body and expensive looking interior, they're really not very well made or reliable. I'd take a punt on one at £500, but only because I could afford to bin if it broke expensively. At £1500 there'd be an ROI dilemma if something expensive broke in the first year. Which there's a good chance it would.
This was my experience with a B5.5 1.8T. Felt as well built as a tank, but frequent niggling problems and in the end I got shot of it and bought a Mazda 6 which never gave me a single engine management light/electrical type issue in the three years I owned it. This gen Passat also has awful vague steering, which constantly needs corrections at motorway speeds. On the plus side, the most comfortable riding car I've ever owned....Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff