RE: Volkswagen Passat W8: Spotted
Discussion
Helicopter123 said:
Looks good and genuinely interesting engineering.
Cabin looks lush. Did these get different seats and leather from more humble passats?
It looks identical to my V6 Tdi, but then I never saw a 4 pot Passat with an interior as nice as mine, it's all relative though, the 'wood' is plastic and the dash a big squishy blob of more plastic. Cabin looks lush. Did these get different seats and leather from more humble passats?
I can imagine these could bring a tear to the eye for bits, as someone else said, the 1.9 diesel bits are really cheap, they made millions of them, but even a slightly non standard one like mine and even things like alternators which you'd expect to be fairly normal cost 4/5 times as much because they were unique to that car/engine combo.
MIne was neither fast for a V6 or frugal for a diesel, but it was nice to drive.
Helicopter123 said:
Nik Gnashers said:
It's not exactly a 'q'-car or sleeper is it ?
Almost 8 secs to 60, and almost 2 tons, I'm sure my E91 320d touring would run rings round it.
But yours is just another 4-pot diesel (no offence), whereby this is genuinely interesting and worth preserving.Almost 8 secs to 60, and almost 2 tons, I'm sure my E91 320d touring would run rings round it.
But it's just a Passatt, and the only thing that's 'interesting' about it, is the fact it has a V8, which is low powered for it's size. The rest of the car is not really any different to my 320d touring, mine has leather, and a few toys, and is probably a nicer place to sit.
If it (Passatt) was genuinely fast, then yes, I would see the attraction.
Is it interesting just because it has a V8 ?
Nik Gnashers said:
Helicopter123 said:
Nik Gnashers said:
It's not exactly a 'q'-car or sleeper is it ?
Almost 8 secs to 60, and almost 2 tons, I'm sure my E91 320d touring would run rings round it.
But yours is just another 4-pot diesel (no offence), whereby this is genuinely interesting and worth preserving.Almost 8 secs to 60, and almost 2 tons, I'm sure my E91 320d touring would run rings round it.
But it's just a Passatt, and the only thing that's 'interesting' about it, is the fact it has a V8, which is low powered for it's size. The rest of the car is not really any different to my 320d touring, mine has leather, and a few toys, and is probably a nicer place to sit.
If it (Passatt) was genuinely fast, then yes, I would see the attraction.
Is it interesting just because it has a V8 ?
Quirky cars like these, triumphs of engineering optimism over commercial reality should be applauded and preserved.
Jag_NE said:
In it’s day it was, agree that by modern standards it isn’t fast but neither are old super cars. Definitely a Q car in the sense that it will be a lot faster than 99% of similar vintage passats. It makes me happy that it exists.
8 seconds would've been overwhelmingly meh in 1982, let alone 2002. Nik Gnashers said:
Fair play, I see what you're trying to say.
But it's just a Passatt, and the only thing that's 'interesting' about it, is the fact it has a V8, which is low powered for it's size. The rest of the car is not really any different to my 320d touring, mine has leather, and a few toys, and is probably a nicer place to sit.
If it (Passatt) was genuinely fast, then yes, I would see the attraction.
Is it interesting just because it has a V8 ?
It’s not a v8 - it’s a w8 which is why it’s interestingBut it's just a Passatt, and the only thing that's 'interesting' about it, is the fact it has a V8, which is low powered for it's size. The rest of the car is not really any different to my 320d touring, mine has leather, and a few toys, and is probably a nicer place to sit.
If it (Passatt) was genuinely fast, then yes, I would see the attraction.
Is it interesting just because it has a V8 ?
I bought my 1 owner, manual estate from the original purchaser for shed money almost 3 years ago.
It does 21ish mpg average, on a long run it will do 26mpg. The 80 litre fuel tank makes it bearable.
The ratios are awkward, I only use 1st, 2nd,4th and 6th unless rapid progress is required.
Honestly, one of the most enjoyable cars I've owned. In cold wet conditions the M5 wouldn't see which way it went and the only car that people talk to me about in traffic or at the petrol station strangely.
It does 21ish mpg average, on a long run it will do 26mpg. The 80 litre fuel tank makes it bearable.
The ratios are awkward, I only use 1st, 2nd,4th and 6th unless rapid progress is required.
Honestly, one of the most enjoyable cars I've owned. In cold wet conditions the M5 wouldn't see which way it went and the only car that people talk to me about in traffic or at the petrol station strangely.
With a car like this, I don’t think you can judge it by the 0-60 times. It’s not really a performance car the same way a C55 AMG is, it’s just a run of the mil boring saloon with a lazy V8/W8 whatever and comfortable seats!
My dad had a 02 plate V5 manual for a few years and bar it’s shocking reliability record and frankly absurd interior plastics (nearly everything fell off in the end), it was actually a lovely car to be in with the comfiest seats, half leather half Alcantara. I never got the chance to drive it as I was 16 at the time but I never heard complaints about anything other than the reliability.
If petrol was cheap, I genuinely wouldn’t mind buying that even if it gives me problems, there’s something about it. Sort of reminds me of them Crown Vics FBI and police use in America, standard generic saloon car with a big lazy V8. I think I’d buy that Passat, slap a set of steelies on it with massive tyre profile and waft everywhere.
Also, the 430 engines made by Mercedes up to 2002 had the same power output as this Passat even though it was a slightly bigger engine, and I’ve owned a CLK430 and my dad had an E430, the last word that comes to mind is ‘slow’ then I think of those cars.
My dad had a 02 plate V5 manual for a few years and bar it’s shocking reliability record and frankly absurd interior plastics (nearly everything fell off in the end), it was actually a lovely car to be in with the comfiest seats, half leather half Alcantara. I never got the chance to drive it as I was 16 at the time but I never heard complaints about anything other than the reliability.
If petrol was cheap, I genuinely wouldn’t mind buying that even if it gives me problems, there’s something about it. Sort of reminds me of them Crown Vics FBI and police use in America, standard generic saloon car with a big lazy V8. I think I’d buy that Passat, slap a set of steelies on it with massive tyre profile and waft everywhere.
Also, the 430 engines made by Mercedes up to 2002 had the same power output as this Passat even though it was a slightly bigger engine, and I’ve owned a CLK430 and my dad had an E430, the last word that comes to mind is ‘slow’ then I think of those cars.
e12mat said:
Honestly, one of the most enjoyable cars I've owned. In cold wet conditions the M5 wouldn't see which way it went
I fear that may say more about your driving than the Passat's ability or the M5's lack of 
Chestrockwell said:
If petrol was cheap, I genuinely wouldn’t mind buying that even if it gives me problems, there’s something about it. Sort of reminds me of them Crown Vics FBI and police use in America, standard generic saloon car with a big lazy V8. I think I’d buy that Passat, slap a set of steelies on it with massive tyre profile and waft everywhere.
But if you really wanted a lazy wafting saloon, surely you would want one that has been designed from the ground up to be a wafting saloon? Lexus LS, Merc S Class, Audi A8. BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ etc? 
I've always respected these because they just shouldn't have existed. Other manufacturers never entertained the idea of fitting such a large, lazy eight cylinder engine into a relatively small car.
People getting hung up by the performance should remember that not so long ago, high displacement, low output engines were considered luxurious (this was never sold as a sports car - look at the seats). The Mercedes 430 engines, as previously mentioned, produced the same power as this W8 and the Lexus 430 engine produced 290 bhp.
The closest rival I can think for this car would be the Rover 75 V8; another car that should be lauded for its ambition, even if it didn't help the ailing MG River one bit. The Volvo S80 was in the class above, but delivered a similarly niche product with the 310 bhp, 4.4 V8 variant.
It's surprising that there are people here who don't believe that a car's appeal so often starts with its engine...
People getting hung up by the performance should remember that not so long ago, high displacement, low output engines were considered luxurious (this was never sold as a sports car - look at the seats). The Mercedes 430 engines, as previously mentioned, produced the same power as this W8 and the Lexus 430 engine produced 290 bhp.
The closest rival I can think for this car would be the Rover 75 V8; another car that should be lauded for its ambition, even if it didn't help the ailing MG River one bit. The Volvo S80 was in the class above, but delivered a similarly niche product with the 310 bhp, 4.4 V8 variant.
It's surprising that there are people here who don't believe that a car's appeal so often starts with its engine...
mrbarnett said:
The closest rival I can think for this car would be the Rover 75 V8; another car that should be lauded for its ambition, even if it didn't help the ailing MG River one bit. The Volvo S80 was in the class above, but delivered a similarly niche product with the 310 bhp, 4.4 V8 variant.
It's surprising that there are people here who don't believe that a car's appeal so often starts with its engine...
The closest rival right now would be anything offering a bit of luxury and a big petrol engine for under £2,500? On AutoTrader right now that would buy you any of the following:-It's surprising that there are people here who don't believe that a car's appeal so often starts with its engine...
- 2003 4.2 Audi A8:-
*2003 3.6 Jaguar XJ8
- 2004 3.5 Mercedes S Class
- 2002 4.4 BMW 7 Series
- 2001 4.3 Lexus LS
I'd take any of the above over the Passat. I'm firmly in the "do not get the appeal" camp
Edited by Tuvra on Monday 3rd December 10:09
mrbarnett said:
I've always respected these because they just shouldn't have existed. Other manufacturers never entertained the idea of fitting such a large, lazy eight cylinder engine into a relatively small car.
People getting hung up by the performance should remember that not so long ago, high displacement, low output engines were considered luxurious (this was never sold as a sports car - look at the seats). The Mercedes 430 engines, as previously mentioned, produced the same power as this W8 and the Lexus 430 engine produced 290 bhp.
The closest rival I can think for this car would be the Rover 75 V8; another car that should be lauded for its ambition, even if it didn't help the ailing MG River one bit. The Volvo S80 was in the class above, but delivered a similarly niche product with the 310 bhp, 4.4 V8 variant.
It's surprising that there are people here who don't believe that a car's appeal so often starts with its engine...
+1People getting hung up by the performance should remember that not so long ago, high displacement, low output engines were considered luxurious (this was never sold as a sports car - look at the seats). The Mercedes 430 engines, as previously mentioned, produced the same power as this W8 and the Lexus 430 engine produced 290 bhp.
The closest rival I can think for this car would be the Rover 75 V8; another car that should be lauded for its ambition, even if it didn't help the ailing MG River one bit. The Volvo S80 was in the class above, but delivered a similarly niche product with the 310 bhp, 4.4 V8 variant.
It's surprising that there are people here who don't believe that a car's appeal so often starts with its engine...
Tuvra said:
The closest rival right now would be anything offering a bit of luxury and a big petrol engine for under £2,500? On AutoTrader right now that would buy you any of the following:-
*2003 3.6 Jaguar XJ8
I'd take any of the above over the Passat. I'm firmly in the "do not get the appeal" camp
Sure, if you're running a cheap wedding car company, those are better, but if you want something genuinely interesting then surely the Passat is quite the desirable object. It's like a latter day Thema 8.32 or as mentioned the 75 V8. None of them are all that fast but all of them are very interesting cars, the like of which will never be seen again, and that's surely of interest to genuine enthusiasts. It's not meant to be some cheap old car, it's a collector's item, and viewed in those terms it's seriously undervalued.- 2003 4.2 Audi A8:-
*2003 3.6 Jaguar XJ8
- 2004 3.5 Mercedes S Class
- 2002 4.4 BMW 7 Series
- 2001 4.3 Lexus LS
I'd take any of the above over the Passat. I'm firmly in the "do not get the appeal" camp
Edited by Tuvra on Monday 3rd December 10:09
My old geography teacher used to relay the story of a former colleague of his, from an inner city school. He once took a field trip to Wales and was out walking with some pupils when he came across some of those tracks left by sheep on a hillside.
"Do you know what those are?" he asked a pupil.
"No sir".
"They're contour lines, you know - like you see on a map".
"Oh."
The point is: sheep follow each other, hence the narrow tracks they wear in the hillside. They take the safe, well-trodden path, a bit like car buyers seem to do these days. Every now and then someone strays from the narrow path: BOOM! - Here's your car. It's not the fastest, slowest, thirstiest, most economical, noisiest or quietest. Neither is it the worst, nor the best handling. But it IS different and, for this money, would make a lovely old thing to smoke about in. There is no point comparing this with anything else on the market because it is unique (OK, except other W8-powered cars: Bentley, Phaeton).
Worst case scenario? If parts are as rare as some say, you could sell the bits that haven't broken yet and get your money back.
"Do you know what those are?" he asked a pupil.
"No sir".
"They're contour lines, you know - like you see on a map".
"Oh."
The point is: sheep follow each other, hence the narrow tracks they wear in the hillside. They take the safe, well-trodden path, a bit like car buyers seem to do these days. Every now and then someone strays from the narrow path: BOOM! - Here's your car. It's not the fastest, slowest, thirstiest, most economical, noisiest or quietest. Neither is it the worst, nor the best handling. But it IS different and, for this money, would make a lovely old thing to smoke about in. There is no point comparing this with anything else on the market because it is unique (OK, except other W8-powered cars: Bentley, Phaeton).
Worst case scenario? If parts are as rare as some say, you could sell the bits that haven't broken yet and get your money back.
I have no issue with the 280bhp output from a 4 litre V8, this was typical at the time:
4.0 Jaguar AJV8 - 280bhp
4.2 Jaguar SJV8 - 300bhp
4.4 BMW M62TUB44 - 290bhp
4.3 Mercedes M113 - 279bhp
We've seen big increases in specific output since the late 90s/early 00s.
What I can't understand is how little this car does with that power. Performance seems to be more like a contemporary 2.5 V6. Do they feel as gutless to drive as they look on paper? An X308 Jaguar XJ8 with the same power and an automatic gearbox manages to get to 60 well over a second faster, and that's no lightweight.
4.0 Jaguar AJV8 - 280bhp
4.2 Jaguar SJV8 - 300bhp
4.4 BMW M62TUB44 - 290bhp
4.3 Mercedes M113 - 279bhp
We've seen big increases in specific output since the late 90s/early 00s.
What I can't understand is how little this car does with that power. Performance seems to be more like a contemporary 2.5 V6. Do they feel as gutless to drive as they look on paper? An X308 Jaguar XJ8 with the same power and an automatic gearbox manages to get to 60 well over a second faster, and that's no lightweight.
Picked up a high spec Bora V6 4Motion last year from a dealer who imports Japanese cars. When I arrived he had one of these too, very nice condition. Can't say I wasn't tempted but I decided to stick with my original plan. Can't imagine they're too easy to work on with such a large engine crammed in there.
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