Phabulous Phaeton (hopefully)
Discussion
bolidemichael said:
I should add that the size being relative to the body make them seem out of proportion to me. My opinion isn't a valuable as yours, in this regard, as your motor is your satisfaction. However, this being a forum and all, the pictures invite comment and with comment comes opinion.
Yeah I’m up for comments. It’s all part of the fun. I’ve always been a wheel tart.
It’s a big car actually so in the flesh they don’t look big really
In fact most guess at 20”
I think some 911 Porsche are running 21” now!!
Bit of an update. Has it bankrupted me yet?
Gladly not!
8k miles since purchasing and all good.
Before Christmas I had an ‘Exhaust Workshop!’ message come up. Wouldn’t stay cleared so I had it plugged in. Seems an exhaust temp sensor had failed.
Well finally got it in my favourite garage this week for a minor service.
Good and bad news. The wires to the sensor had been chewed by our local friendly mice so car not to blame. However next autumn means even more vigilance required on the anti rodent front!
Sensor out of stock at VW so mechanic repaired for now.
The previously mentioned oil sweating on engine and diff may be sorted too. The rear diff drain plug seemed to be at fault so that’s been replaced.
And weirdly it seems my oil filler cap on engine wasn’t sealing very well either resulting in a leak that was running down the engine and looking like something else. So hopefully the new cap will sort that too.
All in all happy days.
Gladly not!
8k miles since purchasing and all good.
Before Christmas I had an ‘Exhaust Workshop!’ message come up. Wouldn’t stay cleared so I had it plugged in. Seems an exhaust temp sensor had failed.
Well finally got it in my favourite garage this week for a minor service.
Good and bad news. The wires to the sensor had been chewed by our local friendly mice so car not to blame. However next autumn means even more vigilance required on the anti rodent front!
Sensor out of stock at VW so mechanic repaired for now.
The previously mentioned oil sweating on engine and diff may be sorted too. The rear diff drain plug seemed to be at fault so that’s been replaced.
And weirdly it seems my oil filler cap on engine wasn’t sealing very well either resulting in a leak that was running down the engine and looking like something else. So hopefully the new cap will sort that too.
All in all happy days.
QBee said:
I have had similar rodent problems.
I have found that simple and cheap ultrasonic rodent scarers do the job.
Just needs a mains power socket to plug into and then they an be placed inside/outside the car.
There are plenty of choices on Amazon or EBay
Yep I have one in my garage plus traps etcI have found that simple and cheap ultrasonic rodent scarers do the job.
Just needs a mains power socket to plug into and then they an be placed inside/outside the car.
There are plenty of choices on Amazon or EBay
Then outside in the Phaeton I have a battery powered one under the bonnet.
Seems the warm exhaust was too attractive though. Mechanic found a small bait box on the undertray!
Update:
Just shy of 12 months ownership now, with today being MOT day.
Straight pass with a verbal mention of front brake pads required soon.
So 10,100 miles in my time and no break downs or major repairs. Just the few bits already mentioned.
29.6 long term average mpg. I’m ok with this but a bit more would have been nice. Some owners seem to get better motorway mpg than I can manage (35 ish) so maybe overall average would be better too. I don’t suppose the gangsta wheels help lol
Just about to insure for another year. Coming in at circa £300 with just 2 yrs ncb on this policy but I am old!
It’s a pity the VED is in the £600 bracket, otherwise this car has been a reasonably inexpensive daily driver.
Hopefully I’ll get more use without any issues therefore dispelling the idea that these cars are problematic
Just shy of 12 months ownership now, with today being MOT day.
Straight pass with a verbal mention of front brake pads required soon.
So 10,100 miles in my time and no break downs or major repairs. Just the few bits already mentioned.
29.6 long term average mpg. I’m ok with this but a bit more would have been nice. Some owners seem to get better motorway mpg than I can manage (35 ish) so maybe overall average would be better too. I don’t suppose the gangsta wheels help lol
Just about to insure for another year. Coming in at circa £300 with just 2 yrs ncb on this policy but I am old!
It’s a pity the VED is in the £600 bracket, otherwise this car has been a reasonably inexpensive daily driver.
Hopefully I’ll get more use without any issues therefore dispelling the idea that these cars are problematic
I find cruise control at about 67 mph makes for better motorway mpg.
It's quite surprising how much we speed up and slow down without cruise controlling it.
I can get over 40 mpg out of my 2.3 petrol Saab on the motorway if I use cruise, low 30s if I don't.
When I had the Audi version of your Phaeton it was low 30s average, but I did a lot of motorway mileage.
It's quite surprising how much we speed up and slow down without cruise controlling it.
I can get over 40 mpg out of my 2.3 petrol Saab on the motorway if I use cruise, low 30s if I don't.
When I had the Audi version of your Phaeton it was low 30s average, but I did a lot of motorway mileage.
Another minor service
I’ve sort of settled on 6k oil changes. Will see how I get on with that. Might be over kill.
Everything nice and dry underneath so previously mentioned bits are sorted.
However the front pads and discs were ready so they’ve been done. Around £220 for parts. Could well have been original discs since now on 75k miles.
A bit of a faff with some drop links too. They were flagged up last time and are slowly failing.
Throughout the day today my mechanic had SIX different sets delivered by various motor factors. All had bolt holes approximately 2mm too small.
So maybe dealer or TPS to get the right ones. Ran out of time today.
The front tyres are wearing too quickly on the inner edges because I’ve lowered and there is no camber adjustment.
I’ve considered Powerflex adjustable bushes but am a bit concerned about squeaks from these if I fit. Would appreciate feedback if anyone has experience. Otherwise it’s either lift the car a bit or stump up for tyres. I can of course just drive it in the higher suspension mode which may be the answer when commuting etc
Overall still a good buy so far
I’ve sort of settled on 6k oil changes. Will see how I get on with that. Might be over kill.
Everything nice and dry underneath so previously mentioned bits are sorted.
However the front pads and discs were ready so they’ve been done. Around £220 for parts. Could well have been original discs since now on 75k miles.
A bit of a faff with some drop links too. They were flagged up last time and are slowly failing.
Throughout the day today my mechanic had SIX different sets delivered by various motor factors. All had bolt holes approximately 2mm too small.
So maybe dealer or TPS to get the right ones. Ran out of time today.
The front tyres are wearing too quickly on the inner edges because I’ve lowered and there is no camber adjustment.
I’ve considered Powerflex adjustable bushes but am a bit concerned about squeaks from these if I fit. Would appreciate feedback if anyone has experience. Otherwise it’s either lift the car a bit or stump up for tyres. I can of course just drive it in the higher suspension mode which may be the answer when commuting etc
Overall still a good buy so far
Bit of an update. Not done quite so many miles in it recently. Up to 78k now
Still nothing major gone wrong
I seem to have a slightly clogged washer bottle, it’s very slow on screen but fine on headlights. A clean out probably required.
A big improvement in tyre wear this period. Primarily because I have increased the tyre pressure to around 42psi. Kind of full load pressure. This seems to have stopped the inner edges going along with damage to inner sidewalls.
I’ve never had a car that is so hard on tyres if they’re not up to the job/properly inflated. Over the years I have generally run my tyres a bit under because I prefer it. However it’s not an option on this car. No problem now I know.
So no big spending on the big VW up to now.
See what the winter brings
Still nothing major gone wrong
I seem to have a slightly clogged washer bottle, it’s very slow on screen but fine on headlights. A clean out probably required.
A big improvement in tyre wear this period. Primarily because I have increased the tyre pressure to around 42psi. Kind of full load pressure. This seems to have stopped the inner edges going along with damage to inner sidewalls.
I’ve never had a car that is so hard on tyres if they’re not up to the job/properly inflated. Over the years I have generally run my tyres a bit under because I prefer it. However it’s not an option on this car. No problem now I know.
So no big spending on the big VW up to now.
See what the winter brings
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