2000 Passat 4 motion

[firman]

As per title, stumbled across one of these in 2.8 flavour in my search for a new commuter. Any opinions, advice or tips that I should know of? It looks fairly tidy and is in SOTW money territory. 5 months tax and mot until June.
Oh and the only fault is that apparently there is an abs light on??

Cheers as always guys

Jamie

[firman]

I know it's dull guys but anyone?

[Codswallop]

Have a look here for common problem areas;

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/pa...

Also be aware that under the new MOT regs the ABS light being on will be a fail, so budget to get that sorted.

[Vladimir]

Saw one for the first time in age yesterday.

Pretty reasonable car with a hint of sleeper about it. Handling won't set the World in fire but the engine seems bulletproof and 4Motion is usually good (I had a Golf R32 with it and have it on the VW camper).

I did seriously consider one a while back.

[Triumph Man]

Make sure ALL the electrics work, things like RCL, EW, interior lights are controlled from a box of electrics under the passenger footwell. There is a "trough" at the back of the engine bay, where the brake servo and battery sit. Under the servo and battery there are drainage holes, with a rubber bung. These get blocked over time by crap. If they get too blocked, water will flood into the car, onto the front passenger footwell, and flood the electric box, knocking out your electrics. Make sure some remedial work has been done to make sure this will not happen. I think there was a recall, but can't be sure. Hope this helps.

I got it wrong and came out to my '97 tdi to find a trough full of water that would not have looked out of place in a farmer's field...

[firman]

Codswallop said:

Have a look here for common problem areas;

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/pa...

Also be aware that under the new MOT regs the ABS light being on will be a fail, so budget to get that sorted.

They reckon the abs light is just a sensor, it would be a bit of a gamble I guess, hoping I could fix it myself on the driveway.

[anonymous-user]

Vladimir said:

4Motion is usually good

4 motion in Passet was Torsen center differential, an Audi system not an Haldex Traction-based 4motion part-time four-wheel drive found in your r32 and possible transporter. Same name thou.

Different systems.

[TomM]

Friend of mine bought one in black on impulse at BCA Blackbushe, nice spec with heated leather, 2.8 auto etc

Traded it in for an E46 M3 six weeks later as it as so boring. Nothing wrong with it, and was pretty quick, I liked it a lot as it had no badges and looked unassuming.

[Baryonyx]

I had always assumed these would be suitable as a 'fast taxi' type of car, but I do recall someone on the VW forum saying that any 4motion Passat should be inspected with a fine tooth comb as they can be seriously borked. If I were after a passat I would hold out for a W8.

[Rich_W]

Codswallop said:

...
Also be aware that under the new MOT regs the ABS light being on will be a fail, so budget to get that sorted.

Also be aware that the ABS light staying on has ALWAYS been a fail on the MOT!!!

[Herman Toothrot]

I had a manual one - seemed to suffer a lot of drive train shunt, was slow for a 2.8, leaked oil from the cam cover gaskets - all this with a one owner car with huge wad of receipts for vast amounts spent, it had every option ticked a really good spec, big and comfortable. Replaced it with an auto A6 2.7T and the Audi is such a better car to drive the passat doesn't compare - which is rather odd seeing as they were the same age so same drive train and all quite common under the skin.

[flatline84]

Utter stboxes. VAG is all about percieved quality and appearences, which is fine if you buy a new(ish) one under warranty.
Fast forward a few years and the wheels litterarily start to come off, Ive had mates spending 4-5 grand a year ( I kid you not) on various niggles, this is on audi/VW cars from around the turn of the millenium.

I would run rather than walk.

[firman]

So then, think I will just be leaving it then! The search can continue, was also considering a Skoda Octavia VRS so may revert to that idea instead.

Cheers for the warning guys oh and if you have any ideas for a suitable 4/5 door 4/5 seat commuter that will return 25+ mpg for SOTW money then all suggestions are gratefully received as always.

[flatline84]

Buy a W124 E320

[firman]

This is a link to the ad guys http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120897102959?ssPageName=... The seller has now offered it to me for £800. Too good to be true? Time to move on (run a mile) or take a punt?

[Motorrad]

firman said:

This is a link to the ad guys http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120897102959?ssPageName=... The seller has now offered it to me for £800. Too good to be true? Time to move on (run a mile) or take a punt?

I wouldn't buy a car from a functional illiterate and I'd be worried about that ABS light.

That said a friend of mine bought one of these (albeit a later car)- took it from 50K miles to over 150K and did nothing other than oil changes every 15K miles or so.

[anonymous-user]

firman said:

This is a link to the ad guys http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120897102959?ssPageName=... The seller has now offered it to me for £800. Too good to be true? Time to move on (run a mile) or take a punt?

Looks good. Remember the 4wd 2.8 engine will put a lot off, and are at there weakness. come winter you will sell fir at least you paid. Make sure you test drive it thou.

[fozzymandeus]

My sister recently had an ABS failure on her 1998 Passat. Turned out to be the ECU, garage quoted £600 as an entry point.

Since this was the value of the car (1.8T, autobox), that was the end of the car.

[firman]

flatline84 said:

Buy a W124 E320

300 TE ?? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3791900.htm

[firman]

Double postings

Edited by firman on Tuesday 24th April 19:53