2 x Passat B5.5 Highline Estates
Discussion
Not sure why, but I have a real soft spot for Passat B5.5s. The grey one was my first which I bought in 2010 with 118k, and is now on 231k. One clutch, four door modules and plenty of servicing is all that’s been needed.
Over the last decade it’s been used as a second car with increased use when I sell the newer cars when depreciation starts to annoy me. It’s been round the Ring, to mainland Europe 12 times, and as a result often has done over 500 miles in a day. So comfy, just wish it had cruise control!
I’ve sung it’s praises so much many friends and family also purchased these, all in all these four or five cars have covered over 250k with minimal issues and three friends still have them piling on the miles.
Fast forward to just before Xmas and my fiancé was starting to drive in the UK (from US) so needed a cheap auto. Decided to buy another B5.5, this time a 55 plate auto with the big wheels and tints. Get a lot of admiring looks from a certain demographic which I find amusing! It’s not perfect, with minimal history, but runs beautifully with only 116k on the clock.
It’s interesting comparing the two. The high mileage manual does 10mpg more, it’s engine feels more tired with twice the miles, but interior wise the lower mileage one has more niggles.
Plan is to keep the black auto for 2 years and probably keep the old high miler for another 5!
Normally just drive them so don’t take pictures unless it snows. Both on winter tyres and pretty much unstoppable!
Over the last decade it’s been used as a second car with increased use when I sell the newer cars when depreciation starts to annoy me. It’s been round the Ring, to mainland Europe 12 times, and as a result often has done over 500 miles in a day. So comfy, just wish it had cruise control!
I’ve sung it’s praises so much many friends and family also purchased these, all in all these four or five cars have covered over 250k with minimal issues and three friends still have them piling on the miles.
Fast forward to just before Xmas and my fiancé was starting to drive in the UK (from US) so needed a cheap auto. Decided to buy another B5.5, this time a 55 plate auto with the big wheels and tints. Get a lot of admiring looks from a certain demographic which I find amusing! It’s not perfect, with minimal history, but runs beautifully with only 116k on the clock.
It’s interesting comparing the two. The high mileage manual does 10mpg more, it’s engine feels more tired with twice the miles, but interior wise the lower mileage one has more niggles.
Plan is to keep the black auto for 2 years and probably keep the old high miler for another 5!
Normally just drive them so don’t take pictures unless it snows. Both on winter tyres and pretty much unstoppable!
Edited by matt21 on Thursday 1st September 16:16
I had a 97 1.9tdi B5 from 2002 till 2016, only got rid of it because some c**t broke into it and it felt soiled after.
Other than the inevtable front suspension arm replacements it was a bloody good car.
The wife drives an 02 1.8t estate, needed a bit of work last year but fixed it up for about £250 during lockdown.
One thing I noticed when I bought the 02 was how it seemed less well screwed together than the 97, my son has a 08 passat and says the build quality is even worse on that.
They may not be the most dynamic car that VW built but they are my favourite and I would have another if I could find one that has not got a million taxi miles on it.
Other than the inevtable front suspension arm replacements it was a bloody good car.
The wife drives an 02 1.8t estate, needed a bit of work last year but fixed it up for about £250 during lockdown.
One thing I noticed when I bought the 02 was how it seemed less well screwed together than the 97, my son has a 08 passat and says the build quality is even worse on that.
They may not be the most dynamic car that VW built but they are my favourite and I would have another if I could find one that has not got a million taxi miles on it.
matt21 said:
Both have the 1.9 PD130 TDI. No DPF, engines are noisy but great.
The 231k car still delivers same MPG as when I got it, but a bit smokier and lazier on start up.
Yup, one of the best derv engines made.The 231k car still delivers same MPG as when I got it, but a bit smokier and lazier on start up.
I have a 2.5 V6 TDi in my 2005 A4 Avant - little cousin to the these (shares the same platform).
BTW, love the black steel wheels, fancy a set for my Audi, but they seem to cost more than used alloys at the moment !
Thanks for the positive feedback! I’ve never been a VAG fan, so my love for these makes no sense, but keep looking at classifieds and wondering whether to buy a third! Must resist...!
The steels were a great purchase. Bought for £100 in 2012, ran Nankang winters on it for 5 years now switched to Avon’s. Keep them on all year round these days.
The steels were a great purchase. Bought for £100 in 2012, ran Nankang winters on it for 5 years now switched to Avon’s. Keep them on all year round these days.
Quick update on these, still have them both.
The grey manual is now on 241500 miles. It was running badly on normal diesel and kept going into limp home mode, but runs great on premium Costco diesel so that will stay in for now. Last tank was a real 54mpg too. Other than that it’s had a new set of Michelin Crossclimates and keeps on plodding on. Bit worried about the MOT in November, the advisory list has been building! One more year to get to 250k would be good.
The black auto is now on 122800 miles and used mainly by my wife. It’s been reliable and feels a lot fresher than the old one and with working AC too, but the MPG is much worse and I’ve never bonded with it. Will stay until it breaks.
Great cars which between them are clocking about 1200 miles per month with minimal issues.
The grey manual is now on 241500 miles. It was running badly on normal diesel and kept going into limp home mode, but runs great on premium Costco diesel so that will stay in for now. Last tank was a real 54mpg too. Other than that it’s had a new set of Michelin Crossclimates and keeps on plodding on. Bit worried about the MOT in November, the advisory list has been building! One more year to get to 250k would be good.
The black auto is now on 122800 miles and used mainly by my wife. It’s been reliable and feels a lot fresher than the old one and with working AC too, but the MPG is much worse and I’ve never bonded with it. Will stay until it breaks.
Great cars which between them are clocking about 1200 miles per month with minimal issues.
I have a black highline auto PD130 B5.5 myself, and like you, I find the MPG is sub-par compared to other PD130 manuals I've owned.
It's definitely the autobox causing the problem. Lovely cars to drive though, mines on 165k but only having one owner prior to me, the interior is like brand new!
It's definitely the autobox causing the problem. Lovely cars to drive though, mines on 165k but only having one owner prior to me, the interior is like brand new!
Pretty much the golden era for diesels. The old VAG PD units were very efficient and reliable, without all of the DPF related emissions gubbins that blights newer units.
Easier to live with than the earlier IDI units too. Pretty much instant starting unless it’s really chilly and even then the glow plugs work pretty quickly. No waiting for 5+ seconds for glow plug pre heat on a mild summer day!
Really usable torque delivery too. Deceptive pace without ever troubling > 3,000 rpm, aside from an occasional Italian tune up to blow the crud out of the system.
Easier to live with than the earlier IDI units too. Pretty much instant starting unless it’s really chilly and even then the glow plugs work pretty quickly. No waiting for 5+ seconds for glow plug pre heat on a mild summer day!
Really usable torque delivery too. Deceptive pace without ever troubling > 3,000 rpm, aside from an occasional Italian tune up to blow the crud out of the system.
Tractor Driver said:
Pretty much the golden era for diesels. The old VAG PD units were very efficient and reliable, without all of the DPF related emissions gubbins that blights newer units.
Easier to live with than the earlier IDI units too. Pretty much instant starting unless it’s really chilly and even then the glow plugs work pretty quickly. No waiting for 5+ seconds for glow plug pre heat on a mild summer day!
Really usable torque delivery too. Deceptive pace without ever troubling > 3,000 rpm, aside from an occasional Italian tune up to blow the crud out of the system.
Easier to live with than the earlier IDI units too. Pretty much instant starting unless it’s really chilly and even then the glow plugs work pretty quickly. No waiting for 5+ seconds for glow plug pre heat on a mild summer day!
Really usable torque delivery too. Deceptive pace without ever troubling > 3,000 rpm, aside from an occasional Italian tune up to blow the crud out of the system.
Had a 4motion B5.5 wagon and with all-weather tyres on it was hilarious drifting in the snow at 1500-2000rpm in 3rd gear, brilliant car never managed to get it stuck. MPG was only 45ish on a run so probably the one drawback of having the 4mo running gear.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff