Phabulous Phaeton (hopefully)
Discussion
New motor on the drive,Alfa Brera gone. Needed more space and fancied a nice arm chair.
This is a 07 3.0tdi with only 60k miles. 2 owners and in super condition. Still has a new feel about it. It wasn’t cheap but I took the view that I might save down the line by buying a good one.
However a gremlin has been found after just 24hrs. A sweating PAS pipe,see pic. Common on these for this pipe to rust and/or crack. Hopefully get some backup from the dealer,who has been sent pics too. Need to do more digging after the weekend
Wheeled up already,since I’m a tart and suspension adjusted down a bit.
Seems a great wafter overall,good sound system,30+mpg and lots of toys.
See what I think in a week or two.
This is a 07 3.0tdi with only 60k miles. 2 owners and in super condition. Still has a new feel about it. It wasn’t cheap but I took the view that I might save down the line by buying a good one.
However a gremlin has been found after just 24hrs. A sweating PAS pipe,see pic. Common on these for this pipe to rust and/or crack. Hopefully get some backup from the dealer,who has been sent pics too. Need to do more digging after the weekend
Wheeled up already,since I’m a tart and suspension adjusted down a bit.
Seems a great wafter overall,good sound system,30+mpg and lots of toys.
See what I think in a week or two.
ChrisCh86 said:
Are those original wheels?
No,it came with Helios wheels. These are Audi. Of course Bentley wheels fit too but I wasn’t up for the expense. One thing I didn’t mention is the feeling of mass of the car. It is of course very heavy and doesn’t seem to want to slow down. Come off the gas and it just keeps going and the brakes need a good shove to pull it up..they work fine though.
And so it begins. Well sort of.
Out today and car goes into limp mode. Fortunately I have a pal who’s a Audi/VW indie so went there.
Came up as DPF fault. So I guess it’s not really a Phaeton fault but more of a low mileage diesel issue.
The mechanic reconfigured the car as a new DPF then sent me off for an hours drive on the motorway
So far so good. I will use it much more than previous owner did so hopefully be ok. Bought some DPF cleaner too which might be snake oil but I’ll try it.
All good fun.
Out today and car goes into limp mode. Fortunately I have a pal who’s a Audi/VW indie so went there.
Came up as DPF fault. So I guess it’s not really a Phaeton fault but more of a low mileage diesel issue.
The mechanic reconfigured the car as a new DPF then sent me off for an hours drive on the motorway
So far so good. I will use it much more than previous owner did so hopefully be ok. Bought some DPF cleaner too which might be snake oil but I’ll try it.
All good fun.
1 week in now.
650 miles inc 350 yesterday and today. Very happy with the car overall. Dpf seems to have calmed down,no other warnings or gremlins.
Must say it’s a great way to cover ground. 4 adults plus a bootful of stuff and the car just gets on with it. Super quiet even on 20’s and lowered a bit.
It’s apparent when my 3 passengers are all snoozing and I can have the radio on very quiet but still hear it. Great air con too.
31-32mpg overall with 36 when on motorway cruise. Was a bit worried the other day but happy now.
650 miles inc 350 yesterday and today. Very happy with the car overall. Dpf seems to have calmed down,no other warnings or gremlins.
Must say it’s a great way to cover ground. 4 adults plus a bootful of stuff and the car just gets on with it. Super quiet even on 20’s and lowered a bit.
It’s apparent when my 3 passengers are all snoozing and I can have the radio on very quiet but still hear it. Great air con too.
31-32mpg overall with 36 when on motorway cruise. Was a bit worried the other day but happy now.
^^ possibly the case.
Mine will get regular use though. It’s had the accessory battery replaced already.
I think when you get a car that’s had little use for a while there is a bit of ‘waking up’ to be done. Hopefully that won’t go on too long.
A little fillip over the weekend. I discovered that the stainless door sills weren’t a little scuffed but actually had the original plastic covers still on. Removed and a bit of 14 year old glue wiped off.....nice new sills!
Mine will get regular use though. It’s had the accessory battery replaced already.
I think when you get a car that’s had little use for a while there is a bit of ‘waking up’ to be done. Hopefully that won’t go on too long.
A little fillip over the weekend. I discovered that the stainless door sills weren’t a little scuffed but actually had the original plastic covers still on. Removed and a bit of 14 year old glue wiped off.....nice new sills!
Thanks all.
It’s strange because I find the car handsome too,but then I’ve always like a big saloon. However most wouldn’t give a second look.
It does have a feel good factor when driving due to the general feeling of quality and mass. Flying under the radar can be a bonus too.
Would be nice if it sounded like the W12 though.
It’s strange because I find the car handsome too,but then I’ve always like a big saloon. However most wouldn’t give a second look.
It does have a feel good factor when driving due to the general feeling of quality and mass. Flying under the radar can be a bonus too.
Would be nice if it sounded like the W12 though.
Little update
1000 miles covered now. Looks like 30mpg is where it’s at overall which is fine.
Had the wheels balanced yesterday which has cured a slight wobble through the car. £20 well spent
One of the air vent blinds has stopped opening and closing. I’ve tried a few different settings but no joy. Apparently these can just fix themselves but it’s unlikely for me!
Need to do more investigation
Other than that,all good.
I need to tackle the paintwork to remove swirls etc. Seems quite hard paint with the little try I’ve had. Any VW paint specific tips welcome.
I’ve done plenty of amateur detailing in the past but this is a big car in a dark colour so a big job.
1000 miles covered now. Looks like 30mpg is where it’s at overall which is fine.
Had the wheels balanced yesterday which has cured a slight wobble through the car. £20 well spent
One of the air vent blinds has stopped opening and closing. I’ve tried a few different settings but no joy. Apparently these can just fix themselves but it’s unlikely for me!
Need to do more investigation
Other than that,all good.
I need to tackle the paintwork to remove swirls etc. Seems quite hard paint with the little try I’ve had. Any VW paint specific tips welcome.
I’ve done plenty of amateur detailing in the past but this is a big car in a dark colour so a big job.
Bit of an issue this week
Couldn’t get in the car yesterday. No central locking and no flashing led markers in the doors.
I gained access with the key,alarm promptly went off and car started fine. I also noticed that the clock had stopped overnight.
Seemed like the accessory battery. Checked this evening and showing 11.6V,so now on charge.
Not sure what to make of this really. The battery is only 2 years old but the car was used rarely since then until I bought it. I’ve done 1600 miles in 6 weeks so would have thought plenty of charge time. Especially since it’s summer with less demand
Anyway only time will tell I guess
I decided to check the scuttle drains just in case there was any water ingress causing trouble. Seems not. However I’ve not usually seen so many cobwebs and associated trapped muck under a panel. I suppose more evidence of a lightly used car
Couldn’t get in the car yesterday. No central locking and no flashing led markers in the doors.
I gained access with the key,alarm promptly went off and car started fine. I also noticed that the clock had stopped overnight.
Seemed like the accessory battery. Checked this evening and showing 11.6V,so now on charge.
Not sure what to make of this really. The battery is only 2 years old but the car was used rarely since then until I bought it. I’ve done 1600 miles in 6 weeks so would have thought plenty of charge time. Especially since it’s summer with less demand
Anyway only time will tell I guess
I decided to check the scuttle drains just in case there was any water ingress causing trouble. Seems not. However I’ve not usually seen so many cobwebs and associated trapped muck under a panel. I suppose more evidence of a lightly used car
Service and check over time
I did a quick oil change after purchasing but wanted my local guy to do a proper once over
So engine oil change,auto trans oil change,rear diff and front transaxle oil change too. Brake fluid change and coolant checked.
Fuel filter and pollen filters also.
What a difference a service makes! I suppose it could be my imagination but the car feels much keener when moving off and then smoother overall whilst driving. So money well spent.
Couple of bits identified….bit of misting round rear diff and engine rear seal. Something to keep an eye on. The mechanic also sorted out some broken fixings on the undertray to make removal easier next time.
No corrosion to speak of. A couple of anti roll bar links getting ready for changing.
Interestingly he did comment on various components being badged up as ‘Bentley’ ,steering rack was mentioned. I thought Bentleys might have parts labelled VW but not the other way round!
I did a quick oil change after purchasing but wanted my local guy to do a proper once over
So engine oil change,auto trans oil change,rear diff and front transaxle oil change too. Brake fluid change and coolant checked.
Fuel filter and pollen filters also.
What a difference a service makes! I suppose it could be my imagination but the car feels much keener when moving off and then smoother overall whilst driving. So money well spent.
Couple of bits identified….bit of misting round rear diff and engine rear seal. Something to keep an eye on. The mechanic also sorted out some broken fixings on the undertray to make removal easier next time.
No corrosion to speak of. A couple of anti roll bar links getting ready for changing.
Interestingly he did comment on various components being badged up as ‘Bentley’ ,steering rack was mentioned. I thought Bentleys might have parts labelled VW but not the other way round!
Can’t comment on V10 since mine is the peasants V6 but I guess the rest is pretty similar. I’ve never understood the over engineering comments about cars either. Seems to be applied to complicated cars that are costly to mend.
I had a 2010 CL500 that fell into that category.
Anyway I would say the Phaeton IS well made. The amount of fixings to secure trim etc is definitely more than average and seems to result in a solid interior. Things such as the HVAC mentioned in the advert does work very well. I’m happy with my purchase so far.
I had a 2010 CL500 that fell into that category.
Anyway I would say the Phaeton IS well made. The amount of fixings to secure trim etc is definitely more than average and seems to result in a solid interior. Things such as the HVAC mentioned in the advert does work very well. I’m happy with my purchase so far.
MercedesClassic said:
That's a handsome steed you have there. I like the wheels are they Bentley? Although I prefer the other set you had on.
What's your interior like? Most seem to be black, I prefer a lighter trim. Are the seats comfy? I see they can be specced with ventilation and massage which should increase comfort especially in hot weather.
Yep genuine Bentley wheels. I’ve always been a wheel tart What's your interior like? Most seem to be black, I prefer a lighter trim. Are the seats comfy? I see they can be specced with ventilation and massage which should increase comfort especially in hot weather.
The interior is a sea of blue lol.
Cream would have been lovely but blue it is!
Mine has the 18 way seats which do everything bar make a cup of tea lol
I’ve had ventilated seats before and like them. First time for massage though.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff