Thoughts on VW Passat's?
 

My brother is looking at getting a '99-'02ish Passat wagon to replace his stolen Subaru. I know many of you have these, and just curious to see what you think about them...

Same chassis as the Audi A4, IIRC. Major front-end/suspension issues. The bushings wear out too fast or something like that. A former co-worker of mine had a 99 Passat and it always seemed to be back at the dealer for something suspension related.

This one is a killer deal, but price looks phishy...

Items that will be issue:

Upper control arm bushings split every 40-50K. It's a good but complex set up. There are 2 upper & 2 lower control arms on each side. The PLUS is that the front wheels stay nearly straight throughout their travel - just look at one when they're on a lift. Barely any deviation. The bad is bushings wear quickly.

Regular synthetic oil changes are a MUST esp if it's a 1.8T - sludge issues with that motor in the A4 and Passats. The 1.8T was originally for the Golf/Jetta/Beetle/TT in transverse applications. When they decided to fit it longitudinally in the Passat/A4, the oil pan was reshaped to clear the subframe, reducing oil capacity. The "fix" was a change to a larger oil filter that added .5 qt to the 3.8qt capacity and requiring synthetic oil only. The resulting class-action law suit gives an 8 year / unlimited mileage warranty for sludge issues so long as maintenance is documented. The "fix" ranges from a "sludge kit" - replacing restricted oil lines to the turbo, oil pump pick up,etc and flushing the engine all the way to a new engine & turbo. We remove the valve cover first whenever one comes in with the STOP !! OIL PRESSURE !! warning on and inspect the cam bearings. If they're scored and you have maintenance documentation, you get a new engine & turbo. 1yr/10.000 miles intervals with dino oil, together with the low oil capacity all conspired to cause this. I had an A4 in last month with 69,000 miles that got a new engine/turbo, all the way to my friend's 02 Passat getting the same a few months ago at 110,000 miles. Also, expect frequent Check Engine lights for vacuum leaks with the 1.8T with the myriad if vacuum lines/tubes/breathers etc. Simple fix is to replace them all in one shot and be done.

The 2.8ltr V6 is a better choice in that body if you don't plan on any engine/software mods and reliability wise. Timing belt replacements on both are now 6 yrs / 75,000 miles. Another Class Action settlement pulled the 105K belt replacement on the 1.8 to a more realistic interval like the 2.8. The only real 2.8 issue is a little oil consumption between oil changes.

Ignition coils are common. If one fails, change all 4 (1.8T). They're cheap & easy enough.

Sunroof drains clog easily. Simple fix is to snip the crimped-flat ends to the tubes in the front door jambs and behind the rear wheels. Check pollen filter housing seal in the right front cowl. Prone to leaks into the cabin. Simple fix is to remove the housing and reseal it. Also make sure the cowl drain under the battery is clear of debris. If you live or park where it's wooded, check it 2-3 times per year. I've seen some with 5-6 inches of water backed up in the cowl and get sucked into the brake booster.

If you drive moderately hard or in traffic, rear pads & rotors generally wear before fronts. They do not have wear indicators. The fronts do.

4MOTION = QUATTRO if he looks at one. Same Torsen set up as the A4/A6.

Flush the coolant & brake fluids every 2 years.

Water pump is timing belt-driven so replace everything when doing the timing belt with either engine. The bumper cover has to come off and the nose put into "service position".

Make sure recalls for seat heaters and fuel tank shield were performed...

I would trust Consumer Reports on that one. I have heard they have a lot of problems. One of my coworkers had one (not a wagon) and he didn't like it.

It's like with any car lately - hit or miss. I had a 2001 Passat GLX - V6 5spd. I had done: suspension, Porsche front brakes, HID headlights with leveling motors, exhaust,chip. I put 60,000 miles on it in under 2 years. fuel sending & coolant temp sending units were my only issues. I traded it on the 03 W8 6 speed. 75,000 miles on that in 3 years. Only issues were the Climatronic head unit at 27k, thermostat at 37k and fuel pump at 74K.

He should get another Subaru...

X2

Another Subaru would be the car to get.

He is looking at Subaru Wagons, as well as Volvo wagons. I think he wants something that is a little more yuppie to impress his firms clients, as well as something he can carry tools in when he needs to do manual labor at the job sites.

I dont know many people impressed by VW Passats to be honest. They are on the same level as a Camry. (except for that 8 cylinder one :) )

they are decent, but like all volkswagens they are cheap in the interior design and some of the ways they do things is just bad.

Interiors are something they do well actually. I'd say its one of the only reasons to get a VW over a Honda or Toyota. Honda has funky designers now and Toyota is using el-cheapo hard plastic now.

Than get an E320 4matic wagon. With SLS and AWD it should be good on most jobsites as long as you don't go mud slinging.

They are decent in the mud... :)