Advice on buying a Passat

[egglestc]

Hello all,

Some questions i am hoping current Passat owners can help me with:

1)I am looking to buy a used Passat budget up to about £5000 what model year do you recommend, low yearly mileage only 4-7000, must have decent acceleration.

2)is the Boot size ample for a child Buggy to fit in plus all the usual child neccesities?

3) any common problems to look out for on your suggested model.

[ktuludays]

Personally I would go for a TDi (130 bhp). The 110 bhp is ok but the 130 is awesome. I own a 150 bhp 1.8T which is a very good car but if i had my time again i would get a tdi.

They are a solid reliable car throughout the model range but things like the MAF sensors can go and the turbo if it hasn't been looked after. Ensure car has good service history and plenty of receipts. Although if you are after one with less than 10k on the clock then you shouldn't have too many problems. I purchased mine with 92k on the clock. It has been a sweet runner for 19,000 miles now.

The boot size is well big enough for baby paraphanalia. We have a mamas and papas travel system and the boot can easily accomodate that and all the other stuff when we visit relatives.

[pritesh]

Id def go for the TDI (130) I also have a 1.8T tiptronic and its really sweet i only use it on the weekends but i wish id opted for the TDI. common problems as already mentioned are the MAF sensor and some passats have issues with factory alarms being faulty, this is a known issue so make sure the dealer fixes it for u for free! the car is generally of good build and if maintained properly it should see you easy into the high 100K miles.

Full servbice history is a must along with proof of any work that has been done.

one thing to note is to check the sate/condition of the turbo...start the car and press the accelerator hard..if you see white smoke out the back...walk away...the turbo is on its way out! other then that the usual checks apply....check all pannels, underbody etc check all electrical work, (inc the rear heated window). Also on a test drive make sure the car pulls well in all gears!

Depending on what elecy toys your after i would prob opt for the SE or maybe sport model if you can stretch that far.

as an indication my 1.8T 20V sport comes fully loaded....the only thing i dont have is Leathers, cruise control (like you can really use it in this country anyway) and Factory sat/nav, which have droped in my own one.

Best of luck mate...keep us posted

[pugboy]

I'd say try and get a sport model if you can as they handle noticably better.

The 130 diesel is a great motor, but does command a premium. I'm happy with the 1.8T as it does 35mpg average and performs strongely. The 1.8 20v and 2.0 engine's are a non starter as far as im concerned. Slow and the fuel economy is no better than the turbo model.

[mulkbear]

TDI PD 130 are great,

TDI PD 115 are early engine have a few problems, but are still good

TDI PD 100 Taxi good for a 250k

TDI 90/110 don't died but are nosiey

Petrol :-

1.6

1.8 20v ok but start having problems around 90k mark (water pumps, misfires, blown head gaskets)

1.8t 20v are good but common problems throttle body, coil packs, water pumps.

Both 1.8 20v engines suffer from the twin cam timing chain tensioner seals going (loud tapping noise at start up) and sump oil pick up blocking with shite (also loud tapping noise at start up)

2.0 OK bit flat high mile cars can be nosiey, Poor MPG,