Going to look at a B6 Passat - what to look out for?

[evobaz]

I'm looking at trading in my W reg B5 Passat Tdi for a 2008 B6 Passat Tdi 140bhp Sport. The car has only done 11k miles

Are there any common problems that I should look out for on the B6?

I was speaking to a VW Technician yesterday and he suggested that the electronic handbrake can stick in the very cold weather we've had recently.

Any advice etc would be greatly appreciated

[Quatrelle]

There were some posts on here a few days ago re the handbrake sticking on. Best just leave it in gear if the cars been in rain/snow. It can happen to any sort of handbrake in freezing weather. A lot of the early problems have (should have) been sorted out by 2008.

Make sure you get both keys.

Have a look here: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=759&

you'll probably buy something else...

[Europa25]

I've heard of that website and it seems a reasonable overview..
Overall, it's a good car.

I have only encountered one of the 'bads' -

'Early 2.0TDI DSGs suffer from ECU programming that reduces torque from standstill so acceleration very poor initially until hits peak torque and suddenly accelerates. Very dangerous at T junctions and roundabouts.'

That was a bit annoying for the first few months - it seems to take about a second to choose a gear, then blast off like a rocket!
The way i have found around this, is to accelerate positively but light, as it moves away , you can accelerate quite hard if need be and it should maintain rapid consistent acceleration.

It's the only thing though, mind you, it's got it's first MOT on wednesday :D

[jonsey24]

Creaking front suspension bushes,

tempremental electronic handbrake

Common problem with fuel pumps but only on older models

[evobaz]

thanks guys.

That list on the honestjohn website make it sould like its a pile of junk:confused:

[Quatrelle]

Creaking front suspension bushes,

tempremental electronic handbrake

Common problem with fuel pumps but only on older models

As I said earlier, they should all have been sorted by now - there don't seem to be too many complaints from owners of later cars - but yes, they're still worth looking for when buying.

It's best to look at the 'competition' listed on Honestjohn's Passat page, but I doubt if there's a car with no faults. It's also worth remembering that a lot of those owners' opinions are subjective.

According to a consumers' website here, the Dacia is now the third most reliable car in France. Work that out...

[rapport25]

Im also buying a 140 tdi dsg sport in 2 weeks. Have noticed mine has different alloys 10 spoke not 5 like i have seen most passats.

How much are the keys for a passat then?

I dont think mine has a spare. Also I wont be collecting mine yet!!!

There is a problem with the dynaudio the rear speakers are not working. Turns out the amp has had it. At a cost to the dealer of nearly £1000.

Also when opening the boot with remote should the boot rise? As I dont recall mine doing this.

Many thanks in advance Rappy.

[redrolo]

I agree with Quatrelle that any of the common issues should have been sorted by 08. I have a 2008 170 and have not experienced the sort of issues that some of the older Passats seem to have developed. The only issue I have is the Sports Contact 2 tyres, as most have found are a pile of ***** in the snow.

Lets be honest (John) any car gets made to look rubbish on paper and tends to be a bit of a mushroom affect on issues. You will still have time left on the warranty too.

[jonsey24]

Boot lid should rise slowly, i find mine opens fully on its own in the warmer weather but in the cold only opens around 8 inches but thats not enough to put me off and have a moan

[rapport25]

Thanks for that. First time I looked at the car boot would open but did not seem to raise. Car was not parked on the flat I admit that.

Second time I looked at the car boot was rasing very very slowly got to around 6 inches high after about 10 secs. I was expecting it to spring up quite quickly.

Is it faulty or just a characteristic of the passat :biglaugh:

Rappy

[mikecb1]

The boot lid is raised by a pressurised gas strut. These sometimes leak slightly over time, and lose pressure (not resticted to VW!). Since pressure is proportional to temperature, the loss is more noticeable in cold weather.

So long as the boot lid stays up (when helped by hand if necessary) I wouldn't worry.

The strut looks fairly easy to replace if/when the lid won't stay up.

Mike

[Quatrelle]

Thanks for that. First time I looked at the car boot would open but did not seem to raise. Car was not parked on the flat I admit that.

Second time I looked at the car boot was rasing very very slowly got to around 6 inches high after about 10 secs. I was expecting it to spring up quite quickly.

Is it faulty or just a characteristic of the passat :biglaugh:

Rappy

In the warmer weather it'll be fine. There's a ridge in the liner of the boot lid that acts as a handle to pull it down to avoid having to put your hand on the outside of the lid and getting it dirty (your hand, not the lid:o). If you pull it down quickly and get your hand out of the way it shuts ok. In the summer you have to be really quick.

If there's not a second key and you're buying from a VW dealer, ask them to provide one. If one isn't provided, get at least £100 off the price of the car.

[rapport25]

Have just spoke to the dealer has said he will sort the key. But first the car needs to be registered in my name. Not sure if he is spinning me a line to be honest.

Also how about my alloys? any ideas?

I think the dealer is ****** about having to replace the amp from the dynaudio hifi upgrade :biglaugh:

Rappy.

[evobaz]

Went and looked at the Passat today and i've agreed to buy it. :D

Its a 08 plate 140 Sport saloon. Got it for £13k. Its done 11k miles and has 14 months VW warranty remaining. Car looks mint.

Pick the car up at the start of Feb as its getting serviced, taxed and my private plate put on it (currently on retention)

I'm trading in my old Passat so thats saving me the hassel of trying to punt it on with 147K under its belt:p

[evobaz]

Picked up the new car today and like it so far.

Got a Sony CD multichanger compatible with the Gamma head unit in the B5 and a Van Aaken tuning box for the 1.9tdi 90bhp Non PD engine if anyone knows anyone looking for them. I took them off the B5 as VW were giving me such a poor trade in price.

Here's the new one.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a377/evobaz/DSC02280modded.jpg

[bigstuff]

Nice looking motor Baz. Where did you get it?

[evobaz]

Nice looking motor Baz. Where did you get it?

Thanks. I got it from Verve VW in Glasgow. They've got another one identical to mine. They were both ex pool cars. (cars owned and run by VW)

[james_tiger_woo]

Nice - make sure you hassle them over the key though....

[evobaz]

Nice - make sure you hassle them over the key though....


Who....Me?

I got 2 keys with mine:D

[rapport25]

:Blush2: i have only one key. Dealer is sorting me a new car as soon as I have my log book through.

[dunkley201]

:Blush2: i have only one key. Dealer is sorting me a new car as soon as I have my log book through.

We know what you mean don't I :biglaugh: