seeking advice

[Andy N.I]

Hi After driving a 97 ford escort td for the past year im changing to a 99 vw passat the only thing is im not sure what to look for with buying used or preowned, as im from N. Ireland im travelling to england to buy and have already seen the car i want its a 1999 1.9tdi sport 110 is this a good model of passat and is the engine a pd engine. Like i say guys im new to all this.

Andy

[L90OOK]

If it is a 110Bhp then it's NOT a PD engine. The 115Bhp is a PD engine.
The model itself is lovely.
Look for it being well serviced, MOT history & genrally cared for!
The sport model should have Alloys & Climate Control...may also have sunroof & CD multichager.
Ensure the interior isn't worn too.
Check for excess smoke on start up from cold.
Make sure all the lights on the dash illuminate & extinguish when the ignition is turned on...especially the abs light!
Ensure the Alloys haven't been curbed & tyres are worn evenly.
Check VIN & engine number with V%
Check the front & rear carpets aren't wet...means rain water is leaking in.
Check when/if cam belt has been changed.

Generally have a good look over the car for rust, holes, dents, damage, welding etc...

If you are coming from Ireland I would ensure you are insured on the vehicle, if it's a private sale, so you can take it for a good test drive.

Anything suspicious just walk away...

[Andy N.I]

what is the differance in the 110bhp and the pd115 hopefully not much differance in mpg. With like i say stepping into vw powered cars i dont have much know how of the vw engines

[onzarob]

Buy a hand scanner and scan for codes if the present owner doesn't mined. Could save you a fortune.

the 1999 110BHP passat will have an AFN engine, Non PD. My father in laws passat which is W reg (2000) has a 115bhp PD engine, but is not a facelift model.

Hope that helps

[L90OOK]

I'm not sure what the difference in performance is like?
My 110Bhp passat returns 50+mpg around town & @55mpg on a run, 40-48mpg if I boot it.
I also run on a 50/50 mix of diesel to veg oil (100% Rapeseed Oil) with no adverse effects.

[onzarob]

what is the differance in the 110bhp and the pd115 hopefully not much differance in mpg. With like i say stepping into vw powered cars i dont have much know how of the vw engines

5bhp

the PD engine has about 30% more torque than the VE engine and they do accelerate like a train, The 110 in no slouch. The older engine has slightly better economy than the 115. and IMO I think they wiill do more miles befoe problems than the PD engine.

The thing to watch out for on the PD engines is a nosiy camshaft as the injectors are run from it, this means that the right oil must be used or its a new very expensive camshaft!!

[minty0_10]

i would go for the older type engine myself there probably a little less refined but not so much that you would notice. they also seem to be more reliable and last longer and do more miles than the pd engine witch is also very fussy on what oil you use in it. after coming from a escort you will probably find a big difference even with the older type engine.

[Andy N.I]

Ok so all in all if i was to go for a '99 se 110bhp instead of a 110 sport model i would be a little better of the same as if i went for a 115 pd engined passat

[minty0_10]

in short the se will have all the extras most people will be happy with. i have a se 110 with and the only real noticible difference is the sport may have a sunroof and a diffrent steering wheel. (there are a few other small changes)

engine wise if you go for a 99 model se/sport it will have the older 110 bhp engine.
2000 on sport or se it will have the 115bhp pd engine.

i think the 130 bhp engine only came with the face lift car other wise known as the b5.5

the older engine afn i think will be fine. you should see a big inprovment over a escort diesel anyway

the pd engine is more refind but is also more fussy when it comes to looking after it. also service costs more due to thr oil the pd engine uses.

[onzarob]

Ok so all in all if i was to go for a '99 se 110bhp instead of a 110 sport model i would be a little better of the same as if i went for a 115 pd engined passat

I wouldn't go for any specific model, All are excellent and the differences very monor. Go for the one has the best history and a fair price. Anything that doesn't seem right walk away. Passats are not rare, theres always another round the corner.

Good luck in your search