Friday afternoon Passat

[Bloater]

I have had my Passat from new, September 05, 2.0 TDI sport manual. It has been fraught with problems, been off the road as the dealer wouldn't let me have it back.

Within days of collection the steering when turning the wheel left was grating. Back it went for the rack to be replaced. Common fault, racks replaced under warranty. Replacement rack does the same, car removed from the road, safety issue. Modified rack installed to cure the fault, still does it 2 years later, VW dealer have no idea.

Last summer, the climate control decided to throw a wobbler. As the car heats up, the fan speeds up to cool it down, but after about 20 mins driving, the air from the fan does not come out anywhere. I can turn the fan speed to max, still no air, depsite the roar. I can press the windscreen demist button, still no air. Dealer checked it, no fault codes on computer - Advise customer how to use, Doh!

As I have posted in another message, I have the creaking front end. Depsite numerous demonstrations to service personnel, and claims of it being fixed with special grease, and/or replacement of suspension arms, noise persists.
My car is due for renewal September this year, and depsite the problems, I enjoy driving the car. Have I just been unlucky? What are the chances of getting another one with so many problems?

After my last service, I had a call from a survey company asking if I was happy. I gave him the bad news, he listed all the issues, and said he would get VW CS to ring me, nothing. It appears they aren't interested. I live and work in Milton Keynes, so local to Head office, but the local dealers are all the same company, so finding a different one is tricky.

Something else that irritates me is the lack of updates. There appears to be nothing on the current car, that isn't on mine, thats three years without an equipment update. ANyone have any useful info? I am also looking at the new model A4, which has most of the Passat toys, for a little more money, but at least its current not 3 years old.

Sorry for the rant, any advice greatly accepted.

Bloater

[james_tiger_woo]

Personally, I'd write to VW listing all your problems with dates and all the rest of it as this can work wonders - The VW dealer in Rotherham p***ed me off royally a few years back and a letter to VW got me a phonecall from them, the dealer and several letters (I'm still Persona Non Grata there though )

My creaking front end was cured first time though - but then again, I'm a regular at the VW dealer and my girlfriend's brother is a salesman there so they treat me well lol

I like my Passat, but for what I paid for it, I could have got an Octavia VRs - but I wanted something that didn't have rock hard suspension (I changed from a Seat Leon Mk1 TDi FR) so I had to pass it over - how's about that car for an option - I'm still tempted now.....

The right spec A4 will hold it's value - get it wrong and it won't....

[Phil Mcavity]

Have to say, ive had my passat now for 2 months after coming from a high spec Mk 5 Golf GTi. I looked at the A4 avant as a possible replacement. the boot is alot more narrow in the A4.I cannot find a floor my current 07 Passat. It hasnt got a single rattle, creak ,squeek,in it with 11000 miles on the clock. The car is an absolute pleasure, although doesnt go quite as fast as the GTi, but is twice as economical for short town journeys.
Stick with the Brand, i think youve been unlucky my friend.

[james_tiger_woo]

Having come from a Seat Leon Mk1 TDi FR - this Passat is heaven. I'm having problems with it, but I'm getting fantastic service from the dealer and the car's brilliant - I'm loving the leather

I've had a Golf 2.0Tdi courtesy car which was quicker than my Passat but not as refined, comfortable or nice...

Stick with it - they're good - Promise

[petera1979]

I've had my car for about a month. I bought it second hand from VW Southgate. Ive aready encountered a few problems such as:

1. Engine fault light coming on when I rev to hard over a certain speed making my car limp till I have to pull up and restart the engine again. I thought it was sorted out when I brang it in only after a few days of having it but its back again.
2. Steering alignment is off and Ive got to pull the steering wheel abit to the right to go in a straight line!
3. Driver side wiper blade keeps hitting A piller and is really irritating.

I love the car though I just hope I get these problems sorted.

[JBlues]

Interesting - I am willing to bet that my Sept 2005 TDI140 Sport Saloon was built the Friday before yours.....after the boys had been on the Becks!

I cannot type fast enough to list the variety of issues that I have had suffice to say that last month after a lot of battling VW Finance, they agreed that my company could terminate our contract without and early curtailment fee....wow wee....no other offer of compensation at all! We would actually lose money doing this so I intend to see it through to the end and like a prat I am looking at a Passat Estate.....sad but true.