Is anyone out there happy with their Passat?

[james_tiger_woo]

On a plus side, I'm happy with my VW dealer as I'm there twice a month....

[dunkley201]

Well guys (& maybe some girls?), having read all the above posts there certainly seem to be some mixed opinions! I guess however, we are all likely to be keen on cars in general and VW in particular.
My car was purchased in October 08 with a mileage of 17k. It is a "dreaded" AD07 ***, but apparently none the worse for it. This is my 3rd Passat, the previous 2 were a '98R B5 TDI 110 SE saloon and a '04/54 B5 TDI 130 Trendline Estate.
Technically, I feel that for a large car it was a retrograde step to move away from the Audi floorpan/engine layout to that of the Golf. Visually, the B5 design remains a classic, a class act for the B6 to follow! Only time will tell on that score. Presently the car looks great (stunning in blue graphite!) and drives well. Comfortable seats, well appointed, no rattles or wind noise and huge in the back! - but I miss the Climate on both the B5s and the fingertip S/W controls on the Trendline. I am most impressed with the DSG box (but slightly worried regarding future reliability!). I rarely use the manual option - no need. It even works faultlessly towing my caravan. (cruise control set at 60mph up hill and down dale). The auto hold is great, always used in traffic, but I am wary to use the parking brake overnight - no need with "park" in the 'box! Only problems so far are a jammed ignition key (changed module under warranty) and rear wheel alignment (have noisy rear tyres - Dunlops). I can't wait for them to wear out!
Would I buy another? So far, yes!

[podwin]

I'd buy another.

I bought mine in July last year, a 57 plate 1.9 TDI SE Estate, with 13,500 miles on it.

VW approved used.

I think it is quiet, comfy and very spacious. It's a nice design inside and out. I think the hand brake and ignition key are good ideas and work well.

I have had a few problems, but so have all my cars. I cured the squeaky glovebox with door draft excluder I had lying around, and the tailgate occasionally fills up with water, which no one else seems to have experienced. The dealer and I have attempted a fix without much luck and I will be asking about it next service time.

I also think the plastics used are good quality, and everything feels nice to the touch.

[JLamy]

I have a 55 reg 2.0 TDI SE saloon manual, 81k on the clock (had it since 73k), ex company car. On the whole I am happy with it, with the exception of the niggles I have as listed below;

(1) Rattle from glovebox - opening and closing sorts it for few minutes then comes back. Common problem apparently.

(2) Far left (Passenger) air vent knurled wheel does not open or close the vent - it is stuck shut at the moment.

(3)Yellow glow plug light flashes along with warning message on the MFD 'Engine fault - garage' when car driven hard upon reaching 80, usually when flooring the throttle to reach 4.5k RPM in 3, 4, 5, 6th gears but can happen when cruising in 6th and me speeding up to around 85 on full throttle. Engine will lose power when the light is on. The light and the error goes away after turning off ignition, then restarting the car.

(4) Electric window switches on driver door - the switches that operate the drivers window and the rear window (drivers side) is stuff causing it to stay stuck 'on' whenever I open or close a window. I have to manually pull switch back into neutral position to get the window to stop. The switches that operate the windows on the left hand side of the car are fine.

(5) Boot lid doesn't pop up open via the button on the remote control or the internal boot release button when car is cold or been parked in cold weather. Can something be greased up to help it along.

(6) Driver's door external handle stiffer to operate (when opening door) in comparison to the other doors. Is this by design due to the presence of the key hole and it's mechanicals, or can something be greased up to make it glide better.

(7) General engine idling noise seems to be greater than other diesel engines. Can this be checked ?

(8) At speeds from 60 MPH there is a whistling noise from front of car or windscreen similar to an old skool kettle boiling but at a low to faint level of sound, I cannot pin point it. Only noticeable when driving on the newer quieter tarmac such as the stretch of M25 between the M4 and M3.

[dunkley201]

Re: "(5) Boot lid doesn't pop up open via the button on the remote control or the internal boot release button".

Mine never has! I thought it was a VAG COM programming issue?

[Spudrig]

Re: "(5) Boot lid doesn't pop up open via the button on the remote control or the internal boot release button".

Mine never has! I thought it was a VAG COM programming issue?

Dunkley, it only pops open fullt on the saloon model. On the estates, can you imagine the damage caused by it popping fully open if someone had parked right up behind you in a car park?

[Spudrig]

(7) General engine idling noise seems to be greater than other diesel engines. Can this be checked ?

The VW TDi PD engines are generally noisier than most newer diesel engines. But the new Common Rail (CR) engines are amazingly quiet at idle!

[dunkley201]

"it only pops open fullt on the saloon model"

Yeah - but on mine NOTHING happens! No unlock, no click, nothing! (on remote or door switch)

[podwin]

There is no unlock or click when pressing either the button on the remote (press and hold for 2 secs until lights flash) or the button inside next to the fuel flap release.

If it then doesn't open when you try opening the boot, the switch has gone on the tailgate itself which is simple to fix

[dunkley201]

[QUOTE=podwin;343984] (press and hold for 2 secs until lights flash)

It says that in my manual too. However, the remote tailgate open button and door switch are merely ornaments on my car. (the remote LED glows) The only way to open is to double click the remote to unlock all doors then lift the tailgate using the external handle over the numberplate.