Simon Finnigan <SimonFinnigan (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote:

I know exactly what you mean - but the Vectra is bigger, cheaper (unless
buying new and paying list) and has more choice of trim/engines. And specced
right (SRi, nav, changer, leather etc) is a very nice place to be.

--
Sors salutis, et virtutis, mihi nunc contraria;

In message <5024s7F1e07rqU1 (AT) mid (DOT) individual.net>, Simon Finnigan
<SimonFinnigan (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> writes
I've had a V reg Passat 1.9 TDI manual from new. I can confirm that a
fuel consumption of a little over 50mpg is easily achieved on long
steady runs.

The only real problems have been with the electrics:

1. The direction indicator flasher unit failed. As I recall it was quite
expensive to get the unit replaced. (Parts cost: pennies. Labour cost:
astronomical).

2. The nearside front door lock does not always lock with the others.
The door locking knob drops down with the rest, but then pops up again
all by itself.

3. The doors do not always deadlock (i.e. the indicators do not always
flash on locking).

4. You have to go to the garage to get the headlamp bulbs replaced!

5. The alarm sometimes goes off all by itself, particularly if the boot
lid is open.

6. The brake fluid level sensor failed.

However, that said, the Passat is my absolute favourite of all of the
cars I have ever driven over the last 40+ years, and my next car will
probably be an Octavia.

--
Ian

ian <ian (AT) nospam (DOT) net> wrote:

I'd love to know where the labour cost came from - the flasher is on the
back of the hazards switch - mine played up but was fixed by pulling the
relay and plugging it back in again.

Sounds like corroded terminals on the 'comfort control module' box under
the passenger seat. Check the carpet to see if it's damp and have a look
ASAP - if you catch it before the terminals are completely corroded or
water gets into the box then you'll save yourself a lot of grief and
money.

Hmmm, is this because the front bumper needs removing to replace them? -
if so, it's quite a simple job to do at home - the bumper is hinged at
one end so you can easily swing it out of the way.

See above, ref: CCM.

Why? - they're based on the Golf. If you want more of the same, look at
a Superb.
--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

"Simon Finnigan" <SimonFinnigan (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

That's *not* the drive, that's the turbodiesel nature of it. The vast
majority of Mondeo and Passat sized, modern or modern-ish, four cylinder
turbodiesels can tick both the "50 mpg at motorway trips" and that wonderful
"surge of acceleration at 70 in top" boxes. Then you just have to find the
best combination that suits.

Multivalve diesels _tend_ to rev better, too, the older generation 1.9 TDI
is an eight valve design, the newer 2.0 is a sixteen valve design. All four
cylinder TDI engines (that I've tried, and that's lots and lots from the 90
to the 150 PS versions) excel at low down thump (under 2,500 rpm) and I
can't think of anything else with four cylinders that pulls as well, but
once you get beyond 3,500 rpm, plenty of engines respond much better. The
2.0 manages a better compromise of it, but the likes of the Fiat / General
Motors multivalve donks of recent years (from the Isuzu-designed DTI Ecotec
to the current Fiat engines) pull much better at higher engine speeds and
still manage decent pull under 2,500 rpm.

Even if you're set on a Passat, I'd recommend you try some of the
competition to see how they feel on the motorway and on the slip road.

Taking three examples, the Passat TDI, Mondeo TDCi and Peugeot 406 HDI are
all expensive as a used buy because of the diesel factor (less so the
Peugeot).

"Ewwww" is all I'm going to say... red rag to a bull of course. :-) What
else have you compared it with?

The previous generation Passat non-DSG automatic (whatever it's called)
isn't as economical as the manual. It isn't all that close either, nor
smooth, nor reliable: "avoid" springs to mind. The folks have one. Yeuch
transmission.

Come to think of it, the rest of the machine hasn't been what you'd expect
of a VW product either in terms of build quality (rattles) and reliability
(it's broken down several times in the first eighteen months). Hopefully
once out of the initial few months (!) it'll settle down.

It will help economy a little, subject to the driver, the style and similar.
Most cars, most drivers and most routes, there's no real difference in fuel
consumption. That said, in most machines, an economy-minded driver keeping
with the flow of traffic will be able to squeeze lower consumption out of
the manual compared with the automatic - but there are exceptions for every
rule. Like most Mercedes...

It'll also hurt consumption by a decent chunk too. The 1.9s will typically
return around 8 to 10 mpg higher than the V6; if you achieve 50 mpg from the
1.9, you'd be looking at low 40s from the 2.5. The 2.5's greatest asset
would appear to be the better equipment.

--
The DervMan
www.dervman.com

ian wrote:
<snip>

I once had that with a B5 Passat I owned - the dealers replaced the
lock door lock under warranty. The only difference being it was on a
rear door.

Does that coincide with when funky lock unlocks itself?

Really?

Is yours a B5.5 (can't remember when the facelift occurred) or a B5? I
had a couple of B5s, and I'm fairly sure I changed the odd headlamp
bulb whilst I had them.

I thoroughly enjoyed owning them when I had them - they were well put
togetther and solid. Not exactly the most dynamic handling, but a nice
environment to be driving in.

I've only ever been a passenger in Octavias (taxis), and for that
matter the previous shape Boras (given a lift in one). The Octavias'
interior trim didn't seem quite the same quality or feel as the (B5)
Passats - but that's just fairly quick judgement, really. I recently
was a passenger in a previous shape Bora, though, and that seemed to
have an interior finish more like the B5 Passats.

"SteveH" <steve (AT) italiancar (DOT) co.uk> wrote


I`ve had a look but I can`t find it - I don`t suppose you have it handy do
you to email to me. i`d really appreciate it, i`m going looking at cars
tomorrow!

--
Items on ebay:
http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZscousesifinQQhtZ-1

"SteveH" <steve (AT) italiancar (DOT) co.uk> wrote


I knew there`d be a reason I couldn`t dig it out. My Dad was telling me to
go for an Audi rather than the VW, but it looks to me like I`d get more car
for my money going the VW route. Maybe in a few years time :-)

--
Items on ebay:
http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZscousesifinQQhtZ-1

In message <1167915427.171482.198490 (AT) 51g2000cwl (DOT) googlegroups.com>,
Douglas Hall <douglashall13th (AT) yahoo (DOT) co.uk> writes
No. Seemingly unconnected events.


As I remarked in another reply, the handbook says that you need to have
the garage replace headlight bulbs, so I didn't pursue it.

Thanks Douglas.

--
Ian

In message <1hrdol4.1f36i2517st7xuN%steve (AT) italiancar (DOT) co.uk>, SteveH
<steve (AT) italiancar (DOT) co.uk> writes
The garage said they had to remove part of the dashboard to get to it!
(I don't take my car to that garage for service or repairs any more).


I will look into this.


I am not a mechanic. I just went by what it said in the user's manual.

Thanks for all your comments.

--
Ian

On Fri, 05 Jan 2007 19:49:50 -0000, ian <ian (AT) nospam (DOT) net> wrote:


It says that in most cars handbooks.