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(Sorry been away for a while so doing a little catch-up.)
Based on my experience during the last week, it's quite possible that you did need new brake rotors and pads, but the price of $900 was...(how can I say this delicately?)... a little high. As mentioned in my previous post (#1142)I suspected my car needed a little brake work too and I was right. When I brought my car in earlier this week to a local franchise muffler shop (I know the owner fairly well and he has done right by me in the past) I was told that my car needed new front rotors and pads ASAP although the rear pads could wait a little while. (The shop BTW is in Massachusetts in reference to other posts on this subject.)
The shop manager was shocked that I got so many miles out of them since most cars like it (he specifically mentioned 3 Series and Volvos) need them replaced by 45,000 miles. He also mentioned that unlike the Golfs and the Jettas which have rotors costing about $30, the Passat's (because it is the "high-line" VW) cost closer to $100. He quoted a price of a little over $300 to do the front rotors and pads, which in hindsight seems quite reasonable. Some may think that the chain-store parts may not be the same quality as OEM, but the time I had the same shop replace all the pads on my previous '94 Integra, they seemed to have performed as well if not better than the originals even when they were new. I'll be running into the shop early next week to get the work done.
All in all, given who else was with you, I don't have to tell you that you did the right thing.
Thanks for the reply. My goodness, you have indeed had your hands full with that wagon. I was looking to find out if 97 was a decent production year for the passat, your experience doesn't fill me with optimism.
Thanks again.
I have a Blue Wagon, all options but leather. It has never left me/us stranded but...
The door handles are peeling (right, rear)
The door lock died and was replaced (right, rear)
2 02 sensors replaced, one during 50000 emissions warranty.
Brakes (rotors) replaced once.
High voltage wires - replaced (coils ?).
The car has 96000 miles.
Krzys
PS It needed new battery after 2.5 years.
Thanks for your input.
Check airbag light: worked on 3 times before resolution
Batteries : 3 (The car has 30,000 miles)
Dead electrics on left rear door 2 times in the shop before resolution.
CD Changer: dead 2 months after warranty expired.
Windshield washer fluid leaking in the tailgate 6 months out of warranty.
Interior dome light switch: falling off 6 months out of warranty.
Wooden Shifter handle: cracked 6 months out of warranty.
When we were shopping I was torn between the Saab 95 wagon and this one, I guess I should have bought the Saab. My 95 Saab convertible has over 100,000 miles and has had none this.
I guess you could argue that these things are minor and they don't keep you off the road. I think that it is simply inexcusable in a car that stickers at about $30,000.00
had the engine cover underneath cracked
and the clamp for the main front screw for the belly pan(directly under the front grill)
broken. I've had the engine cover replaced ($160+tax) but the dealer is saying the clamp and 1/2 turn screw cannot be tightened properly because the plastic fitting for the clamp is broken off and is actually part of the radiator housing. Which would mean extensive work to remove the front end to get to it and repair. The wife says she didn't hit anything (yeh, right) but I could see how a good speed bump might give a good whack.
Interesting thing is, I knew the problems where there and the dealer did an oil change and never brought them to my attention I pointed them out to them. Would they consider it normal wear and tear?
Anyone have similiar situations or suggestions?
Have you thought about a Jetta TDI wagon?
The "j" series are the replacement parts, apparently manufactured by another supplier. I've read, but not been able to verify, that most 03's have the "j" series. Don't know what the change-over date was.
2)and do u know if this is also true on the 6 cylinder engines.
3)what is ur input regarding 4 vs 6 cylinder on the passat.
thx...
1) Doubt that your salesperson would know what the h*ll you're talking about. If you check on clubb5.com (once there, use the search for coil packs), to see the subtle visual difference. Here's the link (yeah, I started that thread on Clubb5 :-)):
http://clubb5.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=30923
But it's not that easy to do, since the engine is under a shroud, under the hood. Coil packs are covered under the warranty; I'm not worrying about it. Autoweek (on line) had an article saying the problem was limited to the 1.8T engine and to model years 2001 and 2002.
2) No idea if this applies to V-6 as well as 4. I have a 4, so I haven't really been watching for what's happening to the V-6 players. If the Autoweek article (Edmunds wouldn't let me post the link, it's too long) is to be believed, then it's only the 4 cylinder models.
3) As I said, I have the 4. It's economical, more than sufficiently powerful ( I don't pull over for anyone, if the spirit moves me), less costly than the V-6 to purchase and maintain, and has more aftermarket performance options (due to the ability to modify the engine's chip which controls the engine electronics and the turbo). Personally, the last item doesn't interest me, but it is true. I think you really need to test drive them back to back. Availability may be an issue, I didn't see that many V-6 equipped models when I shopped.
Take a visit to Clubb5.com and lurk a bit. You'll find a lot of information, a mostly friendly group, and lots of support for the Passat owner (or future owner). I hung out there for almost a year before buying our wagon.
There's also vwvortex.com, which deals with all models of VW's, not just the Passat. The Passat board is not as active as Clubb5, but still some interesting stuff.
By the way, you'll see a number of the people from here on one or both of these other sites.
Good luck!
Anyway, that is OK, since I love my car so far, except my radio which does not accept safety code. I have been waiting for about a week to replace it...
I’m shopping around for GLS 2003 with ESP, Monsoon and leather package.
Different dealers have shown their Invoice prices for this type of vehicles
and I can see these figures are dissimilar.
Could anybody advise me what is the Real Invoice price for this car?
A better approach is to do your research and determine the out-the-door price you want to buy at and offer that, specifying what is included (e.g., I'll offer $23,500 including all charges except state fees and taxes.) That way you don't have to worry with the dealer's cost on the car.
So, you might be able to ask for the same document too.
And markets vary from region to region and even day to day.
Bottom line: Don't obsess over hitting some target $x over invoice that you heard someone get over the internet. You probably don't have a good basis to be using other deals as hard-core benchmarks for your deal. Get a general idea of the market to set expectations, but the key to getting the best price in YOUR market is negotiationing with two or more dealers simultaneously. And if a dealer treats you well in the sales process and is offering a reasonable deal, just take it! Folks get very hung up on getting the absolutely lowest price, but getting that last $100 may not be worth the effort.
- Mark
I researched my numbers, made what I considered a reasonable offer, they countered, I countered and a deal was reached. 75% of this I did through e-mail with my local dealer. We all left feeling okay about the deal. I don't see any point in spending hours trying for that last $100. Geez, your time has some value to it, as well.
Anyway, since I love my car, I don't care too much if I paid only a little more than somebody. That price was the reasonable "value" of the car to me.
Child seat on the other...
Is there a review of the plain old FWD GLS model? Everything I find is for either a 4motion or GLX V6.
for the other poster the child seat tethers weren's a problem as I put good old cardboard down to protect the cargo floor...I will be getting a "car box" mat for the new car It is designed to cover all WITH the seat folded down
Also, what's a good place to look at accessories, such as a rubber cargo mat, for Passat wagons? I'd like to get an idea of what's available and the prices.
Thanks.
A few times lately, while driving in town, my car makes a chime sound (a fairly pleasant one). It just does this once, and the outside temperature display blinks for a little while. Does anyone know what this means?
also www.mats4less.com for a variety of mats including the german "car box" brand.....
www.vwparts.com
for the MB cargo net(fits the passat wagon nicely and only 25 bucks) I think it's www.claireparts.com
check out www.clubB5.com and vwvortex.com for more info on aftermarket stuff....
with leater seats cruise control on stem and steering wheel.....
http://store.yahoo.com/parkplacemotorcars/elfloorcarne.html
$29 US plus I think $3.50 shipping.
Found it! The range is about 4 degrees C to -4 degrees C, or about 39 degrees F to 23 degress F. Then the snowflake disappears.