Volkswagen Passat 2005 and earlier

daybw1

I seem to recall older post regarding cruise control problems. My 98'GLX cruise refuses to function. Any hits?

Thanks,
Bruce

dle01

johnandkim -- thanks for your reply. Its good to hear from someone who has about twice the mileage we do with no problems. I'm going to keep better track of oil consumption, but at the last oil change the oil level was still normal in our car. This is a refreshing change from my last car (95 Subaru Legacy) that was using about a quart every 3k miles.

I'd still like to hear from others as to what the "issues" are with the V6.

frankie33

I have a 2002 GLX and have not been able to find an explantion for, or the purpose of, the two red lights, located under the rear view mirror. If you place your hand beneath the rear view mirror, you are able to see the reflection of the lights.

One VW mechanic told me they may have something to do with the windshield rain sensoring system.

Anyone have any ideas?

pkradd

Sounds like tthey're infared sensors for what the VM mechanic says thay may be. Did you check the user manual. (I always get annoyed that the VW mechanics never know the answer to questions. Does VW of America know how stupid some of these people are?)

mbros2k

I think those little lights are sensors for the auto dimming mirror. There is a switch somewhere to defeat the auto feature. Flip it and see if the lights change.

arjay1

Maybe I have you confused with another poster. Did you not have a Jetta at one time and got rid of it for a Hyundai or 323 to save on payments? Then you went back to the Jetta because it was such a nice car, correct? Your payments are high because you are killing yourself on trades doing multiple ones each year.
Excuse this if I have you confused with someone else. And I am not being critical, I am offering unsolicited advice from a former member of the "trade to often when you are young club".
Anyway, have fun with the cars, no matter what you choose. However, you have a great Jetta now!

delia21

Replace headlamps every 8-12 months? @ $119 each? You all seem to be taking this in stride. Even replacing the just the bulb would be more than a nuisance a that rate. Is this really so normal for VW?/Passats?

I had my Celica 10 years before I had to replace the bulbs (honest)!

Have had my 2001.5, V6, manual, monsoon, lux. since June. No problems yet but I will be tracking oil consumption also.

Thanks, gm for the in-dash CD changer info.

pkradd

Well, in this instance it confirms my opinion of VW service people. When I picked up my 2001.5 Passat I asked the service guy what octane fuel I should use. He said, look at the label inside the door jam. Nice answer. (The label, was of course, inside the gas cap door).

pvonhaam

I've been thinking seriously about Passat but continue to be concerned about persistent "rumors" about electrical system problems in the Passat. I hear that the "engine" light goes off for no reason at around 60K miles and then a bunch of problems ensue. Is this true or just myth. It seems the quality of VW has improved since their terrible 80's years, but I'm looking for some confirmation.
Thanks,

da_cheng

I just purchased a Passat GLX 4Motion.
Having driven Japanese cars before, I like the
solid feel of my new Passat. The only problem
with this car compared to my old Maxima SE is
when the speed goes above 50MPH, there is a
noticable wind noise, sounds like a whistle
in the car. Is this normal for a Passat, or
should I talk to my dealer about it?

fgiorgia

Hello,
I just ordered a 2002 Passat, manual, with all the options excluding the weather package. Paid 24000. My only concern relates to a fee called something like "Document Preparation Fees/service fee" or similar for $ 289. This fee popped-up at the last moment together with the title and taxes fees. Does anyone know what it is and if it is usually charged by VW delears.

Any comments appreciated.

goolapper

is what they charge u for having their office gal word-process a few papers. It's almost a
total profit item as they probably only paid her/him about 10 bux to do it!!! Should've told'em
you were only gonna pay $10 for it or walk...of course, that's why they "hide" it in the
final paperwork....Dealer prep is another one....they pay some guy 25-30 bux to fill up some
fluids, pull tape off, maybe clean up alittle then wanna charge you $500 or so!!!

cliffyb

Spoken like someone who has never been in business for themself before! Overhead extends WAY BEYOND the hourly wage that you pay an employee to type up a contract. Try putting a business together for yourself one of these days, paying payroll, taxes, a lease, and a million other expenses and then tell us how you are going to provide services to your customers for ten lousy dollars.

gr8cruiser

I guess I'm too lazy to scroll back to dig for the answer to this question..I know it has been mentioned many times. Any educated guess on how long it would "probably" take if I order a Passat GLS, assuming of course that a dealer can't locate exactly what I want? 2 months? 3 months?

Any first hand experience and recommendations out there if I do in fact need to order it?

vwguild

We charge $45.00 for Document Fees and that is basically to hand carry your paperwork through the DMV, and have your car registered and titled
when you leave the Dealership...BTW, here in Calif. most folks would pay $100 Not To have to
go the DMV...

$289.00 seems a bit steep to me...VWOA pays the
Dealer to do the Pre-Delivery Inspection, and
the Detail people who check in cars pull Wrap
Guard as part of their jobs...

Offer them the $45.00 for Doc Fees and if they balk; say it is a Deal Breaker and get up...it will become $45.00 in that brief a period of time...Enjoy your New VW...

rms_600

Salesman claims that it's the same engine.
VW just rates it "conservatively" at 170hp
in Passat vs. 180hp in Jetta to differentiate
it from the V6's 190hp. Any comments?

vwguild

is only for Audi customers...the 1.8L Turbo is
currently available as a 150, 170/180, 200, and 225HP configs depending upon breathing and ECUs...

markcincinnati

I have ordered every one of the VW/Audi products I have ever owned, except one (over two dozen). The longest order to delivery time was just under one year (for a TT). The shortest was for an A4 (four months) and the "expected normal" is 3.5 - 5 months depending upon when the order hits the computer at the factory. The sales rep has a production week schedule which tells him when he has to get the order in the system for a given production date. Then you can add 30 - 60 days to that for the car (assuming it is made in Europe) to make it to US, be checked in, dealer prepped, etc.

fredjs

I ordered a GLS Variant 1.8t manual yesterday from my local VW dealer. He charges $199 for the document fee. However this was disclosed by a large sign in the showroom--apparently required by state law (Connecticut). It was also preprinted on the contract that the salesman let me see before we negotiated. This dealer will charge "only" $150 if the customer is willing to drive the docs to DMV which I may do since we have an office in town.
As far as the wait, they estimated 2 to 4 months.

mirth

I believe the law states that if a dealer charges one customer $X for doc fees, they have to charge everyone that amount. But, if their $200 doc fee is too steep for you, have them cut another $150 out of the car price.

crisscross

Which 1.8T cars have 200 and 225HP?

vwguild

The 200HP Jetta GLX & GLI and the 225HP Quattro TT

crisscross

Which 1.8T cars have 200 and 225HP?

venus537

that was too easy. now answer this: which 1.8T cars still sell with the 150HP?

vwguild

Beetle Turbos...Not the Turbo S, but the GLS & GLX

newcar31

I thought the 1.8T Jettas had 180 hp, not 200?

venus537

now i know.

vwguild

200HP Available on GLX with Tip only, and GLI
with 6 Speed Manual only...

birdboy1

here I go again. Thanks everyone for your past help and most of all support. Have an 02 Passat 1.8t auto. Have been going in circles as to the correct fuel to use. Dealers, techicians, and forum members all differ. I just had the MIL light reset after being on for several weeks. Was told to try lower octane than 93 by several vw service people while others said use 93. Where can I get a difinitive answer, personally I prefer the performance iwth 93, but do not want to damage anything with too rich a fuel.
Thanks in advance to whoever takes the time to address my question.

pkradd

I've been using Premium 93 Octane fuel since I got my 2001.5 Passat last May. No problems at all. The instructions inside the fuel door say use 91 Octane. Am using 93 because 91 is not available here in South Florida. VW Guild, what's your take on this?

crisscross

I just picked up my 2002 Passat 1.8T yesterday. When I ordered it in November the salesperson told me to use premium (93 octane) and that I would get a full tank of it upon delivery. Yesterday he told me I got regular (87 octane) and that I should not use anything higher than 89. The reason: fuel formulations here in the midwest can cause the Malfunction Indicator Light to come on. Elsewhere in the country 93 octane can be used. It keeps getting more confusing.

pkradd

No MIL ever for the 9 months I have had the car using Mobil 93 Octane. (I did once put in 89 Octane by mistake).

vocus

You do have me confused with someone else. The 2002 Jetta 1.8T that I possess now is my first Jetta. Someone else on the Jetta board (Justin) had a 1999 Jetta, then sold it for a Hyundai, then traded that for a Civic, then traded that for a 2002 Jetta 1.8T Tiptronic. Of course, I bought a 2001 Protege back in Feb. of 2001, then traded it 8 months later for my Jetta. I just wanted a nicer, faster, more substantial car.

newcar31

The 24V VR6 has 200 hp, not the 1.8T. Is that what you are saying? So, the answer to crisscrosses question is: There is no 1.8T with 200 hp. The TT has 180 or 225.

vocus

TT: 180 or 225hp
1.8T in Jetta/Golf, Audi A4: 180hp
1.8T in NB (except Turbo S): 150hp
1.8T in NB Sport: 180hp (and 6-speed too!)
1.8T in Passat: 170hp
V6 in Passat: 190hp
24V V6 in Jetta: 200hp
(old) VR6 in Jetta: 174hp

nyccarguy

I believe the current A4 is still rated at 170hp (according to the website). I don't know if they still rate it at 170, but it is actually 180. They've got some issues!

vwguild

Jetta GLX & GLI/24Valve VR6 Only...Sorry
to confuse...

markcincinnati

The 2002 Audi A4 brochure claims the 1.8T is rated at 170HP -- the dealer "suggests" that it is really (nudge nudge, wink wink) 180HP just as it is in the base TT.

With 225HP (potential) on tap from the 1.8T engine, vs 190HP from the 2.8 V6, well, Lucy, we've got some splainin' to do. The Audi S3 (in Germany) uses a 1.8T and generates 225HP, just like the TT. Clearly this is the "little engine that could."

Engineering fact or marketing fiction -- someone knows. But I suspect that the Passat 1.8T is not listed as 180HP is that it would "confuse" buyers of the V6 as in "why should I pay THAT much more for 10HP -- V6 or no?"

nyccarguy

I have read somewhere that the hp is 170 on the Passat because Passat buyers are looking for a more luxurious car. I don't know what that means, I just remember reading it. I know the hp difference is only 20 (10?) between the 1.8T & the 2.8. Look at the Torque difference. I don't have the torque #s for the 1.8T w/ 180 hp off the top of my head, but the 2.8 has 206 lb/ft of torque @ 3200 RPM vs. the 1.8T with 166 lb/ft torque starting at 1950RPM. Even though the 1.8T provides peak torque at a lower RPM, the 2.8 still has an extra 40 lb/ft of torque. That's what people "feel" when they drive.

vocus

That will definitely help you take off faster from a stop, especially with the automatic transmission. I was in a "stoplight derby" with a Pontiac Bonneville in my 2002 1.8T Tiptronic. He beat me solid off the line, because my power doesn't come on until 1950 rpm (albeit, ferociously). But torque is what gets you moving, hp is what keeps you moving. Also, the V6 is more refined as well than the 1.8T.

I saw a test of a 4Motion Passat automatic sedan at 8.6 seconds to 60mph. That's about what the 1.8T/tiptonic should take, right? It doesn't seem like there is alot of extra power in the V6 then, if 200 lbs. slows it down that much.

markcincinnati

Test drive a manual 1.8T and an auto 2.8 -- the difference is underwhelming. It was much worse in the Audi A4, where you could back to back drive a 5spd manual quattro A4 with a 170HP 1.8T vs a 190HP 2.8 V6 (manual transmission too, of course) -- the differences between the two were somewhat of a suprise: since the torque comes on in the 1.8T so quickly, it actually does get a jump on the V6 and "feels" quicker and more nimble.

These two cars both with sport suspensions, made the 2.8 version seem overpriced. Hence the new 3.0L Audi V6. A lot of people with the 1.8T engine (in either brand) have learned that the 1.8T engine has a lot to give and when chipped in very mild form, has well over 200 lb ft of torque and depending on the chip manufacturer, a least 195HP. We chipped my wife's 180HP Audi TT quattro with an MTM chip -- HP was 195 and torque was raised to 246 lb ft (at 2250RPM). Talk about quick!

Anyway, I've always wondered what a Passat 4Motion with a 1.8T @ 225HP and a 6spd manual would feel like -- probably plenty peppy and with the right sound insulation under the hood and the right twin exhaust/tail pipe system, would not give away the fact that it was but a humble 4 cyclinder.

vocus

I was thinking about chipping my Jetta, but I don't know (I have a 1.8T tiptronic). I was also wondering if the Tiptronic could handle all that power.

markcincinnati

is Joe Hoppen, at Joe Hoppen Motorsports. You can get his telephone number from his web site. I usually use a search engine to get to it, key in Joe Hoppen and you will find his home page. This guy and his son have forgotten more than most people ever know about VW's and Audis.

He will know your engine's new output with a chip and if the transmission will be hurt by the extra torque.

Keep us posted.

vocus

The website is http://www.hoppenmotorsport.com.

They said you have to send them your ECM and they send it back to you, both overnight. So that's 2 days without the car. And Tiptronic models can go to "Stage 2" (210hp/~250 lb/ft) without any trouble.

vocus

The price for the above upgrade is about $1600.

You can get 190hp from the engine for $600. These prices do not include a new ECM though. That would be more. Also, kiss your warranty goodbye too.

markcincinnati

Well, I know there are various and sundry reports pertaining to chipping and warranty, etc.

I actually took my wife's 2000 180HP TT to the local Audi dealer and had the dealer and Hoppen do the Fed Ex swap thing -- two days out of service, is correct.

I guess what has been said about the warranty that I do agree with is "if anything goes wrong that can be proven to have been caused by the chip, then you eat the expense." All normal service, warranty and repair items were honored. When we traded the car in, the new owner thought that power was NORMAL for a TT. He got his warranty also since the car had less than 20K when my wife decided she had to have a 225HP TT with ESP and sat nav.

I personally would not stage two chip a car. And, Hoppen's upgrades are apparently sold as part of an aftermarket performance package by some VW and Audi dealers. I have seen one of our local VW dealers have special performance packaged cars on the lot -- ground effects, spoilers, bigger wheels and tires and even upgraded front seats -- all for a price of course. I think they even had put aftermarket springs and chips in them all so that they could have a new total price of the car which was the sum of the VW MSRP plus the Dealer Name here "Super VW Performance Package" option. I cannot imagine that anything the dealer did would disable his ability to keep the VW warranty in force. Of course, I have been wrong before.

pkradd

VW does offer dealer installed "aftermarket" Ground Effects according to Driver Gear Mag (Vol. 2, Number 2):
Side Skirt, Front Spoiler, Lower Rear Valance, Diffuser, Rear Spoiler.

I believe there's also a sport package with new shocks, larger wheels, etc.

goolapper

have started, developed & sold 4 very successful mid-size computer software development companies over the course of a long career. Currently own a 5th & hopefully last before retirement i a few years. So you are quite wrong about that. Anytime anyone asks for 5 to 6 times what something really costs the consumer should either: negotiate it down, walk away, or
pay it. Most who pay without trying to negotiating just don't know what these things really
cost out to in a "fair" deal, they deserve that knowledge & then can act on it however they
like. If the dealers overheads are too high they need to get them down thru the application
of many time proven management techniques....I personally refuse to pay anything over $100
dealer prep and $0 Doc fee as these doc's r nuttin' for'em unless you're in a state where they have to hand
deliver stuff (as opposed to registered mail) to DMV. As you noted there are certain costs to doing business but
I resent the attempt to "recoup" them on the "backside" of the deal.

Also, new car buyers....never ever give a dealer your downpayment check until every piece
of paper has been signed off on, makes it much easier to walk when they try to shaft you
on the "backside"....

dl7265

I called in about 1999 and JOE himself answered and was a pleasure to talk too. What i recall is whats stated in the web site about the exhaust being crutial ect.. so i suposse the stage1+ would be the ideal upgrade, albeit at over $1200

DL

nyccarguy

Mark is dead on with his assesment about the warranty. As long as the modified part doesn't cause the defect, the warranty will still be in effect. But some dealers will try to make money any way they can. They try to blame your Chip, Cold Air Intake, or Performance Exhaust on the Left rear power window regulator or the leaky sunroof.