Volkswagen Passat 2005 and earlier

mulfomi

I am in Ohio and have always used 93 octane in my Passat and have never had any problems. I now have over 12,000 miles on my car and continue to get fine performance and great gas mileage from it. Im not sure about what parts of the country get what kind of altered gas, but in Ohio, the 93 octane works fine.

mulfomi

Wait a minute. I have burned out 2 headlights in that same time frame so perhaps the high octane burns out the headlights!!! :-)

ucjrh89

I am down to paying $25,500 for a loaded '02 GLS with manual transmission vs $27,700 for a GLX w/manual. Was told that they would not discount the GLS further due to the fact that they are very rare and can't be ordered either. Drove a '99 Audi 1.8 which I was told had the same engine as the GLS coming in. Seemed peppy but wondered how much the acceleration differential is between the 4 and 6 cylinder engines. Also, is the turbo engine a bigger maintenance concern. Any recomendation would be greatly appreciated.

markcincinnati

Both of these are very good engines and I would not have a problem with either. The V6 with a stick shift does have a bit extra grunt -- you decide if the $$$ makes sense. I would urge you to consider testing a 4motion variant -- but sorry, tip only (boo hiss)!

Just a thought -- but do not fear the 1.8T if that is your final decision, in any case.

pkradd

There's nothing wrong with the 1.8T with Tip if that's what you prefer. More people purchase that variation then any other for a reason. They like it and it gives you an option of shifting manually if you'd like too.
Different strokes for different folks.

crisscross

Is there anybody out there who has compared 87 with 93 octane and really noticed a performance difference on the 1.8T manual?

outrun

All you need are snow tires. There have been tests done to compare front wheel drive (FWD) and all wheel drive (AWD). Here's the results (starting from the best).

1. AWD (snow tires)
2. FWD (snow tires)
3. AWD (all season tires)
4. FWD (all season tires)

So, you can see that if you get snows with front wheel drive, you'll be better off than those SUVs with all wheel drive and all seasons.

Tirerack has wheel/tire packages for the GLS Passat for around $500 (mounted, balanced, shipped).

-Craig

mlayton694

Just an FYI,

I got a 02 GLS manual loaded for $23,680 not including tax , you may want to shop around, if nothing else try carsdirect.com and get a price there and drive to the dealer that they tell you, Im sure you can do better than the price you were given by the dealer (as long as it doesnt include tax), good luck

grelpe

I contacted an Internet dealer about a specific 2002 Passat GLS V6 I'm looking for. She said she has a demonstrator that's close (different interior color, etc). I do not know how many miles it has (assuming a few hundred). Does anyone know how much less than TMV for a non-demonstrator this should be?

markcincinnati

My service manager told me that using less than premium fuel was a "false economy" and that it made the engine perform "worse" (lower power and a bit higher engine temps). I am repeating what he said (and this was about an A4 1.8T @ 170HP -- which as far as I am concerned is the same as is in the Passat.)

Another thing, there is, in some brands, an additive package which helps keep the fuel injectors clean and some other "advertised" differences between one brand and another. Point is the package seems to be placed in the Premium fuel offereings (only)!

vocus

The owner's manual for my 1.8T Jetta (a 2002 model) says 93 octane is recommended for best performance. It says that about ALL the engines though, including the 2.0 (but, of course, not the TDI). That's why I thought it would be ok to use regular gas. I did in fact, but the economy lowered about 2mpg, and the power did a little tiny bit. So since premium goes for $1.12 a gallon here in Pasadena, Md. (instead of $.99 for regular), I thought it to be worth using premium.

mirth

grelpe - For the demo, subtract about $0.20 or so per mile driven from the TMV of a new one.

nyccarguy

Aa huge difference between regular and premuim when I juice up my Saab (2.0 L DOHC Turbo I-4 Slushbox). The manual reccomends regular, but the dealer advised me to use premium. Turbo 4s are considered high compression engines and run better on premium fuel. Gas was cheap when I got the car in December '99. When gas prices shot up last spring, I decided to use regular until prices leveled off. The car was very sluggish. Since gas is cheap once again, I've been using premium.

markcincinnati

when he made the comment it is a "false economy." To me poorer power and lower milage are not worth a savings of 10 - 15 cents a gallon. But, that is personal preference -- the implication was that a turbo engine, which already is both high compression and a "hotter" (temp wise) engine will be even hotter when run with lower octane.

I have no clue if his comment meant that the car would actually have its life span reduced, and if you are leasing for a period that is shorter than the warranty, I guess then it is immaterial.

mulfomi

I havent used anything but 93 octane so I dont know what difference, if any, there would be. It would seem to me that the experience that nyccarguy had makes sense. I also would choose the octane level you plan on using and stick with it. I wont deliberately use anything but 93 now. Im sure at some point I will be somewhere where I dont have a choice, but Im not going to test it out with my car.

avillanueva

In your message you stated that you purchased a fully loaded GSL for $23,680. Where are you located geographically, and what package(s) did you get in the car? Did you pay any fees (prep port, advertising, etc)? Thanks

mlayton694

Fully loaded EXCEPT with manual tranmission. For that price I got Leather Package (leather, heated seats, washer nozzles) and Luxury Packages (Moonroof, Sunshade, Alloys), Monsoon stereo, and Homelink (no choice here). I had the dealer also put in the in-dash CD for $300-325 I think (which is standard on new Passats). There are no options left to get on a GLS except Tiptronic (automatic tranny). This was back at the end of October. Dealer was Shrewsbury Motors in Tinton Falls, NJ. However, I had 2 other dealers in my area EMail me saying they would match the price, I picked the closest dealer. My recollection is that the sticker on this car was around $25,500. How much did post-9/11 economy have on my price, dont know , but you can go to Carsdirect.com and spec this car out right now for $24,3xx.

Fees: $125 documention/DMV fees. Thats it ! The $500 or so destination was on the sticker and was of course included in the $23,680. Sales tax of course extra which is 6% here in NJ.
Hope that helps.

avillanueva

Thank you for the useful information. A NJ dealer has quoted me a GLS 1.8T automatic with luxury package at $23,449 (includes ad and port prep fees plus $400 profit). Edmunds TMV is coming in at $23,191. I have a couple of months to check out dealerships in the Philly/NJ region before buying a car. Any suggestions regarding your experience with NJ dealerships would be welcomed. Again, thank you.

oldgearhead

Hi Everyone,

I am seriously considering a new Passat but am concerned with the fact that my nearest dealer is 85 miles away. This will be my first new car and I wonder is this going to be a big pain?? I assume that warranty service can only be performed at a dealership so every time its a road trip. What if the car has to be towed is that covered under the warranty?

Your thoughts are appreciated,

Mike

mirth

I think the current Passat's reliability is probably okay and you could make do going to a local mechanic for maintenance work. But if you needed warranty work done, you'd have to make the 85 mile trip. And towing is not covered.

8u6hfd

Give Trend Motors (www.trendmotors.com) in Rockaway, NJ a try. That's where I got my 2002 Golf TDI at.

vocus

I thought towing was covered under the roadside assistance for 4 years/50K? I never read all the info on my 2002 Jetta yet though, and I have had it for 4 months.

On a separate note, it looks like Edmunds' 1999 long-term Passat is holding up pretty well. It's at about 50K, and just starting to look its age. This bodes pretty well.

mirth

Maybe I'm wrong. But 85 miles....?

vocus

If it's the closest dealership and you have to get your car there, they wouldn't have a choice. This is assuming they cover towing. This is bugging me now..

rms_600

Friend got a Passat GLS (Lux. pkg, monsoon,
Homelink) for $420 over edmunds invoice price
(23.6K). A comparable car in that price range
you may want to look at is Honda Accord EX V6
(22.7K according to local dealer ad)

vwguild

With the New Warranty for 2002, the Free Scheduled
Maintenance component has been eliminated...
700,000 cars sold in 2000/2001, that's a lot of
oil changes!!!

Although I would not say it is ideal, it is certainly acceptable to have your 5K/6Month
Services done by any local, competant Service
Facility. Be sure to take your *Maintenance Booklet* with you as a guide for them, and you should be fine...just remember that you will also
need to to have your tires rotated every 5K to
remain compliant with your Tire warranty, and that
you should make that 85 Mile trek at 40K & 60K,
and 80K...

oldprofessor

Having the nearest dealer 85 miles away can be a problem. In my case, the nearest dealer is about 60 miles away or 120 if I want to stay in state. One morning I got in my Passat ('99 GLX), and it wouldn't start no matter what. I called the 24-hr. assistance number, as it was still on warranty, and eventually they dispatched a truck to load the car (they wouldn't tow it) and take it to the closest dealer. I was without the car for the better part of a week and then had to go pick it up and bring it back. Real pain. I've found no one locally (I live in a small town in Mississippi) that will work on a VW as new as mine. Because it had only a 2-year warranty, it's been off warranty for the better part of a year, but I haven't had any trouble with it (knock on wood) for quite a while. I love many things about the car, but reliability hasn't been as good as with some of the Japanese cars I've owned.

ian18

I received a dealer's VW-Mazda maintenance menu in the mail yesterday, as I am on their mailing list for my Mazda.

Cost to replace the timing belt is $500 for the 4 cylinder, $600 for the 6 cylinder. For comparison, this job is $400 and $600 for Mazda cars.

Looking at this listing, I think service costs are going through the roof at new car dealers. I guess that's why I have been taking my Mazda to an independent garage for the past 2 years.

kabbyr

I finally decided to go in for the Passat GLS (1.8T, Auto, Lux, Lthr, Monsoon). I'd like recommendations on Bay Area dealers. Broadwalk (@Redwood City) is the closest to me.

Any feedback on this, and other dealers appreciated. Thanks in advance.

frapzoid

There are a few Bay Area dealers I would stay away from... Boardwalk did the usual game in regards to the price. One of the dealers in San Jose was the worst. Got my Passat a few months ago in Walnut Creek at Dirito Brothers. Good price and best of all there were no games when it came to price. Absolutely no pressure to buy like there was in San Jose. I figure if a product is priced right then there should be no pressure to buy. A dealer tends to pressure a customer into a deal that is advantageous to him, not you. I work a few miles from Boardwalk but opted not to buy there. Good luck with your purchase.

szims

Is therea recommended setting for the side mirror knob selector on in the GLX? I always leave it on "R" so that the mirrors tilt when I go in reverse to parallel park. My dealer told me to leave it on defrost (but that seems unnecessary since I live in So. California). I just want to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on the motor, etc.

blackjetta18t1

hey everyone, as my moniker states, I am a Jetta owner and although my lease will be up in 2004, I'm already looking for other cars. Although I love the Jetta and everyhitng, its quality problems, small rear, and again, quality problems(rattles, creaks, rough idle-2.0) have turned me off. However when thinking of other cars in the price segment, nothing comes close to the quality materials, safety, style, std. feature, etc. So anyway, I was in my uncles 2001 Passat GLS V6 today and I really enjoyed the spacious inside, smooth engine, and supple ride although I didn't like having cloth(I have leather) and the dash material seemed of lower quality than my 2001 Jettas. So now I am considering a Passat in 2004 since its larger, and made in Germany. My questions are these(sorry if they've already been discussed)
1. Will the new Audi 3.0 220hps V6 make its way into the Passat?
2. Will there be a sport package?, i.e. sport suspension, and tires
3. How is relaibilty? Are there rattles, squeaks, creaks, etc? I'd ask my uncle but he's not a car guy and doesn't notice anything and takes horile care of the cars
4. Will there be any body changes by then? In dash cd changer?
5. How's it handle compared the Jetta?
6. Will the 1.8T get a power boost?

Sorry for the long post, maybeVWGuild can help with some of these Passat forecasting info... Thanks everyone.

ufgators

Does anyone know if alignment problems would be covered under the warranty if the car only has 1600 miles?

Thanks

markcincinnati

I see no reason to believe the 3.0 engine from the Audi will NOT make it to the VW side of the house. Having said that, there are moves afoot to separate Audi from VW much more than has ever been done heretofore.

If you are reading the magazines and web sites you probably already know that within say 60 days or so a New Passat will be in the US -- an 8 cylinder Passat -- called the Passat W8.

Details are not fully disclosed for the US, as far as I can tell -- but vwvortex has both a write up and pictures (European model). US pirce point fully loaded rumored or perhaps even stated to be $37,900 -- which is $2-$3K less than a fully equipped 6 cylincer A4. The W8 will have 275HP and unlike the current Audi side of the house, 4 valves per cylinder.

The buzz over the net is that there is also an "Audi" 2.9T and VW and Audi W12 (which will be in the next VW, the Phaeton (US, early 2003, $71,000+ base price). The Audi board wonders if the W8 engine might be the next "middle" engine for the Audi family (the A6 in the US would be a logical place to put it, especially since the 2.9T is so close to the Audi 4.2 V8 in specifications, and other MARKETING type considerations).

I am going to look closely at the W8 -- and I will be looking seriously if it comes to the US in any form with the manual transmission (check out the German VW website and you can "konfigure" a W8 Passat).

Also in the VW/Audi parts bin is an upcoming 2.0T engine which, one can only presume will make its way where ever the 1.8T is currently). The 2.0T has upped the top range of the 1.8T from 225HP to the 2.0T's 245HP for the '03 Audi TT -- VW's, one would presume would get the engine a year or so later (in the US, at least).

Will the 2.8 "survive" with newer, better, more powerful and efficient 4's? Again, one can only wonder why keep the 2.8 when a Passat could be had with a 2.0T a W8 and then as we go up up up market to the Phaeton a W12. Would Passat's be allowed to have the 3.0 V6? Again, why not?

But part of the differentiation that VW and Audi are working so hard to become ingrained into our minds has to be getting away from the Taurus Sable marketing and image that has in some ways confused the buyers recently.

So Audi will move up the price/sport ladder and VW will move up the price/luxury ladder. I suspect VW will move over the next few years to Audi's recent position (price, lux, etc.) to compete with Mercedes and Audi will move higher still up in price and sportiness to compete more with BMW than other European brands.

The W8 at this point looks a bit like an A4 3.0 quattro "killer" -- which always makes me end with this "what are they thinking?!?"

vocus

Alignment: It's covered for 12 months/12,000 miles. All new cars have an "adjustment" period, and it's covered under this. The dealer will only drive it though, they will not put it on a machine to check it. Also, it might be the roads you are driving on. Make sure the pulling or whatnot happens on all roads and in the same directions, not just one road.

Mirror switch: Leaving the mirror switch on the "R" setting is fine. Don't leave it on the "heater" setting, because it will eventually burn out the heaters in the mirror. I know someone who did that, and it took 20K, but it still burned out. (I have a 2002 Jetta without the reverse-tilt feature, and I leave my mirror on the "L" setting all the time.)

blackjetta18t1

your car has the feature that the mirrors tilt down when reversing? I'm thinking that's another rolling change cause my cousins 2002 1.8T doesn't have that...

vocus

No, I said my car does NOT have that. It only comes in the GLX model. All turbos are GLSs. That's the reason I did not get the GLX, because I wanted the 1.8T engine in my Jetta.

grelpe

Have narrowed my 2002 Passat search to a GLS V6 automatic with leather, but an Internet dealer now tells me leather is not available without the luxury package and I might as well get the GLX for "only $900 more." If she is right about this, why was I able to "Build My Own Passat" on the VW website with no mention of this particular restriction on options? Any feedback would be much appreciated - thanks.

vwguild

Leather is a stand alone option, and is not bundled with the Luxury Pkg.

Problem is finding one...Typically I would custom
build this for a customer, but cannot do that until we can order 2003s...

You should expand your search...I can guarantee
you that these cars are out there...

aguywhowrites

I read somewhere that VW refuses to license its oil filter design for the VR-6 to aftermarket providers, thereby requiring its customers to get their oil changed (or at least buy a filter) at the dealers.

Can this be true? I noticed no VR-6 filters for sale at the store this morning. If so, why don't the auto writers alert potential buyers to this outrage?

vwguild

is mis-directed...go to www.partsamerica.com
and you will find these manufactured by Delco,
Fram, etc.

bitatasg

I did not know that the passat had heated mirrors. Can someone please tell me how this feature works. Thanks for the help. It is amazing how much you can learn from this message board. Thanks again.

vwguild

heating element...defrosts the mirrors; just like
the Rear Window defroster...

vocus

The position on the mirror switch between the "L" and the "R" turns on the mirror heaters. Just remember to keep the switch on the "L" or the "R" when you are not using the mirror heaters.

passat31

Hello Group. I'm looking at purchasing the Passat GLS 1.8T with Triptronic. Options include, the cold weather package, luxury package, and monsoon stereo. The dealer also installed a "enhanced wood dashboard trim" option that has a MSRP of $495. My first question is, what is the dashboard's invoice? I was thinking $100. I do like it but I know it has a high mark up. This particular car did not ship with the cd player like so many other 2002 Passats did, what should I pay? MSRP is $490, but I'm thinking I should not pay anything being that some are shipping with them!!! Any thoughts. The dealer also mentioned a $217 regional advertising/marketing fee (Buffalo, New York) does that sound right? I thought it seemed ok.

The numbers are:
$26,070 MSRP(with Wood Dashboard)$25,575 w/out dashboard & without CD Player

$23,691 is Edmunds TMV w/out Dashboard (but I think they assume the CD Player is included)

$24,275 is the price the dealer was willing to sale at this past Friday with (dashboard and cd included)the $217 regional fee was included also.
What do you think? My inital thoughts were $24K total which works out to be $427 over invoice.

Sales Price - $24,000 MINUS
Invoice - $23,573 ($23,356 + $217 Regional Fee)
= $427
Any help is appreciated

mirth

passat31 - if the car doesn't have a CD player, then it's not a 2002 model. It's probably the 2001.5 model. I'd confirm that with your salesperson before you do anything. Also, you can price the TMV for the 2001.5. As far as the wood dashboard, that's a dealer add-on so who knows what the invoice is on it - just figure out what you're willing to pay for it, if anything. Finally, the $217 is legit. $117 of it are Port Fees and a VW Floor Plan fee that everyone gets charged, and the other $100 is probably an advertising fee. Again, figure out exactly what year it is and price it out on Edmunds. And remember that it's likely the 2001.5 model and NOT the 2001 (they're different). Good luck.

passat31

Thank you for your opinion and advice mirth . I just checked with the dealer and they confirmed that it was a 2002 model. Being that it's euipped like a 2001.5 I priced it out on Edmunds like you said and it had the same invoice but no TMV. I assume it's the same being that the invoice is the same

vwguild

Pre August build on this 2002. The new HU came
on line after week #32 last year...it is called
a *Running Change*...

markcincinnati

Don't the heated mirrors just come on automatically whenever the rear window defroster button is pushed -- and then off when the rear window defroster turns off?

vocus

Not sure how the 2001.5+ Passat is, but in my 2002 Jetta (and 2001 and older Passats, I think)you have to flip the mirror switch to the middle position to turn on and off the heated mirrors.