By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
However, when they mix the option packages up, they may take away the manual too. :mad:
Thanks for your help
Alex :confuse:
I know that a faux wood trim is available as an option # however, I note that European Highline models have a brushed aluminum finish which is far more appealing look if you have the lighter trim.
Does anyone know if there is a US supplier who sells such an item? Or can anyone suggest any other alternative. B6 Passat options are scarce right now.
I was about to complain about it to my Service Manager when I noticed the same effect on all the models (both 2.0T and VE) on the same dealer lot.
Has anyone noticed it or brought it to VWoA's attention? Am I being too critical?
I am seriously considering going for it after the 5,000 mile break-in period (recommended).
With the chip, I can push up performance to 246hp/282lb-ft (91 Octane) or 252hp/303lb-ft (93 Octane). That is phenomenal performance. Fuel economy could improve too. That's for a reasonable price.
Alex
APR is a well-established tuner of Audi/VW engines and they have chipped a bizzilion 1.8T engines.
What part of the warranty is voided?
Depending on how mod-friendly you dealer is - from just the ECU (like mine) to the whole engine/car (I have only heard ....). So it boils down to how risk-averse you are.
With the chip, I can push up performance to 246hp/282lb-ft (91 Octane) or 252hp/303lb-ft (93 Octane). That is phenomenal performance. Fuel economy could improve too. That's for a reasonable price.
For a turbo engine. chipping provides the best bang/$ IMHO. Tell us how you get on.
On the ECUs where you physically replace the chip, they are socketed so you can replace the performance chip with the stock easily. The other way is to get a spare stock ECU. A lot of the "chipping" these days are done with reprograming the ECU via the OBD port so there is no physical removal of the prgram chip - this of course can be reversed when you re-flash the stock program back.
Check here for a writeup on chipping.
"For a turbocharged car, tuners will also modify the boost map for more significantly power gains, though over-aggressive turbo tuning will force the compressor to operate outside its optimal efficiency range."
Does that mean that an increase in the probability of turbocharger damage exists?
In considering other available vehicle options, I felt that the Passat represented the best value for the money. Good exterior looks (w/ the exception of the above referenced wheels), solid feel, good attention to detail, reasonable power, and leather detailing.
BTW: leather detailing on the VE--are you sure?
My dealer keeped the car for 4 days ( balanced wheel and change 2 of 4, done alignement, installed winter tires, checked everything). Local Rep. from VW Canada tried it and admited that my car vibrate.
No one seems to talk about this.. Am i the only one with this problem??? Please Help.
Anybody has an idea?
I have not seen a link to this C+D test here.
I am pretty impressed with the Quarter Mile time + terminal velocity! (14.3 @ 101)
As one who drove a Passat W8 for a while, I am now really curious about impressions from owners and \ or road testers of the 3.6.
Anyone????
- Ray
Wondering how VW accomplished this acceleration . .
Probably the direct injection...look at the IS350 results.
= = =
Well, yes, in the sense that the direct injection is part of what allows a 12.0 to 1 Compression Ratio and therefore over 250 HP from 3.6L (220 cu. In.) with reasonable torque.
More specifically, I am wondering how they achieved a higher Quarter Mile trap speed (and the same ET) in C+D’s testing as my 2005 Grand Prix GXP.
The 2 have very close to the same curb weight (3,600) but the GXP’s 5.3L V8 is rated at 303 \ 323, vs. the VW’s 3.6L rated at 276 \ 266. And 1 could argue that they are 4-door sedans with similar missions – driving enjoyment with accommodations for more than 2 and reasonable fuel economy. And (depending on your view of the amazing $5,500 Sport 2 Option package) they are somewhat similarly priced.
Biggest difference I see is in gearing. The GXP’s 4-speed automatic, vs. the Passat’s 6-speed and the final drive difference – GXP = 2.93:1, Passat = 3.45:1.
Interesting too that the Passat’s 14.3 Quarter includes 3 automatic shifts and has the trans. in well into third gear, where the GXP is still in second through the lights.
And (possibly related) the Passat’s higher EPA ratings – and (much) higher actual C+D observed fuel mileage. (Passat: 19 \ 28 & 20, GXP: 18 \ 27 & 14)
Just a very interesting comparison \ contrast (to me) of 2 very different approaches resulting in very similar acceleration results . . .
- Ray
Pondering the significance . .
Edit: The Passat is well into ** fourth ** gear at the end of the Quarter.
Sorry.
- Ray
Math challenged (obviously)
Nah! What you meant to say was "...the trans. in well into the third gear change" ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Mine got the similar thing but my always started up. It just the "cranking time" is unusually long. I need to bring it to Service to check it out since the weather in NYC start getting cold. I think you should do the same and keep us in post
Good luck
Alex
Some posts have been maligning the B6 Passat's quality. I think this award speaks volumes about its positive points. Personally, I hold the European automotive quality control in the highest regard.
As far as US-available cars, the B6 Passat is the number one car in this category. The BMW 3 Series (4th with 203 points) and the Mazda5 (5th with 198 points).
http://www.caroftheyear.org/pages/Voting06.htm
Consider these facts: This is the Passats track record for the European Car of the Year since 1964:
1989
Third place with 46% less points than the 1 spot: Fiat Tipo. For US-available cars, the Passat was #1 in this category (#2 spot: Opel Vectra). The Passat appears in the top three for the first time in a quarter century.
1997
Third place with 39% less points than the 1 spot: Renault Mégane Scénic. Again, for US-available cars, the Passat was #1 in this category (#2 spot: Ford Ka). The Passat appears in the top three eight years after its first appearance.
2006
Third place with only 2% fewer points than the 1 spot - only 5 points less than the Renault Clio. Again, for US-available cars, the Passat was #1 in this category (#2 spot: Alfa Romeo 159). This is the third showing of this car since 1964 - remarkable.
But you know what really scares me the most? I make this trip up there to the dealer and end up getting the Jetta GLI. Wrong board, but have you seen and read about this one? Ooooh. It has better option packages and I don't think anyone will look at you like you just jumped off the banana boat for inquiring about the manual either. Edmonds used it to disassemble the accura TSX in their comparo test. Ooooh. I like that one.
Now, I just gotta figure out which one I like best: The Passat 2.0T at age 40, or the GLI at age 40?
So at what age is it acceptable to start a mid-life crisis?
An even better comparison with the Passat 2.0T may be the Jetta 2.0T. It's more sedate than the Jetta GLI, but you can get it optioned out in ways you simply can't outfit the 2.0T (including xenons, seat memory, dual-zone climate control, etc.). The new Jetta is very close size-wise to the previous Passat.
I'm disappointed on the lack of more options in the Passat 2.0T. This has been discussed here at length, so no need to hash deeply into it. To me the main issue is the lack of xenons -- now that I've had them in a leased 9-3, I just don't want to go back to regular headlamps. My nightvision isn't getting any better, sadly. In theory I can add "illegal" ones aftermarket but I'd rather not. There's a shop 135 miles up from Seattle in Vancouver that will put in the European Passat xenons to a 2.0T, but it's very expensive (over $1,500 USD, I believe).
Otherwise the Passat 2.0T would be the clear choice for me. Nice size, great crash-test results, otherwise nice features, European feel, more than enough power. But for now, I'm shopping another 9-3 or the Jetta 2.0T.
The first is probably fixed within the first or second visit (re-balancing, rim\tire replacement, steering rack adjustment/replacement).
The second type ends up in no resolution at all. Eventually even the most accommodating dealer will run out of fix attempts. At this point, it seems, the automotive industry follows the same protocol. The manufacturer goes into a defensive mode. Subsequent test drives with technical specialists will result in the finding that the vibration is a normal operating condition (even if it is plainly obvious that it is not). This is a defensive call to preempt a lemon law case. Invoking a lemon law on a defect the manufacturer does not recognize will drag out the proceedings and wear down the consumer.
In order to force the manufacturer to acknowledge the defect, NHTSA's Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) requires the public to log a significant number of cases for the same defect to approach the manufacturer. At that point, the manufacturer can voluntarily initiate a recall - the government-enforced recall option would be a PR disaster.
Good luck with your vibration issues. I was a victim of the type 2 defect with an 04 Nissan Quest. Oddly enough, Nissan voluntarily voided a two year balance on the lease of the car shortly after I informed Nissan of the NHTSA ODI case number I created on-line.
The Passat works better for us at 35 with two kids (5 and 7). It's got ton's more room in the back seat than the Jetta and the main reason we were trading is because we were tired of being kicked in the back in our 03 Civic. You can just look at the back doors of each car and see the difference.
If you have kids of any age or if you and your wife often go out with friends and share a ride, the Passat is probably the better choice. Despite the negative press the cars have recieved from other posters, the only beef I have with ours is that the compass won't calibrate and I hate that ugly litte antenna for the satellite radio. Otherwise, it's perhaps the best car we've ever had.
Our Passat is smooth, quiet, REALLY FAST, and offers the features that a growing family needs. And I love all the little hiding places for stuff. Believe me, the car is worth the 100 mile drive. We went almost 300 to get ours. :shades:
When you went 300 miles, was that to find a VW dealer, or to find the deal you wanted? Don't worry, I will be making a hundred mile journey. My problem is this: I want a fun to drive VW with a manual transmission without having to deal with a dealer telling me they can't (or won't ) get one in. This is what I have dealt with for the past two cars. I feel cheated out of good customer service from this treatment. I also feel cheated out of the car I really want. Why? Because the car is made in Germany by Volkswagen AG. Right now I have a Passat screensaver from the German VW site. It shows a beautiful manual 6-speed shifter, and in the background of that shifter are the controlls for the climatronic system. This means they will load their manual transmission cars, but the company that really over-torques me is telling me I'm not good enough for that option because I want the manual mixer. No,it can't be VWAG. It is VWoA. Now, enter the GLI. Why shouldn't I drool? According to the VW site, the DSG is a stand-alone option. Now, the Jetta grew. From what I understand it is now comparable to the last generation Passat. Is this true? If so, then I already have an 04 Passat 1.8t, so the GLI (notice I don't say Jetta) would be little sacrifice. Maybe I'll wait. Maybe VW will detect something amiss here. Well, then again, maybe I'll find a singing frog too.
I'm done venting. Hug, anyone?
The Passat 2.0T had better fuel consumption that the Jetta 2.5. The Passat seats are more comfortable. The doors are wider and open wider as well. I am 6'2" 260 pounds so, ease of mobility is important. Also, the Passat has that device to lean the brake disks during bad weather. What really did it for me is the odd driving position in the Jetta as well as the strange plastic wall where the windshield and the dashboard meet. I understand its purpose: to provide a recess to hide the windshield wipers. The net effect made me feel like I was looking up through the windshield, not down. I guess it hit home then. Why affect a driver's view of the road for cosmetic purposes. The Passat design seems to be more "intelligent". This is all subjective, of course.
We drove the 300 miles to Memphis, TN b/c that's where my brother who sells VW's lives. If I need service, I have to take my car to either Jackson, MS or Baton Rouge, LA. I called my brother and told him a little about your dilemma. He said to get the dual zone climate control AND 6-speed manual you will have to go with a 3.6. However, I checked vw.com and I can't find any info about a manual transmission, even though my brother says they are available. :confuse: BTW, He said he'd love to talk with you about the car.
I don't know what the policy is here about sharing information. If the host could enlighten me I'd appreciate it.
Best Regards,
Shipo
But here's something interesting. He said they just got in a 3.6 4-motion yesterday with Sport package 2 and the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. He said he took it for a "test drive" this morning. He said he started up the ramp onto the freeway and nailed the throttle with the transmission in sport mode. He made 110 in 3rd gear before he got to the end of the ramp GOING UPHILL!!! :shades: He said it shifted into 4th when he let off the gas at the top of the ramp.
If you have a need for speed and you want it for under 40 grand, VW's got your car.
Sorry, not interested. If a new car wants to attract my attention, it needs to sport three pedals under the dash, steering wheel paddles just ain't the same. As for the 2.0T, it cannot be had with a number of options that I really want, and as such it seems that it too is failing to catch my eye.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Krzys
PS Legacy is slightly smaller than new Passat