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Problems with 99 VW Passat GLS
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Thanks...
Thanks,
Jonathan
I guess I’m not sure why you filed a BBB complaint against VW. You were rear-ended and somehow your engine was damaged, this IS strange, but I really don’t get your complaint. what makes you think your engine was a lemon? Did it run poorly before the accident? Can you eloaborate on this atall or is it just assumptions. More info would be appreciated, thanks.
If you don't want to add up the numbers by hand, go to www.carorder.com and their web site will do for you. And as a side benefit, you get a chance to purchase any '00 Passat for $500 over invoice ($1000 over for GLX, though).
Anyone have any thoughts on auto vs. standard?
Also, anyone know who where to find the best deal in New Hampshire?
My solution is to drive in "auto" mode, then flip over to "manual" when better performance is required.
I heard there is a Dub Dealer on the seacoast (Portsmouth I think) that is really good.
Gus
Conference Host
http://www.seacoastcars.com/
--Mike
This is my first VW. I've owned 3 Honda/Acura cars in the last 10 years. My last car was a 1990 Acura Legend with 200,000 miles and it was fairly reliable. Granted, no car is without its faults. My Acura had a recall on the ignition coils and the brake master cylinder went out. Overall, Honda/Acura service has been good. I've heard different things about VW service ranging from good to disasterous. My experience with VW so far has been good. For those individuals considering a new Passat, I highly recommend it. You might have to deal with a few more quirks here and there but the driving experience is the best in its class. I think VW has worked out most of the bugs after three years in production.
months and I would just like to let people know
some problems I'm having. First I had installed an
aftermarket sound system which sounds great and I
didn't puchace an aftermarket alarm because of the
std. factory one. Well my car got broken into very
easily and I'll tell you how they did it. All they
simply had to do was pop the cover off of where a
key lock should have been on the front passenger
door latch and open seseame. They're in and my
stereo is gone. Bummer.
Second My drivers side seat heater only worked for
a couple of days when I first got it. I brought it
into the dealer and they started replacing
components of the seat heating system ruling out
one component after another (elapsed time 2 days
on
the bus) then only to have the dealer tell me it
was the element in the seat that was faulty. So
they order the part while I continued driving the
car. Finally their parts dept. calls me and tells
me It's in so I made arangements with the service
dept. to drop the car off for the day. They said
it
would be ready that day, Ya Right! A week and a
half later after sending the seat away to be
rebuilt by an upholstry shop I pick up my car
again.(very Bitter by this point). I'm Driving
away
(this being a cool evening here in Canada) I try
my Seat heater only to find out it still doesn't
work. Rage Sets In!!!!
Any body else out there have problems?
Let me Know!
--Bill
Just purchased a 1999 Passat GLS V-6 5 speed a couple of days ago. Fun to drive. Just went to fill it with some gas for the first time, and oh oh, the thing says it needs Premium? I guess I didn't do the do diligence on this one. Do you really need the Premium? I was used to buying Regular Unleaded (87 octane) for my Honda Civic. Is 89 octane OK? Are there any additives you can get? Thank you very much.
I did notice a lot of talk (postings) about rattles in the right front of the car, and it seemed that many folks with this problem made mention that they have a stick shift. I have the automatic, and have not noticed any rattles or noises at all, other than the slight whistle of the turbo at moderate throttle, which I do not consider a problem. Just thought I would point it out, that perhaps the rattle/noise is unique to the manual trans.
Gas mileage (actual gallons pumped per refill) 29mpg on 93/89 octane mix. MFA indicated 30+ before I hit the 0mph bottlenecks. Much more fun than my 4cyl Camry!
The car definitely seems to run better (quicker and more fuel efficiently) on the higher octane.
I'll probably run 89 around town and spring for the expensive blends for road trips.
Any one else have a feel for octane/performance tradeoffs?
Gas mileage (actual gallons pumped per refill) 29mpg on 93/89 octane mix. MFA indicated 30+ before I hit the 0mph bottlenecks. Much more fun than my 4cyl Camry!
The car definitely seems to run better (quicker and more fuel efficiently) on the higher octane.
I'll probably run 89 around town and spring for the expensive blends for road trips.
Any one else have a feel for octane/performance tradeoffs?
Gas mileage (actual gallons pumped per refill) 29mpg on 93/89 octane mix. MFA indicated 30+ before I hit the 0mph bottlenecks. Much more fun than my 4cyl Camry!
The car definitely seems to run better (quicker and more fuel efficiently) on the higher octane.
I'll probably run 89 around town and spring for the expensive blends for road trips.
Any one else have a feel for octane/performance tradeoffs?
Why not join one of the discussions that are currently active?
Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
The dealer said they fixed it and it was caused by some metal dash board brackets just behind the glove box. They took my dashaboard off and insulated all the metal brackets with a foam so that it would stop the noise.
I took one of the mechanics out personnally and he heard the noise himself so he knew what to fix right away. I hate to break it to you but you are going to have to suck it up and let them take the dash off if you want it fixed. I know it was driving me nuts.
I completed many hours of research, many test drives (with no rattles) before making this purchase - I still think the engine and 5 speed tranny are slick. I've yet to drive it a 100 miles - so I'll run up to 500 and get it all fixed at once. My car came with Monsoon -
passenger midi/woofer can't handle anything below 50Hz,
1st CD I played uncovered this flaw - probably door shell too wimpy - buzzes at real low freqs. Has anyone had similar problems - any fixes available? It was organ music with a bass line 4 octaves below middle C.
Just some thoughts - this engine has 10.6:1 compression - Hi-test only way to go. Else knock sensor will cut back the spark advance to the point of no fun.
Anybody have thoughts on the Break-in period - it's a chore to keep the RPM's down once it comes on cam around 3400 rpm. I'm not that patient for 1000 miles.
The only problem thus far was a broken regulator on the rear passenger-side window. Took two weeks for the dealership to get a new part, and two hours for them to break it! Finally got it right 4 days later. They rented me a deluxe Ford Explorer, so I won't complain too much.
- Nay
Discussions about pricing, options etc. are underway in our Sedans conference. Why don't you use the Search feature at left to find a topic on the Passat in that conference?
Pat
Community Leader/Maitenance & Repair Conference
--Mike
Before I bought this Passat I was a loyal Honda driver. Believe me, I really like the VW but I question whether or not I will give them any brand loyalty on my next purchase. Bad service on the tie rod recall, a very messy oil change and suspension noise they say is fixed but really not doesn't help matters.
VW Passat troubles (Topic #929)
Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
Have you checked out the Passat topics in our Sedans conference? That's where folks are discussing purchasing this vehicle, manual or five speed.
Just key in Passat to the Search feature at left to find all of the topics on the Passat and take a look at the conversations that are underway.
Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
That said, I kept a Maxima over night from the dealer, and liked the car overall. The leather wasn't as nice, and the car felt a little big, though I do need a spacious car. The pricing and better deals can certainly be had on the Nissan, if that;s your incentive. I feel that VW won;t budge TOO much off sticker. Really if money were no object, and knowing how much I loked to drvie, the Passat would be my choice, but it IS expensive in loaded form. If you keep cars a while, VWs 10yr/100k powertrain bests Nissans impressive 5yr/60k powertrain, while I'm concerned about VWs short bumper to bumper, though I'm more familiar with Nissan's reliability, and I've heard that German cars are expensive to maintain. The powertrain warranty eases that, but how about pricing on other components for the car?
I hope I've helped, but let me summarize:
Quality of materials int/ext: VW
Driving fun: VW
Price/value: Nissan
Roominess, comfort: Nissan
Warranty: VW
Looks: VW
Resale value: VW
Lee