Passat B6 recommendations

marcl

Hey guys

So after my last tread here, i'm still on the look out for a car.

I'm after coming across a nice passat for sale. Well its what i think is nice anyway.

Its an 06 comfortline 1.9TDI model, so has a few extras, cruise control, climate control etc. The millage on the car is 130,000km so it isn't that high. The timing belt and water pump was done at 100,000 km. And the car has some sort of a service history i.e don't think its a full VW history. Also the body work is perfect on the car. The car is priced at 9k, probably get it for around the 8k mark with a bit of haggling. Car comes with 6 months warranty and is just serviced.

Now the downside. the car has had 3 owners, which is fine so long as they looked after the car. Should I be wary though??
The car also recently failed the NCT, due to the front shocks. Dealer i'm buying from said new shocks will be fitted and the car NCT'd before I buy it. I'm slightly worried that failing on shocks suggests that someone may have driven the crap out of the car previously

So what would you guys think. Is this car a winner or a non runner?

Also is there anything in particular to look out for with these cars. Timing belt is an obvious one but thats fine. Any other common issue to look for?

MugMugs

8 k for a six year old Passat is quite high IMO. Got a link?

marcl

MugMugs wrote: »

8 k for a six year old Passat is quite high IMO. Got a link?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/B6-COMFO/6513375982318490/advert?channel=CARS

Going off carzone, most of the passats on there are priced around the 9k mark

Bpmull

Tbh 8k sounds really steep to me for a 2006 mid spec passat. But I suppose if you want the warranty you really have to pay for it. Are you dead set on a passat because an Octavia would be a more reliable better car for about 2k less way way better value. But if you want the vw badge out of a garage you just have to pay for it I suppose.

bazz26

Crazy money for a car approaching 7 years old.

L-M

The money on that seems excessive, as Bazz has said it's almost 7 years old.

bazz26

A private sale 2007 Highline here for not alot more money:


http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201225208784195

darragh o meara

The price seems very steep for a 06, there are plenty examples in Donedeal with similar spec further up the years for that kinda money. In fact in a private sale you probably just about get yourself into a slightly higher mileage 2008 passat and have the benefit of the cheaper tax to boot

R.O.R

That's a model year 06 Passat - possibly one of the least reliable cars of recent years, but that said, most of the know issues should have been fixed on that by now (steering column sensor, handbrake button etc.)

Looks like a standard Comfortline (with the Alloys that were optional at the time). I really don't like the full "wood" on the dash. The wood/silver trim on the later models was just about bearable.

Looking at what they are selling for trade, that's around what I'd expect from a dealer. Personally, I'd be looking for a later 06 model or an 07 onwards - they were generally a lot more reliable although we've had a few air con compressors go recently (up to 1k to replace). Failing the NCT on shocks is pretty standard for Passats so I wouldn't be too worried about that.

MuppetCheck

Bpmull wrote: »

Tbh 8k sounds really steep to me for a 2006 mid spec passat. But I suppose if you want the warranty you really have to pay for it. Are you dead set on a passat because an Octavia would be a more reliable better car for about 2k less way way better value. But if you want the vw badge out of a garage you just have to pay for it I suppose.

But the Octavia is a shortened Passat chassis with the same running gear? Although the Passat ahs a few unique flaws like the handbrake and steering issues it is a much better car than an Octavia, plus an Octavia is more comparable to the smaller Golf.

Bpmull

MuppetCheck wrote: »

But the Octavia is a shortened Passat chassis with the same running gear? Although the Passat ahs a few unique flaws like the handbrake and steering issues it is a much better car than an Octavia, plus an Octavia is more comparable to the smaller Golf.

Octavias don't have flaws. And they are not a golf size that's the most stupid thing I ever heard look up the dimensions for the two. Octavias have no faults they don't give trouble. Anyone I hear about with a passat all they talk about is how the stupid electronic handbrake never works

MuppetCheck

Bpmull wrote: »

Octavias don't have flaws. And they are not a golf size that's the most stupid thing I ever heard look up the dimensions for the two. Octavias have no faults they don't give trouble. Anyone I hear about with a passat all they talk about is how the stupid electronic handbrake never works

Stupid comment?

Octavia is based on the Golf - it's not a Passat rival. The interior is about as spacious as the Golf bar the enourmous rear overhang giving it the bigger boot. It's in the Golf class and a direct rival to a Golf. Can't match the comfort and refinement levels of a Passat.

Learn how to read too while you're at it - I never said they were the size of a Golf.

Also Octavias do give trouble - they use a lot of the same mechanical bits that the rest of the VAG range do and give the same issues. There is no magical fairy dust sprinkled on the Skodas that makes them vastly more reliable.

MugMugs

Bpmull wrote: »

Octavias don't have flaws.

A flawless car!! Finally!! We should all convert to Skoda so!

Bpmull wrote: »

And they are not a golf size that's the most stupid thing I ever heard look up the dimensions for the two.

Nobody said they were however they are in the same class as a Corolla, Focus, Golf, Astra, Almera etc....

Bpmull wrote: »

Octavias have no faults they don't give trouble.

What's your experience on this? How have VAG gone so right with the Octavia and where have they gone wrong with the rest of their family?

You're deluded sir.

Bpmull

The only main problem which octavia's have Is dmf. And most newer tdi's have this problem you fix it and other than that they cause no problem I can only go by my own personal experience with octavia's. We have a 2005 and 2011 old and new model and the 1.9 tdi 1.6tdi. The 2005 is more based on a golf if you completely ignore the boot. But the new model is a lot bigger of a car and definately near the size of a passat. I'm 6 foot 2 and comfortablely fit in the back of the 2011 what more can I say. I have nothing against passats but can only go by what people say who own the b6. We have never had one. So If you have never owned an octavia then you really can't judge them properly. Just remember this the new rapid is based on the golf not the octavia.

Tea 1000

Bpmull wrote: »

Tbh 8k sounds really steep to me for a 2006 mid spec passat. But I suppose if you want the warranty you really have to pay for it. Are you dead set on a passat because an Octavia would be a more reliable better car for about 2k less way way better value. But if you want the vw badge out of a garage you just have to pay for it I suppose.

The Octavia isn't a better car. It's smaller with a cheaper finish based on a Golf.

Bpmull

Octavia does not have a cheaper finish inside. The 2011 has full walnut,auto wipers,a/c, dual climate, Bluetooth, trip computer, cruise control, auto dimming mirror. Electric windows mirrors, heated mirrors. And full European sat nav built in never knew golfs came with sat nav a standard. Cheaper finish?

MuppetCheck

Bpmull wrote: »

Octavia does not have a cheaper finish inside. The 2011 has full walnut,auto wipers,a/c, dual climate, Bluetooth, trip computer, cruise control, auto dimming mirror. Electric windows mirrors, heated mirrors. And full European sat nav built in never knew golfs came with sat nav a standard. Cheaper finish?

They are nothing to do with the finish though - the finish is to do with the quality of the build and materials used. The build isn't bad but the materials are a step down from a Golf - a small step but noticable in places. No denying that the equipment list is exceptional for the glass it is in.

Having once gone to the dark side and had the misfortune of owning a Mark 2 Octavia I am speaking from experience of the brand. Rather than derailing this any longer I can PM you the details of my experience if you wish.

Bpmull

MuppetCheck wrote: »

They are nothing to do with the finish though - the finish is to do with the quality of the build and materials used. The build isn't bad but the materials are a step down from a Golf - a small step but noticable in places. No denying that the equipment list is exceptional for the glass it is in.

Having once gone to the dark side and had the misfortune of owning a Mark 2 Octavia I am speaking from experience of the brand. Rather than derailing this any longer I can PM you the details of my experience if you wish.

Well your the first person I know who has a bad experience but you were just unlucky and please don't tell me that every passat has not caused a problem. At the end of the day their all cars and there will always be faults on perricular cars it's just the way it is and that accross the board not just vw or skoda.

MuppetCheck

Bpmull wrote: »

Well your the first person I know who has a bad experience but you were just unlucky and please don't tell me that every passat has not caused a problem. At the end of the day their all cars and there will always be faults on perricular cars it's just the way it is and that accross the board not just vw or skoda.

I never said they did or didnt - just that the real world reliability isn't worlds apart. In fact it will be quite similar due to the close relationship between the cars.

FrontDoor

If somebody was to log on here and read this thread, nobody would ever buy a car.

I know several people with Passats and very few, if any problems reported.

My mechanic reckons they are a fantastic car, with the caveat that every car has a few faults and once you keep an eye out for them along with routine maintenance, you should be grand. Apparently the common Passat faults can be rectified easily enough. I know there is/was a big issue with 2.0 diesel, but that seems to be fixed.

There are thousands of Passats on the road in Ireland. I don't see too many of them on the back of recovery lorries.

It is the same story with every car that comes up for discussion here. Its scrap, rubbish, etc. The single biggest influence on how a car is maintained is the driver. If you have driver is mechanically unsympathetic, then very few cars will last long. If you have a driver who knows how to drive and is mechanically aware, then nearly all cars are capable of long service.

Tea 1000

Bpmull wrote: »

Octavia does not have a cheaper finish inside. The 2011 has full walnut,auto wipers,a/c, dual climate, Bluetooth, trip computer, cruise control, auto dimming mirror. Electric windows mirrors, heated mirrors. And full European sat nav built in never knew golfs came with sat nav a standard. Cheaper finish?

That's just equipment you're listing. And that's not standard equipment either on the base model! The Octavia is good value, but the Passat is a wider car with better quality components and a higher standard of finish. The Superb is the direct rival to the Passat, and the Superb is also finished to a very high standard. But the Octavia is a class behind and feels it too.

FrontDoor wrote: »

If somebody was to log on here and read this thread, nobody would ever buy a car.

I know several people with Passats and very few, if any problems reported.

My mechanic reckons they are a fantastic car, with the caveat that every car has a few faults and once you keep an eye out for them along with routine maintenance, you should be grand. Apparently the common Passat faults can be rectified easily enough. I know there is/was a big issue with 2.0 diesel, but that seems to be fixed.

There are thousands of Passats on the road in Ireland. I don't see too many of them on the back of recovery lorries.

It is the same story with every car that comes up for discussion here. Its scrap, rubbish, etc. The single biggest influence on how a car is maintained is the driver. If you have driver is mechanically unsympathetic, then very few cars will last long. If you have a driver who knows how to drive and is mechanically aware, then nearly all cars are capable of long service.

Passats aren't a complete disaster like some on boards would try to convince people, but the fact remains that VW owners are one of the most brand loyal folk out there, and never tell others about problems. One woman I know with a Golf was talking to someone with another car (the other car was getting fixed for some small problem), telling them that they should sell it and buy a Golf, cause they're so fantastic and so reliable. She seemed to forget hers was back to the dealer 4 times in 18 months with fairly big issues.
Another Passat owner I know very well has had at least 1 problem with each of many Passats over the years. All under warranty, but problems none the less. Early ones had many electric flaws, and suspension joints are a known weak point in B5 and B5.5 Passats which fail dangerously at around 100k miles without warning or acknowledgment from VW, no matter how well the car was minded.
In the UK, Warranty Direct don't rate VW's all that highly.
To be fair, not too many of them go horribly wrong, but a fairly high percentage have plenty of annoying flaws that just shouldn't exist in a brand that boasts about build quality. Based on many, many VW owners I know, I just wouldn't expect to buy a used one and not have to open my wallet again for outside routine work, and that's why many here on boards are at pains to explain to people that they're not the most reliable thing you can buy, and you'll probably encounter one of the many problems, even if it's not going to cost you the price of the car, it will probably still cost a few hundred putting right.

bazz26

Bpmull wrote: »

The only main problem which octavia's have Is dmf. And most newer tdi's have this problem you fix it and other than that they cause no problem I can only go by my own personal experience with octavia's. We have a 2005 and 2011 old and new model and the 1.9 tdi 1.6tdi. The 2005 is more based on a golf if you completely ignore the boot. But the new model is a lot bigger of a car and definately near the size of a passat.

Unless you have bought one of the last of the original model Octavias both the 2005 and 2011 model are the same car launched back in 2004 bar a mild facelift in 2009 where new engines were added and some cosmetic changes to the front headlights and grill. It is still based on the Golf. An all new Octavia does not arrive until next year.

Bpmull wrote: »

I'm 6 foot 2 and comfortablely fit in the back of the 2011 what more can I say. I have nothing against passats but can only go by what people say who own the b6. We have never had one. So If you have never owned an octavia then you really can't judge them properly. Just remember this the new rapid is based on the golf not the octavia.

Nope, the Rapid is a rebadged Polo saloon which as been on sale in certain countries for the last two years.

sheehan12

octavia are the poor man passat

marcl

Another tread de rail
So ya the passat i linked. worth a shot or not?

I know now i will definitely get it for 8k with a 6 month warranty

Do-more

I have a 2006 Passat 2.0FSI estate, have it about two years now, I bought it with a full VW service history and have kept it serviced with VW since.

I've only put about 40,000kms on it since, during that time it's had a new passenger side airbag (luckily replaced on goodwill by VW) and it's just had an EGR valve replaced costing over €500. The windscreen washer bottle also split and that meant taking off the front bumper assembly to replace it and that was €250odd.

It also broke down 200kms from home on a Sunday night due to a faulty spark plug that was the subject of a recall notice that hadn't been sent out yet.

Every time I get in it I am half expecting the steering column problem as the warning light has come on for a few seconds on occasions.

I absolutely hate the way the electric handbrake works, it's noisy as hell and is just not nice to use compared to a conventional handbrake and then I recently found out that they are prone to trouble and cost something like €1,500 to replace and now I hate it even more.

I'm told that the '06 is the worst of the quality and later years are better, don't know if that is true.

I can't afford to replace it at the moment but as soon as I do it will be making way for a Honda Accord.

The only upside to ownership is that the service receptionist in my local dealership is a bit of a looker and I get to chat to her very regularly!

[edit] Oh and it broke a rear coil spring shortly after I bought (at around 130.000 kms).

Bpmull

marcl wrote: »

Another tread de rail
So ya the passat i linked. worth a shot or not?

I know now i will definitely get it for 8k with a 6 month warranty

A car is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If you like the car go for it. I would call 8k steep but at the end of the day you won't get another passat in a garage for this money. You have to pay the extra for garage cars.

mikofo

see the attached pics of a vw engine giving up the ghost after 24000 kms

JimDeChamp

The unit in the steering coloum isn't to expensive to replace anymore, but abs units give trouble and they are expensive to replace..