Opinions on car VW passat tsi and dealer ?

Jasper79

Hi all,

After long time looking finally found car I want and good price too.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3890032

It has all the toys and the TSI engine. I only do roughly 5-8k miles a year so no need for diesel.

Have read mixed reviews on the passats faults, but also that the TSI engine is the better one , is this true ?

2 previous cars nissan almeras, last 10 years of driving so like something a bit more luxurios but still reliable .

Also can't find much on dealer,K & N Car Sales, Long mile road and spending 9.5k on car, want to be sure as possible, no warranty issues etc.

Thanks for reading !

Leonard Hofstadter

The main problems concerned the electric handbrake, by 2008 though that problem *should* have been sorted. The 1.4 TSI is a fine engine as it doesn't have a supercharger (the supercharger gives trouble in models fitted with it), I'm pretty sure that the timing chain problem is confined to the supercharged model as well (it can stretch over time), but I'm sure some of the more knowledgeable folk can clarify that one for me.

Assuming that the engine doesn't have the timing chain problem, I see no reason not to go for that car, unusually for an Irish car it has loads of spec, and there seems to be history (make sure it is genuine and that the car has been serviced at the right intervals though).

Jasper79

captainspeed wrote: »

The main problems concerned the electric handbrake, by 2008 though that problem *should* have been sorted. The 1.4 TSI is a fine engine as it doesn't have a supercharger (the supercharger gives trouble in models fitted with it), I'm pretty sure that the timing chain problem is confined to the supercharged model as well (it can stretch over time), but I'm sure some of the more knowledgeable folk can clarify that one for me.

Assuming that the engine doesn't have the timing chain problem, I see no reason not to go for that car, unusually for an Irish car it has loads of spec, and there seems to be history (make sure it is genuine and that the car has been serviced at the right intervals though).

Thanks Captainspeed, so it's a timing chain on these also. I did query with the dealer if the timimg belt was done, he said if it was due they would do it before selling. will make sure the history looks ago, and yes it is a nice spec car

Anan1

captainspeed wrote: »

and there seems to be history (make sure it is genuine and that the car has been serviced at the right intervals though).

I'm seeing one stamp in the service book, and that from a Hyundai dealer?

Jasper79

Anan1 wrote: »

I'm seeing one stamp in the service book, and that from a Hyundai dealer?

Thanks, didn't notice that, will give close inspection of the service history anways

Leonard Hofstadter

Anan1 wrote: »

I'm seeing one stamp in the service book, and that from a Hyundai dealer?

That's why I also said to make sure there is genuine history:)!

OP, if there is only one stamp, I wouldn't buy it. On a car that new, there is no excuse for it not having full service history (even in Ireland, I would still expect there to be history on a car that new).

Timing chains don't need to be done on a car that has been properly serviced, it's a sign of bad maintenance if a car needs a timing chain done at any stage.

However, in the case of some TSI VWs, there is a known problem with the chain stretching due to the chain being poorly designed. I don't know if the 1.4 TSI in the Passat suffers that problem, but I do know that more powerful 1.4 TSIs (the ones with the supercharger, Passats only have a turbo, thankfully) definitely have the problem for sure.

Jasper79

captainspeed wrote: »

That's why I also said to make sure there is genuine history:)!

OP, if there is only one stamp, I wouldn't buy it. On a car that new, there is no excuse for it not having full service history (even in Ireland, I would still expect there to be history on a car that new).

Timing chains don't need to be done on a car that has been properly serviced, it's a sign of bad maintenance if a car needs a timing chain done at any stage.

However, in the case of some TSI VWs, there is a known problem with the chain stretching due to the chain being poorly designed. I don't know if the 1.4 TSI in the Passat suffers that problem, but I do know that more powerful 1.4 TSIs (the ones with the supercharger, Passats only have a turbo, thankfully) definitely have the problem for sure.

Thanks yeah I would be inclined to leave it if that is the only service in the history. hoping to get out Sat Morning to see it. Anythig else to watch out for, or would i better getting mechanic to look over ?

Anan1

Jasper79 wrote: »

Thanks yeah I would be inclined to leave it if that is the only service in the history. hoping to get out Sat Morning to see it. Anythig else to watch out for, or would i better getting mechanic to look over ?

I'd find out about the history before going to the trouble of viewing it.

Bpmull

Nice car op the blue colour is nice. If I was you I would bring a mechanic preferably one who knows about passat. It's a lot of money so if you don't know a lot about cars bring a mechanic.

Jasper79

Thanks for the advice, I rang the dealer back to enquire about the service history.

He said that there's 2 or possibly three stamps in the history. Said that service interval is every 30k km anyways...seems a bit high to me ? He didn't seem too interested in the sale either..not getting best vibes from it.

VictorRomeo

Anan1 wrote: »

I'm seeing one stamp in the service book, and that from a Hyundai dealer?

Perhaps they're both. I know Park Motors for example, are maindealer and service agent for Hyundai as well as VW (and others).....

Anan1

VictorRomeo wrote: »

Perhaps they're both. I know Park Motors for example, are maindealer and service agent for Hyundai as well as VW (and others).....

It's possible, but I think it's more probable that that car doesn't have FSH. Either way, a quick phone call would save the OP a wasted journey.

Leonard Hofstadter

Jasper79 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, I rang the dealer back to enquire about the service history.

He said that there's 2 or possibly three stamps in the history. Said that service interval is every 30k km anyways...seems a bit high to me ? He didn't seem too interested in the sale either..not getting best vibes from it.

I'm fairly sure the dealer is right on that, VWs (and a lot of cars nowadays) have what's known as 'long life servicing', so in the case of a Passat, that means up to 30k km without a service.

As far as I know, the way it works is that you can either have fixed service intervals, or else the 'long life' option, which means that the service intervals vary depending on driving style (an aggressive driver will obviously put the car's engine under more stress), type of driving done (stop-start and urban driving is not very kind to the car or engine no matter how gentle to the car you are) etc.

In which case, two stamps could in fact mean that it has a full service history, although if it were my car I would get the oil done every year or 20,000 km (whichever is the sooner), long life servicing or not.

To be honest the car does look nice and has a fantastic spec (especially considering it's an Irish car where high spec cars are much less common than in the UK or the rest of Europe), but appearances can of course be deceptive!

Again, you would want to clarify that with a dealer. Hopefully the more knowledgeable folk will come along shortly - it's not like there is a shortage of people who like VW products here!

Jasper79

captainspeed wrote: »

I'm fairly sure the dealer is right on that, VWs (and a lot of cars nowadays) have what's known as 'long life servicing', so in the case of a Passat, that means up to 30k km without a service.

As far as I know, the way it works is that you can either have fixed service intervals, or else the 'long life' option, which means that the service intervals vary depending on driving style (an aggressive driver will obviously put the car's engine under more stress), type of driving done (stop-start and urban driving is not very kind to the car or engine no matter how gentle to the car you are) etc.

In which case, two stamps could in fact mean that it has a full service history, although if it were my car I would get the oil done every year or 20,000 km (whichever is the sooner), long life servicing or not.

To be honest the car does look nice and has a fantastic spec (especially considering it's an Irish car where high spec cars are much less common than in the UK or the rest of Europe), but appearances can of course be deceptive!

Again, you would want to clarify that with a dealer. Hopefully the more knowledgeable folk will come along shortly - it's not like there is a a shortage of people who like VW products here!

Thanks Again, so i sent email to dealer via the add enquiring if the service history is complete as I'm very interested in the car but didn't want to drive over to view if not , the reply
"This car will not be suitable for you. It has service stamps at 16,000kms,
81,000kms and 83,000kms and is due its next service at 99,000kms."

Doesn't sound like a long life plan ?could be still worth a punt, as said it is a nice looking car with great spec...

ofcork

That looks like nyhans stamped the book and as its cork registered i assume it was nyhan motors in bandon who did it,maybe give them a call on it afaik they deal in hyundai and mitsubishi.

Bpmull

Jasper79 wrote: »

Thanks Again, so i sent email to dealer via the add enquiring if the service history is complete as I'm very interested in the car but didn't want to drive over to view if not , the reply
"This car will not be suitable for you. It has service stamps at 16,000kms,
81,000kms and 83,000kms and is due its next service at 99,000kms."

Doesn't sound like a long life plan ?could be still worth a punt, as said it is a nice looking car with great spec...

Basically what happened there is between 16k km and 81k km it was serviced by a mechanic not the garage. Therefore if it was just a mechanic servicing it on the side he wouldn't stamp the book. Doesn't mean it wasn't serviced as I don't think anyone would not service a car 65k km. Have a look at it bring a good mechanic he should be able to tell what condition it is in mechanically. car doesn't look neglected if you have a bad felling about the car walk away simple as. The whole service thing wouldn't necessarily put me off. Me and my dad always service are own cars and vans ourselfs for years. Niether of us are mechanics but then doing a start forward air oil fuel filter change is far from rocket science.anything more serious we get done In a garage never had any hassle with our vehicles. Have a look as looking at the add and ringing the dealer won't give you a true picture of the car look at it in the flesh and then make a choice. Best of luck.

mickdw

If he is saying it was serviced at 16k km and that its looking for next service 16k km after the previous 83k km service, it would appear the car is set to the fixed service interval as is the case with much of the vw/audi stuff here in Ireland. That leaves a big hole of 3 or so services and if there are not invoices or something to show some level of maintenance, I would walk away. Indeed I would want to see the invoices for the recorded services too.

Lissavane

Jasper79 wrote: »

Thanks Again, so i sent email to dealer via the add enquiring if the service history is complete as I'm very interested in the car but didn't want to drive over to view if not , the reply
"This car will not be suitable for you. It has service stamps at 16,000kms,
81,000kms and 83,000kms and is due its next service at 99,000kms."

Doesn't sound like a long life plan ?could be still worth a punt, as said it is a nice looking car with great spec...

"This car will not be suitable for you." is a strong hint!

Dealer is obviously not confident in the car and doesn't want to confirm in writing that it has been adequately serviced.

Jasper79

Lissavane wrote: »

"This car will not be suitable for you." is a strong hint!

Dealer is obviously not confident in the car and doesn't want to confirm in writing that it has been adequately serviced.

Yes that could be the case alright, he came back this morning to say he'd contact the previous owner to see about service, and would also give 6 month warranty with car.

Was prepared to go see it this evening, but hour later, email to say car was sold.

Ah well, t'wasn't to be, back on the hunt again !

Anan1

I wonder what would happen if someone rang up tomorrow enquiring about that car..