VW Passat CC

bazz26

Lads, might be going to look at one of these tomorrow. It's a 2011 UK imported 2.0 TDi GT 140bhp with full leather and touch screen Sat Nav. I'd prefer a 170bhp with the adaptive chassis but they are hard to find so if I do decide to buy one I'd look at getting it remapped.

Obviously I'm going to test drive it but are they decent to drive, any common issues with these cars? I know they are a regular Passat in a fancy dress but I've heard they are a nicer drive than the standard Passat.

Are they belt or chain driven? What's the interval on them?

MuppetCheck

Belt, 5 years or 120k km I think now.

Make sure the air con works, just my experience with both vags has been the compressor packed up at 2 years on the dot.

To he honest the returns from the 140 remapped (should be 180 way) are more than enough for the front wheels. Going much higher makes it a a bit annoying due to the torque.

Nice cars though.

bazz26

Thanks, I read about the air con alright. I'm coming from a BMW 3 Series so while I don't expect it to handle like a rwd car I am hoping it still handles better than your average fwd VW.

ian87

I was looking at these too when I got my e90. They are fine, I'd reckon you will be disappointed coming from a 3 series though. I thought the 140 bhp was a little under powered. It's quite a heavy car for the engine IMHO. The cabin is quite claustrophobic due to the low roof. Try and get one with the rns510 nav unit. It has a hard drive which is excellent for music. You can tell these by the fact they have 4 buttons down either side of the screen.

Black_Knight

Hey! Im loving my CC. Its a 2009, fairly trimline model, but ive been adding things to it over the months. Timing belt is 120km, my mechanic confirmed this.

To me, its not a passat in a fancy dress, its a new model all on its own. No idea why they ever called it a passat CC.

+1 on the RNS 510 radio unit. Great bit of kit if you can find one with it. I retrofitted one to my CC, cost bout €550 and its nearly a simple plug and play job. Needs VCDS to code up the navi, but someone here should be able to help out ever needs be. The music hard drive and nav system are great.

I met a guy a few weeks ago with a CC GT. He mapped his from 140 (albeit he said his CC wasnt event pumping out 140bhp) to over 170.

Ive had no issues with mine (only have it 9 months now) but ive hear of little things, like some buttons wearing/breaking (the buttons either side of the gear stick), though ive seen no signs of this.

ian87

Did you go look at the passat? What did you think?

unkel

bazz26 wrote: »

Obviously I'm going to test drive it

How did the test drive go? Great looking car but I fear if you like driving (enthusiastically ) it would be disappointing after the RWD BMW

ian87

unkel wrote: »

How did the test drive go? Great looking car but I fear if you like driving (enthusiastically ) it would be disappointing after the RWD BMW

Exactly what I'm wondering too. My e90 will be changed for a 123d but the passat could feature at some stage too.

bazz26

Am happy enough with it, I'm picking it up tomorrow.

It's not comparable with the E90 as a driver's car but given my limited choices in alternatives it is fine. It handles tidy enough with plenty of feedback through the steering wheel which is surprising for a non hot hatch VW. Wanted another BMW but the country is just full of 2.0d N47 engines while importing a 330d/530d wasn't an option thanks to Revenue's OMSP valuation. While my N47 engine was trouble free over 3 years, I just wasn't prepared to risk buying another one.

ian87

Well wear. Make sure and post a pic or two. Does it have the nav unit I mentioned?

bazz26

I'd be very wary about buying a 123d, that is still part of the N47 family of engines and prone to timing chain failure. There are even cases of newer F10 and F30 N47 timing chain failures, just not on the same scale because they are still relatively new but give them time I recon they will become more common as they get older. BMW just cannot build 4 cylinder diesel engines properly. God help Toyota when they start fitting them in their cars from next year.

bazz26

ian87 wrote: »

Well wear. Make sure and post a pic or two. Does it have the nav unit I mentioned?

Thanks, no it has the less advanced 310 unit with a SD card slot, maps are pre installed but still has a decent sound and has a USB port in the glove so that will do for me.

George Dalton

The official VW recommended timing belt interval on these is 180,000km or 5 years. The 120,000km interval is for the older PD 2.0TDI.

There is a lot of confusion out there about the intervals even from the manufacturers themselves. EG the interval for the same engine in an Audi A4 or A6 is 120,000km or 5 years. It makes no sense but those are the facts.....

bazz26

Thanks George for the info. I'll stick to 15km oil and filter intervals too.

ian87

I know what you mean about the 123d and the n47. I'm paranoid as it is listening to my own 320d!! Having the USB is the same difference. Post a pic so I can keep an eye in limerick!

L-M

Smashing car. The 2011's had the 3 seats in the back?

What colour is it?

unkel

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd be very wary about buying a 123d, that is still part of the N47 family of engines and prone to timing chain failure. There are even cases of newer F10 and F30 N47 timing chain failures, just not on the same scale because they are still relatively new but give them time I recon they will become more common as they get older. BMW just cannot build 4 cylinder diesel engines properly. God help Toyota when they start fitting them in their cars from next year.

That's a bit dramatic, bazz

It sure is a problem but the vast majority of owners (like yourself) are not affected

BMW have built chain driven engines for many decades and the chain has never been a problem before. I agree with you though that I wouldn't touch a N47 engined car myself unless it was upgraded (fixed)

And BMWs reputation of drivers cars is built on straight six and V8 petrol engines. Not 4 pot tractors

bazz26

Limerick man wrote: »

Smashing car. The 2011's had the 3 seats in the back?

What colour is it?

Yes it's the 3 rear seater (if you can call the middle section really a seat but not an issue for me). The car is black.

unkel wrote: »

That's a bit dramatic, bazz

It sure is a problem but the vast majority of owners (like yourself) are not affected

BMW have built chain driven engines for many decades and the chain has never been a problem before. I agree with you though that I wouldn't touch a N47 engined car myself unless it was upgraded (fixed)

And BMWs reputation of drivers cars is built on straight six and V8 petrol engines. Not 4 pot tractors

Well the problem is a lot more widespread than BMW would like to or be forced to admit and a costly proactive fix for any owner not to mind the cost of rebuilding a new engine after the chain breaks. I know of one person whose 520d M Sport suffered from it and my local BMW has repaired a number of these engines.

And I hear ya about the petrol engines.

unkel

bazz26 wrote: »

Well the problem is a lot more widespread than BMW would like to or be forced to admit

Oh I believe you there! I think in BMWs history of recent decades there are 2 major quality problems. 1. the Nikasil issue in the early 90s (in regions where people used bad quality petrol) and 2. the N47 chain issue, for which BMW no doubt is to blame itself

ian87

If I wasn't doing 500 miles a week the only twin turbo I'd be looking for is the 135i not the 123d but needs must sadly! Back on topic, black suits them very well. Full leather or half leather alcantara?

bazz26

Full leather. I think it's only the Irish cars that get the half/half.

ian87

Should be a peach. As I said, well wear. I'll keep an eye on the streets of limerick!

MuppetCheck

bazz26 wrote: »

Thanks, no it has the less advanced 310 unit with a SD card slot, maps are pre installed but still has a decent sound and has a USB port in the glove so that will do for me.

The RNS-310 would sell for a decent enough price, especially when it's the VW version. There isn't a whole lot of price difference between one and the RNS-510 to buy usually and it's a fantastic upgrade for a small amount of money. Better resolution screen really adds to the interior.

Best of luck with the new car, I think they are stunning. Be sure and post a few pics!

bazz26

Well picked it up today and have given it a good drive of about 100km. I'm well impressed so far though it's definitely not as well planted on the road as the E90, as I discovered when taking a twisty bend.

Took a few photos so will upload them later on this evening.

bazz26

As promised.

_Kaiser_

Very nice dude! Congrats

Voodoomelon

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Belt, 5 years or 120k km I think now.

Make sure the air con works, just my experience with both vags has been the compressor packed up at 2 years on the dot.

Strange you mention that, mates Scirocco had the compressor pack in few weeks back too, think its a 2011.

Black_Knight

bazz26 wrote: »

As promised.

Ive pretty much the exact same car... and im jealous! Screw you and your Interlagos alloys and leather interior! I want them

MuppetCheck

Factory Interlagos...very nice!

Well wear, gorgeous looking car.

unkel

Well wear

bazz26

Thanks for all the best wishes.

I discovered that it also has the adaptive chassis control fitted, it's usually an expensive option that is standard on the 170bhp GT version only so thanks to the previous owner for ticking this on the options list. In Sport mode it actually does feel more planted in the bends.

shabbyalonso

Sweet!!! Well wear, I love the passat cc. I'm tempted to change......anyway, well wear and happy motoring!!!!

L-M

Absolute beauty, well wear Bazz.

Very jealous!

BobBobBobBob

Jealous much!!! Well wear.

GavMan

That interior!!! :drool:

batman2000

Can I ask how big the boot looks. I'm looking into a 2009 Silver, Irish 140bhp.
Do they fold 60/40?

Is the ride harsh, not sure if mine has the adaptive ride control.

Tea 1000

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd be very wary about buying a 123d, that is still part of the N47 family of engines and prone to timing chain failure. There are even cases of newer F10 and F30 N47 timing chain failures, just not on the same scale because they are still relatively new but give them time I recon they will become more common as they get older. BMW just cannot build 4 cylinder diesel engines properly. God help Toyota when they start fitting them in their cars from next year.

Don't know if Toyota will be fitting BMW engines in their cars next year.
The agreement was to share technology. That could mean that Toyota will build their own engines using BMW patented technology rather than just taking an N47 and throwing it into an Avensis.
In the same way a 3 series hybrid will use Toyota patented technology rather than the Prius engine and electric motor.
That's how I understand it anyway.

Oh, and best of luck in the new bus!

Leonard Hofstadter

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Don't know if Toyota will be fitting BMW engines in their cars next year.
The agreement was to share technology. That could mean that Toyota will build their own engines using BMW patented technology rather than just taking an N47 and throwing it into an Avensis.
In the same way a 3 series hybrid will use Toyota patented technology rather than the Prius engine and electric motor.
That's how I understand it anyway.

No I think they're actually going to be using the N47 engines from next year onwards. At least because Toyotas have transverse engines, it will be cheaper to remove the chain when it eventually fails, as it doesn't matter on which side of the engine the chain is mounted with transverse engines . Also I'm sure Toyota will insist on a 15k km service interval, and I understand that the ridiculous service intervals BMW allow (in a bid to sell more to the fleets) are partly responsible for the timing chain problems.

Tea 1000

captainspeed wrote: »

No I think they're actually going to be using the N47 engines from next year onwards. At least because Toyotas have transverse engines, it will be cheaper to remove the chain when it eventually fails, as it doesn't matter on which side of the engine the chain is mounted with transverse engines . Also I'm sure Toyota will insist on a 15k km service interval, and I understand that the ridiculous service intervals BMW allow (in a bid to sell more to the fleets) are partly responsible for the timing chain problems.

Oh right. I suppose it saves them having to start from the ground up. Their last few diesels have been far from brilliant. There must be a clause in the agreement to keep them away from the Lexus division!

MuppetCheck

Think Lexus have abandoned the idea of diesel in favour of hybrids now after the last IS.

Tea 1000

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Think Lexus have abandoned the idea of diesel in favour of hybrids now after the last IS.

They have alright, but I wonder is that because of some kind of agreement from Toyota that there would be no competition from Lexus with the BMW engine?
In any case, I think Lexus are right.

Leonard Hofstadter

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Think Lexus have abandoned the idea of diesel in favour of hybrids now after the last IS.

BMW wouldn't allow Toyota to use their six cylinder engines, either.

Anyway, I digress. Well wear to the OP, wouldn't be my choice, but it looks like a nice car and has lots of spec:).

Tea 1000

captainspeed wrote: »

BMW wouldn't allow Toyota to use their six cylinder engines, either..

I know, that was an obvious move to stop Lexus direct competition. They wouldn't be afraid of a Land Cruiser with the 6 cylinder in it!

bazz26

batman2000 wrote: »

Can I ask how big the boot looks. I'm looking into a 2009 Silver, Irish 140bhp.
Do they fold 60/40?

Is the ride harsh, not sure if mine has the adaptive ride control.

Lol, to be honest I'm not sure, I'll check tomorrow but they do not have a conventional seating arrangement in the back. Up to mid 2010 they were a 4 seater only with a centre storage hatch between the rear two seats. From then on VW bowed to customer feedback and replaced the centre storage with a conventional type middle seat. In reality they are still a 4 seater as the middle seat sits tall and a bit useless to an adult. On the plus side the boot is really deep with wide access which is impressive.

Ride wise it is grand but I came from a BMW with M Sport stiff suspension so it really depends what you are used to. It's nowhere near as planted on the road as the BMW unsurprisingly. Adaptive Chassis Control is a rare and expensive extra, I'd imagine most Irish models will not have it. You will know by looking at the buttons around the gear stick, it will be the one on the top most left and the button will be marked with S|C (Sport or Comfort).

lomb

Lovely wheels , well wear.

166man

captainspeed wrote: »

No I think they're actually going to be using the N47 engines from next year onwards. At least because Toyotas have transverse engines, it will be cheaper to remove the chain when it eventually fails, as it doesn't matter on which side of the engine the chain is mounted with transverse engines . Also I'm sure Toyota will insist on a 15k km service interval, and I understand that the ridiculous service intervals BMW allow (in a bid to sell more to the fleets) are partly responsible for the timing chain problems.

Out of interest how would 20-30k km service intervals affect the longevity of the timing chain?

Black_Knight

batman2000 wrote: »

Can I ask how big the boot looks. I'm looking into a 2009 Silver, Irish 140bhp.
Do they fold 60/40?

Is the ride harsh, not sure if mine has the adaptive ride control.

The boot is massive. If you shout into it, it echos. The rears fold and split 60/40.

Ive seen a conversion kit for the middle seat to a bumper seat on some site. Might of been a chinese site, but you'd have to fit seat belts if you did that, or you'd fail an NCT.