Passat 2006 1.6 auto

cantdecide

My mother needs to replace her 2004 Passat but doesn't have much of a budget to work with. She basically needs an automatic and loves her 2004 Passat which she would gladly keep. She's extremely finicky about cars and driving and it looks like only another Passat will do her. I've suggested 1000 other options but she's fixated on a fresher, automatic Passat.

The thing to remember is that she only does about 6,000 miles/yr and has a budget of €2k - €2.5k which I realise is limiting.

With all that in mind, we've seen a 2006 Passat with the 1.6 engine and auto box (is this a DSG???) that appears to be a Highline or similar with a lot less miles than her current car. I realise that this shape Passat have a terrible reputation but realistically, how bad would this car be at this stage? I like VWs and know them pretty well but can anyone give me a realistic idea about how this shape Passat with this engine and gearbox would fare?

bazz26

The early ones had alot of niggly problems from troublesome parking brake buttons to sticking calibres and faults with the steering column. The auto would be DSG and watch out as they had patchy reliability back then.

colm_mcm

The 1.6 would have the Tiptronic box as opposed to DSG.

A Jetta wouldn’t be too far off her old model Passat size wise. She might find the newer Passat a bit awkward in comparison.

ba_barabus

colm_mcm wrote: »

The 1.6 would have the Tiptronic box as opposed to DSG.

A Jetta wouldn’t be too far off her old model Passat size wise. She might find the newer Passat a bit awkward in comparison.

The Jetta also helps avoid the handbrake issues occurring

Toyotafanboi

Yeah, the 2006 Passat was crap, the 1.6 FSI is crap and the multitronic gearbox is crap. You can be 90% certain if you buy one that it will be a moneypit pretty quickly.

Is the 2004 unrepairable?

colm_mcm

I’d say the old Passat is manual.

cantdecide

The Jetta could be a potential option, actually.

Ya, the old Passat is manual. It's not unrepairable, it's just getting ropey and there's just a list of nuisance faults that the folks can't justify doing - the seat needs upholstering, the drivers door locks are causing grief. The boot door switch stopped working. Not the kind of things you want to be living with facing retirement. Not to mention my mam's mobility problems.

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Yeah, the 2006 Passat was crap, the 1.6 FSI is crap and the multitronic gearbox is crap. You can be 90% certain if you buy one that it will be a moneypit pretty quickly.

What are the specific issues we're talking about with the engine and box? They're both pretty set on the idea of this car, it would seem...

Esel

Can you post a link to the ad?

cantdecide

This is the one - https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vw-passat/18191335

Esel

cantdecide wrote: »

This is the one - https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vw-passat/18191335

Looks very nice, and good ad.

Only thing that stands out to me is mileage is given as 198km, but "197200 km gearbox serviced (oil and new hydraulic filter)". Gearbox problem that this did not fix?

Could you get it checked over by your mechanic and verify the service history?

colm_mcm

Just keep on mind you’d be the 6th owner. I know budget is small, but it would be interesting to see when those changes of ownership happened.

Toyotafanboi

cantdecide wrote: »

What are the specific issues we're talking about with the engine and box? They're both pretty set on the idea of this car, it would seem...

The 1.6 FSI is prone to giving timing chain trouble. There is an issue with those gearboxes where they leak gearbox oil in such a location that it soaks the wiring loom connected to it and capillary action let's the oil travel back through the loom to damage the gearbox control unit, valve trouble in those boxes also isn't unknown. The cars themselves as mentioned are known to give trouble with the electronic rear brake callipers and the button that controls them, the steering column locks can fail, the body control module can fail, the keys give bother too.

All these issues are fairly well documented online.

You could but the car and none of those things could happen and in fairness when they are working the are a very nice car, but if you're buying a used one of be prepared to throw a few quid at it.

cantdecide

I rang him and he seems very straight. However, he has arranged someone to see it today and they were anxious he hold the car for him and is travelling a long distance - looks like he'll buy it.

Esel wrote: »

Looks very nice, and good ad.

Only thing that stands out to me is mileage is given as 198km, but "197200 km gearbox serviced (oil and new hydraulic filter)". Gearbox problem that this did not fix?

It's a good point. I rang the guy and he said that's when it was scheduled. I think he was implying his mechanic recommended it be done. He said the gearbox hasn't had a fault at any stage in his ownership.

[QUOTE=Esel;106374074Could you get it checked over by your mechanic and verify the service history?[/QUOTE]

Well, we're quite a way away from the car so if we're going to see it, I'll have to see if I can find someone locally to inspect it with us. It would be very much a question of bringing cash, arranging a mechanic and if all looks good, taking it away or leaving it behind if there are any issues.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Just keep on mind you’d be the 6th owner. I know budget is small, but it would be interesting to see when those changes of ownership happened.

You're right - I've started realising that this is an important factor. The current owner has had the car for just a year and says he's not replacing the car as he lives near work and his insurance is too high as he's only driving a couple of years.

cantdecide

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

All these issues are fairly well documented online.

I'm finding it a little difficult to be sure the issues I'm reading about relate to the car(s) we're looking at. I accept that these cars are far from trouble free but I'm hoping to avoid scaring the poop out of my folks falsely when they appear to have their hearts set on one.

I'd feel much better if I could at least establish the right engine and transmission codes to save me freaking the parents out too much about known problems with other units.

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

The 1.6 FSI is prone to giving timing chain trouble. There is an issue with those gearboxes where they leak gearbox oil in such a location that it soaks the wiring loom connected to it and capillary action let's the oil travel back through the loom to damage the gearbox control unit, valve trouble in those boxes also isn't unknown. The cars themselves as mentioned are known to give trouble with the electronic rear brake callipers and the button that controls them, the steering column locks can fail, the body control module can fail, the keys give bother too.

Yeesh. I know all cars have their troubles but jaysus.

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

You could but the car and none of those things could happen and in fairness when they are working the are a very nice car, but if you're buying a used one of be prepared to throw a few quid at it.

I'll be definitely trying to get them to establish a maintenance and repair float fund. I keep telling them they can run a Range Rover if they budget correctly.

Cheers folks

cantdecide

Looking at an alternative car in Dublin with the 2.0 engine (and auto box). The lady says she got a "new" gearbox a few years ago from 7th Gear transmissions.

Assuming she got a a reconditioned box or had her own one repaired, would you consider this a positive or negative?

colm_mcm

If it was last week you’d be wary, but I’d nearly see it as a plus over one that’s not been done.

One thing I’d be mindful of is that you’re in the more fortunate position of knowing more about cars than your mother, and if you OK a car like a B6 Passat, when anything goes wrong it’ll be your fault!

Any chance she’d test drive some other less flakey cars?

selectamatic

As suggested above try and push for a jetta. They're just a better, more compact and more reliable car. They hold their value better too although with ye're tight budget that could be a negative.

cantdecide

colm_mcm wrote: »

If it was last week you’d be wary, but I’d nearly see it as a plus over one that’s not been done.

The owner said she had it replaced "a couple of years ago". That's where I was falling on it too. My mother has only driven 10k km in the last year so if it were still fairly freshly rebuilt, I think it might be safe enough for the next couple of years...

colm_mcm wrote: »

One thing I’d be mindful of is that you’re in the more fortunate position of knowing more about cars than your mother, and if you OK a car like a B6 Passat, when anything goes wrong it’ll be your fault!

A good point but firstly, those in the family involved are all taking it as given that there could be issues (to say the least) but we have to accommodate mam's wishes even if that means eating a few repair bills. My dad and mum are both selling their existing cars to consolidate their driving between my dad's van for him and my mother's car will be for her to go shopping during the week and for both of them to share at the weekend. They're saving lots by my dad giving up his car.

I'm in college all day tomorrow so in a way I'm glad that the final decision is theirs... and of course, they may end up walking away from both cars and searching elsewhere.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Any chance she’d test drive some other less flakey cars?

Look, my mother has had some big health setbacks and she's kind of at a fork - we really want to make sure she's as happy as possible because honestly, giving up driving could become a slippery slope. If it weren't another Passat, it would have to be something remarkably similar like an A4, Jetta or Octavia but it looks like it would need to be automatic also.

kermitpwee

Buy the Passat is my advice, they are a total piece of junk. If your momma wants it there is little we can do or can you! You won't get a good one with that budget, they are a ticking time bomb.
If your mother still wants one what can you/we do?

CiDeRmAn

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I was looking at a 1.4 08 Passat today and it seemed very straight.
All the electrics seemed fine.
Anything else this troublesome B6 should be watched for?

selectamatic

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I was looking at a 1.4 08 Passat today and it seemed very straight.
All the electrics seemed fine.
Anything else this troublesome B6 should be watched for?

Abs module is known to completely fail from time to time and the Steering rack can fail too.

Wouldn't the 1.4tsi from 08 be the timing chain eater aswell?

Toyotafanboi

The 1.4 is even more prone to timing chain issues than the 1.6.

selectamatic

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

The 1.4 is even more prone to timing chain issues than the 1.6.

Did some of them have a wild bad oil burning habit too?

I'm hazily remembering a BBC watchdog feature but I'm open to correction.

Toyotafanboi

I don't know of it but it sounds plausable. The earlier 1.4 tsi engines were remarkably bad in most regards.

colm_mcm

cantdecide wrote: »

Look, my mother has had some big health setbacks and she's kind of at a fork - we really want to make sure she's as happy as possible because honestly, giving up driving could become a slippery slope. If it weren't another Passat, it would have to be something remarkably similar like an A4, Jetta or Octavia but it looks like it would need to be automatic also.

My comments are based on the relatively low budget and that any of the common issues could cost a good chunk of the purchase price to put right, if you’re unlucky enough to have it happen.

I would say maybe try a 1.6 8 valve Octavia with a tiptronic box and a bit of spec. It will feel very similar to the B5.5 Passat. Moreso than a B6
I get what you’re saying about her health and you want to make the transition as stress free as possible.

grogi

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Yeah, the 2006 Passat was crap, the 1.6 FSI is crap and the multitronic gearbox is crap. You can be 90% certain if you buy one that it will be a moneypit pretty quickly.

Multitronic gearbox were installed only in Audi.
An early B6 would come with a 6 speed torque converter box.

cantdecide

For the record, my dad and his brother, a mechanic, viewed the car discussed but it was not bought. It was a nice clean car I understand, but had issues - slipping clutches, a noisy timing chain and a cam crank correlation issue (it was down on power - probably explains the new crank position sensor). The issues discovered were discussed with the seller and hours later, he took the ad down. It was a waste of a trip but it's not the end of the world and not to be unexpected).

My parents decided to buy a 07 Passat. It has the more dependable 1.9TDI engine and has 110k miles from a dealer with a warranty and all the rest. It has a manual box but my dad got a fright with the other car so he just wanted to be back in his motoring comfort zone (diesel and manual) and my mam was happy that she was just getting something similar but without the problems. I had her convinced about the auto idea (my dad had been convinced too) but it will have to wait until next time when they'll have some more cash for something more dependable.

Thanks all

colm_mcm

I’m so confused! I thought the 04 was perfect and she just needed an automatic.

Best of luck with it anyway

grogi

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’m so confused! I thought the 04 was perfect and she just needed an automatic.

Best of luck with it anyway

It's already sold - it's time for catharsis ;P

cantdecide

colm_mcm wrote: »

I’m so confused! I thought the 04 was perfect and she just needed an automatic.

It's presentable but there's a few issues I know they just don't want to pursue - the usual VW self-locking doors, seat ripped, intermittent fogging up problem they've tried to have diagnosed several times and has just gotten a little too tired for what was once the best car in the drive. The 04 is a workhorse these days.

The low mileage they do (just 10k km last year) gave great opportunities to nail the whole exercise but there was a point came when facts and figures started giving way to gut feelings and hunches. The automatic idea was demoted from 'must have' to 'like to have' after the other car had problems but... the dude abides. They're not planning to keep this one forever so I'll beat the drum for automatic next time especially if my mother's mobility hasn't improved.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Best of luck with it anyway

Thanks man. It's going to be a grand car for them, I hope. It's an estate, which is always my favourite body so I'd nearly take it off them myself when they're finished with it!!