2015 Passat, CC or A4?

younggalway

Well folks, looking for a bit of insight from those in the trade or owners of any of the above for a family member looking to purchase this week.

Will be buying up north and have lined up an example of each to view at the weekend. Would anyone recommend one above the rest in terms of reliability etc?

The options are:
2015 VW Passat 2.0 (New Model in SE Business spec)
2015 VW CC GT 2.0
and the final option which is in the lead at the minute is the 2015 Audi A4 SE Technik

All will be manual/diesel, are there any particular issues that I should keep an eye out for when we go to view. Most of the stuff seems to be ex-company cars with FSH so hoping we can't go to far wrong.

Any and all input welcome

Toyotafanboi

I wouldn't rule out a DSG model. They are actually a decently reliable car, particularly in manual. The CC's have some minor enough issues with key fobs and ABS sensors but nothing heart stopping.

Bare in mind if not buying from a dealer that a 2015 car will no longer have any remaining manufacturers warranty.

Some 2015 CC's will still have an EA189 engine which isn't necessarily the end of the world but something for you to form your own judgement call on.

younggalway

If it was for myself I would probably go for the DSG in the CC but she would only drive a manual.

As for the EA189 engine, the particular CC I have an eye on is from the end of 2015, its the 150ps engine so would that be the newer engine?

Between the A4 and the CC, since we are looking at higher mileage models (Circa 80k miles), is there any belt intervals that would be due soon as this would have to be considered in the budget?

Regarding the A4, would there be a noticeable difference between the 138bhp and the 161bhp? Have only driven the former and it didn't seem to be particularly slow however if there was a choice between the two for the same money would it be better off going for the quicker car?

younggalway

https://www.usedcarsni.com/2015-Audi-A4-2-0-TDI-ULTRA-SE-TECHNIK-4d-161-BHP-Great-Spec-Gr-Low-Emissions-High-Spec-Pearl-Lava-Grey-232012648?search_type=1&make=1&fuel_type=2&age_from=2015&price_from=0&user_type=0&model=102&trans_type=1&age_to=2015&price_to=0&mileage_to=0&keywords=&location%5B%5D=0&car_class=

The A4 we had intended to look at this weekend has been sold unfortunately so this is the main contender for Audi at the minute. Fortunately there are a few CC's to consider but just hoping for a tidy A4 for an equal comparison.

Any thoughts on the car above, it seems to look a bit tired compared to others we've seen however with the mileage that might be expected. Also anyone have any experience with this dealer, have found a few questionable reviews online however most seem to be positive. Also he seems to be going for years so don't think they could be too bad.

Any more input from owners of either car would be much appreciated, I think the regular Passat is out of the running now so down to these two models. Thanks folks

shannonman81

I was sort of in the same boat a few years ago.
I was interested in buying an A4 stepping up from a golf tdi.
And I asked advice in here and got some great suggestions. One if which was to sit into the A4 and see how I felt and to be honest (and this isn't a slight on anyone who drives one) it did nothing for me.
It was suggested I look at a cc which I did and ended up buying.
It's been a great car and I still love it. The only issue I have is I two year old and a four year old so due to the sloping roof getting them into the car seats can be a faff.

Mine is a 09 though so I can't comment on reliability of a 2015 or anything like that.
I would just say drive both and see which one gives her the "feels"
Best of luck with whichever!

younggalway

Thanks for the input, they are probably fairly similar at the end of the day so it will probably come down to whice feels better. It is my mother who is buying and she has always wanted an Audi however she likes that the CC isn't as common.

I'd say she'd be happy with either to be honest, and its just herself in the car 90% of the time so sloping roofline isn't too much of a worry. If anyone else had any experience of mechanical gremlins feel free to chip in. She'd be fairly reliant on my opinion when we go to view but I can't decide myself which is better. The badge snob in me would love the Audi but the CC looks stunning in the right spec/colour.

Tabby McTat

Hi youngalway. I bought a 2014 A4 from a UK main dealer in October 2017. It's the 163bhp ultra version. Very few of these in Ireland, mostly 120 and 136 and 150 auto. Like yourself I was coming from a Golf. The car is lovely to drive and loads of power there, especially in 3rd/4th gear when the turbo kicks in. Refinement is really good too on the motorway.
No problems at all mechanically only the regular service bits and pieces but definitely will cost more than the VW you're used to. If you can get one with extra spec- folding mirrors, reversing camera, upgraded sound system all the better.

bazz26

Being a coupe the CC sits a lot lower to the ground than the A4, something to consider if it's your mother buying it. CCs generally tend to be better equipped than A4s though.

PaulKK

OP, even though I like Audi, that model A4 is out since 2008 and personally I wouldn't consider it against the current model Passat.

The CC is a nice car but again has been replaced entirely by a new model with a name change thrown in also.

Have you considered looking at a 3 series? Typically they are better value than an A4.

Tabby McTat

PaulKK wrote: »

Have you considered looking at a 3 series? Typically they are better value than an A4.

I found the opposite to be true. You get more bang for your buck with an A4 v 3 series, in the UK anyway.

younggalway

I have been looking at a few 3 Series however it seems hard to find one in the right spec. A lot of them on UsedCarsNI seem to have aftermarket boy racer looking wheels etc. then at the other end there's quite a few with basic spec like cloth seats and small alloys.

Even besides this I don't think she'd be a massive fan of a BMW, I think she'd be afraid the neighbours would think she has notions . The timing chain fiasco also steers me away from BMW's of that generation.

The Audi I had been keeping a eye on in recent weeks has now sold unfortunately so going to take a look at this CC at the weekend hopefully.
https://www.usedcarsni.com/2015-Volkswagen-CC-2-0-GT-BLUEMOTION-TECHNOLOGY-TDi-NAV-LEATHER-234346185?keywords=&make=32&model=95975628&fuel_type=0&trans_type=0&age_from=2015&age_to=2015&price_from=0&price_to=0&user_type=0&mileage_to=0&location%5B%5D=0&homepage_search_attr=1&tab_id=0&search_type=1&car_class=

Thoughts on white cars? Sometimes I think they can look a bit tacky but I must say the CC can carry it well.

colm_mcm

White CC’s are very popular with the type of people who were driving B5.5 Passats with replica Audi wheels during the recession.

darragh o meara

Recently helped my sister buy a CC and she was pretty much down to the same list of cars as you.

Here’s what I thought of those models:
A4: nice if you get a decent spec ie. S Line or Ultra, inside they felt dated and they all had pretty much the same interior as a 2009 A4.

CC: This is what we ended up with and the car was really well specked from standard and we found one with a few added extras. Inside again is pretty much the same as my old 2008 Passat but they have updated a few things like the media system and dash cluster which helped a bit. They are pretty common with heated leather and this is a must in my opinion. I found the newer engined 2015 CC’s all had the new style media system and the newer style alloys. The car drives fantastically and it hasn’t given any trouble since and they don’t tend too either in my experience.

New Passat: Nice car to drive and updated a lot from the old one, I found the 1.6 tdi to be a bit weak in them and would go for the 2.0 tdi. Easy car to find specced up too, an R Line or Business looks to be about the best of them.

Overall they’re pretty much all on a similar platform chassis and engine wise, timing belt will be due around 130k miles if I remember right.

AlanMcC23

darragh o meara wrote: »

Recently helped my sister buy a CC and she was pretty much down to the same list of cars as you.

Here’s what I thought of those models:
A4: nice if you get a decent spec ie. S Line or Ultra, inside they felt dated and they all had pretty much the same interior as a 2009 A4.

CC: This is what we ended up with and the car was really well specked from standard and we found one with a few added extras. Inside again is pretty much the same as my old 2008 Passat but they have updated a few things like the media system and dash cluster which helped a bit. They are pretty common with heated leather and this is a must in my opinion. I found the newer engined 2015 CC’s all had the new style media system and the newer style alloys. The car drives fantastically and it hasn’t given any trouble since and they don’t tend too either in my experience.

New Passat: Nice car to drive and updated a lot from the old one, I found the 1.6 tdi to be a bit weak in them and would go for the 2.0 tdi. Easy car to find specced up too, an R Line or Business looks to be about the best of them.

Overall they’re pretty much all on a similar platform chassis and engine wise, timing belt will be due around 130k miles if I remember right.

Currently in the market for a 2015 CC R-line from the UK myself and selling my 12 a4 s-line. My cousins friend has a 14 r-line CC which i drove yesterday and they are a really nice car inside and out.

Looking online and the they are nearly all automatic but im after a manual and there isnt many available just yet. Hopefully a few get traded in over there in the next few weeks

younggalway

darragh o meara wrote: »

Recently helped my sister buy a CC and she was pretty much down to the same list of cars as you.

Here’s what I thought of those models:
A4: nice if you get a decent spec ie. S Line or Ultra, inside they felt dated and they all had pretty much the same interior as a 2009 A4.

CC: This is what we ended up with and the car was really well specked from standard and we found one with a few added extras. Inside again is pretty much the same as my old 2008 Passat but they have updated a few things like the media system and dash cluster which helped a bit. They are pretty common with heated leather and this is a must in my opinion. I found the newer engined 2015 CC’s all had the new style media system and the newer style alloys. The car drives fantastically and it hasn’t given any trouble since and they don’t tend too either in my experience.

New Passat: Nice car to drive and updated a lot from the old one, I found the 1.6 tdi to be a bit weak in them and would go for the 2.0 tdi. Easy car to find specced up too, an R Line or Business looks to be about the best of them.

Overall they’re pretty much all on a similar platform chassis and engine wise, timing belt will be due around 130k miles if I remember right.

I agree in terms of the interior of the A4, it hasn't dated that well but overall its still a smart looking motor. Hopefully have 3 lined up tomorrow to look at, all technik models, one technik with the quicker 163 ultra engine so have a bit of choice.

Also have 2 CC's which the mother has begun to take more of an interest in, I think she's ruled out the white one because its a bit chavvy. The others Im hoping to look at are late 2015 so have the upgraded 150bhp engine and the bigger media screen.

One more important question for anyone that has bought up north, are cars price like cars here with some room for negotiation? I know it is all dependant on the car itself but would knocking 600 quid of 12k stg car be realistic in a straight deal, just as an example?

younggalway

AlanMcC23 wrote: »

Currently in the market for a 2015 CC R-line from the UK myself and selling my 12 a4 s-line. My cousins friend has a 14 r-line CC which i drove yesterday and they are a really nice car inside and out.

Looking online and the they are nearly all automatic but im after a manual and there isnt many available just yet. Hopefully a few get traded in over there in the next few weeks

Ah that's interesting to hear. Any reason for the change from the Audi or just want something different? Do you notice much a difference in terms of space, from sitting in the back of an A4 I have to say it was much tighter than I had expected. I know they are not massive cars but just luck there would rarely be anyone in the back seat for herself

darragh o meara

younggalway wrote: »

One more important question for anyone that has bought up north, are cars price like cars here with some room for negotiation? I know it is all dependant on the car itself but would knocking 600 quid of 12k stg car be realistic in a straight deal, just as an example?

No harm in making an offer but UK/NI dealers don’t usually haggle as much as the lads down this end. I have managed to get a discount in the past but more so down to the fact the car was at the dealers for a while and they were looking to shift it. Private sellers might be a bit more ameanable to a bit of haggling.

AlanMcC23

younggalway wrote: »

Ah that's interesting to hear. Any reason for the change from the Audi or just want something different? Do you notice much a difference in terms of space, from sitting in the back of an A4 I have to say it was much tighter than I had expected. I know they are not massive cars but just luck there would rarely be anyone in the back seat for herself

Yea just looking at something different this time as im on my 3rd Audi and although i love them i really like the CC’s so going to pull the trigger on one soon hopefully.

It is a little tight in the back alrite and im over 6 foot so anyone behind me in the back seat does not have a lot of room. The boot on the a4’s is massive so you lose space in the back seat then unfortunatly

younggalway

Just said I'd give an update on this in case anyone is in the same situation down the line.

Went up north today to have a look at the A4 and the CC. CC was quickly ruled out by my mother because she thought it was too long making parking etc difficult. To be honest I think she had her heart set on the A4 from the get go. Ended up getting a late 2014 A4 Technik with the 163hp engine. Lovely tight comfortable car to drive I must say, she's delighted with it anyway and will be picking it up in a few days.

Also just a point I noticed from driving the car, while the 163hp version is plenty good enough for most people's driving, I can't help wonder that the 120 or even 138hp versions must be sluggish enough?

Overall, i don't think you could go wrong with either car, here's hoping she has a few years of trouble free motoring ahead. Cheers for the help folks.

AlanMcC23

younggalway wrote: »

Just said I'd give an update on this in case anyone is in the same situation down the line.

Went up north today to have a look at the A4 and the CC. CC was quickly ruled out by my mother because she thought it was too long making parking etc difficult. To be honest I think she had her heart set on the A4 from the get go. Ended up getting a late 2014 A4 Technik with the 163hp engine. Lovely tight comfortable car to drive I must say, she's delighted with it anyway and will be picking it up in a few days.

Also just a point I noticed from driving the car, while the 163hp version is plenty good enough for most people's driving, I can't help wonder that the 120 or even 138hp versions must be sluggish enough?

Overall, i don't think you could go wrong with either car, here's hoping she has a few years of trouble free motoring ahead. Cheers for the help folks.

Friend of mine has the 120bhp version and yeah he says its a bit on the sluggish side alrite. My own is the 177bhp and i find it great, plenty of poke when i put my foot down and overtaking is a breeze.

They are lovely cars to drive so i’d imagine she will love it when she finally gets it. Well wear