Passat advice

Hi folks, I'm going to have a look at this car tomorrow, a 2011 1.4 tsi passat. Any advice on any potential issues with these cars? It will possibly be replacing a 2004 1.6 avensis.
Thanks in advance.
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-passat-cl-1-4tsi-bmt-6spd-122hp/20688009

bazz26

Timing chain is the biggest concern on that engine. They had a tendency to prematurely need replacing on a lot of those engines.

bazz26

bazz26 wrote: »

Timing chain is the biggest concern on that engine. They had a tendency to prematurely need replacing on a lot of those engines.

If it hasn't been done already, is it a massive job/expense on these cars? Would you walk away.

bazz26

I think it was mentioned here before that cost is around €700 to change it. Best get a price on the job from a main dealer or good indy garage. Factor it into the price of the car with the seller if there is no proof it was done.

bazz26

bazz26 wrote: »

I think it was mentioned here before that cost is around €700 to change it. Best get a price on the job from a main dealer or good indy garage. Factor it into the price of the car with the seller if there is no proof it was done.

Many thanks for the replies.

Stallingrad

OP, I had the exact same model and rate it very highly. That engine is a peach, so smooth and frugal, I have a diesel now and actually wish I had kept the Passat. They are cheap to run, mine was faultless over 7 years, though did have the chain replaced out of warranty by VW. My car had a full VWSH which obviously helped. Spacious, refined, comfortable, reliable, what more do you need? If the chain checks out I would have no hesitation, you will be delighted with it.

Stallingrad

Stallingrad wrote: »

OP, I had the exact same model and rate it very highly. That engine is a peach, so smooth and frugal, I have a diesel now and actually wish I had kept the Passat. They are cheap to run, mine was faultless over 7 years, though did have the chain replaced out of warranty by VW. My car had a full VWSH which obviously helped. Spacious, refined, comfortable, reliable, what more do you need? If the chain checks out I would have no hesitation, you will be delighted with it.

Thanks ðŸ‘

Belfast

I would check ac is working. AC seal can go dry and lose gas resulting in a seized compressor not cheap to replace.a lot of people bypass the ac when this happens.
I would check the battery is correct size and type for car. If the car has stop start make sure battery is agm.
My Skoda superb 1.8tsi came with and under sized battery. Battery in car cost €70 correct battery was €125 if my car had stop start an agm battery would have cost over €200.

Thanks for the replies folks. Was hoping to take an extended lunch to test drive it this afternoon but the boss said no. I'll have to wait until Wednesday instead.
Rang the dealer though and he didn't know if the timing chain had been done yet, and that the car has no issues that he knows of. A dealer would be expected to say that though but I'll have to wait until my next day off to see for myself.

Stallingrad

Contact VW with the reg to see if it has been done under warranty. Listen to the engine at idle, you can hear the distinct rattle, both inside the car and in the engine bay. It is a quiet engine so any noises should be easy to pick up. Check windows as well and regulators can go. These engine also like annual oil changes so look for evidence of that. My car used 1l every 10,000km, not unusual.

Belfast

Problems I had with battery
Replacement battery Skoda Superb 1.8tsi bigger battery?
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=108660396

Those TSI direct injection do use more oil.
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/29165/excessive-oil-consumption-in-a-1-4-tsi

Boss relented and let me out, just back from the dealers. Had a good look over it and took it out for a spin. All seems pretty good, nice smooth engine and gearbox. No noise from the timing chain. Full service history from main dealer. Put a deposit on it and will collect on Wednesday morning. Thanks for all the replies folks. Much appreciated.

Stallingrad

Congrats!

Belfast

Looks like a nice car. Good luck with it.

Good idea to consider getting a dash camera with an SD card rated for dash cameras.

The review below are very good.
Best Dash Cameras in 2018
https://carcamcentral.com/guide/best-dash-cams-car-dvrs-black-boxes-of-2018

I'll be looking for a good dash cam and maybe reversing sensors/camera. It's the nicest car I've ever owned and I intend to mind it well. Been driving ancient Toyota's for years!

finalfurlong

Deleted User wrote: »

I'll be looking for a good dash cam and maybe reversing sensors/camera. It's the nicest car I've ever owned and I intend to mind it well. Been driving ancient Toyota's for years!

good luck with that,nialler.had an 08 tsi from 2010 to 2013 and found it v ery reliable.no problem with timin g chain-just make sure its serviced on dot and it needs castrol edge oil-got good mpg for petrol and think it is a bit of an underestimated car-certainly no lack of power and way less sluggish than the equivalent 1.6 diesel in that age of Passat.

Stallingrad

Deleted User wrote: »

I'll be looking for a good dash cam and maybe reversing sensors/camera. It's the nicest car I've ever owned and I intend to mind it well. Been driving ancient Toyota's for years!

Google Chinese B7 Headunits, brings the car bang up to date with Google, nav, Spotify, reversing camera, etc. Mate had it done and transformed the car.

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/DAB-Octa-Core-Android-8-0-Car-Stereo-AUDI-A4-S4-RS4-B9-B7-RNS-E-SEAT-EXEO-Satnav/113533323278?hash=item1a6f1d080e:g:a7UAAOSw651cM7bJ