VW Passat, Opel Insignia or alternatives

skerry · 01-03-2015 07:43PM

bazz26 wrote: »

The first thing is Irish models had half leather seats as standard. The silver trim around the centre console and on the doors are usually another sign. I don't think I've every seen an Irish model with that. Irish models tend to have the fake wood look though some UK models have it too. The other tell tail sign is the larger 18" alloy wheels, rear privacy glass and touch screen stereo.

A full car history report is important but you also need to examine the service history and ring the garages that stamped it to verify what they did. That car has at least 100k miles on it so at that mileage it is due a timing belt change if it has not been already done. Also make sure there are no problems changing gears or any vibration through the clutch as the DMFs (flywheels) start to wear out on these cars usually upwards of 100k miles. You will be looking at around €900 from an indy for a new clutch and flywheel fitted.

So are full leather seats an upgrade on the Irish models Bazz with half leather as standard? As far as I can see most UK models have the standard upholstery, seems a lot of them around brought in from UK at some stage. Chrome trim on the dash is nicer I think, the wooden effect is a bit tack but I'd live with it.

Would the DMF be something that would generally be replaced at a certain interval like the timing belt, or would folks not replace them unless they gave trouble?

Is it standard enough practice to ask the garage to see the service book and ring the garages in the UK there and then to confirm what they did? Definitely makes sense.

I know a lad who gets cars in from the UK usually so I'm hoping something might come up on that front too, although he said there's not much return in it these days with the puny Euro. He has a few contacts in the trade here too so he might come up with something on that side of things.

Cheers for all the info Bazz, and apologies for all the questions but you seem to be well up on the CC front. Still trying to get my head around specs and that. Do they have something in the name that suggests a certain spec, like Toyota have Luna etc. and Ford have Zetec kind of thing?

bazz26 · 01-03-2015 11:33PM

I owned a CC so have a fair bit of experience of them.

Full leather was an optional extra on most CCs whether they Irish or UK spec, it was an expensive option. The Irish base model came with half leather as standard though. On later UK spec models they had a Tech pack that included full leather seats and factory sat nav with bluetooth.

The DMF is classed as a wear and tear consumable and there is no set mileage at which they need replacing as there are alot of variables at work. Some can need replacing at below 100k miles while they can last well beyond that. You would only get it replaced if it starts showing signs of failure.

As for asking the garage, yes as you are interested in buying the car and what to find out as much about it's history as possible. Any decent garage will have no problem showing you the service history presuming it has one. On UK cars it more unusual not to have one so if it's missing then you need to be extra cautious as there is usually a good reason for that. Alot of clocked cars have service histories that are not available or missing.

skerry · 02-03-2015 06:49PM

bazz26 wrote: »

I owned a CC so have a fair bit of experience of them.

Full leather was an optional extra on most CCs whether they Irish or UK spec, it was an expensive option. The Irish base model came with half leather as standard though. On later UK spec models they had a Tech pack that included full leather seats and factory sat nav with bluetooth.

The DMF is classed as a wear and tear consumable and there is no set mileage at which they need replacing as there are alot of variables at work. Some can need replacing at below 100k miles while they can last well beyond that. You would only get it replaced if it starts showing signs of failure.

As for asking the garage, yes as you are interested in buying the car and what to find out as much about it's history as possible. Any decent garage will have no problem showing you the service history presuming it has one. On UK cars it more unusual not to have one so if it's missing then you need to be extra cautious as there is usually a good reason for that. Alot of clocked cars have service histories that are not available or missing.

Cheers bazz, appreciate the info.

I rang HB Dennis and that car is sold, they said they have a similar one in black coming in 10 days or so.

Spotted the car below on Carzone last night, it's a 2010 with 72k miles on the clock. Priced a little bit outside budget but rang the dealer and he said there'd be a bit of movement on price for a straight sale (not sure if enough to bring it within my budget though). Unfortunately it's in Donegal which is about 3.5 hours away from me so a bit of a trek. Looks a nice car though and coming from a VW main dealer.

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/passat-cc/used-2010-volkswagen-passat-cc-2-donegal-fpa-141014230525682240

bazz26 · 02-03-2015 08:46PM

Seems like alot of money for an entry level UK spec model but that's normal main dealer money alright.

skerry · 02-03-2015 10:12PM

bazz26 wrote: »

Seems like alot of money for an entry level UK spec model but that's normal main dealer money alright.

Yeah, I think I'm getting ants in my pants now that I've sold my own car and am ready to buy, it's only being collected tomorrow. Donegal is a long way to go for a base spec CC. Said a while back I'm gonna hold out for the spec I want, so hopefully the right car will pop up in the next couple of weeks a bit closer to home.

Cheers for the advice. No doubt I'll be back

minnie11 · 03-03-2015 12:48AM

At the moment i am trying to decide between all the above mentioned cars also. Nobody has mentioned the Peugeot 508. Any opinions on this.

Donnchadh · 03-03-2015 12:28PM

skerry wrote: »

Yeah, I think I'm getting ants in my pants now that I've sold my own car and am ready to buy, it's only being collected tomorrow. Donegal is a long way to go for a base spec CC. Said a while back I'm gonna hold out for the spec I want, so hopefully the right car will pop up in the next couple of weeks a bit closer to home.

Cheers for the advice. No doubt I'll be back

I've got one for sale on adverts if you are interested

adverts.ie/car/volkswagen/passat-cc/2009-volkswagen-passat-cc-for-sale/5961479

skerry · 05-03-2015 11:14PM

Donnchadh wrote: »

I've got one for sale on adverts if you are interested

adverts.ie/car/volkswagen/passat-cc/2009-volkswagen-passat-cc-for-sale/5961479

Sound, nice car, I'll keep it in mind. Is that cream interior hard to keep clean?

Donnchadh · 06-03-2015 12:47PM

Not really, its pretty much spotless (and I have my two kids in the back regularly).

skerry · 11-03-2015 10:48PM

bazz26 wrote: »

Seems like alot of money for an entry level UK spec model but that's normal main dealer money alright.

Have had a look a 2 different 2010's since and they all seem to be going for similar money. Think Sterling (or crappy Euro more like) is really killing it, terrible time to buy, especially with UK imports.

Had a look at this one and the lowest they said is €16k. Low mileage (71k miles) but base enough spec. Only has the 4 seats.

http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1201340&r=s.php%3Fm%3D93%26o%3D2349%26r%3D2010%26g%3D0

Looked at same car in black this evening, slightly higher spec, has Sat Nav and 5 seats, 84k miles, listed at €16,950 (at least it was this evening but seems to have gone up since for some reason). Lowest is €16,600 but they will offer a 12 month bumper to bumper warranty. Honestly thought I'd get better discounts with cash but sterling seems to have scuppered that at least on the UK import front.

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/passat-cc/used-2010-volkswagen-passat-cc-di-galway-fpa-95714147126680670

Any opinions welcome on the above or if anyone thinks there's better value to be had out there, I can hold tight another bit but Euro only seems to be getting worse.

bazz26 · 11-03-2015 11:49PM

The fifth seat was only added in mid 2010 along with very small revisions to the dashboard.

This might be worth a look at if you can get the price down a bit:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Passat-CC/2.0-TDI**GT/126914193354637440/

Mileage is high enough but at least you probably know it's not clocked. :P no ideal on the selling garage though.

Pawwed Rig · 11-03-2015 11:53PM

Jaysus, that is alot of money for that kind of mileage. You'd want to be getting a good chunk off the headline price

bazz26 · 11-03-2015 11:56PM

Unfortunately if you read through the entire thread, that is the sort of money these cars are fetching.

skerry · 12-03-2015 12:04AM

bazz26 wrote: »

Unfortunately if you read through the entire thread, that is the sort of money these cars are fetching.

That's exactly the spec I was originally looking for Bazz but mileage is high on that one and I reckon I'd feel it come time to sell it on in a few years. A bit more cash for more reasonable mileage might be a wiser investment (although I'm aware cars a probably the worst investment you can make)

I liked the one I drove this evening in Galway. 84k miles and while it didn't have the leather seats, it did have the 5th seat and SatNav too. €16.5 k is definitely pushing the budget out and I'm trying to justify the outlay to myself so I'm going to mull it over a bit more over the weekend. Full service history and its had services at 19, 37, 57, and 76 k miles.

On plus side, they are offering a 12 month warranty and he said that covers everything. It's from WestLink Car Sales in Galway so if anyone has info on the garage or has dealt with them before it would be good to hear.

artheb · 13-03-2015 12:49AM

I will add to the thread as I am buying CC at the moment. It is 2011 2.0TDI 140BHP GT Bluemotion Full spec 104000mls on the clock. I am bringing the car from the UK my self. it will work around 15500 euro inc VRT, service and timing belt. ( I negotiated the price for timing belt as it should be done before 125000 mls for bluemotion engine). Irish VW dealer is looking for 450 for timing belt + water pump.

Everybody is overly concerned about the mileage but it is only the number on the dash. If car is maintained and serviced then should be no problem with 100k or 200k mls. I have a Fluence 2011 with 192000 km on the clock driving like new.
If Renault Fluence is able drive well then VW passat is even more. As many already said: do the motorcheck/cartell check to see the mileage record. Compare the mileage record with the service book, ring the garage. If car is in good condition and all the boxes are ticked I don't see the problem with mileage around 100000mls. I will put another 100000mls on it as I do 500mls(800km) a week.

btw: this is nice car:

cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-cc-gt-sat-nav/8807876?offset=2

Thanks

skerry · 13-03-2015 09:19AM

artheb wrote: »

I will add to the thread as I am buying CC at the moment. It is 2011 2.0TDI 140BHP GT Bluemotion Full spec 104000mls on the clock. I am bringing the car from the UK my self. it will work around 15500 euro inc VRT, service and timing belt. ( I negotiated the price for timing belt as it should be done before 125000 mls for bluemotion engine). Irish VW dealer is looking for 450 for timing belt + water pump.

Everybody is overly concerned about the mileage but it is only the number on the dash. If car is maintained and serviced then should be no problem with 100k or 200k mls. I have a Fluence 2011 with 192000 km on the clock driving like new.
If Renault Fluence is able drive well then VW passat is even more. As many already said: do the motorcheck/cartell check to see the mileage record. Compare the mileage record with the service book, ring the garage. If car is in good condition and all the boxes are ticked I don't see the problem with mileage around 100000mls. I will put another 100000mls on it as I do 500mls(800km) a week.

btw: this is nice car:

cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-cc-gt-sat-nav/8807876?offset=2

Thanks

Thanks for that. I did a Motorcheck report on it last night and all came up good, mileage checks out, FSH and 1 previous owners from new etc. Going to view car in daylight today and hopefully make a call on it then.

I had debated the UK option but I don't really have anyone to go over with me and I wasn't sure about garages (reputable or not) so I decided against in the end and going to go with safer option of getting it here with warranty etc. It's a UK car I'm looking at. I had totted up getting similar car from the likes of Cargiant and with conversion to £, VRT and cost of going over and back I'm not saving much. Poor time to buy from UK it seems.

Had seen that car you linked on Donedeal, lovely car and several others on there with UK reg's being sold by what seems like lads who just get in cars one by one and sell them off on UK reg's. I've been warned off Donedeal both by a mate of mine who is a guard and another who is in the motor trade and gets cars in from the UK himself, they said there is way too many scams on there at the moment so that put an end to that idea for me. Lot of money to lose if I got caught out.

Gargage is offering a 12 month warranty with car so I''m thinking that is worth the extra bit of cash (hopefully).

artheb · 13-03-2015 10:56AM

skerry wrote: »

Thanks for that. I did a Motorcheck report on it last night and all came up good, mileage checks out, FSH and 1 previous owners from new etc. Going to view car in daylight today and hopefully make a call on it then.

I had debated the UK option but I don't really have anyone to go over with me and I wasn't sure about garages (reputable or not) so I decided against in the end and going to go with safer option of getting it here with warranty etc. It's a UK car I'm looking at. I had totted up getting similar car from the likes of Cargiant and with conversion to £, VRT and cost of going over and back I'm not saving much. Poor time to buy from UK it seems.

Had seen that car you linked on Donedeal, lovely car and several others on there with UK reg's being sold by what seems like lads who just get in cars one by one and sell them off on UK reg's. I've been warned off Donedeal both by a mate of mine who is a guard and another who is in the motor trade and gets cars in from the UK himself, they said there is way too many scams on there at the moment so that put an end to that idea for me. Lot of money to lose if I got caught out.

Gargage is offering a 12 month warranty with car so I''m thinking that is worth the extra bit of cash (hopefully).

In terms of checking the car in UK people re comes to use AA or RAC to donut for you before you go there. Apparently these guys do very good job. Have a look on their website for car inspection.

What model and how much it is from the garage?

skerry · 13-03-2015 11:19AM

artheb wrote: »

In terms of checking the car in UK people re comes to use AA or RAC to donut for you before you go there. Apparently these guys do very good job. Have a look on their website for car inspection.

What model and how much it is from the garage?

I was definitely planning getting AA inspection done if going the UK route but doing the calculations at the minute I'm not saving enough to warrant taking time off work etc. and going over to pick up a car.

Not sure of the exact model (or how models go with CC's) but it's a late 2010 with the extra seat in back and has Sat nav also. Had a wishlist of leather seats, extra seat in back and satnav so 2 out of 3 ain't bad I guess. It's coming in around 16.5k which, which seems about the going rate with the Euro being so weak. Had looked at another one last week, minus the extra seata and satnav for 16k (UK import also)

artheb · 13-03-2015 11:45AM

is it Bluemotion?(should be for 2010) and what is the mileage? What is the tax?

skerry · 13-03-2015 11:52AM

artheb wrote: »

is it Bluemotion?(should be for 2010) and what is the mileage? What is the tax?

Not sure about Bluemotion, emissions are 146 so think that takes it into 380 tax bracket. not 100% on that though.

Is Bluemotion lower emissions? Does it ahve any other effect?

Mileage is 84K

artheb · 13-03-2015 11:57AM

Bluemotion is a new technology. Lower co2 emission and higher economy.

2.0 TDI 140BHP Bluemotion manual gearbox is 125mg CO2 which makes TAX 270 euro and up to 60mpg extra urban. 55mpg average.
I think it is worth looking at that as well. There is also a version with 170BHP and automatic gearbox which has higher emission with bluemotion.

skerry · 13-03-2015 12:10PM

artheb wrote: »

Bluemotion is a new technology. Lower co2 emission and higher economy.

2.0 TDI 140BHP Bluemotion manual gearbox is 125mg CO2 which makes TAX 270 euro and up to 60mpg extra urban. 55mpg average.
I think it is worth looking at that as well. There is also a version with 170BHP and automatic gearbox which has higher emission with bluemotion.

I had seen that tax was lower on some models I seen online. Is there a big difference in fuel economy between Bluemotion and non-Bluemotion versions? I'm guessing Bluemotion or not, the fuel economy will be far better than my petrol Focus was.

Came across a couple of 170 BHP's but I think I'm wondering into higher insurance territory there and coming from a 1.6 Focus I think 140bhp is loads for my needs. Tax on the automatic is crazy, 570 I think

artheb · 13-03-2015 12:17PM

this should be good explanation:
forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=427349

skerry · 13-03-2015 01:35PM

artheb wrote: »

this should be good explanation:
forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=427349

Cheers. Seems a lot of the saving on MPG in Urban is due to Stop/Start technology which I've heard mixed reports on.

You mind me asking how much it's working out to VRT the 2011 car? I've heard the calculator is only a estimate and once they start tacking on for extras like leather seats etc. then it can start growing and growing.

artheb · 13-03-2015 02:10PM

skerry wrote: »

Cheers. Seems a lot of the saving on MPG in Urban is due to Stop/Start technology which I've heard mixed reports on.

You mind me asking how much it's working out to VRT the 2011 car? I've heard the calculator is only a estimate and once they start tacking on for extras like leather seats etc. then it can start growing and growing.

It will cost me 3370
It all depends on the millage engine and co2. Google for revenue vrt. They have a calculator on the website

artheb · 13-03-2015 02:13PM

artheb wrote: »

It will cost me 3370
It all depends on the millage engine and co2. Google for revenue vrt. They have a calculator on the website

Sorry did not read correctly. I heard that they don't care about the extras as long as engine is correct

skerry · 13-03-2015 02:18PM

artheb wrote: »

Sorry did not read correctly. I heard that they don't care about the extras as long as engine is correct

Cool, I'd been told it depends on who you get. It was another variable that make me reconsider the UK option. Friend of mine in the trade reckons extras can add up. I just didn't fancy pushing the budget to the limit and then finding out I had underbudgeted for VRT

skerry · 13-03-2015 02:23PM

artheb wrote: »

Sorry did not read correctly. I heard that they don't care about the extras as long as engine is correct

You must've got a good deal on the car if your getting it cleared for 15.5k, I was tooling around online last night and was finding it hard to get a 2010 cleared for that price.

artheb · 13-03-2015 02:36PM

skerry wrote: »

You must've got a good deal on the car if your getting it cleared for 15.5k, I was tooling around online last night and was finding it hard to get a 2010 cleared for that price.

I think it is a good deal. I am going to pick it up tomorrow. Will let you know if bought it or not.
I will also ring Revenue to be sure about VRT. Don't want to go under pressure either.

skerry · 13-03-2015 02:41PM

artheb wrote: »

I think it is a good deal. I am going to pick it up tomorrow. Will let you know if bought it or not.
I will also ring Revenue to be sure about VRT. Don't want to go under pressure either.

I'd imagine barring a catastrophe you'll buy it. You seem to have done your homework on it anyway. Pity to have wasted a journey to UK if that happened, you'd want to have an alternative lined up.

VW Passat, Opel Insignia or alternatives

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