The generation of passats you speak of are very problematic. 99-04 or so. Electrical problems are very common like abs, airbag and transmission control units. If you use vw's 7500 mile oil change interval you will have problems with sludge. Also suspension links are also trouble. Earlier cars were much more simple so they has less things to go wrong. My MKIV TDi has been dead reliable. I wouldn't rule out a MKIV VW. They have there trouble areas, but can be pretty reliable after bugs are worked out. $.02
--- On Wed, 9/1/10, Matthew Yip <[email protected]> wrote: From: Matthew Yip <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [a2-16v-list] Did VW have "dark years" To: "Volkswagen a2 16v discussion list" <[email protected]> Date: Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 10:47 PM Fortunately I have NO experience with Passats except for a friend's '93 that "mooed" when the a/c was on and if suffered typical electrical maladies for VWs of that era (read: everything that could go wrong usually did...) Regarding the overheating - sounds like the rad, even though it's new, is clogged or the pump isn't working well at idle. Check the thermostat as well - it's the easiest thing to check and they do fail with some regularity. If it's partially open, it'll work fine on the freeway but get hot at idle. I don't think my temp sensor is faulty - when it's pegged, it's quick to overheat in the paddock so I think it's accurate. I really need to add a "real" gauge but that takes time, effort and money...three things I lack these days... ----- Original Message ---- > From: Mark Stanton <[email protected]> > To: a2 16vGroup <[email protected]> > Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 9:29:24 PM > Subject: [a2-16v-list] Did VW have "dark years" > > I have a couple friends who have had Passats (go easy on them, they're family > men) and have had the most horrendous experiences. Both bought new. > > CAR EXHIBIT A, 1999 Passat Wagon: > tons of oil consumption > tie rods went at 50K > ABS controller funkiness > timing belt broke (there was a recall on this part, btw) > He built a Caterham 7 with his own bare hands so he's not an idiot. > > CAR EXHIBIT B, 2002(or03) Passat sedan: > on it's 3rd oil pump > some sort of overheating oil/oil tarring issue which is apparently >common. > this friend is a trained aero mechanic > > This makes me a tad nervous about the 2002 337 I've been eying. > Also, are APR chips hard on engines? Anyone have experiences? > > BTW, Matthew, My Motronic 2.0l 16v seems to run a bit hot even though the > radiator/thermostat are only a few years old and the fans seem to come on. > As > > soon as I get off the freeway and come to idle, my temps shoot up fast.... > my > guesses: > - tiny clumps of oil are clogging the radiator > - crappy water pump impeller (they're stamped steel instead of the >original > > cast blades) > - 400K+mi is too much and it should die already > > Do you think your temp sensor could be faulty? > > > Mark > > > > > _______________________________________________ > a2-16v-list mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list > For list archives, see listinfo link above. > _______________________________________________ a2-16v-list mailing list [email protected] http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list For list archives, see listinfo link above.
