Topic: Is this a Fool's Errand? - Passat W8 Wagon

[tortoise]

http://www.autocatch.com/uid/556026

I really like this generation of Passat, this thing is a minefield of repairs.  Right?

[rrocket]

http://www.autocatch.com/uid/556026

I really like this generation of Passat, this thing is a minefield of repairs.  Right?

I've heard that said.  But you never know.  Have a look at the service history...this might be a good one.

[Mike]

It would be unique and I know one guy (me) that would be jealous

[tortoise]

It makes me nervous that they include a photo of the Onstar button.

As if to say, "You'll become familiar with this."

[ktm525]

I came close to getting a W8 wagon with 6 speed in 2005 I think. I bailed at the last minute. The next year I grabbed a V70R and didn't look back. If you got a performance wagon itch to scratch then my advice would be to find a nice V70R.

[rrocket]

I came close to getting a W8 wagon with 6 speed in 2005 I think. I bailed at the last minute. The next year I grabbed a V70R and didn't look back. If you got a performance wagon itch to scratch then my advice would be to find a nice V70R.

S4 Avant would be yummy also.......

[airbalancer]

if I were to get a passat wagon , I would look for one with TDI

[mrthompson]

It makes me nervous that they include a photo of the Onstar button.

As if to say, "You'll become familiar with this."

VW uses/used OnStar?!?!

[tpl]

That W8 has far far too many moving parts.   I agree on the TDI but I don't believe they ever sold the "big" TDI in NA only the 1.8 and 2.0

[PJungnitsch]

If you do get one this link might come in handy:

http://www.w8forum.dk/forum_posts.asp?TID=1196&PID=12692

Although some find the whole car a nightmare:

My W8 has already had the cam adjusters replaced once. The engine has been pulled from the car 3 times for various repairs..

I was told by VW that these new adjusters are the SAME as the originals and this will happen again. They point blank told me I should get rid of the car.

Now they are saying the engine has to be replaced due to too much metal in the pan at $13,500.00

The car has less than 80K miles and this is the list of parts that have been replaced so far:

1: Altenator...............$1,050.00
2: Transmission.........$5,500.00
3:4 CVC boots...........$1,000.00
4: front rotors/pads..$...$600.00
5: AC fan.....................$400.00
6: Cam Adjusters.......$7,000.00
7: 2 Headlight Balast..$1,400.00
8: steering electronics
control module..............$550.00
9: Gas Tank...............$1,500.00
10: Repaired broken
weld seam in floor pan
and replaced carpet.....$2,200.00
11: Home Link Sun Visor.$400.00
TOTAL............$21,600.00

Tomorrow they will proceed with installing a new engine
for $13,500.00 to bring the grand total for 4 year ownership
to $35,100.00.

I paid $25,000.00 for the car in 2004. That brings the total 4 year cost of ownership of this car to $59,100.00.

What a PIECE OF $H!T

http://forums.fourtitude.com/showthread.php?3722624-W8-cam-adjusters/page2

[sailor723]

Wouldn't 13,500 exceed the value of the car? 

[RunsinLight]

I'd very gladly take a down grade in my vehicle and go out and buy a brand new car for almost the same price.

Tomorrow they will proceed with installing a new engine
for $13,500.00 to bring the grand total for 4 year ownership
to $35,100.00.

http://forums.fourtitude.com/showthread.php?3722624-W8-cam-adjusters/page2

[2latecrew]

Run away ..run far away

[tortoise]

That's what I thought.  It's too bad, really.  When it was running I bet it would be a rather nice drive.

[sailor723]

That's what I thought.  It's too bad, really.  When it was running I bet it would be a rather nice drive.

"nice" yes but not so absolutely over the top wonderful that it would compensate for putting up with that kind of cost and aggravation.

[vdk]

That's a sample of one. Look around and see for yourself. You can check the Vortex, and see what everyone says about these.

[articsteve]

Essentially your dealing with a used Audi.  Those cars used are the biggest POS in the entire world.

I pulled a one owner (I thought mint) 99 Passat 1.8 trade off the lot and thought I'd do a quick flip privately.  Lesson learned.

Each one of those pieces (control arms) seperately is a couple of hundred bucks (10).  They all wear out at the same time. 

If you've got the $$$ then these cars are great under bumper to bumper warranty.  After that 


http://www.blauparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M1A1101%2D01%2DC

[blur911]

Essentially your dealing with a used Audi.  Those cars used are the biggest POS in the entire world.

If you've got the $$$ then these cars are great under bumper to bumper warranty.  After that 

I'm kinda thinking my 20 year old 20valve Audi is more reliable than anything they've made since.

[ktm525]

Essentially your dealing with a used Audi.  Those cars used are the biggest POS in the entire world.

I pulled a one owner (I thought mint) 99 Passat 1.8 trade off the lot and thought I'd do a quick flip privately.  Lesson learned.

Each one of those pieces (control arms) seperately is a couple of hundred bucks (10).  They all wear out at the same time. 

If you've got the $$$ then these cars are great under bumper to bumper warranty.  After that 


http://www.blauparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M1A1101%2D01%2DC

It's worse than an Audi. The W8 was an engineering marvel and a real-world nightmare. Just because things can be done (ie W8 shoved into tiny engine bay) doesn't mean it should be done.

[inco]

IIRC in order to do a tuneup on this puppy - you have to pull out the engine.   And there were issues with the brakes as well, but I'm not sure what that problem was - check out VW Vortex for more answers.