2003 Volkswagen Passat TDI Estate review from Germany

Nothing.

This buy was one of a big step forward in terms of price and model year; I acquired this car in may 06, so the long-term reliability still won't be an issue here. My expectations are high however, since I await the 12.000 EU (or 8000 Pound) tag with the high initial mileage (the regular market value really) to be justified.

The change from the precedent Peugeot, was less steep concerning space (good bit more, not worlds) and looks ("wheat metallic" and light grey interior, as preferred to grave-black) compared to the handling and haptics. The heavy tare weight of 1.536 kg may participate to a kind of soft suspension french manufacturers seem to got lost some 25 years ago. In contrast, the feel of this not heavy-looking car is mercedes-typed, very much unlike the 80s Passat. Solid and rigid that is, accommodated for a lush drive only in a particular sense. This includes the use of the cruise control and low revolutions.

Many of the extras (high-line, I believe) are solid and useful luxury, like the legendary bum-frying seats a reviewer mentioned, the not overloaded trip computer, arm rest, and climate control (climatronic) as well. The least leads to the weak points here: I expect the chance to fumbling my way across the buttons and controls while leaving the eyes on the road. There's no chance here, since the buttons build evenly rows with no gaps, haptic marks whatsoever. Exception would be another radio and the manual heating controls (a/c is of a surplus in Britain anyway, isn't it?). Functionally there's no complaints.

The engine character is a bit to get used to. Low revolutions sometimes lets you stall like a beginner. The torque peak is at 1.900 rpm and is so heavy that you have to learn riding with it. Oh, it's fun too. With 130 hp diesel that results in the torque "ending" at 3.200 or something, but you don't really miss horses (the money rather you are fined at the tempting french RNs..). Hence no problem with full family business abroad.

The consumption is not extraterrestrial in both respects with 8.2 l/100km in the city and 7-ish on trips. You can press it down to 6 with the - too rarely featured imho - cruise control.

I'm content so far with this little odds since the car has something calming and it's phlegmatic type of dynamics (contradiction, yes) is funny in a weird way, despite its being charme-free apart from the exception that VW insists on providing a cassette-corder with the radio gamma instead of a CD-Player. I expect to ride this vehicle up to 350.000 km without changing anything than oil, brake pads and maybe one clutch pad.