1996 Volkswagen Passat TD Umwelt L 1.9
Summary:
Reliable old faithful
Faults:
Rear wheel bearings and shock absorbers all round. 1 broken spring.
General Comments:
I only had it for a month, but it's been in my family and fully dealer maintained since new. Nothing other than wear and tear items have been replaced. Still on original exhaust, clutch, starter, waterpump, alternator at 148,000 miles which is reasonably impressive! Only real downside is performance which is very leisurely although she is quicker now than she ever has been!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 18th August, 2005
19th Apr 2009, 18:20
Wrote the original review and comment. Got rid of the old girl at 170,000 miles.
Only additional items that were needed since then were a starter motor. Got a replacement TDI 1996 (last of the old shape) which I currently have. A mere 137,000 on this one with no problems.
May I warn anyone thinking of buying a new shape Passat 2005 onwards. DO NOT. I sell VW cars (new and used) for a living, and anything since 98 on is superficially lovely. Refinement and handling etc. are top order, but reliability is very poor. Lots of electrical and software problems. 05 - 07 Passats are very troublesome. AVOID.
Buy an Accord if you want total reliability or Korean marques. VW is running on the badge on the bonnet. US consumers knew this long ago. Time for European consumers to realise I think.
14th Nov 2005, 17:06
Just as an aside as I wrote the original review I should mention that I had the rear brake shoes replaced today. They were original. Brakes had been an issue for a while and the car was booked in for work. Unfortunately they didn't hold out. To be fair the mechanic said the brake drums and cylinders were fine if a little rusty.
Got n/s rear wheel bearing replaced at the same time as it had slight play which was identified 2 months ago at MOT. Bless her, she does seem to have an appetite for these as I know that this is the fifth on the n/s rear from new. Must qualify this though as I replaced one myself at 123,000 miles as it was getting noisy. On investigation it was apparent that whoever had replaced the previous bearing had left lots of the worn bearing in the housing and not changed the grease. Hence one knackered bearing after a short space of time. Still never had a front wheel bearing yet though!