1998 Volkswagen Passat SE Turbo from UK and Ireland - Comments

Everything went wrong with this.

I had the car for 2 months, and I had to replace:

Cam-belt and tensioner (OK, perishable item)

Water Pump

Alternator

Turbocharger gaskets

Inter-cooler pipe

3 suspension arms needed replacing- I didn't do them

Numerous pieces of trim.

Drive-shaft fell off!

The car developed an alarming vibration at 3500 rpm, which disappeared after 4000.

The car was fantastically comfortable, and very fast, 8.5 seconds to 60 for an estate car is impressive.

However the fuel gauge moves downwards as quickly as the car moves forward.

I had to get rid of the car after only 3 months, because the cost of repairs was just stupid.

The front suspension is a notorious design, its very comfortable, but the control arms wear out very quickly, and you might as well replace them all at once at a cost of over £350.

"If only everything was as reliable as a volkswagen"

HAHAHAHAHA.

Also beware, they are difficult to sell on too, as soon as people realise it is a Turbo Petrol, not Diesel, they are no longer interested.

I changed the car for a Volvo s40 TD (incidentally the same as my previous car) with over 145000 miles and have had no problems whatsoever.

I will not buy another VW, I will stick with Volvo. THEY deserve their good reputation.

I perfectly agree with your review. I also had the Passat 98 1.8T for 8 months and I just sold it off because it gave me problems and maintenance was very expensive.

Turbo gasoline engines are most of the times faulty and items which need special treatment. People should know that. Increase of power without increase of volume in an engine does not mean you save money on gas. You just save money on road tax. People should know that before buying cars like the 1.8T or whatever turbo gasoline car, from any manufacturer. If somebody needs power the best is to invest money on a V6. Smooth engines, reliable, and not so thirsty.