Volkswagen Passat Saloon 1.9 Sport TDI 4d (2001/51) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
Doesn't seem quite as overpriced as other VW's, presumably to appeal to the fleet market, but hardly a bargain. Far slower depreciation than the Mondeo or Vectra though, and still has one of the best four pot diesel engines money can buy.
Costs
High purchase price and rip-off service and parts prices offset by cracking economy. Averaging 48 mpg with a mixture of town and motorway driving. Have had as much as 52 mpg over a tankful on long motorway runs. Dearer to service than a friend's Lotus!
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On the road
Driving
Great engine, but ride is crashy and handling average at best. Overlight steering, poor composure when pressed, and too much under steer. A cracking, refined and powerful feeling motorway cruiser though, which is why I bought it.
Performance
Excellent. 130 TDI engine is punchy and pulls from nothing. Responsive for a diesel too.
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Living with it
Reliability
Very disappointing. Never broken down as such, but an endless catalogue of faults have blighted the ownership experience since I took delivery. My old Mondeo was far more reliable.
Image
Average. VW badge is supposed to carry some ""cachet"", but at the end of the day it's a repmobile and ten-a-penny on British roads. Inoffensive I suppose.
Comfort
Decent seats, and little road and wind noise. Engine noise not so well isolated however.
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Security and Service
Security
Not been stolen, so OK I guess.
Service
Nothing special. Work gets done as asked, but I always leave feeling robbed. My reliability criticisms were literally dismissed with a scoff.
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Turbo pipe split three times. Heat shield worked loose and rattled. Cold starting sometimes difficult, but dealer insists all is well.
Other
Water leak into passenger foot well, air conditioning system leaked, uneven front tyre wear, trip computer button fell out of column stalk, misaligned passenger window, central locking for boot can be temperamental.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
New
Would you buy the same model again?
No
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
No