Passat wagon

**PassatB6** · 21-07-2009, 08:37 PM

Auto - must be 2.0T
I find the auto the least good feature. Its an Aisin and it only just makes it. Yes the leather can stretch in places. The carpet could be of higher quality.Exterior paint etc could be better on early models.

I don't agree with some of your points though. You can get side bolsters if you order sport seats. My plastic has never creaked and groaned. I've had no issue with fuel pumps or parking brake. Actually the PB is great for me. I wouldn't judge the interior by its dog friendliness. Interior fit and finish is fine by me. I've had only one small warranty issue in 3+ yrs.

**Umai Naa!!** · 21-07-2009, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by dfrye

9. Fitting a towbar is extortionate. Dealer quoted something like $1800 pre-purchase. Some limp nonsense about optical wiring and parking sensors was offered as an excuse.

Allow me to clear this up.

The reason for the high installation costs is due to wiring needed to be run from the left rear corner of the car to both the left and right fuse boxes under the dash. A fair amount of the interior needs to be removed to do it properly. Any smart service department will allocate a whole day for one technician to install the towbar and wiring.

Thankfully, MY09 Passats are now moving over to a single fuse box on the driver's side, meaning all the wiring is only run down the right hand side, cutting down the labour involved immensly.

As for the park brake, 9 times out of 10, the button on the dash has packed it in. Most dealers will have them on the shelf, and can replace them in under 30mins.

**dfrye** · 24-07-2009, 09:15 PM

Sure, all true, but for a new car in this day and age to fail to the point at which it can't be driven twice in the first two years is a bit ridiculous. Point taken on the seats.

I should have also said that the high speed handling is also very good. It is pretty ordinary at low speeds but once you hit 80-120k, handling is good it must be said.

I maintain my build quality comments though - ill fitting heater vents, bad tolerances in the tailgate, interior rattles...it is clearly a chinese built car...
//dean

**passatpout** · 24-07-2009, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by dfrye

Sure, all true, but for a new car in this day and age to fail to the point at which it can't be driven twice in the first two years is a bit ridiculous.

Yup, that's why my old man sold his 3-pointed star after 5 years.. he was sick of it being towed away...