VW Passat estate, 130bhp TDI... Good or bad..??
 

Mothers thinking about changing her car again, to something with a little more style, leather etc.... any horror stories... or are they as bullet proof as we would be lead to believe....

Cheers....

New model is just out so expect a fall in used prices. I've never heard a bad word said......

I had one as a loan car a few months back, and it was a VERY nice car (I had a Highline spec model)

Yeh, it's the highline spec we're looking at..... the leather's lovely.... saw one today, pearl black with tan interior, i think we'll need a grey trim though, i ain't 'that' clean.... tan would be filthy in no time flat.... as for the new shape, in saloon shape i don't like it, so no chance i'll like the estate, and it'll be a while coming anyways..

Cheers guys...

its basically an Audi A4, my dads neighbour bought one as she set up her own rug business and started doing loads of mileage, as far as i can gather, she has never had to take it back and she told me if she keeps below 85 she gets over 50mpg - not bad eh?? i've never been in it but had a nosey inside and it does look rather nice!

I've had a saloon PD130 for the last 2 and a half years, in the "sport" trim with the 6-speed box.

I got it purely as a company hack to save on benefit-in-kind tax .... but it's really impressed me.

I used to have a Volvo T4 which was quick, and I expected the Passat to be a much more sedate drive. But once the Passat's rolling (i.e. anything over 20mph), its quicker and the performance is more accessible.

It is a bit of barge, and the handling is set up for safety rather than fun, but in the sport spec you get lowered suspension and it handles pretty neutrally -- goes where you point it unless you're at silly speeds, then it understeers.

Very comfy over distances, all the toys as standard.

Over 33,000 miles I've AVERAGED 47mpg (real figures, not from the trip computer, although the computer is only 5% inaccurate). On a m-way / A-road run you get over 50mpg easy at any cruising speed up to 90mph. Expect 600+ miles on a tankful when on a run.

It is worth getting the sport spec if you can, the engine has more torque (230lb-ft rather than 210) and the overall economy is better because you've got a better choice of gears.

The ONLY thing that's gone wrong on mine is a clip failed on one of the pipes from the intercooler (free replacement at dealer but had to drive like granny for 10 miles so the pipe didn't pop off under boost).

That all sounds very promising, thanks for the time to write all that!!!

I have pd130 sport, bloody amazing car, not a bad word to say about it.

Oh well, job done, went and ordered one today... drives luverly don't they...

Get some good tyres on the front, and trust me you will surprise yourself how quickly you can hustle them along, esp. if you are smooth and 'carry' speed :)

I did find the front wheels struggling for grip today actualy, but then it was wet!!

Turn off the ESP, you can get the wheels spinning in 3rd off a roundabout if you plant it :D