The sixth generation Volkswagen Passat is in good demand even now. And this is quite understandable. A solid car even now does not seem obsolete. Therefore, it is not surprising that the prices for used Passats are kept at a fairly high level. But is it worth overpaying for a "people's" German car?
There are no complaints about the bodywork and paintwork. Even the chips are not rusting yet. Do not find fault with the salon. Even in frosty weather, plastic panels practically do not creak. But still it was not without problems. Door locks and trunk lid lock after a run of 80 thousand kilometers can cause problems. So make sure they are working properly. Around the same run, the electric fan motor starts to buzz. And all because of the contamination of the motor itself. It has to be removed, cleaned and lubricated. Also, before buying, check the operation of the air conditioner. On the earliest Passat, it does not differ in reliability.
The atmospheric 1.6-liter gasoline engine is rather weak for a rather heavy Passat. But if you nevertheless chose a car with this particular engine, then be prepared to change the belt in the gas distribution mechanism every 90 thousand kilometers. The 1.6 FSI unit is more powerful and its gas distribution mechanism uses a chain that can withstand under 200 thousand kilometers. There is only one weak point in this engine - the valve timing regulator, which must be changed every 80 thousand kilometers. The 2.0 FSI engine after 100 thousand kilometers can upset the worn out hydraulic tensioner rod. Quite often, cars with a 1.8 TSI engine are also found on the market. It is possible to skew the timing chain in it, which in the worst case will lead to damage to the valves. So, when buying, be sure to check the chain tensioner, and after a run of 90 thousand kilometers, it is better to replace it altogether. Another weak point of this engine is the crankshaft oil seal. So don’t refuse to diagnose a car with such an engine. The rest of the gasoline engines are quite rare.
Of the diesel units, the most common is the 1.9 TDI engine. It is also considered the most reliable. If for yourself you have chosen a Passat B6 with a two-liter 2.0 TDI diesel unit, then be prepared to replace the pump injectors after a run of 60 thousand kilometers. Well, if you periodically refuel with low-quality fuel, then after about 100 thousand kilometers you will have to replace a very expensive high-pressure fuel pump. Well, it’s not worth talking about the problems with the winter launch. Also on all listed engines, be prepared to replace the liquid cooling pump. Usually it does not withstand more than 120 thousand kilometers.
The most reliable of the gearboxes is considered "mechanics". Its clutch can withstand more than 200 thousand kilometers. The automatic transmission is less reliable. Already after 100 thousand kilometers, she can shift gears with jerks. If changing the oil does not help, then you will have to change the valve body. And certainly you should not stare at cars that are equipped with a preselective DSG gearbox. Such boxes are not repaired, and problems with them begin after 40 thousand kilometers.
Silent blocks have to be changed in the suspension of a German car every 60 thousand kilometers. After another 40 thousand kilometers, the levers and stabilizer struts will need to be replaced. Upon reaching 120 thousand kilometers, thrust and wheel bearings are surrendered. Moreover, the rear wheel bearing changes only in tandem with the hub.
In steering, after a run of 100 thousand kilometers, the steering rack will have to be replaced. No other problems are foreseen.
So is it worth overpaying for a used sixth generation Volkswagen Passat. It should, but only if the right car is in excellent condition. After all, most of the claims of the owners relate to the robotic gearbox. If you take a car with "mechanics" and low mileage, then you can drive without any problems for a very long time.
The sixth generation Volkswagen Passat was released in August 2005 and was produced in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 - until 2010 in sedan and station wagon bodies, which has its own name Variant. The fact that it was produced at home in Germany speaks of the high quality of the assembly, which was supposed to rehabilitate the not entirely successful version of the Passat B5.
Advantages and "pluses" Volkswagen Passat B6
The advantages of the model include rich equipment, a quiet and smooth ride, as well as a convertible interior Passat B6 "Option". How can a disadvantage note imperfect visibility due to the fact that the right rear-view mirror turned out to be smaller in size than the left one, as well as, oddly enough, the low level of reliability of individual components and mechanisms. The interior is quite spacious with comfortable seats and high-quality finishing materials, but I immediately recommend not to mess with the light gray tones of the upholstery. Even if you refrain from smoking while driving, from which the upholstery is covered with soot, dust and dirt penetrating from the outside will quickly deprive the interior of presentability.
But what pleases most of all in this car is the high corrosion resistance provided by the double-sided galvanization of the entire body. Pleases as roomy trunk with anti-friction floor. But even here it was not without unpleasant moments.
Advantages and disadvantages of 1.9TDI, 2.0TDI engines
Turbo diesel engines are reliable and economical, the most trouble-free is considered to be 1.9TDI with a power of 105 hp., but it is also the weakest in the entire line of VW Passat B6 diesel engines.
Scheduled maintenance for all engines is provided every 15 thousand kilometers, but I’ll make a reservation right away that this pleasure is not cheap. The problem lies in the longitudinal placement of the power unit in the engine compartment, which creates some inconvenience in the maintenance of both fuel equipment. In particular, you will have to disassemble almost the entire front of the car, which by no means reduces the cost of the service. Pump injectors on TDI engines turned out to be problematic and short-lived due to the quality of our fuel, they wear out very quickly and lose the tightness of the components in the cylinder head. Especially on cars manufactured before 2007. Repairing them is quite expensive, especially when you have to completely change the cylinder head. Well, if without fuel supply elements, when replacing with them, multiply the costs by 2.5 times.
The most unsuccessful in the line of engines was the 2.0TDI with a power of 170 hp., which has a pathological tendency to coking piezo injectors of pump injectors, the resource of which is about 90 thousand km. The onset of the disease is manifested in the appearance of extraneous knocks and the refusal to work normally in cold weather. The drop in power on the Passat B6 with a 2.0TDI engine is most often associated with the failure of the air flow sensor, which is not very reliable.
Engines with a common rail fuel system are less problematic, but even on them it is recommended to carry out diagnostics of fuel equipment every 30 thousand kilometers. The loss of power on these motors is often associated with the formation of soot on the piezo injectors for those who enjoy frequent driving at full throttle. On Volkswagen Passat B6 cars until 2006. before resource time particulate filters failed. In Russia, this problem is usually solved by removing the particulate filter and reprogramming the control unit for new parameters. By the way, the main part of diesel cars that apply for the AutoServiceTeam technical center are Volkswagen cars, in particular the Passat B6.
I would like to remind you that for a diesel engine it is necessary use only high quality engine oil, preferably original with factory tolerances, otherwise the oil pump and electro-hydraulic tensioner of the phase change mechanism may fail, the resource of which, when using the original oil, is about 150 thousand kilometers. And one more unpleasant nuance - engine front hydraulic mounts, which sometimes have to be changed every 60 thousand km.
Electrical problems Volkswagen Passat B6
There are few problem areas in electrical equipment. First of all, this concerns various sensors, due to the whims of which often there are problems with starting the engine, which are solved by and then eliminating the identified malfunctions. Turned out to be short-lived turn signal relay with emergency and switches in door locks. In terms of lighting, plastic caps of the front optics can create inconveniences, which eventually begin to sandblast and worsen the illumination of the road.
Passat B6 transmission
The manual transmission of the Volkswagen Passat B6 pleases with high reliability, which cannot be said about the Tiptronic automatic transmission, the resource of which ends in the region of 150 thousand km, as well as the robotic DSG. The clutch resource is on average 90 thousand kilometers.
Suspension and chassis Passat B6
Suspension is generally reliable, especially the front, with the exception of silent blocks of the transverse arm and front hinges, which turned out to be rather weak for our roads. Not durable and ball joints. There should be no complaints about the rest of the suspension units, while any problems with the Volkswagen Passat B6 suspension are solved without much difficulty by experienced locksmiths of the AutoServiceTeam technical center. Need - contact AutoServiceTeam.
In the brake system discs and pads are not durable, the critical wear of which is manifested by squeaks and squeaks during braking. As for the chassis, I would call the object of criticism the rear wheel alignment angles, which are very sensitive to attempts to move curbs. Therefore, lovers of parking on sidewalks and lawns will have to periodically visit service stations with a sign "alignment". By the way, as such, there is no spare wheel on the B6, unless the former owner purchased it on his own.
Other sores and malfunctions of the Volkswagen Passat B6
In steering, constant control requires tips, which are also rather weak for our operating conditions.
The trunk lid in the area of the number plate lights, as well as the niches under the moldings and the cross beams of the frame, cannot withstand the so-called anti-icing agents for a long time.
If you have a car after 2007, then I advise you to be careful with the lower door moldings. They are glued on and when repairing the doors they will have to be cut off and new ones bought.
Alternative to Pussat B6
And finally, as an alternative to the VW Passat B6, I would suggest considering the Opel Insignia, which, in addition to a lower cost, has higher reliability and maneuverability, cheaper repairs, and a more powerful engine. In the minuses, the worst engine efficiency, lower carrying capacity and a cramped interior. The choice is yours.
Hi all. I found on the Internet a list of non-obvious features of the trade wind in the b6 body.
After reading this article, I realized that it is not so complete, does not quite fit exactly my configuration, and some functions are clearly "sucked from the finger." Moreover, some points are duplicated in different wordings, and there are also points about frank nonsense, such as the presence of a power steering on the trade wind. And the author has all the points very "Ramazan". That is, what can be fit in one paragraph - smeared into 2-3.
As I understand it, the person simply took clippings from the service book and other sources and gradually compiled a list.
Well, enough criticism, the person also tried, though very inaccurately ...
Therefore, it was decided to take the service book that I had already read from cover to cover and write the article again, in detail, with explanations.
And there, what I can’t find in the book, I’ll add points from the article found on drive2.
A small remark: Do you need photos for some items? If you need, write the numbers of the points and I will take a picture and post it.
Opening the Passat Quick Start Guide:
1. With the seat belts fastened and the driver's door closed, the parking brake is released automatically when you start driving.
2. The "Auto Hold" key turns on the "automatic braking of the vehicle" function. With the seat belts fastened and the driver's door closed, when the function is activated, the car will automatically "get up / off" from the handbrake. For example, in a traffic jam, we drove some distance, stopped and you can take your foot off the brake - the car automatically gets on the handbrake. At the beginning of the movement - the handbrake will also automatically be removed. Note to women: "Auto Hold" is especially useful when driving in a traffic jam on a "steep" hill. No need to make unnecessary movements in order to start without rolling back, we stand on the handbrake and, not paying attention to it, we begin to move forward!
3. The key is made in the form of "Smart Key". There are three buttons: open doors, close doors, open trunk. If you press the door open button once - only the driver's door is unlocked, if you press it twice - all doors are unlocked. Moreover, it is not necessary to first press once to open the water door. You can immediately, approaching the car, press twice to open all the doors. For me personally, this was not an obvious fact. First I pressed once, then two more.
To unlock the trunk, press and hold the trunk release button (middle).
If you press and hold the door open button on the key fob, all side windows will start to lower as long as the button is pressed. And vice versa, holding the close button - the windows will begin to close.
In this way, you can achieve the desired position of the windows. For example, being close to the car, on a hot day, you can open the windows for ventilation. Well, or vice versa - after getting out of the car, close one or more "forgotten" windows.
If there is a need to open the windows with a dead battery in the key fob, insert the service key into the hidden lock of the driver's door and turn to one side and hold - the windows will either go down or go up.
I hope no one needs to tell about the service key?;) This is the "thing" that is pulled out of the key fob.
Service book:
Safety:
1. Comfortline is equipped with 6 airbags:
for the driver and front passenger,
side airbags in the left and right front seats,
left and right window cushions (curtains).
Seat belts have pretensioners (in case of impact, the belts will automatically tighten, pressing the person to the seat for 1-2 seconds). Pretensioning system - squib.
Also for child seats there is a fixation system "ISOFIX".
Controls and equipment:
1. Inside the trunk, on the lid itself, there is a handle for unlocking from the inside. Now it will no longer be possible to take the offender to the forest ... and some would like to be buried so much +)))
2. Automatic window regulators provide protection against attack. It is arranged in such a way that if, when closing the window, an obstacle is encountered on the way (the hand of an attacking person, animal), the glass will stop. But if you try to close the window again, the automation will try, despite the obstacle, to close the window with double effort. If this time the obstacle cannot be overcome, then after the third attempt to close the window, the automation will try to close with maximum effort, blocking the closing mechanism at the highest point, blocking the obstructing object between the glass and the door frame. You can safely call the police - the criminal will not run away;)
This protection does not work when locking windows from the outside with a key fob.
3. If you forget to turn on the headlights or dimensions, the car will constantly beep, reminding you to turn it off.
4. When the "emergency gang" is on and the movement starts, just turn on the turn signal, and the emergency light will turn off for the duration of the turn signal, thereby making it clear to other road users about your intention.
At speeds above 60 km / h, with emergency braking, the "emergency gang" will turn on automatically. But, if the emergency braking was "false", at the beginning of the movement, the "emergency gang" will turn off by itself.
5. Assistance system when changing lanes. It is worth tilting the turn signal knob a little in the right direction and releasing it and the turn signal, having worked three times, will turn itself off. Now you do not need to divert attention to turning off the turn signal after rebuilding.
6. There are lighting lamps in the glove box and in the armrest, as well as switches for cooling / heating the interior of the boxes. In summer - cool drinks, in winter heating of frozen mineral water, mistakenly left in the cabin;) A trifle, but nice.
7. Windshield wipers ("wipers"). A bunch of operating modes, fast, slow and so on. But what is interesting: when you spray anti-freeze on the windshield, the air conditioner switches to air recirculation mode for a while, thereby preventing air with "nasty" methyl alcohol vapors from entering the cabin. Antifreeze no longer "stinks". Hurrah, comrades!
Setting the wipers in a vertical position (service or winter position). After stopping the engine, press the wiper switch once, the wipers will move to the vertical position. When you start moving, the wipers will drop into place on their own.
After each use, the wipers are parked alternately either higher or lower at a distance of about 1 cm. Officially, this is done to reduce the deformation of the gum. And also this function is made so that the rubber bands do not freeze on the ice accumulated under the park area of the wipers. A very useful feature. I already appreciated. With wet snowfall in a traffic jam, using the wipers, sooner or later "ice" forms under them. On this "icing" wipers stick, if you leave the car for the night without lifting them. And here, in the trade wind, the wipers cleared the glass, descended on the "ice" and in a second rose above it by 1 cm, thereby not touching the ice and, as a result, not freezing.
Heated windshield washer nozzles!
When the hood is open (poorly closed) neither the wipers nor the nozzles work. Why - I do not know.
8. The rain sensor has a smooth intensity adjustment. Notice the top wheel on the wiper switch. Left position - weak intensity, to the right - increased activity of the rain sensor.
9. All car windows have an athermal coating and factory tinted.
10. The rear view mirror has a special anti-reflective layer.
11. The rear armrest has a hatch for long items. It opens with a service key, which is located inside the main key fob.
12. The ashtray for the front passengers in the center console can be easily removed and the empty container can be used for other items (phone, wallet).
13. There is a 12V socket in the trunk. Under the deflectors for blowing the rear passengers there is a 220V socket. Power consumption 150 W. Peak not more than 300 watts.
For reference:
TV 21" - 180 W.
Mini fridge - 170 W.
Computer (power supply) - 120 watts.
Incandescent lamp - 100 W.
Portable fan - 100W.
Stationary mixer - 100 W.
Curling iron - 90 W.
Notebook - 50 watts.
Daylight lamp - 23 W.
DVD player - 17 W.
Wireless Wi-Fi router - 7 W.
Charging for a mobile phone - 4 W.
In general, you can distribute the Internet in nature through a router with a USB modem to all vacationers on the lake and play your favorite computer game on a laptop. Although what kind of outdoor recreation after that ...
14. Emergency braking function. In case of failure of the main braking system, it is necessary to press and hold the parking brake button for 2 or more seconds. The car will automatically take measures to stop as soon as possible by braking all four wheels, and the stability control system will also be activated to prevent the car from drifting / skidding.
I’ll add on my own that I also use this system on a slippery road, if I can’t cope with the control on my own and the car starts to “talk” from side to side.
Ice tested. I deliberately drive the car into a skid and try to get out of it myself, not to continue it and switch to another sporty element of driving, namely, as in ordinary life, I just try to stabilize the car. Then the same experiment, but using the parking brake button - the result is always better. True, after pressing the button, in order to stop emergency braking, it is necessary to press the gas, which not everyone can do at the moment of panic.
ATTENTION: this way to get out of the demolition\skidding is not official and documented! I am only describing one of the ways it can be applied with the main braking system running!
Don't repeat this at home, in short;)
Driving and Maintenance:
1. The pad wear indicator will always tell you with a special icon when it is time to change them.
2. Braking system (BAS). In an emergency, most people start to brake in a timely manner, but often with insufficient force on the brake pedal. At this point, BAS comes to the rescue and, during heavy braking, creates maximum pressure in the brake system, thereby ensuring the best possible operation of the ABS system.
The brake booster is active as long as the brake pedal is depressed at least a little. As soon as the brake is released - BAS stops its work.
In fact, if at an emergency moment, you managed to squeeze the brake pedal at least once, then BAS comes into play and does everything for you. You just have to leave a little foot pressure on the brake pedal.
3. The EDS traction system will allow you to easily move off even on ice by blocking the electronic differential.
4. The ESP stabilization system reduces the likelihood of the vehicle drifting or skidding.
5. Unlike other brands, in particular, in the trade wind, the plant itself provides for the procedure for "lighting up" a car from another car. Plus to plus, minus a charged "battery" to the ear of a car engine with a discharged "battery". Electronics is equipped with surge protection. "Brains" will not burn.
By analogy, you can help a motorist in trouble.
Technical data:
1. The FSI 2.0 liter engine accelerates to hundreds in 10.2 seconds. I am sure that if the computer calculated 10.2, then a live driver can squeeze out 9 seconds. However, I personally can’t get out of 10.6 ... Apparently, winter tires and 17 "wheels interfere. Summer will put everything in its place.
CD receiver RCD 300:
1. When the vehicle speed increases, the radio volume is automatically increased. This is configured by the "GALA" function. Press "MENU" on the radio, then the "SETUP" item, then go to the "GALA" function on the top left. Next, use the arrows to adjust the volume more or less when picking up speed. You can also adjust the "ON VOL" function there. This is the volume level of the radio when the ignition is turned on. In order not to go deaf if the Rammstein was turned on "to the full" before parking.
That's the whole service book. More precisely, the most interesting of it. More precisely, what I did not know before and never owned a car with one of these functions.
Well, from the unverified by me from someone else's article, the following points remained:
32. If you close the car with the key fob, then the person from the inside will not be able to exit through the door, even with a double pull on the door opening handle. The only option is to get out through the window, if open, or through the trunk.
A little bit of humor
40. Don't slam doors and they won't creak. Come on?
43. Electric power steering is equipped with a function to reduce vibration on rough roads.
44. At a speed of more than 3 km / h, the gas tank hatch does not open.
55. If the fan relay breaks, the car starts to overheat while in a traffic jam. In this case, turn on the air conditioner, which will turn on another "bypass circuit" and the fan will work while the air conditioner is on.
OK it's all over Now. Write which points to add, which ones to provide with photographs. Well, the rest of your wishes.
12.08.2016
Volkswagen Passat does not need a special introduction - this car is the owner of many awards and regalia. From generation to generation, it retains its popularity, which few cars succeed in. However, with the advent of a large number of versions of engines and transmissions among buyers in the arsenal of Volkswagen groups, the question often arises when choosing a Volkswagen Passat B6 with mileage, which engine and which transmission to give preference to, so that later you do not have to invest a lot of money in repairs. In this and many other things, we will now try to figure it out. 
Advantages and disadvantages of the Volkswagen Passat B6
Volkswagen Passat B6 is available in three body styles sedan, station wagon and four-door coupe called Passat SS. As domestic operating experience has shown, the car has quite good protection against corrosion, in rare cases there are specimens that have rust on the wheel arches. To support the image of a prestigious car, the Passat received a large number of fashionable and useful things:
Volkswagen Passat B6 engines
Volkswagen Passat B6 has a very large range of powertrains, both gasoline and diesel:
- Petrol - 1.6 liters. (102 HP), FSI 2 HP (150 hp), B6 3.2 l. FSI (250 hp), 3.6 l. (284 and 300 hp). Turbocharged TSI - 1.4 liters. (122 hp), 1.8 l. (152 and 160 hp), 2 liters. (200 hp).
- Diesel - 1.9 liters. (105 hp), 2 l. (140 hp).
Consider the most common engines. The weakest engine is 1.6 (102 hp), of course, there is very little power for such a car, but in terms of reliability this is the best option, so if you meet a car with such an engine in the secondary market after diagnosis, you can safely buy. This is followed by the engines of the FSI series, there are really a lot of them, but the two-liter engine, which needs to be fed only with high-quality fuel, has become the most widespread, and even if you refuel at good gas stations, by the mileage of 100,000 km you will have to reflash the engine control unit and change ignition coils.
The 1.8 TSI motor has an increased oil consumption, this is due to the fact that the oil scraper rings wear out or the crankshaft oil seal is leaking. In this type of engine, the timing is driven by a metal chain, which often jumps due to an unreliable tensioner, which leads to a fatal meeting of the valves with the pistons. Therefore, when choosing a car with such a motor, you should be very careful.
The turbocharged TSI 1.4 engine is very demanding on quality, which must be replaced earlier than specified in the regulations (at least once every 10,000 kilometers). If you want a charged car, then pay attention to a car with a 3.2 FSI engine, this unit is quite reliable, but the timing chain stretches in it over time (a rumbling sound from under the hood serves as a signal), this engine also has a high fuel consumption.
Many experts argue that if you take a Volkswagen Passat B6 with mileage, then it is better to choose a car with a diesel power unit, since gasoline engines in our conditions can cause a lot of trouble. The enemy of turbodiesels is low-quality diesel fuel, so if you buy a used Passat, pay attention to the condition of the injectors and the fuel pump, and if they have not been changed yet, they will soon need to be replaced. The 1.9 engine has proven to be the most reliable among diesels, the two-liter engine, which was installed on cars after 2008, has also served well, in earlier versions nozzles often fail. 
Transmission Volkswagen Passat B6.
The Volkswagen Passat B6 has a lot of gearboxes, five and six-speed manual, automatic transmission, as well as six and seven-speed DSG robotic transmission. As domestic operating experience has shown, mechanics have proven to be the most reliable, its clutch is quite durable and lasts an average of 150,000 kilometers. In an automatic transmission, you need to change the oil every 60,000 km, unfortunately this box cannot be classified as problem-free, for the reason that the valve block sometimes fails in it with a run of 80-100 thousand km (repair cost is about 1500 USD). A lot has already been said about the DSG, and unfortunately, mostly only negative. If we talk about the performance of cars with this type of transmission, then there are no questions, only pluses, the expense is like on mechanics, and if the box is in good condition, it works very quickly and without jerks. But if we talk about reliability, then this transmission is the most unreliable and serves no more than 100,000 kilometers, and its repair will cost a decent amount.
Suspension Volkswagen Passat B6.
The Volkswagen Passat B6 has a MacPherson-type suspension at the front, and a multi-link at the rear. As operating experience has shown, the suspension is not the strongest side of the car and requires special attention, since by 100 thousand kilometers you will have to invest about 1000 USD in this unit, this is if you change everything at the same time, but you can not bring it to complete wear and repair the suspension gradually.
- Racks and bushings of stabilizers 40-50 thousand km.
- Steering rack - 80,000 km.
- Tie rod ends - up to 100,000 km.
- Ball bearings - up to 100,000 km.
- Shock absorbers and thrust bearings - 100-120 thousand km.
- Silent blocks of front and rear levers and levers - 120-150 thousand km.
Salon.
There is not much to tell about the salon here, as befits a German brand, good quality materials, and the controls are in their places. If you are looking for a car with a good seating position and comfortable seats, this car will satisfy your requirements.
Outcome:
Previously, the Volkswagen Passat B6 was often stolen mainly for disassembly, but the numbers were often interrupted, so be sure to check the condition of the documents before buying and show the expert the numbers of the units. In the secondary market, the Volkswagen Passat B6 has a fairly low price, but before buying such a car, read this article again and think about how much additional money you will have to invest in repairing the engine, transmission and suspension, you need to understand that these costs will not be small.
Advantages:
- Reliable manual transmission.
- Comfort.
- Stylish appearance.
- High level of security.
- The quality of interior materials.
Flaws:
- Service cost.
- Engines demanding fuel quality.
- Robotic transmission.
- Steering rack.
If you are or have been the owner of this brand of car, please share your experience, indicating the strengths and weaknesses of the car. Perhaps it is your review that will help others to choose the right one. .
Suffice it to recall how reliable the Volkswagen Passat B3 and B4 generations were, which were produced from 1988 to 1996. A simple design, a million-plus engine, a manual box - all this withstood very solid runs.
But today we will talk about more modern Tradewinds - B6, which already have mileage. Is it worth buying these cars in the secondary market and what modifications should be avoided?
American version of the Passat
Now on the market you can often find the Passat B6 of the American assembly, it is distinguished by a soft suspension, other optics, a dashboard and an audio system. The trade winds brought from the States are equipped with engines with a volume of 2.0 TFSI and 3.6-liter VR6. The transmission here is a 6-speed automatic and a DSG robot.
Reliable body
A feature of the Volkswagen Passat is that the body, both of older generations and of newer ones, is durable and has a very high corrosion resistance. Still, galvanization is used here. Rust on the body is rarely seen, this suggests that the paintwork is also very strong. The only thing that can give out age over time is a radiator grille made of chrome, as well as moldings, they age especially if the car often drove on salty roads in winter.
There are many sedans and station wagons on the market. Station wagons are about 40%, they are convenient in terms of transportation due to the large trunk of 1731 liters, if you lower the rear row of seats. Station wagons are about the same price as sedans.
Internal electrical
Although outwardly the car is made at the proper level, inside the electrician after several years of operation can create some difficulties for their owners. For example, after about 6 years, heated seats and their electric adjustment, door locks and other little things may fail. It happens that jamming the turning mechanism at the headlights, which is why adaptive headlights will simply shine at one point. But if the electronic steering lock turns off, which blocks the steering wheel and refuses to unlock it, then you will have to change the entire unit, the price of which is 450 euros.
When buying a used Passat, you need to carefully check the climate control, if it has any glitches, or the temperature is not accurately displayed, then you may soon have to change the air duct dampers, each of which costs about 100 euros. These shutters are located inside the front panel of the servos. After 80 thousand kilometers, the stove motors can begin to squeak, by the way, they were usually changed under warranty. Cars of early years suffered from the fact that their compressor was extremely unreliable and required replacement, which is minus 500 euros from the personal budget.
Inspection of motors
You should very carefully examine the engine before buying a Passat B6 with mileage. Listen carefully to the sounds that the engine makes. For example, take a fairly popular turbocharged engine for the Passat - TFSI with a volume of 1.8 liters, then after 100,000 km. mileage for cars manufactured earlier than 2010, you can hear how the supposedly eternal timing chain rumbles.
In this case, you need to hurry to the service and make a replacement timing drive along with the chain, it will cost about 200 euros. And if you miss this moment, and the hydraulic tensioner allows the chain to jump several links, then you will have to change the cylinder head, here the price is already much higher. The cylinder head separately will cost 1600 euros, and if complete with springs and valves, it will cost 3000 euros.
In general, there were no engines with a timing chain on the Passat before, so the TFSI engine with a volume of 1.8 liters is the first such instance, and in general, this engine is considered the most unreliable part of the Passat B6.
In general, all these engines running on gasoline with direct injection are very unreliable, they work noisily and do not start well in severe frost.
The water pump of the cooling system, which is located in the same unit as the temperature sensor and thermostat, can also cause problems. Such a water pump can already leak after 90,000 km. run. To replace it, you will have to pay 170 euros, this cost includes the drive belt from the balance shaft. There are times when the damper bushings at the intake manifold wear out by this run, which means that you have to change manifold completely which costs 450 euros. It even often happens that the solenoid valve that controls the turbocharger fails.
For those who like to save on oil and change it late, there is a risk that after 120,000 km. the valve of the crankcase ventilation system will fail, after which the crankshaft oil seal will leak, and the oil pump pressure reducing valve will also jam in the open position. Fortunately, a red light will notify you of this. For those who like to drive at high speeds, you will have to add oil to the engine - about 0.5 liters per 1000 km. run.
But this is still nonsense compared to the 2-liter TFSI. Already after some 100 - 150 thousand km. the motor will eat about a liter of oil per 1000 km. In this case, you can change the oil separator for 150 euros, which is located in the crankcase ventilation system. You can also change the valve stem seals, but when this does not save you, you will have to disassemble the engine and replace the rings - they will cost about 80 euros.
Also, the ignition coils will need to be replaced at about the same mileage, each will cost 35 euros, and the injectors on the injection system will also reduce the budget by 130 euros each. There is also a timing belt that only turns the exhaust camshaft, it is advisable to check it every 45,000 km. avoid replacing the cylinder block, which is more expensive for a 2-liter engine. Moreover, the belt can break without warning signals, unlike the chain.
Vehicles manufactured before 2008 may require cylinder head repair due to the fact that the high-pressure fuel pump drive rod gradually undermines the intake camshaft cam. This happens after about 150,000 km. The pump pumps gasoline not as it should, and as a result, you have to buy a new shaft for 500 euros and install it.
The 1.6 FSI and 2.0 FSI engines in the Trade Winds with direct injection did not perform well in severe winter frosts. Despite the fact that the manufacturer released new firmware for the control unit, this did not help matters. The only thing that can help the engine is keeping it clean - keeping the fuel pump strainer clean, which is located approximately under the rear seat in the fuel tank. The filter must be changed along with the pump, which costs 250 euros, but now a considerable number of craftsmen have appeared who can change the filter without replacing the pump, such a service will cost 80 euros. And after 50,000 km. it is necessary to clean the nozzles, such work will cost 250 euros.
FSI engines with direct injection have an ignition system that does not tolerate short trips in the winter, long-term parking with the engine running at idle. If the engine is not warm enough in winter, then the spark plugs will require more frequent replacement - already after 12,000 km. If the spark plugs are faulty, they will quickly kill the ignition coils. A set of candles will cost 25 euros. And models with 2-liter engines can be brought to a complete stop by the malfunctioning valve of the exhaust gas recirculation system, its replacement will cost 150 euros.
These “direct” engines are unreliable, but the most reliable engine in the Passat B6 is considered to be a rather old engine with distributed injection, with a volume of 1.6 liters. It is very difficult to find such an engine now, because it is installed on 6% of the 6th generation Trade Winds. And this motor is not particularly powerful - only 102 hp. With. It is clear that the acceleration dynamics of the Passat with such an engine leaves much to be desired. But this motor is durable.
But there is other good news - diesel engines, which are not so few - about 42% of cars on the market. When buying a Passat B6 with a diesel engine, it is better to choose a car manufactured after 2008 with a 2-liter engine that has a common rail power system, these are the CBA and CBB series.
Such motors are really reliable, serve for a long time and do not cause problems to their owners. Every 100,000 km. will be needed change injector seals, a set of which costs only 15 euros.
There are also diesel engines with 8 valves, 1.9 and 2.0 liters, but they have more expensive pump injectors in the power system - about 700 euros for each. BMA, BKP, BMR series engines that come with piezoelectric pump injectors are a riskier choice, they have these injectors even more expensive - 800 euros each. But they serve very little - 50-60 thousand km. They have weak wiring, already after 120,000 km. the motor may start to troit and start intermittently. If this happens, then you can safely see if everything is in order with the connectors at the injectors.
On 2-liter diesel engines installed on the Passat, older than 2008, usually on the oil pump drive the hexagonal roller wears out and wears out after about 200,000 km. A signal should appear that there is no oil pressure, it should not be ignored and this roller should be replaced immediately so that the motor does not have to be sorted out.
And if there is a dull knock somewhere in the rear wall of the engine after 150,000 km., This means that it is time to replace the dual-mass flywheel, which will cost about 450 euros. If it is not changed in time, it can fall apart and with its fragments will harm the starter, clutch, and in general, damage the gearbox, the repair of which will cost 700 euros.
Transmission and possible troubles associated with it
The most hassle-free transmission is the 4Motion all-wheel drive system, working with a Haldex clutch. Here it is enough to change the oil on time - approximately every 60,000 km. Such a transmission will quietly last at least 250,000 km. You should also look after the internal CV joints so that they do not leak grease, a new joint will cost 70 euros.
Manual gearboxes are also quite reliable, 5-speed ones are installed on cars with 1.6-liter gasoline engines and 1.9-liter diesel engines - these are the weakest modifications in terms of power, all other versions are equipped with a 6-speed gearbox . The only thing that can cause inconvenience is oil seals, which are about 80,000 km away. may leak. And in models released earlier than 2008, the shaft bearings in the boxes are rather weak.
There are also automatic transmissions, such as the 6-speed Tiptronic, which can cause some problems. This box can easily overheat, and bearings and valve body deteriorate from overheating. Already after about 80,000 km. gears can shift not as usual, but with shocks, which means that there are 2 options: either change the valve body for 1100 euros, or restore the old one from the masters for about 400 euros.
But the most problematic box turned out to be the “innovative” DSG robot box (Direct Shift Gearbox or Direkt Schalt Getriebe). With 2-liter diesels and gasoline 3.2-liter VR6, as well as turbodiesels of 1.4 and 1.8 liters, there is a 6-speed BorgWarner DQ250, which has an oil bath, and multi-plate clutches function in it. This oil bath contains 7 liters of rather expensive ATF DSG oil, a liter of which costs 22 euros. To prevent the box from breaking ahead of time, this oil must be changed every 60,000 km.
In this robot box, the mechatronic hydraulic control unit is also considered a weak point. The difference from the machine is that shocks when shifting gears can appear after 20,000 km. And the replacement of this valve body will cost 1700 euros.
But, in the first place in terms of problems is the 7-speed DSG DQ200 robot, with Luk dry clutches, which appeared after 2008. This robot still has the same problems with the hydraulic control unit, but the price for it is 2000 euros. Also here, the clutches do not work adequately, constant jerks and jerks appeared on many cars. At the service centers, they did a flashing of the control unit, trying to correct the moment of opening and closing of the disks, taking into account the degree of their wear, they also changed the clutch for 1200 euros and even reached the replacement of the box, which costs 7000 euros. But after 50,000 km. jerks and bumps when switching started again.
