Audi / VW - Educate me - Page 3

tdvt · 11-14-2012, 05:19 PM

I have my parents abandoned '02 Passat 4motion wagon sitting in my yard. It wouldn't pass inspection with the loose front end (8 sups. links, I think) & the brakes are trashed. It still actually runs quite well & the body work isn't bad for 164,000 miles of Vermont roads & winters. From the parts "kits" available, it seems the front ends are are common problem area. They've also had the oil pressure warning issue, as well as the leaking sunroof, which then corrodes some key electrical components under the floor mat. My son & I are going to resurrect it for this winter then pass it along next year.

As for a euro car, I love my '98 Volvo V70. I have the base version; no turbo, manual transmission, FWD (not AWD) reasonable to repair & simple by comparison to cars these days. On the other hand, my wife's V70 XC(AWD) really went in the snow & was generally reliable but had so many mickey-mouse issues that we burnt out, It was overly complex & was always $$$$ to fix. We had a love/hate relationship with it but finally sold it last week (205,000 mi)

2whlrcr · 11-14-2012, 06:34 PM

My past three vehicles have been VW's. I drive 50K-60K a year and keep the cars until about 200K rounds. First was a 2004 Jetta GLI VR6. That car ran to 200K on nothing but oil changes, tires, one timing belt and set of plugs. Maybe a couple of bulbs, original brakes, clutch, etc...

Next up was a 2008 GTi 2.0T. Great car except the direct injection turbo was a problem. Kept carboning up and running like shit. Spent well over 2K on repairs to get it to 160K, but still on original clutch, brakes, etc...

Currently driving a 2011 CC 2.0T. Love the car and was hoping the got the direct injection problems solved. I was wrong. Just spent about 1.2K getting that sorted out at 70K miles.

I love the VW's ergonomics, they just fit me. Fun to drive and generally pretty reliable. I would not recommend any of them with the 2.0T direction injection motor, unless you're willing to open up your wallet.

jdiaz · 11-14-2012, 07:14 PM

Our Passat hit 80k miles today. Still waiting for it to blow up so I can rebuild it with a K04 big turbo kit.

Mike, what did they do for $1200? Clean the valves and replace the intake manifold assembly?

Nailhead · 11-14-2012, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro

My wife's on her 2nd mini. Fantastic cars so far with excellent, though really not used warranty coverage.

Very long service intervals as well.

I flirted with the notion of Mini ownership a few years back, but dismissed it because of lack of service/parts availability locally.

They really do look like cool cars.

bigsnowdog · 11-14-2012, 07:26 PM

I could not find anything as nicely detailed, with enough leg room, as the A6. I looked at everything American, Japanese, and European, except for Benz. Nothing was better as far as I could see. No manufacturer made something in which I could straighten out my legs other than Audi and the Passat. I found it remarkable that manufacturers like Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, did not have the leg room.

Kamala · 11-14-2012, 07:26 PM

No matter what breaks on an Audi its costs a minimum of $1200!

No matter what breaks on an Audi it ends up being called "Oh Yeah the Dreaded Audi (insert name of malady here) problem" and every Audi owner is aware of it.

No matter what breaks on an Audi you must fully disassemble the automobile in order to repair it. Then you are told that even though its just the thermostat you might as well and go ahead and rebuild the engine as long as the car is completely apart.

bigsnowdog · 11-14-2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamala

No matter what breaks on an Audi its costs a minimum of $1200!

No matter what breaks on an Audi it ends up being called "Oh Yeah the Dreaded Audi problem" and every Audi owner is aware of it.

No matter what breaks on an Audi you must fully disassemble the automobile in order to repair it. Then you are told that even thoughts its just the thermostat you might as well and go ahead and rebuild the engine as long as the car is completely apart.

It's good that you don't exaggerate.

Kamala · 11-14-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnowdog

It's good that you don't exaggerate.

Wanna Bet?

1/2 way to replacing the Thermostat! Just a few more hours of disassembly left to get to it

That stage of disassembly is called "Putting the Bumper in the Service Position"!

09Prodigy · 11-14-2012, 07:48 PM

Holy Crap! Glad I asked! lol

Thanks again!

2whlrcr · 11-15-2012, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdiaz

Our Passat hit 80k miles today. Still waiting for it to blow up so I can rebuild it with a K04 big turbo kit.

Mike, what did they do for $1200? Clean the valves and replace the intake manifold assembly?

Bingo!

The car still has a rough idle when first started, but it runs fine as soon as you get going. We'll see how long this lasts, because the old GTi redeveloped the problem about 50K later.

ozmoses · 11-15-2012, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 09Prodigy

Looking at buy a 2003 - 2006 Audi A4/6 or Passat

I have never owned a euro car and am ignorant as to the Maintenance and/or issues. I know there has to be some experience here and would like to hear your thoughts.

Don't.

NJjeff · 11-15-2012, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamala

Wanna Bet?

1/2 way to replacing the Thermostat! Just a few more hours of disassembly left to get to it

That stage of disassembly is called "Putting the Bumper in the Service Position"!

You have to be kidding?!?!?!

Where the hell is the thermostat?

mjydrafter · 11-15-2012, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJjeff

You have to be kidding?!?!?!

Where the hell is the thermostat?

Even on the easier 2.0l, the thermostat is on the waterpump. Which is typically buried underneath a bunch of shit.

jdiaz · 11-15-2012, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2whlrcr

The car still has a rough idle when first started, but it runs fine as soon as you get going. We'll see how long this lasts, because the old GTi redeveloped the problem about 50K later.

That sucks. VW has replacing intake manifolds like popcorn on the TSI motors......they should have given you some goodwill on the repair, even tho you were past the end of the powertrain warranty.

cardoctor1 · 11-15-2012, 05:23 PM

i love when a customer that has always owned jap. cars and never really had to spend money on maint. decides to treat themselves to a used german car. the warm and fuzzy feeling usually wear off the first time the car need repairs. $1,000 for brakes $ 1600 for timing belt /waterpump the warm and fuzzy becomes ass puckering and sobbing. .

different mind set jap stuff runs with nothing more than simple maint. euorpean cars no such thing as simple maint..

11-14-2012, 07:26 PM	#35
bigsnowdog Sylvan Dweller Joined: May 2002 Oddometer: 15,966	I could not find anything as nicely detailed, with enough leg room, as the A6. I looked at everything American, Japanese, and European, except for Benz. Nothing was better as far as I could see. No manufacturer made something in which I could straighten out my legs other than Audi and the Passat. I found it remarkable that manufacturers like Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, did not have the leg room. __________________ 2002 GS1150 ADV Hepco Becker bags Piaa 959 & 910 NRA life "It's not true that I had nothing on. I had the radio on." — Marilyn Monroe

11-14-2012, 07:26 PM	#36
Kamala Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Nashoba Valley Oddometer: 11,567	No matter what breaks on an Audi its costs a minimum of $1200! No matter what breaks on an Audi it ends up being called "Oh Yeah the Dreaded Audi (insert name of malady here) problem" and every Audi owner is aware of it. No matter what breaks on an Audi you must fully disassemble the automobile in order to repair it. Then you are told that even though its just the thermostat you might as well and go ahead and rebuild the engine as long as the car is completely apart. __________________ I might be old but I saw all the great bands Live! I have changed an Audi A6 Water Pump, I can do anything!

11-14-2012, 07:48 PM	#39
09Prodigy ^OP Unbalanced Joined: May 2009 Location: Rockies Oddometer: 609	Holy Crap! Glad I asked! lol Thanks again! __________________ I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.

11-15-2012, 05:23 PM	#45
cardoctor1 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2010 Location: horsham pa Oddometer: 366	i love when a customer that has always owned jap. cars and never really had to spend money on maint. decides to treat themselves to a used german car. the warm and fuzzy feeling usually wear off the first time the car need repairs. $1,000 for brakes $ 1600 for timing belt /waterpump the warm and fuzzy becomes ass puckering and sobbing. . different mind set jap stuff runs with nothing more than simple maint. euorpean cars no such thing as simple maint.. __________________ IBA#35592 RIDE EVERY RIDE LIKE ITS YOUR LAST 00 R1150GS

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11-14-2012, 05:19 PM	#31
tdvt Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2012 Location: NEK Vermont Oddometer: 138	I have my parents abandoned '02 Passat 4motion wagon sitting in my yard. It wouldn't pass inspection with the loose front end (8 sups. links, I think) & the brakes are trashed. It still actually runs quite well & the body work isn't bad for 164,000 miles of Vermont roads & winters. From the parts "kits" available, it seems the front ends are are common problem area. They've also had the oil pressure warning issue, as well as the leaking sunroof, which then corrodes some key electrical components under the floor mat. My son & I are going to resurrect it for this winter then pass it along next year. As for a euro car, I love my '98 Volvo V70. I have the base version; no turbo, manual transmission, FWD (not AWD) reasonable to repair & simple by comparison to cars these days. On the other hand, my wife's V70 XC(AWD) really went in the snow & was generally reliable but had so many mickey-mouse issues that we burnt out, It was overly complex & was always $$$$ to fix. We had a love/hate relationship with it but finally sold it last week (205,000 mi)

11-14-2012, 06:34 PM	#32
2whlrcr gooligan Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Dubuque, Iowa Oddometer: 4,384	My past three vehicles have been VW's. I drive 50K-60K a year and keep the cars until about 200K rounds. First was a 2004 Jetta GLI VR6. That car ran to 200K on nothing but oil changes, tires, one timing belt and set of plugs. Maybe a couple of bulbs, original brakes, clutch, etc... Next up was a 2008 GTi 2.0T. Great car except the direct injection turbo was a problem. Kept carboning up and running like shit. Spent well over 2K on repairs to get it to 160K, but still on original clutch, brakes, etc... Currently driving a 2011 CC 2.0T. Love the car and was hoping the got the direct injection problems solved. I was wrong. Just spent about 1.2K getting that sorted out at 70K miles. I love the VW's ergonomics, they just fit me. Fun to drive and generally pretty reliable. I would not recommend any of them with the 2.0T direction injection motor, unless you're willing to open up your wallet.

11-14-2012, 07:14 PM	#33
jdiaz . Joined: Feb 2002 Location: Elburn, IL Oddometer: 31,201	Our Passat hit 80k miles today. Still waiting for it to blow up so I can rebuild it with a K04 big turbo kit. Mike, what did they do for $1200? Clean the valves and replace the intake manifold assembly?