I have owned my 99 VW Passat 1.8 T for about 2 years now. Bought itused (at 50K) under the VW Certified Preowned program.I now have about 88K and am thinking about selling it to a relative,just because I am interested in getting something new.It's actually been a good car -- just a very misunderstood one. Havingowned Hondas before and older American cars -- owning a European carfor the first time was a learning experience for me.....i think a lotof the reliability problems that surface on these boards (with theexception of bugs inherent in first model year releases) are due tolack of maintenance.....With a Honda or Toyota, all you have to do is keep the oil changed andit will be trouble free until at at least 125K -- then even withrepairs here and there, you can squeeze over 200K out of a properlymaintained car. American cars are disposible -- we recently went toCape Cod for a friends' wedding, rented a brand new Monte Carlo anddrove it for the weekend.....when we came back to Atlanta, drove my oldpassat back from the airport and couldnt believe how much tighter itwas than a brand new monte carlo.......The only problems I have had with the car can all be attributed to thefact that the previous owner changed the oil every 7K (found this out athe dealer later, when I was having my car serviced):*Two parts were clogged with oil sludge -- check engine light stayed onand car even shut down once*Replaced oil pump (had to pull some teeth for this one to get itcovered under the VW Certified warranty)*Catalytic converter went out at like 79,800 - barely covered under the80K emissions control warrantySo -- this gets to my question. I want to get this car in good shapeto sell to my relative. I would like to do the necessary repairs forthe car to be trouble free.# 1 -- what do i need to replace for preventative maintenance? anythingother than the timing belt?# 2 -- is 150K realistic for these cars? i always think used car adsare the best measuring stick as to how many...

I'd say 150K Miles is more then realistic provided maintenance is kept up - for any VW.The only thing that bothers me with VW is they use plastic impellers on their water pumps so you have to make sure to change them (mine was done at 60K on my TDI engine, at the first timing belt change... so I skipped it this time at ~120K Kms)... They're not perfect cars but they aren't as bad as they are rated in studies.My catalytic converter just failed too... well it still works, but there is a 5" hole at the back of it, luckily the car has an emissions warranty, it's an 1159 dollar part!-BTW I have a 1999.5 Golf TDINo real "problems" with my car (tires, brakes, oil changes.... I did the shocks to get a firmer ride, okay my catalytic converter died too young, and my tie rod ends wore out after only 85 K Kms, but I drive the car too hard anyways), just that parts aren't cheap if you want good/proper stuff... and I think here's an issue too... there is cheaper stuff availible for these cars and...

VW Passat 1.8T - 150K realistic? - 10 to 15 yr lifespan?

Feb 07, 2005 21 Replies

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Brandon 21 years ago

pads...see

securing

Exluding parts

equipped home

engines.

Thanks for taking the time to provide thorough answers. Think I will attempt the brakes and see how it goes from there.....

Vote

Brandon 21 years ago

pads...see

securing

Exluding parts

equipped home

engines.

Thanks for taking the time to provide thorough answers. Think I will attempt the brakes and see how it goes from there.....

Vote

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