"New" Passat Estate 240ps, 4Motion, DSG, BiTDi

Trappi$t

Trappi$t

Trappi$t

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30 Oct 2018
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Does anyone have any direct experience of these cars?

I have convinced myself that it is the only relatively fast, great looking, well built estate out there, but the used market is around £18k for one of these, which seems like a huge commitment for what on the outside appears to be a bog standard diesel estate, despite the fact it looks gorgeous.

This sort of money gets a person a C63 AMG Estate, albeit older.

Im aware it is the fastest of the Passat Range, so... is the price of £15-18k worth it for a twin turbo, 240ps, 4 wheel drive DSG motor, with LED headlights, Panoramic roof etc...?

Edit:- If they did a petrol Passat-R (same as the Golf) it would be on my drive already, but this seems like the next best thing.
 
Golf R jumps to mind if you want something that will be fun on the back roads. Have you had a look around to see what else is available or test driven anything?

Few options jump that jump to mind are the Golf R as mentioned, F30 335i, older S4 Avant (too dated imo), Mondeo with ecoboost, XF Sportback, A6 Avant, 530d. Quite a lot of options but if petrol is a requirement then becomes a bit more limited.

w204 C63 at that money likely to be higher milage and bit ropey imo.
 
Appreciate the replies, but I LOVE the look of the Passat, and the seats are perfect for my body. I must confess I am not a big fan of the Audi, and I think from what I can work out, the 3L 276ps(?) is quite a "rare" model, and seems to have the Audi brand tax making it even more expensive. If I am already baulking at the £16-18k for a flipping 16 plate Passat, the Audi wont be any cheaper right?

The Passat just seems no fuss, solid, and has the looks, and features if able to get one with DynAudio, Pano-roof, and TPMS etc. I was unaware of the Superb Estate, will check into this.

To be honest, Ive always wanted an AMG C63, and the reason for having it as a comparison, is that if looking to splurge the best part of £18k on an outwardly looking generic diesel estate, then why not go a bit mental and get an older 6.2L proper V8?

Having said that, I do massively long journeys sometimes (say 1000miles+) and the C63 is just not right in terms of the constant re-fuelling.

530d I just cant get on with the interior, there is something so elegant and straightforward about the new gen of VW CC's and Passats I find appealing, however I do appreciate the 530d is likely better car.

Now, if you could get a 530d Xdrive.... NICE, but all I see is a 330d Xdrive, and I must admit the Msport version of this certainly has the looks, but my gut is that they are driven by a certain type of person, the type of person that might not care for the car as it should be cared for.

Basically what I want is a high performance estate, 18k or less, ideally 4wd, ideally diesel for long range, but can be totally persuaded into something a bit mental like the C63 or MG ZT-T 260 Supercharged Estate, which it seems can be had for literally buttons these days, leaving thousands left over for fuel for those long runs!! :)

What I like about the Passat is that it blends in, I dont want to attract much attention, but I like the fact that underneath lurks something with pretty decent performance, and 4WD for Winter weather in Europe.

Its a tough one.

I suppose I am saying I want a sensible no fuss diesel estate that doesnt stand out but has SOME performance, but can be persueded to forgo these particular requirements if something much more interesting and fun can be got, but cheaper, hence the left-field ZT-T 260 option!

A bit bonkers I know........

I suppose the "perfect" car, would be an M550d X-Drive Estate, but a) they wouldnt have them in RHD, and b) the price would be ridiculous!


EDIT:- Dont laugh, but I had even toyed with an Insignia VXR Estate....(yeah, I know....but built in the Russelheim plant, so build quality shouldnt be too atrocious)

EDIT2:- What I like about the Passat option, is that if I am truly stuck in the back of beyond, say Albania/Ukraine/wherever, there will always be dealerships/VW orientated specialists who could sort out any problems there and then.
 
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[TW]Fox said:
Which is of course simply not true. Heck even if you stick with VAG it's hard to argue the Passat is anything but inferior to say the A6 Avant.
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If you can show me what model Audi you are referring to (engine/trim) with a link that would be much appreciated. Do they have a Panoramic roof option? 4WD?
 
Trappi$t said:
EDIT2:- What I like about the Passat option, is that if I am truly stuck in the back of beyond, say Albania/Ukraine/wherever, there will always be dealerships/VW orientated specialists who could sort out any problems there and then.
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I do hate going out for a Sunday morning drive and getting stuck in the Ukranian outback unable to find a Mazda dealer
 
Also whilst the Albanians and Ukrainians will definitely know how to deal with an average Passat, the BiTdi is rarer than rocking horse poo in Eastern Europe and thus most would have never seen the engine before.

Imho an estate 335d is what would work best - all are x drive and offer a ridiculous blend of performance and economy. Not as well built as the Pasat mind you, but I've abused my - 130k mile f30 330d across Europe without a sweat so you should be good with a much lower mileage example.
 
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Trappi$t said:
EDIT2:- What I like about the Passat option, is that if I am truly stuck in the back of beyond, say Albania/Ukraine/wherever, there will always be dealerships/VW orientated specialists who could sort out any problems there and then.
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They were just finishing off the Bentley dealership last time I flew into Borispol, UA. You'll find it next to the Porsche dealership.

I have a F31 330D xDrive and it really is a nice car.
 
Nobody 'wants' a Passat, nice engine or not. They are dull inside, dull to drive and utterly dull to look at. Sinking 18k into one is crazy. I spent 3 weeks in the R line, granted only a boggo 2.0l TDI, its just felt so underwhelming, and the interior actually felt a bit cheap, no better than Ford or Vauxhall.

If you dont want a BM/Merc/Audi, how about a Volvo? My money would be on the Superb tho.
 
superb in whatever engine suits your needs,

far better car all round and the current superb is right up there with the 5 series and the E class in terms of quality
 
Tinders said:
They are dull inside, dull to drive and utterly dull to look at. Sinking 18k into one is crazy. I spent 3 weeks in the R line, granted only a boggo 2.0l TDI, its just felt so underwhelming, and the interior actually felt a bit cheap, no better than Ford or Vauxhall.
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Eh I mean they are pretty functional but I take it you haven't spent much time in a Vauxhall Zafira or something like that hah - they make the Passat seem positively lively and interesting in comparison.
 
So much Passat bashing when in all tests it’s rated higher than any equivalent - bar the higher level brands such as Audi and Merc.

All the reviewers can’t be wrong lol. I think they look good with the right wheels - in estate guise not saloon
 
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