My new VW Passat

[merlin]

New car time, I liked the Passat for about 20 minutes then thought WTF have I done. 2 year lease to see out and it's felt like 4.

This time around I've been more thorough in my search for a good all rounder.

Search leads to a pre-registered 325D M Sport, essentially it's brand new, but around £7,000 cheaper than list. Only downside is the manufacture date just missed out on LED rear lights. Hey ho.

The car does a lot more than I expected, nice stuff like option to inflate side bolsters for when you want some country lane fun, b/tooth prep I didn't think it had & auto lights & wipers which again for some reason I didn't think were standard.

Spec is pretty in depth but basically it's 6 cylinder spec as a base plus M Sport pack, burr walnut trim (yes, wood, I actually spec'd wood), full cream dakota leather, b/tooth prep & heated seats.

 

[merlin]

They aren't comfort seats, it's just lumbar support I think.

Looks nice, shame it doesn't have HID's though (or NAV!)

It's the side bolsters, the "wings" that inflate. Lumbar is just the back bit isn't it?

Yeah, can't win em all!

 

[merlin]

It's also got voice activated stuff in it - not sure if that's standard?

 

[merlin]

it was the dullest vehicle I've even been in.

Have you tried pulling away with the handbrake on yet?

Imagine having one for 2 years!

The Passat or the BMW? The traditional BMW handbrake is freaking me out now because I'm so used to the Passat push button one.

Found something new on the car last night - was dark, I clicked to unlock it and soft lighting surrounded the door handles, it's looked like a UFO.

I'm not regretting the engine choice one bit - this thing does shift, 0-60 in 7 seconds flat and that's with you having to change gear twice.

 

[merlin]

same/similar colour inside to your old 330 isn't it?

Same colour leather yep, black = meh.

This car reminds me so much of the 330ci.

 

[merlin]

It's £14,000 better than the Passat.

 

[merlin]

Quick update to bore you all with how much I love this car.

I love this car.

There, I'm done.

Well, almost - I did 630 miles in it yesterday and it returned 48.3mpg from start to finish and I wasn't hanging around as I've 100% for sure got a speeding ticket on the way. I do a trip to Glasgow every year at the end of Jan - I've taken up 2 Impreza's, one Accord, one Integra, one 330i, one Passat and one Legacy and this tops them all for comfort. No back ache, no arse ache no ear ache.

As soon as it's had it's first service I'll get it remapped.

 

[merlin]

The grunt 'almost' makes up for the lack of rpm, I just have to appreciate they're different animals. Sure there's moments I miss both the DC5 and even the Impreza's, but then this does the 'work miles' so much better than they ever did. A 335d would be a cake and eat it car for me - perfect all rounder.

Yeah I'll use Simon again, local boy.

 

[merlin]

On mine its 200bhp -> 230bhp without pushing the engine and drivetrain into places it doesn't want to go.

 

[merlin]

Merlin I'm still in the freaking Skoda

Damn you!

Ouch, your employers show you no love.

 

[merlin]

Where's that black smoke pic gone

Weirdly enough I'm yet to see it throw out any sort of soot. Probably saving it up in a canister somewhere ready to drop the bomb on someone.

 

[merlin]

What's the road noise like in that? We hired one to drive to Chamonix last year, it was horrible TBH, especially the tyre noise!

Horrible in what way?

 

[merlin]

I took a 320d M Sport Touring to Southampton and back - some 350 miles.

Whilst it wasn't as quiet as the 5 Series at no point did I think 'OMG THE ROAD NOISE'

Infact I liked it - a lot. It was ruined only by the 4 cylinder engine. Which merlin hasn't got.

The Mad Spacker appeared to say the car was horrible AND so was the tyre noise, I just wondered what the problem was with the car itself. Ok the styling is not everyone's cuppa (same story as with most cars) but there's little else to fault on them.

 

[merlin]

Does yours have the optional indicator pack merlin?