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General => General discussion => Topic started by: boneybradley on 11 April 2009, 19:03

Title: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: boneybradley on 11 April 2009, 19:03
Well it looks like i'm going to buy another motor (as the wife can't get insured on mine!!) and I've being offered a 1996 passat S but I don't know any info about these models..I guess it's a B5 on that year? (exept some nice pictures on google!) any one have any pointers of issues,reliability, etc before I make an offer!
Cheers
Title: Re: Passat B4 buying tips...
Post by: AlanD on 11 April 2009, 19:19
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3447134

Take this thread as inspiration. Sorry I cant help, not a scooby with regards to Passats.
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: boo on 12 April 2009, 12:01
not much realy my dad had one from brand new only problem he
had was the front suspension arms went a couple of times but got
it sorted under warrenty . when he sold it it had 13400 miles on the
clock it still looked in nice condition
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: GOLF_MK on 12 April 2009, 12:09
1996 will be B5 (unless it's the last of the wedge shapes), check your dub rides for my thoughts on water leaks inside.

Other than front suspension joints etc (common on all vws and audis etc) not really any major issues i'd say.

Good solid comtortable motors.

What engine is it?  Stay away from the 1.6 as it's quicker to walk, the 1.8 is a bit underpowered in such a big car but it's not too bad, 1.8T is great of course and all the diesels are good, even the 90hp TDi is a good buy imo.
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 12 April 2009, 16:22
I didn't think they did a 1.8T that early, i think this model does have the 2.0L 16v and a VR6 in its range  :smiley:
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: Jimp on 12 April 2009, 16:58
1996 will be either the end of the B4 or the very start of the B5 as they were both in circulation in 1996. Can you find out which it is?
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: golf newbie on 12 April 2009, 17:56
only problems i had with my passat is the window regular going on both front doors.and the water leaking through the pollen filter. and a leak in the boot cant find out why yet.

apart from that they are great cars and comforty.

mine is the b5.5 the face lift model  :nerd:
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: Diamond Hell on 12 April 2009, 22:18
96 IS cross-over - I had a new B5 in 1997 - a 1.8 20V which was at least the second year they were out - the really early ones had orange front indicators and mine had clear ones - next model year on at least.

I have a B5.5 TDI 4Motion now which is excellent.  Working on it's not too tough either.  Probably the best tow-car I've owned.
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: boneybradley on 12 April 2009, 22:47
Right its a b5 1.8 20v s model!! so basically the base spec with beige trim  :sick: but it has full proper history and is well priced  :wink:
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: DubFan on 13 April 2009, 00:20
My bro has a Passat B5 1.8 20v S. It's alright comfort-wise, air-con, electrical stuff. Not driven it yet (but I've got it while he's on holiday ;)  so we'll see).

I have the same engine in my Audi A4 though and I can get 33mpg around town (even had it up to 40mpg driving carefully around London) and it's got enough grunt on the motorway, though nothing special. The A4 is slightly quicker though as it's marginally lighter.
The 1.8T 20v (so basically the same engine, but with a turbo) obviously has more power but also apparently has a slightly better fuel economy.

Watch out with this engine, does it sound like a diesel when started cold ?
Apparently this is a common problem on high-mileage cars, something to do with the oil system.

What price is it at ?
My bro paid £900 for his, 98/S reg, 120k.
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: Brett78 on 13 April 2009, 03:21
I have a Passat 1.8 20 V SE on an R plate its done 145k but drives like a car that has done much less as all VW's do if they are well looked after. 125bhp pulling that big lump is by no means quick but I enjoy it as a daily drive and gives me something to look forward to getting the Golf back off the wife at the weekend. Any how check these links out -


http://www.ukpassats.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10629

http://www.ukpassats.co.uk/phpbb/index.php

Remember to take a fault code reader/Vag.com if possible to find any codes. Biggest problem being -

http://www.ukpassats.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4066

Regards

Brett


Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: boneybradley on 15 April 2009, 19:28
Well I've bought it now and luckily I know the car well (as its a family members) and has always had money spent when it ever needed anything, has full history and is very very tidy (and was used as my wedding car!)....
It's a 97 1.8 20v S (non turbo) but coming from an 8v gti it wont be so bad!! and all for £600

and hopefuly it will look like this soon!
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k165/boneybradley/DSCN5038-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: Len on 15 April 2009, 20:37
On a budget? No way!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: JC on 15 April 2009, 20:39
 :lipsrsealed: - worms turned -  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: Len on 15 April 2009, 20:42
Think he just wants a bigger car to go dogging with his missus!  :shocked:
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: boneybradley on 15 April 2009, 20:55
I honestly need something a bit slower as driving round hairpins at 60-70mph with the misses driving is scary stuff!! She thinks the golf has the same performance as her driving instructors 1.0 corsa!!  :shocked:

and chuff....when's your mk3 arriving? you will turn soon too  :wink: :grin:
Title: Re: Passat B4 or is it B5 model buying tips...
Post by: Martz on 15 April 2009, 21:02
Good choice, my V5 is a great family car. Mine has 80K on the clock and came with full history. Had it for over a year and spent a little putting it right.

Welcome to the Passat B5.5 club! :D