VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix?

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Fri 21 Apr 2017 23:04
VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix? - stuffandblah

I have a 2013 Passat 2.0 CR TDi estate which has just reached 93,000 miles - we had it for a year now - doing 12,000 miles (give or take) and have been told that the DMF is starting to fail, which was one of my fears with buying another disel.

The average quote is £900 to replace the clutch & flywheel.

With the mileage that I'm doing I'm considering part-exchanging rather than fixing, I'd still like something with a decent size boot, e.g. mondeo/mazda size, and don't really require an estate, but now thinking if petrol is the way to go? I can't fault the MPG, I typically get 50MPG.

I normally keep my cars for about 5 years, so would be looking for something that isn't going to incur major expenses (other than usual wear and tear/servicing).

Do I go petrol, fix or go with another diesel?

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Fri 21 Apr 2017 23:10
VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix? - glidermania

On 12k miles pa Id say difference in petrol and diesel cost is negligible. My instinct would be to sell rather than pay 900 sods for a new DMF as Im a firm believer that when one major part on a car goes, you'll likely find something else will go not long after.

Id also go petrol as I think diesel is going to get hammered in future budgets and some towns etc.

But that's just my opinion.

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Sat 22 Apr 2017 00:16
VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix? - Big John

In effect you are going to pay for the fix anyway if you are honest about the DMF - the cost will effectively come off your trade in price. If the rest of the car is OK i'd fix it. If fitted with a concentric clutch slave cylinder (inside gearbox ) change this whilst you are passing as they do fail and are a full gearbox off job to replace

Saying that I've now moved to petrol and do about 15k miles a year - I got a 2014 petrol Superb a couple of years ago as I was worried about a DPF because of my long but rather slow commute. The petrol version was about £5k cheaper(at the time!) as well - calculated on my mileage it would take 10-15 years to spend that amount of money on the extra petrol required.

Strangely enough since VAG dieselgate the value difference is not quite as pronounced

Edited by Big John on 22/04/2017 at 00:18

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Sat 22 Apr 2017 08:45
VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix? - Stanb Sevento

I think you are at a point where eigther option could make sence. Changing cars carries the overhead of the dealers markup of at least £1000 and could be £2000 and you will have lost that as soon as you sign on the dotted line. If you keep the Passat you will need to spend the money including £300 to £500 for a DPF clean. Things like cam belt replacement, tyres, and servicing need added to the equasion if they are due and could tip the ballance. The Passat is capable of doing two if not three times your mileage but will have a few bills along the way. You dont say if you have had the " fix " because it wont do anything for future reliability.

If I were to suggest a car to look at it would be the Golf or Octavia estete.. Great to drive, boot space to rival the Passat but in a smaller package and the choice of petrol or diesel. The 1.4 TSi is a cracker and the 150ps is quick and economical. The new EURO 6 diesels look as if they are a big improvement over the EURO 5 in the emissions department.

The petrol / diesel dilema is down to what sort of driving you do.

Edited by Stanb Sevento on 22/04/2017 at 08:47

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Sat 22 Apr 2017 23:31
VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix? - stuffandblah

No, I haven't had the DMF fix yet. To be honest I think it was sold to us like it (stupidly never saw it strike up from cold, which is when it's at it's worst), it is just recently that it is more noticeable in the mornings.

I had a focus TDCi which also had the DMF go, and it really sounded like a bag of nails when it was on it's way out. The Passat isn't anywhere near as bad (yet), but is a ticking timebomb.

My previous car was an Octavia TDi PD Sport, which was fine car, just not very comfortable on the old back at the time - did over 100k and not a problem with clutch or DMF (no DPF either), just needed a new turbo.

I've had a look into the 1.4 TSi engines, as they do sound tempting. I'm not sure on the longevity of them compared to some of the older petrol engines. I have heard of people having turbos being replaced after 20k and excessive oil use, but these could be isolated cases.

The Mondeo 1.6 eco-boost also looks interesting, but fear that it may be underpowered for such a large car.

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Sun 23 Apr 2017 11:05
VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix? - Big John

My previous car was an Octavia TDi PD Sport, which was fine car, just not very comfortable on the old back at the time - did over 100k and not a problem with clutch or DMF (no DPF either), just needed a new turbo.

I've had a look into the 1.4 TSi engines, as they do sound tempting. I'm not sure on the longevity of them compared to some of the older petrol engines. I have heard of people having turbos being replaced after 20k and excessive oil use, but these could be isolated cases.

I've had lots of back trouble over the years so car seats / driving position important for me.I tried an Octavia III but found myself driving slightly "skewed" due to the position of the door pillar/ door armrest.To fit in I had to have the seat fully back and slightly reclined (hence "big" john) which put my right elbow too far back in the middle of the door pillar..

When I tried the Superb II - wanted it within the first minutes of driving. Perfect driving postion (for me!) , comfortable and so much quieter.

I've got the last of the EA111 generation 1.4 tsi engine and at just over three years old & 41k miles, thus far faultless and the oil top up bottle in the boot remains sealed and untouched. I've never had to top up between services - although I've asked for 10k servicing as I think the 20k intervals involved with variable servicing is way too long especially for a cam chain engine

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Sun 23 Apr 2017 11:25
VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix? - Stanb Sevento

No, I haven't had the DMF fix yet.

Sorry I was meaning the " emissions fix "

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Mon 24 Apr 2017 10:38
VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix? - SLO76
I'd probably trade in too. You'd be surprised by the number of dealers who stupidly don't drive or often even start a part ex before bidding so you might get lucky with one who doesn't notice the DMF is on its way out. If they do though you'll be paying for it via a reduced valuation anyway. So it's down to luck and it's down to budget.

If it is noticeable and you're offered buttons for it then it may be worth having a shot through a local auction. Always amazes me the mistakes private (and overconfident trade) punters make at auction and not standing by the motors they're interested in when they start is probably the biggest. I wouldn't sell it privately from your drive, it's both morally wrong and likely to end in misery when angry buyer returns.

Options for replacement are all down to budget but petrol certainly will be more reliable now and will still usually cost less to start with. Depends also on the type of driving you do. Is the bulk of that 12k/pa local stop start, motorway or fast B road that requires lots of low to midrange pull for overtaking? You are right on the edge of whether diesel is economically viable but they don't take kindly to short stop start driving.

Edited by SLO76 on 24/04/2017 at 10:40

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Mon 24 Apr 2017 10:50
VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix? - gordonbennet

I'm normally one to fix problems such as this and carry on, but this is a VW with another of their not so wonderful engines, plus EPB woes always a possibility with the model, so i too would get rid.

Most dealers if they suss the DPF problem won't be spending as much as you would on a fix, simply due to trade costs which are significantly less than most of us retail customers could find.

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Mon 24 Apr 2017 23:35
VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix? - stuffandblah

No I haven't had the VW "fix" yet, it's returned great MPG, so can't see a need to get it sorted as it isn't mandatory.

I think I will try and part-ex given everyones feedback (thanks). I have a rough idea of trade-in cost using Autotrader & WeBuyAnyCar (not sure if I would get the price advertised though).

I'm still on the fence with Diesel - I really wanted a mondeo TDCi 140, but not so sure now.
Other than that I heard good things about Mazda petrols and reliability, so may have to try a test drive.

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Tue 25 Apr 2017 16:31
VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix? - barney100

I would get a couple more opinions on the DMF and then ring round the indies to try to get the cost down. You hardly ever win trading in

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Fri 5 May 2017 15:20
VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix? - dervdave

If you`ve looked after the Passet theres many more miles of life left in it and will only get pennies for a dealer trade in, so get a cheaper quote for the DMF and clutch change which isn`t the hardest job in the world and is only fair wear and tear after all.

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Sun 7 May 2017 17:46
VW Passat 2.0 TDI - Sell or Fix? - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}

Try a trade in. Never had any inspection on mine or been asked any questions. If there is a decent profit margin on the deal they won't care.

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