Replace Passat PD 100

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Mon 6 Jan 2025 20:41
Replace Passat PD 100 - logger

I bet I'll get loads of replies say why I am thinking of replacing what many say is a brilliant car/engine !

I have a 2005 Passat PD100 estate, 120k miles, only cost me £1200. The boot is massive and great for our two dogs and carrying stuff.

Had it about 18months. Never failed me but my wife is a bit fed up with the strong old diesel engine smell on idle, the lots of little things that are going wrong (central locking, cd/radio, rust on wings, lack of heated seats , cloth seats (which is a pain with the dogs) . She also would prefer an auto and something a bit higher up.

...so she asked me if I can look around for a cheap,.reliable,.auto petrol SUV

It will only do about 5k max miles per year and although tax/insurance not that important i would prefer sub £400 tax

I'm hoping I get positive advice rather than friendly abuse ??

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 6 Jan 2025 20:59
Replace Passat PD 100 - Xileno

I am sure you will get helpful replies but a budget would help with suggestions.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 6 Jan 2025 21:15
Replace Passat PD 100 - logger

Ideally under £5k

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 6 Jan 2025 22:48
Replace Passat PD 100 - Big John

Ideally under £5k

The slight problem is SUV's are trendy at the moment so generally cost more so £5k won't buy you much. Be careful re auto box and please come back to this forum with any ideas you have as some auto gearboxes are terrible (especially automated manual versions) . Typically they have smaller boots as well.

With that budget, it'll be difficult. I seem to remember Suzuki Vitara's of a certain age had a great torque converter auto - but will be over your budget. Reliable though.. [EDIT] Another thought - 2.0 petrol auto Honda CRV? www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411256723314?s...a

Everything you look at will be quite a few years old so condition is all and rust is still a thing!

Edited by Big John on 06/01/2025 at 23:11

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 22 Feb 2025 16:30
Replace Passat PD 100 - Shaz {p}

Nissan Elgrand?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 6 Jan 2025 22:54
Replace Passat PD 100 - SLO76
Give your wife a nose peg and stick with what you have until you can afford a decent petrol auto SUV as £5k ain’t gonna cut it in today’s market sadly. Your old Passat will more likely be more reliable than anything meeting your criteria at that money.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 6 Jan 2025 23:55
Replace Passat PD 100 - elekie&a/c doctor
Honda Crv of this age are a good choice. However the 2.0 petrol automatic transmission are pretty dire on fuel . You’ll be lucky to get mid 20s mpg
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 7 Jan 2025 17:32
Replace Passat PD 100 - logger

Auto is preferable but not essential

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 7 Jan 2025 17:19
Replace Passat PD 100 - logger

Whats a Dacia Logan MCV 0.9 TCe Laureate like ?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 7 Jan 2025 19:30
Replace Passat PD 100 - SLO76

Whats a Dacia Logan MCV 0.9 TCe Laureate like ?

Not high off the ground or an automatic. Not particularly well made either, but they are cheap and practical. I wouldn’t go for the 0.9 TCe though, the 1.2 petrol is a slug but it is robust, the 1.5 diesel is the best option but all it takes is for someone to have previously misfuelled it to destroy the engine as a colleague experienced with a diesel Dacia Duster. Luckily the warranty came good for a used engine for it that’s turned out to be good. Doesn’t meet your criteria though.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 7 Jan 2025 07:56
Replace Passat PD 100 - JonestHon

Post 2011 Avensis Petrol estate with CVT.

Slightly over your budget your Mrs's will be happy.

Top models has leather or part leather.

See this

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412167316136

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 7 Jan 2025 08:09
Replace Passat PD 100 - badbusdriver

Post 2011 Avensis Petrol estate with CVT.

Slightly over your budget your Mrs's will be happy.

Top models has leather or part leather.

See this

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412167316136

Given she wants something with a higher seating position, I'm not sure she will be that happy.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 7 Jan 2025 14:23
Replace Passat PD 100 - logger

Thanks so far for the answers

I've read a lot about SUV's being basically jacked up estates so I understand that comment

I can get a mk1/2 crv for under £3k easily but I've heard bodywork can be an issue

Had an avensis saloon once, unbreakable if a bit boring. Not sure the boot is as high as the Passat though

I could of course spend 2k on an old SUV ( discovery V8 etc ) and out £2k aside for 2-3 years maintenance !

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 7 Jan 2025 15:13
Replace Passat PD 100 - Steveieb

Still missing my PD 130 in my A4 after 18 months even though I replaced it with a 320 CDI MB.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 7 Jan 2025 17:46
Replace Passat PD 100 - Big John

I could of course spend 2k on an old SUV ( discovery V8 etc ) and out £2k aside for 2-3 years maintenance !

Off the scale money pits

Edited by Big John on 07/01/2025 at 18:00

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 7 Jan 2025 19:41
Replace Passat PD 100 - SLO76
Safest bet would be a Mk IV CRV 2.0 petrol 2wd. Simple running gear, chain driven motor, no turbo, no DPF, no timing belt and no fuel sapping 4wd system. A good private sale car might be possible for circa £6k and I’d strongly recommend spending more upfront for something like this rather than buying an older rust bucket or a Land Rover Discovery that’ll never actually be on the road.

I found this one as an example, I haven’t checked the Mot history but this gen are newer and seem to be better at keeping the rust at bay. Because it is only 2wd and a 6sp manual its substantially better on fuel than the older petrol autos or even the petrol auto Mk IV which was 4wd only. Get a solid well cared for example and get it treated underneath and it’ll do 10yrs no bother. We ran a diesel one for 4yrs and very much rated it as a very practical big family wagon with elevated seating position. It was particularly good for visibility in the back as the rear seat sits higher and there’s a huge amount of room.

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403057250781

Edited by SLO76 on 07/01/2025 at 19:44

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 7 Jan 2025 19:54
Replace Passat PD 100 - SLO76
Here’s one with dealer on budget. It’s apparently been a main dealer part ex and has at least part main dealer history. Always say that one of the biggest plus points on a used car is if the previous owner bought another car from the same brand, you don’t buy another if it wasn’t a good car. Mileage isn’t an issue if looked after, really just rust is the main killer so get underneath for a good look.

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409134001965
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 7 Jan 2025 19:57
Replace Passat PD 100 - SLO76
Cheap facelift car, these are a bit nicer to drive as they made a few upgrades to the suspension.

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411126210604
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 8 Jan 2025 14:43
Replace Passat PD 100 - Steveieb

Knowing that the OP has enjoyed the performance of the PD engine , how about looking at a Galaxy/ Sharon with the same engine as the Passat but loads more room and the high seating position. Finding a good one is difficult because of its age but I was speaking to someone who travelled all the way to Scotland to buy a low mileage (46 k) example .

Be grateful for your views as I’ve always liked this set up , which comes complete with that amazing PD engine .

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 Feb 2025 16:26
Replace Passat PD 100 - logger

An update

Just taken the family ( 5 adults and 3 dogs ) to somerset ( 3.5hr journey each way ) for one night

All the dogs went in the boot even though 2 are big and had a roof box for the people stuff

Positives- As always the passat performed brilliantly, cruising effortlessly omn the motorway. At 70 it is really smooth and never felt laboured. Even with the roof box £ 50 took us there and back and let 50 miles in the tank

Negatives-Squashed in the back for 3 adults. Certainly wouldnt really want to drive to cornwall

...so all I need is the brilliance and reliability of the passat estate with loads of room in the back all for less than £5k ... simple ?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 Feb 2025 19:16
Replace Passat PD 100 - Steveieb

Got to be a Galaxy, Sharan, Alhambra with the same brilliant PD 1.9 Tdi engine.

Going to hard to find one in good condition because of their age . But the Ghier version would be my choice as it has cruise control and captains seat.

All the plus points of the Passat with loads of space !

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 Feb 2025 19:35
Replace Passat PD 100 - Adampr

I'm pretty sure a Skoda Superb estate is a Passat but with more room in the back.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 Feb 2025 22:05
Replace Passat PD 100 - Big John

I'm pretty sure a Skoda Superb estate is a Passat but with more room in the back.

Vast leg room but the same width.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 10 Feb 2025 15:40
Replace Passat PD 100 - logger

Thanks but if its the same width then no real difference. cheers though

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 10 Feb 2025 15:56
Replace Passat PD 100 - logger

I know there is RIDC where you try to search for boot size and leg room ( not always accurate ) but is there any other site ( I have googled but cant find any ) where you search for used cars by length / width which would give me a better idea whats out there ?

cheers

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 10 Feb 2025 20:13
Replace Passat PD 100 - Chris M

"...but is there any other site ( I have googled but cant find any ) where you search for used cars by length / width which would give me a better idea whats out there?"

Mumsnet? You're not the first to travel this road.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 Feb 2025 21:50
Replace Passat PD 100 - logger

Thanks

Would it be the mark1 with all those MPV's ?.. I guess 2007 onwards the tax increases on the diesels

Is the room in the back seats definitely bigger than the passat or just higher

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 10 Feb 2025 19:02
Replace Passat PD 100 - Adampr

A Ssangyong Turismo has acres of space inside and would fit your budget. I think they're on diesel though.

One other suggestion might be a Honda FR-V. They're not massive, but you can comfortably seat five if you move the (six) seats around and use one as a table.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 13 Feb 2025 18:53
Replace Passat PD 100 - logger

I joined loads of facebook car owner groups to get some opinions and i was quite surprised how cars such as the Ssanyong, XC90, Mondeo, Touran and other cars you have mentioned all basically have the same rear seat space as I have in the passat and they all said they wouldnt buy one for 5 adults and dogs

They all said I would have to go bigger such as a Torneo Custom van, or may be a ford Galaxy

Maybe its back to the drawing board ?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 19 Feb 2025 17:07
Replace Passat PD 100 - logger

Ok..decided to up my budget to £5k+ if needed

Also spoke to lots of people and really I believe I am down to the following

VW Transportor T4/T5

Ford Torneo Connect

VW Caddy Maxi Life

Ford Galaxy / VW Sharan / Seat Alhambra

..possibly buy a Ford Transit / Vauxhall Vivaro crew cab and do a little conversion ?

I can just about get one of these for £5/6k

Thoughts ?

cheers

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 19 Feb 2025 17:35
Replace Passat PD 100 - skidpan

Personal thoughts, all are going to be old and will have led a hard working life. All will most probably be on sale because of an expensive repair on the horizon.

You need to have a large contingency for repairs or be prepared to sell for spares or repair on ebay (or similar).

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 19 Feb 2025 18:57
Replace Passat PD 100 - Big John

I like the Ford Galaxy / VW Sharan / Seat Alhambra but at the age/price you're looking at I think it'll be a diesel - beware DPF issues (indeed check it's still present and hasn't been deleted!). The 2.0cr diesel is generally a good engine though. Do not consider the petrol twincharger (turbo and supercharger). The later tsi EA211 petrol engine is great but not in your budget.

Have you tried the CRV for size? As you mentioned rust can be an issue but there are lots of well looked after examples around. Everything you'll be looking at could have rust.

Rust would be a bigger issue on any van based vehicle as many don't have the same rust protection of cars etc. I'd avoid a van conversion - they will be end of life!!

Edited by Big John on 19/02/2025 at 19:05

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 19 Feb 2025 20:11
Replace Passat PD 100 - Adampr

Of those, I would only consider the Sharalhambraxy.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 20 Feb 2025 09:41
Replace Passat PD 100 - badbusdriver

Ok..decided to up my budget to £5k+ if needed

If?

After all this time and threads unsuccessfully looking for a £3-3.5k rocking horse poo, you still aren't convinced that your budget has to go up?

Even then, £5k still isn't much. Especially so in the case of the T4/5 which are so beloved by those looking for a surf van, camper or day van, your £5k would be the equivalent of about half that for any other similar vehicle!

Get one of these and remove the 3rd row seats

202410305765938

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 21 Feb 2025 16:53
Replace Passat PD 100 - logger

The i800 is on my list.

Looks good. Shame you can just leave one seat in the back

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide