2003 Volkswagen Passat TDI Comfortline 1.9 turbo diesel
Summary:
Excellent highway sedan
Faults:
Alternator clutch blew at 144000km; replaced at a cost of 150 euros.
Some high pitched, squeaking noise, when the air conditioning is engaged. Most likely it's from the belt or one of the belt wheels.
General Comments:
Considering the odometer reading, there have been very little extra repairs. And the extra repairs (mentioned above) that had to be done; they have been very reasonably priced at the dealer.
Though this is the low power 100bhp version of the 1.9TDI Passat, the 250Nm of torque pushes this car very nicely. Overtaking is very easy, and you can feel as the turbo wakes up at 1900 rpm.
Seats are very comfortable and I can get an excellent driving position, though I'm 185cm tall (6' 2").
Fuel economy of the car is phenomenal; I live 100km (62 miles) away from my work, and thus I drive at least 1000km every week. I can continuously get fuel consumption at around 5.3 L/100km (app. 45 US mpg). This car really saves money!!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th August, 2007
24th Jan 2004, 11:40
Freezing door locks is extremely common on these cars. I live in Norway, and with temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius the locks on my 94 wagon have been a minor nightmare. It took me some years to figure out a way to avoid the problem. This is how to fix it:
1. Remove the plastic cover and clean it.
2. Use Q-tips and alcohol and clean all moving parts (really really) thoroughly. Let dry (use a hairdryer).
3. SOAK the locks with silicone grease (spray box with nozzle). Then use a thin anti-freeze oil (Eisfrei etc.) on top of this. Take especially care with the tiny knob under (?) the lock.
4. Seal the joint between the door and lock with silicone grease (tube).
5. Coat the inside of the plastic cover with silicone grease (tube).
6. Replace plastic cover. Dry off excess grease, but make sure there is a watertight seal between the plastic cover and the door and between the cover and the lock.
7. Give the locks a squirt of silicone grease every autumn.
I did this two years ago, and my locks have worked fine ever since. My passat has been extremely reliable. I have driven it 197.000 km, and except for a broken horn button, there has only been exchange of normal wear parts. It is a warm (yes, I have the petrol engine) and predictable car on winter roads.