Faults:

Engine failure due to oil pump failure. Car had oil pump replaced around 57,000 miles. There was no sludge problem like other 1.8 turbos. My mechanic says he has encountered many of these and there is a major problem with the screen or the pumps which leads to engine failure. I maintained the car by changing the oil every 3-5,000 miles and had all service performed at the dealer except the occasional oil change. VW of America will do nothing for me due to the mileage. Do all the research on this car before buying!!! Many other people have had the same problem!!! Buyer BEWARE!!!

General Comments:

Car is great to drive, awful to maintain. I bought this car to drive for its useful life, but didn't envision it would be only 2 1/2 years!!!

Faults:

Turbo waste gate bypass valve went out at 40000

Left Front wheel bearing at 45000

Right front axle boot at 45000

Several fuses - various mileage

Vacuum hose failure - 92000

Gross fogging of windows - 97000.

General Comments:

This car is a blast to drive, but a nightmare to maintain.

I am currently troubleshooting why the heck all the windows fog up from the inside. I think it is either a leaking heater core or failure of Pollen Filter Gasket.

Faults:

Outer CV Boots.

General Comments:

Reflex silver exterior, black leather interior. The best car I have ever owned. The fit and finish is excellent, probably the best interior ever built for a non-luxury vehicle. The quality of the construction is unbelievable, right down to the reflection of light off the paint to the difference in how it feels to close a door or a trunk or open a storage compartment vs. other cars. The styling is classic beautiful German, the V6 is adequate, but certainly not nearly as performing as a Nissan Altima. It is so quiet to drive, handling is above average. Bought as a certified pre-owned off lease. Leather seats and moonroof make it all the better. The new 2006 B6 has one advantage only and that is a powerful stock 2.0L engine, otherwise if the other things are important vs. power, buy a used B5.5.

Faults:

Head lights replaced 3 times before 10K

Radio replaced electric problems

Rear brakes/rotors replaced before 30k

Parking brake handle falling apart.

General Comments:

The car is very fun to drive in typical VW fashion.

However the reliability issues concern me.

The car dealership told me I had a monsoon stereo (which I paid extra for) After a few thousand miles I learned that it wasn't and went back to dealership to get the correct radio.

The radio then proceeded to go haywire and required replacement.

The dealership charges way too much for such underhanded, poor service.

In general the car has been a joy to drive.

The design of the car is excellent, it's too bad it wasn't implemented better.