5th Dec 2013, 15:58

About the electronic components in both VW and Audi products.

The problem here is double, and it's really going to happen in all those vehicles at the specified age.

First, several electric components found in VW and Audi vehicles have a very complex design. I don't know the reason German engineers design such complex mechanisms, but the parts look very complicated, compared with other car manufacturers. It's not a matter of durability, it's simply that the German engineering school has a tendency of over-thinking things. I am a mechanical engineer and I can testify to that. Because of the complexity of the design, these parts are very expensive.

Second, the electric parts in these vehicles are designed to last about 7 to 8 years after the buying date. After a period of about 8 years, the electronic solders start breaking up, as well as some electronic components. It really is a designing philosophy the German engineers have. In opposition, in Japanese vehicles, the same parts are designed to last 12 years and more.

The day German engineers will spend some time among Japanese engineers to learn how to build less complex components and how to build more durable electronic circuits, the German vehicles will face a new era of reliability.

16th Feb 2014, 19:41

Original reviewer here. The Passat was sold (I was outside the country for a while) and I'm now driving a more recent Volvo. I remember I had to fix quite a few glitches with the Passat (which could be called a money pit if the owner would have brought the car to the VW dealer for repairs). At the end the car was still going strong engine/transmission wise at about 150000 miles.

I regret it, it was a comfortable and pleasant car to drive. I consider it quite superior to my S60 Volvo, in most aspects, except the engine and the sound system. It had better quality interior, better seats, better legroom, driving position, comfortable suspension and handling.

On the other side, the electronics were (much) less reliable in the Passat. But compared with the Volvo, it had a spirit and I do miss that.

26th Feb 2014, 17:36

Interesting comparison, as I too came from a Passat (1.8T) to a Volvo S60, and have almost the opposite reaction! I find the Volvo a far better car in every respect, other than the leg room/luggage area room, in which the Passat excelled.

Don't get me wrong, the Passat was a good car, but I find the Volvo far more comfortable, sounds great (5 cylinder engine) and very reliable. The safety is also in my mind. Both cars are almost class leaders, but the Volvo is just that little bit better in most areas.

10th Nov 2016, 14:51

Wow, looks like Americans should stay away from VWs. Hardly any positive reviews on VW in the US.

Are they assembled somewhere else, or does the government require some changes to make them suck, because if they were like the Passats in Europe, I doubt anyone would ever purchase an American car ever again.

Anyone in the US tried importing them directly from Germany? Better luck then?

I just don't understand the US/Europe differences when it comes to cars. For instance, a friend of mine got a Mercedes that has gone 800k, but no Americans that I know of have gotten near that amount.

Newer American cars are generally considered bad here, but in the US, they seem to dig em. How come? Do European countries and the US have some secret, corrupt hatred for each other causing them to ruin each other's products?

10th Nov 2016, 22:13

In general the USA VWs were built in South America, though not all of them. German built VWs we get in Europe have a far better quality control it seems.

As for your other point, people are passionate about their cars from their own country, and that's understandable. I don't think there is any corrupt conspiracy though - I've had countless cars from various manufacturers from all over the world and I live in the UK - Fords and Vauxhalls (Vauxhall is GM built United Kingdom cars for you USA readers) and VWs as well, mostly family/executive saloons, and all ran to very high mileages if cared for without major issue, and I found them all to be comfortable and reliable good performing cars.