Passat Estate (4Motion) Sport 140 TDI

[ANN_374233635]

Thinking of buying above car, either as standard or 4Motion estate version, to pull Bailey Senator Indiana (loaded to 1450kg). Grateful for comments on either vehicle, likely mpg (solo and towing), and what actual kerbweight is in real use (as much debate ref VW brochure weights, which quote unladen of 1510kg for S/SE/Sport, or 1609kg for 4Motion Sport). Thanks in advance.

Ann & John

 

[DavidW1]

Hi Ann & John,

Presumambly you have read PC mags supplememnt last month? In case you didn't catch it the 4 Motion was voted tcoy - most of your questions are answered in the write up I would have thought.

The tow mpg is given as 25-28 based on owner feedback and PC agree with the 1609kg figure which would make for a 90% ratio at your van loading or 93% if you use the MPTLM

 

[Angus1]

Hi Ann & John,

Can`t help with the 4-motion, but I`ve run a 140TDI Sport Estate for 14 months (26k).

We tow an Elddis Avante 524 Lux with absolutely no problems, average about between 25 and 28 towing and get between 35 and 45 solo depending upon whether its just local running or longer distances.

Stability is absolutely no problem, and for some reason the loathsome electronic handbrake works as it should with the van on.

I`m a bit heavy on tyres, the fronts struggled to 14k before being classed as racing slicks, and the interiors are more prone to the odd rattle than the earlier models, but still better than the competition.

Mine weighs 1720 kgs with me in it, in normal running trim.

If I can help with anything else, let me know.

Angus

 

[Bryn1]

According VW's June 2006 Passat estate brochure which I have here the unladen weight (without driver) of the SE or Sport 2 litre TDI 140 is 1715kg, and the 4MOTION version weighs 1814kg.

The 170bhp version is better for towing surely? We nearly bought one last week, also with an Indiana in mind.

Bryn

 

[ANN_374233635]

According VW's June 2006 Passat estate brochure which I have here the unladen weight (without driver) of the SE or Sport 2 litre TDI 140 is 1715kg, and the 4MOTION version weighs 1814kg.

The 170bhp version is better for towing surely? We nearly bought one last week, also with an Indiana in mind.

Bryn

Hi Bryn

we were advised not to buy 170 bhp model, as this is fitted with Diesel Particulate Filter, which can "clog up" unless vehicle does reasonable daily mileage (my commute is 10 miles each way). Motorway runs will mean car operates at higher temp and burns off particulates - or so said the sales guy. But previous VW dealer we saw said nothing ! Thanks for your help.

Ann & John

 

[Herv]

Hello Ann and John,

I have the 170bhp TDI Estate and it is great. I get the same mileage as one of the previous contributors (25/28 towing, 38/45 solo). The van in tow is loaded to about 1400kgs and sometimes I have to remind myself that it is behind the car. It is worth noting that I got the self-levelling suspension fitted as an option, and I would recommend it (not available on cars fitted with sports suspension).

Yes the 170 engine has a DPF. But I have yet to see the light coming on, despite regular short runs.

I hope this helps.

 

[jddev]

Hi

Does anyone have the old shape type of this car?

I would be interested to know your thoughts & what weight van you tow.

Cheers for now

 

[ANN_374233635]

Thanks for your replies - have just acquired a 140 bhp Passat Sport Estate 4-motion. Haven't towed yet, but worried about clearance between towball and bumper of car. Alko say that min clearance is 67 mm between car and centre of the towball for AKS 2004 tow hitch - we have about 72 mm (swan neck towbar, VW supplied/fitted). I don't want to carve up the bumper when on full lock. What clearance do you have on your Passat Estate between the bumper and the centre of the towball ?

Thanks in advance.

Ann

 

[RogerL]

Your 72mm is greater than Al-Ko's minimum of 67mm so you should be ok.

 

[Guest]

Hi Julian

I have a 2004 Passat 130 Sport TDi, 6 speed. We tow a Bailey 460/2 MTPLM 1131 kg with ease. It is a fabulous all round car. However i wouldn't buy another, having had numerous very expensive problems with the car (73k) I don't say this lightly as an avid VW fan. However the Passat B5 model as its known has been a real problem car for many owners - see Passat forums. In the last 6 months i have spent

 

[Angus1]

As well as the B6 140 Sport Estate, t`other half runs my old company car which is a B5.5 130TDI Sport.

It has somewhere over 130k on the clock runs like superb and has needed a battery and a rear door lock (original battery did over 6 years).

Its quick, quiet and comfortable, and against the new one is in the next county whilst the current model is still waiting for the turbo to hit its power band. The gearing and power characteristics mean it is far easier to get the van off the line (especially hill-starts) and you dont have the loathsome electronic handbrake to contend with.Its also 3 to 5 mpg better when towing.

Despite this, I use the 140 for towing.

Why? My boss pays for the fuel.

No brainer, really.

 

[peter_374235415]

As well as the B6 140 Sport Estate, t`other half runs my old company car which is a B5.5 130TDI Sport.

It has somewhere over 130k on the clock runs like superb and has needed a battery and a rear door lock (original battery did over 6 years).

Its quick, quiet and comfortable, and against the new one is in the next county whilst the current model is still waiting for the turbo to hit its power band. The gearing and power characteristics mean it is far easier to get the van off the line (especially hill-starts) and you dont have the loathsome electronic handbrake to contend with.Its also 3 to 5 mpg better when towing.

Despite this, I use the 140 for towing.

Why? My boss pays for the fuel.

No brainer, really.

I'm lucky in that I've had both! A B5.5 1.9 TDI 4 motion and a new (56 plate) 2.0 TDI 170 sport. Both cars pulled my swift charisma 565 great but were slightly different. The 4 motion was probably more stable and great in the wet or muddy field condition however the 170 sport pulls effortlessly but does tend to wheel spin in the wet when pulling up hill. Overall the B5.5 was better built but the B6 is far more pleasurable to drive with loads of power. I do miss the leather and heated seat in the B6 though! Both cars are/were great and there are alot of people out there who have had good and bad experiences of these cars. I must remain on the positive side though and think the passat is a great all round vehicle. Last year on a trip down to poole (250+ miles) I averaged 38 MPG in the B6.

 

[peter_374235415]

I'm lucky in that I've had both! A B5.5 1.9 TDI 4 motion and a new (56 plate) 2.0 TDI 170 sport. Both cars pulled my swift charisma 565 great but were slightly different. The 4 motion was probably more stable and great in the wet or muddy field condition however the 170 sport pulls effortlessly but does tend to wheel spin in the wet when pulling up hill. Overall the B5.5 was better built but the B6 is far more pleasurable to drive with loads of power. I do miss the leather and heated seat in the B6 though! Both cars are/were great and there are alot of people out there who have had good and bad experiences of these cars. I must remain on the positive side though and think the passat is a great all round vehicle. Last year on a trip down to poole (250+ miles) I averaged 38 MPG in the B6.

 

[Ian_5040589]

Julian,

We have the saloon version of the old model - 2003 reg. Its a first class tow car and I'd recommend it to anyone.

We tow a Swift Challenger which weighs in at 88% of the cars 1695kg kerbweight.

Stability is fantastic and (touch wood) other than servicing costs it hasn't cost a penny in repairs (although its only covered 21000 miles). Mpg tends to average around 30-34 towing 50 upwards without (45ish around town).

 

[Angus1]

Interesting week so I thought I`d re-visit this thread.

Wifes Passat (B5.5 130TDI Sport) needed a couple of tyres so I had a run out Friday evening to Costco for a couple of Michelins.

What a fabulous car! Still my favorite ever for a variety of reasons, and SO much more responsive and quieter than the TDI140 Sport Estate I have now. Hadn`t driven it for probably a year so I`d forgotton how good (despite the now 133k its done) it is. Went for its test yesterday and flew through needing a sidelight bulb (which I was aware of).

Back to mine though. We bought two at work, both Passat 140 TDI Sport Estaes, on the same day, same spec, same colour. Quite apart from the rattles (just not built like the older ones, and the plastics are inferior), the sister vehicle went in for its first service at 18k, and then went back the following day to have a new engine fitted.

Mine has done 30k, and travelling down the M1 on Monday (not rushing, steady 75-78 mph) we get a sudden BEEP!, oil light comes on with "ENGINE STOP" on the computer. Total loss of oil pressure, rattling like a bag of spanners. I get it ecovered back to the dealers (thanks Mr AA, who tells me he sees a lot of these also on Seats & Skodas with the same unit), book it in and the workshop manager is about to walk out to have a look, as I tell him which car it is he asks "a 140?". I reply in the affirmative, he does a 360 and doesn`t even bother looking at the car.

It would appear to be a known fault with a batch of idler gears driving the oil pump off the camshaft ( I think, I wasnt really that bothered) which have a problem with the case hardening. Obviously this will be rectifield under warranty, but if I was a private motorist doing say 8k a year, the car would be out of warranty when the engine went `bang`, yet there is no recall.

So buy with caution out there!

Or just get a B5.5 which is a nicer car anyway.