Cardinal sin....

[12,000 RPM]

So...

Against better judgement, I bought a used Volkswagen.



I was set on something Japanese w/5 doors and decent gas mileage... but truthfully, after looking into it my heart was set on a Volkswagen. Specifically a Passat wagon. Either the B5 TDI, or the B6 2.0T. W/a budget of $10K I started looking.

Here was the problem.

In the TDI, after decades and decades of designing and making engines, VW forgot how to make an oil pump.

The Passat TDI sold in North America from 2004-2005 has a great engine, the BHW.  However, some cars have had worn oil pump hex drives, rounded sprockets, and failed chain tensioner/chains.  These are part of the oil pump/balance shaft assembly and any one of these will result in low or no oil pressure.  If you see a warning on the instrument cluster that says STOP - low oil pressure, shut off the engine as soon as is safe and pull over to the side of the road.  Do not risk getting into an accident to save the engine, always keep control of the car and concentrate on safe driving first.  Your second priority should be to pull over and shut the engine off as soon as is safe.  This tip also applies to any car.

...

Many Passat show excess chain noise and wear anywhere from 50,000-100,000+ miles.  Cars have broken the chains/tensioner as low as 65,000 miles.  This is just a range of cars that have been reported, diagnosed, and repaired.  The actual statistics on dealer repairs or failures is unknown and I've heard cars over 100,000 miles that, in my opinion as a non mechanic (most mechanics wouldn't recognize this sound and problem either), aren't noisy.  From what has been reported, noticeable noise/chain-tensioner wear/greater risk of breaking is around 60,000-150,000 miles.  Your case may vary.  The most obvious symptom is a rattling loose noise from the oil pan.  Unless you listen to a Passat TDI with a tight chain and one with a loose chain, it's hard to describe the difference other than rattling chain noise.  Below are some videos.

The ones in my price range were strangely well beyond these mileages (damn near in the 200K mile range) so this was out.

Then I thought about the B6 2.0T. Well in VWAG's eager embrace of DI, they apparently didn't do any high mileage or real world testing. Here is what happens when an engine only direct injection and a crankcase ventilation system operates in the real world:



Eventually the intake manifold and valves get caked over so much the engine either doesn't run right or stops running at all. So the B6 was out too.

Jetta Sportwagen was an idea but too expensive. So I settled on the Rabbit. Had to be a 5 door though and automatic as it will be wifey's car once we are fully settled. All in all though I am a fan and I guess a VW convert. Once this completes its service to us I am def considering a Tiguan or the B6 wagon... even if I have to get periodic valve cleaning done. I really like it though. It is smooth on the highway, has good steering feel and suspension response, and is way more luxurious inside than the other cars I was considering (Matrix, Spectra5, Mazda3).

[cawimmer430]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the "new" ride! 

[SVT666]

He isn't new Wims.

[Cookie Monster]

Welcome back, sporty. Didn't think I'd see you in a VW.

[hotrodalex]

Next thing you know, he'll be in a BMW.

[12,000 RPM]

Next thing you know, he'll be in a BMW.

Thats actually the plan. Everyone IRL who knows me and knows cars has wisely bet on me getting an E36. I am thinking, black on black 328i, stickshift of course. E46 330is are getting pretty cheap too but I was always kind of undecided on their looks. I think the 3 peaked aesthetically and proportionally with the E36.

[hotrodalex]

E46 M3s are my favorite. Obviously I like the sedans, too. E36s look too old for my tastes.

[Laconian]

Nice car, but why'd you stay on the VW path even after discovering multiple instances of their incompetence?

[cawimmer430]

He isn't new Wims.

Ah, it's Sporty! Why the name change?

[CALL_911]

Congratulations. Excellent choice.

[Rupert]

They all come back. EVERYONE COMES BACK.

Where are you living now, sporty?

[12,000 RPM]

Nice car, but why'd you stay on the VW path even after discovering multiple instances of their incompetence?

This is one of the few cars they got right. Plus Raza had a painless experience w/his Jetta, which outside of the motor is basically the same car. It was a gamble but not too much of one.

They all come back. EVERYONE COMES BACK.

Where are you living now, sporty?

I'm in Cornelius, NC, about 20 miles outside of Charlotte.

[Rupert]

Not bad, eh? Have you been to the Dragon yet?

[Vinsanity]

welcome back!

although it's a shame you didn't decide on the username "SportyGolf" (or "SportyGolfy"?)

[12,000 RPM]

Not bad, eh? Have you been to the Dragon yet?

Id rather play Russian Roulette. All these roads around here, no sense in hitting that up. I do need to fix my bike and get better gear though so I prob won't be riding much this summer.

[Rupert]

There are a ton of roads in the mountains around there that are supposed to be really good. Take the Rabolf some weekday. I know we have a bunch of people from that general area (Onslaught, JWC, BimmerM3, maybe others)...

[MexicoCityM3]

Nice ride man. What engine is in this car? The 2.5?

[Raza]

Hey, welcome back!  I had no idea it was you.  Your username should be RunRabbitRun or something like that. 

Congratulations on the Rabbit and finally getting out of NY.  You needed it.  If you've got the 170hp version of the 2.5, it's quite punchy around town, but a bit wheezy on the highway.  They're well built, well sorted, and fun cars.  Great compromise on comfort and handling.  I love my Z4, but I still miss my Jetta.

[Lebowski]

Nice wheels. I've always liked the looks of VWs, and the GTI and Rabbit in particular.

[Catman]

Good.....good

[Madman]

Welcome back and congrats on the new ride! 

What's your opinion on the 2.5 five-banger?  The VW geeks on the interwebz have nothing good to say about it but I want to hear from someone who has actually spent some time behind the wheel of one.  Oh, you did get a manual 'box, right? 

[12,000 RPM]

I grew a soft spot for this body VW since my friend got a 5 door GTI. That thing had punch, even with 4 adults over 5' 10" and the DSG box.

The 2.5 is great. It has the 6AT because it is primarily my wife's car. Even still though, it has punch, whether it's around town or on the highway. It will cruise at 90 w/o a sweat. I really prefer the engine note to a boring ass 4 banger too. It's kind of like a triple in the bike world. It's different, but in a good way. Plus it isn't plagued with the issues of the more popular VW engines. Anyone who "hates" this engine probably hasn't driven a car with it. I could see not preferring it, but HATE? Its one of the few mainstream lumps w/any semblance of character.

The car is pretty good. Not gonna take it into the mountains though. Really no need, and while it's good its not quite THAT good. I still have the bike.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Id rather play Russian Roulette. All these roads around here, no sense in hitting that up. I do need to fix my bike and get better gear though so I prob won't be riding much this summer.

Whats wrong with the bike?

[12,000 RPM]

Whats wrong with the bike?

Wiring issues. Gauges stopped working, and the whole streetfighter thing just looks sloppy. Stock gauges are expensive as shit so I am thinking about a Trail Tech unless I find a deal. Found CBR600F4i noses brand new w/headlights, fairing stays, mirrors etc for like $350 on Ebay so I think I'm gonna slap that on and call it a day. I've been meaning to clean up the nose for a while and now I finally have time to do it.

[LonghornTX]

Thats actually the plan. Everyone IRL who knows me and knows cars has wisely bet on me getting an E36. I am thinking, black on black 328i, stickshift of course. E46 330is are getting pretty cheap too but I was always kind of undecided on their looks. I think the 3 peaked aesthetically and proportionally with the E36.

Looks aside, the E46 is a much better car IMO, especially 330i form. I would shoot for a 330i Performance Package, easily one of my favorite "normal" BMWs ever made

[12,000 RPM]

330i ZHP is nice but prob gonna be outside my budget. Regular 330i doesn't give up much. And I can fine tune it to my preference w/mods.

[AutobahnSHO]

Nice!     

(I'm jealous of the sunroof..)

[FlatBlackCaddy]

330i ZHP is nice but prob gonna be outside my budget. Regular 330i doesn't give up much. And I can fine tune it to my preference w/mods.

I remember car shopping and coming across a nice ZHP, about a week later decided to look at it and it was gone. Hell of a deal(about 3 years ago), 2004(?) 330I zhp red with 60K on it for about 16,000.

Great cars.

[ifcar]

I grew a soft spot for this body VW since my friend got a 5 door GTI. That thing had punch, even with 4 adults over 5' 10" and the DSG box.

The 2.5 is great. It has the 6AT because it is primarily my wife's car. Even still though, it has punch, whether it's around town or on the highway. It will cruise at 90 w/o a sweat. I really prefer the engine note to a boring ass 4 banger too. It's kind of like a triple in the bike world. It's different, but in a good way. Plus it isn't plagued with the issues of the more popular VW engines. Anyone who "hates" this engine probably hasn't driven a car with it. I could see not preferring it, but HATE? Its one of the few mainstream lumps w/any semblance of character.

The car is pretty good. Not gonna take it into the mountains though. Really no need, and while it's good its not quite THAT good. I still have the bike.

Probably the biggest problem with the 2.5-liter is the gas mileage, which trails most other small cars. If that's not a problem, it should treat you well.

[12,000 RPM]

No replacement for displacement... though if this is what 2.5L gets you the competition must be pretty damn sluggish.