VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Saloon 1996‑2005

This is the second W8 Passat I have owned. I guess I'm addicted ?

The W8 is powered by an eight-cylinder, 270 bhp, 4 litre engine.

The model is very rare indeed. When new it was priced (almost ten years ago) at £35k. Unsurprisingly, few were sold in the UK at this price, perhaps c. 216 of which c. 155 presently remain on the road.

My current 2003 W8 I bought with 50k miles on the clock for £5k.

Following a technical inspection I needed to spend another £3k on repairs to its brakes and cooling system.

Since then I have needed to replace the gear-box on the car, this included the torque-convertor. This cost £4k.

Because of the tight fit of the W8 engine in its compartment, any significant repair requires the engine be lifted out, this adds considerable servicing hours to what should be minor repairs.

Clearly from a strict financial perspective it is madness to have spent £12k on a car with a street value of £5k.

However, the W8 provides a unique driving experience, powerful, quiet, with 0 to 60 in under 7 seconds. The top speed of the car is electronically limited to c. 155 mph.

The car idles at c. 500 rpm. At 70 mph the car cruises at 2,000 rpm, i.e. one-third of its max 6,000 rpm.

The car is immensely powerful and quiet. Its permanent 4WD means that its 270 bhp never causes wheel slip, no matter how wet the road. Snow is not a problem, especially when fitted with Michelin winter tyres.

On motorway journeys I get 31 mpg, around town this falls to c. 12 to 15 mpg.

However, the car was designed as a fast autobahn cruiser, not for a shopping trip to Tesco's.

Would I advise you to get a W8 ? Only if you can pick up a low mileage model. Certainly get a technical report on the car.

Have the satisfaction of driving a superb and rare eight-cylnder 4WD machine in under-stated clothing. But be prepared for high costs in fuel consumption and parting with big bucks if something significant goes wrong. Taking out an extended warranty policy is advisable (if you can get one).

I have checked several cars suitable for an average family, and this car suits me the best. Built to last, and good value for money.

WHAT A FANTASTIC CAR, 100% RELIABLE, DECENT ON FUEL 40 MPG ON A RUN, BIG SOLID & ROOMY, COMFY & QUIET, PLENTY OF POWER, HAD CAR 18 MONTHS & HAS BEEN FAULTLESS, CAR NOW 10 YEARS OLD BUT ONLY DONE 27K SO STILL FEELS TIGHT & BRAND NEW, IN MY OPINION ITS THE BEST CAR VW HAVE MADE. BULLETPROOF.

My second passat b5 and once again no disapointments at all. Being a highline model i get full spec including heated leather and cruise control.

Great for family as even the middle rear seat can be sat by a adult and returning 47MPG on my 30 mile a day journey.

I Bought this car with 139k miles and within 6 months it has 155k and not even lifted the bonnet with the engine pulling like i first bought it.

If your looking for a trusty reliable and safe car then the tdi 130 passat is the one.

Definately shouldn't be called Sport 1.8 20v delivers 125bhp but still seems slugish.

25mpg/urban...rather bad

40mpg/extra urban

Good quality material as its VW.

Main wasnt to reliable at 125k head gasket has gone

but rest of it worked complitly fine.

Cheap to buy thise days so worth to have a look at.

I bought my Passat when it was 11 months old and done 14000 miles. It looked superb in the show room and still looks good after 6 more years. The paint work has been superb. It is a treat to drive and a great motorway car. The economy is wonderfull for such a large car and I have got a combined urban and rural mpg of 49 miles. I have used it mainly for trips to and from my golf course which is 20 miles away and trips to the gym across town about 5 miles away. We have driven to France in it a couple of times. The running costs have been reasonable in my view and have had no major expense outside the warranty period. I have always had it serviced at the local VW agents.

Used this car for 4 years now and has never given me even a single issue. Very reliable car. Sold it as my family was growing and need more space - other than that I find nothing to complain.

Its been a pleasure to drive this car, feels great and quite nippy and does not feel its size at all.

My only issue was the fuel costs this car drank petrol like it was on red bull.

off setting this is that the sport has an unbelievable array of kit for its age, if you like perks this car is a dream to drive and the engine is bullet proof even at 12 years old this car drives smooth and really fast with ease.

Really Smooth and quiet to drive with that silky V6 petrol engine. Overtaking less effort.

Gear change is smooth and precise and the handling is well balanced.

The four wheel drive system is beatuiful in the snow and the car feels permanently stuck to the road.

Driving the car within the city is really thirsty with the fuel consumption. however what would one expert, it is a big engine.

Overall it is a wounderful car to live with. Never feel tired after a long drive. The sound or the engine, ride and the re-assurance of a 4 wheel drive system makes the drive very pleasureable.

Purchased the Passat with over 149K on the clock and was a bit reluctant to hand over the cash 4 years ago in 2007 because of the high miles.

I had no need to be concerned, its now just clocked over the 256K mark and still starting and running like it was new.

This car has original exhaust, wheel bearings, paintwork etc.

Had to replace: Battery, Cam belts and filters (as per service book), front and rear brakes and discs, front suspension upper arms, tyres, heated mirrors, centre armrest catch, windscreen wipers, bulbs etc.

Climate control re-gassed.

Fuel economy is unbelievable, averaging 800 miles per tank of fuel (£90) Started in all weather. Has not missed a beat in 4 years. Will cruise all day at 2500 RPM (75MPH)