Qualität Passat 3B und A4 als Gebrauchtwagen | Beiträge 16+

Hey,

You should only buy older A4s if their front suspension has already been replaced. Otherwise, you could end up wasting a lot of money. This also applies to the 3B, which, while having more space, has a pretty poor build quality in the versions you prefer. It seems to have improved after the facelift.

I can recommend the A6, as it's built to last, but it will cost more to maintain. The road tax is still manageable (assuming it has a catalytic converter), but insurance is not very cheap.

Regarding the timing belt replacement, it's almost as expensive as replacing the 6-cylinder engine (around €1100 at VW if you also replace the tensioner and water pump, which is recommended given the current quality of replacement parts). Otherwise, it's a very solid and fuel-efficient car to drive, if you put in the effort. However, there are also some people on this forum who have had their own problems with it...

Best regards from Berlin,
Olli

I appreciate your feedback on this topic.

@Olli
Are there any recalls for the 3B and A4 regarding the front axle? Since they are essentially the same.
Are you also driving an AEL? The insurance company... well, it's okay. It's somewhat similar to the one Passat/A4 with a 150PS V6 TDI. You just have to weigh whether it's worth it.
What I'm most interested in are the potential repair costs, because that's unpredictable and often expensive. I can factor in a more expensive insurance policy.
The AELs all have Euro2, at least the models I prefer, namely the 96 models.
I've already searched for AELs in this forum. However, I believe that you'll find relatively little information about them. It seems they are quite robust.

For me, it's also important that I can drive the car for at least 4 years, or even 5. That's why I'm asking all these questions.

Hello.

I can recommend the 3B as a used car. It is also fully galvanized, like the A4.

The only problem is the front axle, just like on the A4.

The current recall only applies to the lower suspension and steering arm, if it rattles at the top, you're out of luck with the dealership, it doesn't fall under this. Oh, and you don't replace it automatically, but only if it's already in disrepair.

Great recall action by VW!!!

How long the original axle lasts, you can't say without a crystal ball. I've heard of some lasting only 30,000 km, mine lasted 155,000 km, while others last forever.

Best regards!
[b]

Hi,

Regarding reliability, the A6/C4 is definitely a good choice. My car had a minor issue with worn front wheel bearings (around 180,000 km) and, of course, the standard VW/Audi problem of faulty front brake lines after 6 years. Otherwise, it only needed a timing belt change. Small issues always crop up, such as a completely worn-out hose for the pressure sensor, which is located in a particularly inconvenient spot next to the AGR valve, but nothing serious. The wear and tear parts also seem to be of quite good quality; the exhaust is still the original (now 260,000 km); I proactively replaced the shock absorbers after 200,000 km, as well as the battery before the last winter. Oh, by the way, the clutch was replaced at 230,000 km, but it wasn't really necessary; it was just a good opportunity.

However, there is one common issue with the 5-cylinder engines, and it's the vacuum pump. These things make a similar noise to faulty hydraulic lifters; sometimes, replacing just the drive lifter is enough, other times, the entire pump needs to be replaced. This doesn't affect the function, but it can be a bit annoying if you feel like there's a clattering sound coming from the engine bay :)

Based on what I've read about the V6s, I think the 5-cylinder is the better choice, especially for used cars in the €10,000 range, with comparable mileage.

The build quality seems to be significantly better than VW; we have a 3B as a company car (only driven by one person); it's certainly a good compromise in terms of cost/benefit, but I've never experienced so many minor and major problems with new cars. Starting with falling rear window cranks, noisy front axle, the infamous LMM problem, faulty shock absorbers after 25,000 km, completely broken dashboard, etc. The 35i was even better; somehow, these things always remind me of the OmegaA, which I drove before the A6.

Of course, it's possible that I've just caught a rare case, but I think you can still get 4 to 6 more years out of an 8-year-old A6, even if it's not always driven at the maximum power output or has been modified by a previous owner, without incurring significant repair costs or having the car become unreliable.

Olli

[quote='olli']
Especially the processing seems much better than with VW; we now have the 3B as a company car (only single driver); certainly a good compromise in terms of cost/benefit, but I have never experienced so many small and large problems with new cars. Starting with falling rear window cranks, clunking front axle, the annoying LMM problem, defective shock absorbers after 25,000 km on the rear, completely failed dashboard etc.). Even the 35i was better; somehow these things always remind me of the OmegaA, which I drove before the A6.
Okay, I understand. Please provide the German text you want me to translate. I will translate only the readable text, leaving the HTML tags, BBCode tags, and URLs as they are.
This seems to be more the exception than the rule.
My two 3B models (both variants - both AFN - first purchased in 2/98 at 130Tkm and sold at 200Tkm, and currently purchased in 6/98 at 57Tkm, currently 240Tkm) actually only had the typical Passat problems: LMM / Front axle / Windscreen wiper linkage + a few other minor issues, but nothing major.

AFN is a super engine: economical / goes very well / without problems.

I will probably buy a Passat Variant again soon (now probably a 3BG with AWX).

Hi,
I just didn't want to get too close
I meant the sum of the small problems that I find extremely annoying, especially when I invest a certain amount of Euros in a vehicle and then experience these issues. And it's not just the employee I have to send to the workshop because of a faulty window regulator (we've had this issue with two out of the three so far). Of course, everything is covered by warranty, but it's still unnecessary.
The spectacular failures can occur anywhere, and it's usually not related to the processing quality, but rather the frequent minor issues that people complain about.
At least I do.
I hope your cars are better.

Best regards from Berlin,
Olli

Then the C4 seems to be a highly recommended car, as most people say. Does the air conditioning pump make noises? I know that from my 1Z, it always made a buzzing and rumbling sound every time I was braking while stationary...

The autobild.de report on the Passat 3B up to 2000 basically says the same thing that you have also noticed. That's why I had already expressed doubts earlier about whether the Passat is the right car for me. But since I also value the service history, I should be able to easily understand any repairs on such a vehicle.

We'll see.

[quote='olli']Hi,
I didn't want to get too close
[/quote]

The forums are there for discussion - and there you'll naturally find different opinions

[quote='olli']The 35i was even better; they reminded me of the OmegaA, which I drove before the A6.[/quote]
Hopefully, now in a positive way. The 35i can be talked about endlessly, but as long as you want, the cars will hold up.

Best regards, WarLord

Hi,

Of course, only in the best sense of the word , although it doesn't quite match the 32B in terms of robustness and durability. (Although, at least, I had to be convinced by my wife that it's no longer a modern car, so we've had a 35i for some time, although it's a petrol engine in the family) I gave the 32B to our apprentice, and I'm sure he'll finally retire it when there are no more spare parts available (or when the oil consumption exceeds the fuel consumption :)

Best regards,
Olli

Based on what I've read, the 35i is more durable than the 3b, but the quality improved with the successor of the 3b (which is the 3bg, right?) starting in 2000.

I haven't made a decision yet. However, the 3b is currently out of the running due to the problems with the front axle, and the A4 also seems to have the same issues. I'll see what I ultimately decide. The Audi would be very appealing, but it has a very high insurance and replacement part cost :(

I'll also be looking at a 1996 35i Variant AFN.

Thanks again for all the tips!

@Olli
Hast du die Möglichkeit, den AAT und den AEL zu fahren? Der AAT ist ein 2,5-Liter-Motor mit 116 PS und 265 Nm.

@olli

Hmm, I can't really see any negatives (35i vs. 32b). They both seem pretty robust.

@x world one

Hmm, 96 variant with AFN? Forget about it, you'd only get them at an overprice (since they're rare).

Regarding the durability of the 3B: I haven't read anything quite as negative about it. While the 35i does seem more robust (at least from the appearance), it's not as bad as the 3B is being portrayed (in the 3B community, someone has over 400,000 km and excellent condition).

Best regards,
WarLord

Hi,

@x world one
I have very little experience with AAT, I was just along for the ride. Basically, it's the same machine, but it was only available with the 6-speed gearbox at an extra cost, so the engine speed on the highway should be a bit higher.

For comparison: at 120 km/h in 6th gear, the engine reaches just over 2200 rpm according to the tachometer and is barely audible :)

Best regards,
Olli

@warlord

hm, I guess it's a matter of personal preference. Just give it a try
The 35i models are really rare with low mileage, but good 3B models are also available.

@Olli
I'd be interested in hearing your subjective opinion on the performance difference. While the torque difference is relatively small, the 6-speed transmission is definitely nice. I probably only drive on the highway about once a year, and maybe 20km for a quick burst of speed
I drive about 70% on country roads.

Hey,

I was thinking about buying a 35i. It was presented by VW as a space marvel back then, but it unfortunately feels like a blown-up small car inside. This is due to the high seating position, where the steering wheel is always too far away and the pedals are too close, as well as the seats being far too short. Unfortunately, our company cars didn't have adjustable steering wheels. As for durability, well... With higher mileage, the suspension becomes mushy even with intact shock absorbers. Without air conditioning, the car is already unpleasant, especially as a petrol engine, and the windows let in a lot of sunlight. And if it's already unbearable, it also heats up nicely from the floor pan. With the older models with the "nose hole" (which were also called 35i?), the entire body eventually becomes soft, as seen in our tests and in Auto Bild.