I've been looking at getting a passat B5/5.5 recently.

The octavia just isn't large enough to have me in the passenger seat up front and a decent sized baby seat behind.

The current one just about fits with my knees up against the dashboard (and a larger boot might be nice).

 

Has anyone got any experience with the B5/5.5?

Thoughts on costs of buying a car with 110k,150k, 180k on the clock?

 

Front arches rusting is also apparently an issue?

 

I see 2 that I might possibly consider.

One in leeds which looks nice (the odd scrape is fine, so long as it isn't rusting.. but this is on the arches).

One a bit more local but only a year of MOT history showing up online makes me a tad suspicious.

Simples...buy a Superb MK1. Stupid cheap now and loads of toys/room. Best bet is to look in the Superb section of the site for details of issues. Mainly blocked drains causing issues with the convenience unit. Same as the Passat.

Issue I have with the superb is that mk1's don't come in estate/hatch. I need the larger boot as it comes in handy for moving.

No way I could get some of the things I need into a saloon opening.

I considered a b5 when i was getting my octy 4yrs ago. I like that the passat boot maybe a smidge bigger than the octy, but... you only that little saloon bit opening.

ive got stuff in the octavia that would never fit in a passat because of it - washing machines, an enormous kennel, sofas.. one of main reasons my "potential replacement" shortlist is so short....

the passat i drove felt tight as a drum, at 9yrs old - 2003 in 2012. But it didnt feel all that much bigger inside than the octy. Thus the octy won me and ive never looked back.

Edit - just opened the links, and realised your looking at estates so my boot opening point is pretty void!!

Edited 17 December, 201510 yr by mac11irl

I considered a b5 when i was getting my octy 4yrs ago. I like that the passat boot maybe a smidge bigger than the octy, but... you only that little saloon bit opening.

ive got stuff in the octavia that would never fit in a passat because of it - washing machines, an enormous kennel, sofas.. one of main reasons my "potential replacement" shortlist is so short....

the passat i drove felt tight as a drum, at 9yrs old - 2003 in 2012. But it didnt feel all that much bigger inside than the octy. Thus the octy won me and ive never looked back.

Edit - just opened the links, and realised your looking at estates so my boot opening point is pretty void!!

 

I just realised now that I never stated I was looking JUST at estates. I'll update the OP now

edit: never mind.. I can't update it :(

 

I am just looking at estates.

Edited 17 December, 201510 yr by bspman

I had a b5.5 and wouldn't have another.

 

The boot leaked like a sieve and no-one could stop it. We suspected it was the rear light clusters, but couldn't fix it.

 

They have a terrible history for bulk-head leaks, which means a wet passenger foot well and corroded control units (not a cheap fix)

 

Mine was the 105bhp 1.9 PD, and the engine was even more agricultural than the 2.0 PD in the Octavia.

 

The suspension is just too soft for such a large barge and steered like an oil tanker.

 

Mine ate front wishbones/bushes for fun.

 

The airbox decided to lunch itself

 

The aux belt tensioners are just not up to the job.

I had a b5.5 and wouldn't have another.

 

The boot leaked like a sieve and no-one could stop it. We suspected it was the rear light clusters, but couldn't fix it.

 

They have a terrible history for bulk-head leaks, which means a wet passenger foot well and corroded control units (not a cheap fix)

 

Mine was the 105bhp 1.9 PD, and the engine was even more agricultural than the 2.0 PD in the Octavia.

 

The suspension is just too soft for such a large barge and steered like an oil tanker.

 

Mine ate front wishbones/bushes for fun.

 

The airbox decided to lunch itself

 

The aux belt tensioners are just not up to the job.

 

Can I ask what you mean about the tensioners?

 

Rest of the points I can live with/fix.

I have had my Passat highline (130bhp) b5.5 for 10 years.

 

Like others have said they are not without issue. Points one and two are major failings in the design of the car the others I think are just age related and I might get them fixed if I decide to keep the car for another couple of years.

 

1. I have had the front wings replaced under warranty. Walk away if they have not been replaced. Its not worth the fight with VW and the car might be outwith the 12 years corrosion warranty anyway. 

2. I have had the dreaded water issue had to have the comfort control module replaced about 3 years ago. (not cheap) I removed the drain plugs and check for water in the bulkhead at least once a week. 

3. Currently have a issue with water ingress to the drivers rear footwell and traced to the driver's door. Going to seal the door currently have duct tape along the bottom of the door at the moment.

4. Check all the doors open and close with the key fob. Mines have started to stick open or won't close. Open and close the doors a few times.

5. If the car has rear parking sensors check them as mine are starting to fail.

6. Headlamps can cloud and will eventually fail the MOT. Mines have been steadily getting worse over the last 2 years. 

 

Outwith with this it probably costs me about £130 for a service (VW specialist)  and £50 for a MOT. The car has cost me a further £100/300 a year for the last 3 years for wear and tear items radiator, springs, both front driver and passenger window regulators, boot lock module.

 

If you are going for one make sure the car has an excellent service history and that the timing belt and water pump have been done at the correct intervals with receipts (if possible). Also press every button (twice) and check the climate control blows cold and hot.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited 17 December, 201510 yr by bhoywonder

I have had my Passat highline (130bhp) b5.5 for 10 years.

 

Like others have said they are not without issue. Points one and two are major failings in the design of the car the others I think are just age related and I might get them fixed if I decide to keep the car for another couple of years.

 

1. I have had the front wings replaced under warranty. Walk away if they have not been replaced. Its not worth the fight with VW and the car might be outwith the 12 years corrosion warranty anyway. 

2. I have had the dreaded water issue had to have the comfort control module replaced about 3 years ago. (not cheap) I removed the drain plugs and check for water in the bulkhead at least once a week. 

3. Currently have a issue with water ingress to the drivers rear footwell and traced to the driver's door. Going to seal the door currently have duct tape along the bottom of the door at the moment.

4. Check all the doors open and close with the key fob. Mines have started to stick open or won't close. Open and close the doors a few times.

5. If the car has rear parking sensors check them as mine are starting to fail.

6. Headlamps can cloud and will eventually fail the MOT. Mines have been steadily getting worse over the last 2 years. 

 

Outwith with this it probably costs me about £130 for a service (VW specialist)  and £50 for a MOT. The car has cost me a further £100/300 a year for the last 3 years for wear and tear items radiator, springs, both front driver and passenger window regulators, boot lock module.

 

If you are going for one make sure the car has an excellent service history and that the timing belt and water pump have been done at the correct intervals with receipts (if possible). Also press every button (twice) and check the climate control blows cold and hot.

 

Hope this helps.

 

2 I get, worth checking under your battery tray as well. remove the rubber bung!

1 I wasn't aware of thanks for that!

I just thought the wings rusted and needed replacement.

I first had a 1999 B5 estate 110bhp which I took to 215k miles, this one needed a new climate control unit and head gasket, then a B5.5 SE TDI 130 saloon followed by two B5.5 estates, both TDI 130, the first a basic S model then finally a Sport model. The TDI 130 are definitely the one to go for, I still miss the low down torque even compared to my newer 2.0 TDI 140's in both PD and CR guises, and if you can get a Sport spec it has a six speed box (assuming you are after a manual gearbox), all the others were 5 speed.

All of them had well over 150K miles on the clock when we sold them, never had the wings replaced on any of them as they never needed them, no sign of them ever rusting, we did have one which suffered the dreaded water leak into the passenger foot well, one had a replacement radiator, and apart from that they were great cars. We did spend a bit on routine maintenance but found a great independent VW specialist very near to us who knew them inside out.

As said here previously look for one with a good history with a stack of maintenance bills, very few owners, and if it feels right and looks right get it checked out for finance etc, maybe even an independent inspection. There are many to choose from on Autotrader & Ebay etc so take your time and wait for the right one to come along.

In my view a very sad day when they went out of production, fantastic cars.

 

One word of warning, they hide their mileage very well, I've recently checked on the MOT checker website https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history and found two of the cars we had now have considerably less mileage registering than when we sold them, one has over 100k miles less so someone somewhere has been a bit naughty.

2 I get, worth checking under your battery tray as well. remove the rubber bung!

1 I wasn't aware of thanks for that!

I just thought the wings rusted and needed replacement.

I can only echo what others had said and the above is sound advice.

Had a 2.0 20valve sport for about 10 years and it was faultless it all that time, well apart from consumables, exhaust etc.

Wings are an issue, I believe the plastic inner arch rubs on the wing, causing it to start rusting.

Cambelt tensioners seem to pick up some crud on the face of the wheel and are worth replacing with the cam belt and water pump.

Check the drain points under the battery and the one on the drivers side, I found a wire from some net curtains is enough to unblock it without having to remove the battery.

Check the trim under the windscreen for splits, easy to damage it when removing the battery and will cause wet feet in the car, less than £20 from the dealers.

Mine was a great car, did loads of miles in it and never let me down once. Quiter than the octavia to drive too.

Edited 19 December, 201510 yr by TK699

 

One word of warning, they hide their mileage very well, I've recently checked on the MOT checker website https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history and found two of the cars we had now have considerably less mileage registering than when we sold them, one has over 100k miles less so someone somewhere has been a bit naughty.

 

This is terrifying!

 

Thanks for the advice all.

I was looking at a TDI Sport, but been advised that if I want to go over speed bumps - best to get something else!

 

Looking at the highline/trendline specs now.

Keeping it 130 BHP.

noted on the tensioners and under windscreen trim.

I may wait until next year as I imagine there are a lot of people that are very busy at the moment

 

I found this one which looks quite nice, but rather pricey. Rear right light fixture would need replacing though.

 

Convinced it's not the best one to buy at that price and I suppose I have time to be patient.

Edited 19 December, 201510 yr by bspman

Those "Leeds" and "local" links show the same car?

Had a B5 110TDI (AFN) estate, which I sold to a mate four years ago and it hasn't missed a beat since - nor in the six years I owned it prior to that.

 

Time might have changed things, but the older 110's pre-dating the PD's had a much simpler fuel system, which was less prone to problems.  I'd have another one without hesitation if I were on the lookout.  Probably wouldn't have a 5.5 though.

 

I did the pollen filter, plenum chamber bungs and kept the pinch bolts freed up.  The only thing I had to change was the electric radiator fan which had got embarrassingly noisy.

 

Stonking good cars if you ask me.

 

Gaz

The octavia just isn't large enough to have me in the passenger seat up front and a decent sized baby seat behind.

The current one just about fits with my knees up against the dashboard (and a larger boot might be nice).

 

Having been in this position once upon a time (or should I say three times) can I put in my two penneth?.  The period of time when a child is in a rear facing seat is relatively short in the big scheme of things.  We simply put up with a bit of discomfort for a few months and then when the little one went into a forward facing seat the issue went away. Saved the hassle of changing cars but if you want a change anyway then ignore the post.

Edited 20 December, 201510 yr by skinnyman

Those "Leeds" and "local" links show the same car?

Yeah, I messed it up a bit.. never mind

 

Having been in this position once upon a time (or should I say three times) can I put in my two penneth?.  The period of time when a child is in a rear facing seat is relatively short in the big scheme of things.  We simply put up with a bit of discomfort for a few months and then when the little one went into a forward facing seat the issue went away. Saved the hassle of changing cars but if you want a change anyway then ignore the post.

I'm going to keep an eye out for a passat, but won't commit. It's a fair point since the cost to get a rotating one (front and back facing) she can fit into is going to be about 500 quid. May settle for a forward facing rotating one as she's near the correct weight limit now (give it 2 more months or so).

Like any car of that age there's going to be really good examples and some proper lemons. A lot of good points to look for mentioned above.

I had a 2000 B5 estate (although that was a 1.8t I took to 215bhp) so not quite what you're looking at, but when I first bought the car I checked the plenums and the bungs had already been taken out, if you don't park under trees for any considerable time I don't think they are as big an issue as they're made out to be as its only large leaves etc that get stuck in there. This one I had to replace one of the door lock modules eventually, and both CV joints which they seem to have a fair chance of needing but I guess these could technically fall under wear and tear and to be expected.

 

I then had a 2003 B5.5 TDI 130, again checked plenums and didn't have an issue on this one. Items I replaced on this other than what I'd say was usual wear and tear are the drivers window regulator, and I replaced the CCM on it not due to water ingress but for some reason my remote central locking range was only inches from the car and for whatever reason mine was caused by my CCM. I only encountered one bad C/V joint on this one but I replaced both anyway.

My Mum now owns this car and its still going strong, admittedly the headlights do cloud up but its not uncommon on a lot of cars with plastic headlight lenses, a bit of polishing compound on a pad on a drill or machine polisher once a year or so keeps on top of this.

 

I'd have another B5/B5.5 again no problem as I think they're a good car and had 2 fairly decent examples, in fact I'd have one over a B6 given the option, but like with any car that's knocking on for 10/15 years old you have to hope the previous owners have looked after it or you will encounter problems, and even if it is the best example in the world there's still a chance of an issue.

I had a 2001 Passat B5 2.0 petrol. I bought it as it was a one owner example which was in exceptional condition. However, I quickly fell out of love with it as it suffered terribly with water ingress as documented here by other previous owners.

As a consequence of the water ingress, the comfort control module which is situated under the front passenger footwell carpet was damaged which resulted in numerous erroneous warning lights appearing on the dash.

The engine, despite having quite a drink problem when it came to oil, which is a well known characteristic of this engine, was otherwise faultless.

I really wanted to like this car but quickly lost faith in it.

Talking of faith, it was as a result of owning the Passat that I took a huge leap of faith when it came to buying my Octavia five years ago. I'm glad I did though, as its been a cracking car and I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

Good luck, I fear you may need it! ;-)

The engine, despite having quite a drink problem when it came to oil, which is a well known characteristic of this engine, was otherwise faultless.

I really wanted to like this car but quickly lost faith in it.

Talking of faith, it was as a result of owning the Passat that I took a huge leap of faith when it came to buying my Octavia five years ago. I'm glad I did though, as its been a cracking car and I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

 

I had a 2001 Passat B5 2.0 petrol. I bought it as it was a one owner example which was in exceptional condition. However, I quickly fell out of love with it as it suffered terribly with water ingress as documented here by other previous owners.

 

I actually wanted the passat before I got the Octavia. Been so happy with my octy, but really want the extra leg room and boot space. I decided against the 2.0L petrol due to the oil problems (rings on the wrong way?)

 

 

Like any car of that age there's going to be really good examples and some proper lemons. A lot of good points to look for mentioned above.

...

I'd have another B5/B5.5 again no problem as I think they're a good car and had 2 fairly decent examples, in fact I'd have one over a B6 given the option, but like with any car that's knocking on for 10/15 years old you have to hope the previous owners have looked after it or you will encounter problems, and even if it is the best example in the world there's still a chance of an issue.

 

Thanks for your positive view on things. I appreciate that they're getting on a bit now but don't fancy any of these newer cars. I've always been a bit of a sucker for the older mechanical style vehicles.

I actually wanted the passat before I got the Octavia. Been so happy with my octy, but really want the extra leg room and boot space. I decided against the 2.0L petrol due to the oil problems (rings on the wrong way?)

Thanks for your positive view on things. I appreciate that they're getting on a bit now but don't fancy any of these newer cars. I've always been a bit of a sucker for the older mechanical style vehicles.

You want an older mechanical car, buy a 1998 -2005 Elise or VX220. B5 or B5.5 ****rat (that is what mine became known as) are hardly mechanical cars. VW chucked a bucketload of tech into that car... For better and for worse.