"Volkswagen Passat B5": owner reviews and photos

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

If you are impressed by the Volkswagen brand, but there are doubts about the final choice of a particular vehicle, this review will help resolve this issue. It will focus on the most popular car from Wolfsburg in the secondary market, which has won the recognition of its owners. It is called the star of its time, because even after several years of intensive use of a sedan or station wagon, the Passat B5 retains its relevance and excellent technical condition. Despite some shortcomings, the combination of characteristics of this car will interest its potential buyers, since its competitors cannot offer similar parameters together with a reasonable cost.

A bit of history

The Volkswagen Passat B5 was first introduced back in 1996. The public liked the new model, as this car was created on a reliable platform from Audi-A4, which was popular with the population. Therefore, there is a lot in common between these vehicles: chassis, engine, layout of components and assemblies. So, in the Volkswagen Passat B5 model, the power plant is located longitudinally, and not transversely, like in other cars. In addition, atThe "people's car" of the fifth generation is permanent all-wheel drive, which provides it with decent cross-country ability and controllability compared to the plug-in option. At the same time, buyers of the first modification were offered two body variations - a station wagon and a sedan. They differed in capacity and rigidity of power elements, which guaranteed the safety of passengers and the ability to move significant cargo.

Facelift body

In 2000, the Volkswagen Passat B5 was expected to be restyled. The VW concern decided to modify the appearance of the car in such a short time due to the high demand for this model. Consumers were captivated by the excellent steering of the car, comfortable interior, which corresponded to the trends of the times, and its seasoned design. The visual update of the car body, which the German company went for, was associated with attracting the attention of young people, since it was believed that the Volkswagen Passat B5 was intended for the mature age category. As a result, the changes affected only the exterior of the vehicle and its body parts, the car began to look more solid and attractive than its predecessors. At the same time, dynamic performance, road holding and handling have not changed - the car has remained desirable for every driver.

Equipment

This VW model has a rich basic equipment, although many experts criticized the ascetic interior of the car, which does not stand outdesign solutions. On the other hand, the owners liked this severity of the classics, which, combined with the quality of workmanship and practicality, made the car a favorite of everyone who got behind the wheel of it. Ergonomics and sound insulation in the Passat B5 sedan also did not cause criticism. In the back seat, there are three people with an above-average height without difficulty. The stock of spaciousness of the cabin is enough in order not to feel cramped in the knees or in height.

However, the owners of these cars also note some shortcomings. They indicate the insufficient size of the rear-view mirrors in the Passat B5 sedan. Feedback from drivers confirms that the limited visibility in the fifth generation models caused significant difficulties. Many changed small regular mirrors for those that could provide the necessary visibility. Also, the disadvantages of the car should include:

• problems with central locking and trunk lid drive (found only in station wagons);
• insufficient heating of the front seats during the operation of this option (observed with significant wear of the seats, when the foam rubber pushes through the wiring elements and rubs them against the frame).

Powertrains

The Passat B5 engine range has always been the pride of this model. After all, it was equipped with both gasoline and diesel power plants for the fifth generation of Volkswagen. The most popular of these was the 1.8 liter engine, while the most powerful was the 4 liter V-twin. Other versions are foundon our roads is very rare, since these cars were not officially delivered and came to the territory of the state from the secondary market in Europe. Few buyers were willing to go abroad for a Passat B5, and online auction photos never inspire confidence. There was another option: contacting intermediaries, but then the idea of delivering a vehicle from Europe lost its relevance due to the rise in price.

Cost of components

Repair of all engines that were installed on the Volkswagen and were reliable, sometimes caused considerable difficulties. It's all because of the pickiness to fuel quality and the complexity of the design - so, in order to remove the timing belt, it is necessary to disassemble the entire front of the vehicle. Considering that it is necessary to change this consumable at least once every 120,000 km, then forced maintenance or installation of a water pump and all rollers is carried out together with it. The rest of the engines are quite economical and do not consume a lot of oil. They show themselves from the best side both in urban conditions and on the highway. In addition, the Passat B5 Turbo Kompressor C200 version can also surprise with its excellent dynamics - 163 horsepower is more than enough to accelerate a one and a half ton car.

Suspension and ride characteristics

It should be noted that the components and assemblies of the vehicle are not designed for roads of unsatisfactory quality. The weak point of the suspension is the levers, which wear out in the pits and potholes. The designers never managed to adapt the localized versions of this car to harsh road conditions. This problem is especially acute on the Passat B5 front-wheel drive sedan: reviews note that a semi-dependent beam is installed there, requiring maintenance at least once per 100,000 kilometers, while in the 4WD version it has a sufficient margin of safety for traveling through mud. Here, the suspension is stiff, and even on small potholes makes the driver and passengers click their teeth. For our conditions, something more comfortable is needed, capable of “swallowing” bumps and potholes with its smooth running. But in cornering, the springs and shock absorbers do not disappoint - the drivers of the Passat do not know anything about rolls or longitudinal buildup of the body, which occurs during the soft operation of the chassis.

Maintenance

If you have chosen to purchase a Passat B5 car (station wagon or sedan), you should take into account its high cost even in the basic configuration. This price is due to consumer confidence in their common platform from Audi, which is reliable, but high maintenance costs. By purchasing this Volkswagen, you get a well-equipped and comfortable car that has excellent dynamic performance and handling. At the same time, the search for components will not cause difficulties, since the service centers of this manufacturer are located in almost all corners of the state.

What to watch whenbuying a car from hand?

At the same time, when choosing a decent copy in the secondary market, you need to pay attention to the most vulnerable parts and components of the vehicle. Usually they include:

• for a car in a sedan body - a trunk lid, which strongly corrodes at the joints;
• engine mounts (not strong enough). Even with small accidents, changes in the geometry of the body led to a weakening of the fixation of the unit in these nodes.

If the car accelerates quietly, then, most likely, this is one of the latest models of the German concern. Decent soundproofing was found only on versions of 1999, it limited the penetration of noise from a gasoline engine. Passat B5, however, was not completely protected from the noisy diesel unit.

Conclusions

Now this car can be found in a satisfactory technical condition for 200,000 rubles. If luck smiles at you and a well-groomed sample is presented during the inspection, then up to 300,000 rubles can be requested for it. Nevertheless, a visual inspection at the service station must be carried out even for cars such as the Passat B5. Photos or copies of checks and maintenance books will help determine the ins and outs of the car and its history - a careful owner should have them available. Knowing these nuances will allow you to adjust the final cost or carry out timely preventive maintenance of the necessary units.