VW Passat 2006 V6 FSI Problems

[gasp891]

I just joined this forum to express my bitter disappointment and anger with the car I loved so much until now. At the last regular 6 years service I was told that I need to replace the Catalytic Converter (~$2,500) and the left hand driveshaft (~$450). The car is only 6 years old (April 2006) and done only 64,000 km. I wrote a letter to VW Australia and they have rejected my issues as a normal for a 6 years old car! Week after that the epc light came on and the car stopped responding (intermittently). Took it to the dealer this week and the timing belt is now being replaced (~$2,500)! I do not have much understanding in car mechanics but some of my friends do and they all are amazed that after only 6 years and only 65K the timing belt and the catalytic converter need replacement. I bought VW (and paid much more than local made cars) for its German engineering, reliability and durability and what did I get in return?! I would like to hear from the folks out there if my expectations were wrong to start with or if VW badge is just one big joke?

[PranK]

I just joined this forum to express my bitter disappointment and anger with the car I loved so much until now.

So many people seem to see this forum as an outlet for venting.

Things go wrong with cars, if you take your car to a stealer for the work, then you'll pay more. $2500 for a cat seems excessive, but $450 for a shaft seems ok to me.

We've had a few probs with our 06 Passat, but we dont get it repaired at the dealer, and besides some parts (eg Airbag controller, sourced from Germany so as not to pay local prices) its been as expensive to maintain and repair as our old Forester.

[gasp891]

Apologies for venting but where else can I do it?! Things do go wrong with cars but there are some expectations from a German engineered, built to last car or at least there were. I did not replace the cat yet and am looking for a better price. My wife had a Forrester for 9 years and all that we ever replaced was tyres! Too bad we have replaced it with VW Golf. In our family experience Subaru and Toyota are raliable and long-lasting, not Passat.

[popeclement]

I think the best advice these days is not to go to a dealer but a specialist. 2.5k for a genuine cat - maybe, but , 2.5k for a timing belt - ripped off; 450 for driveshaft - ballpark. I also had an early '99 Forester but had head issues before 90,000kms, as did a friend with a newer Forester - known issue. As an aside I made the mistake of putting petrol in my diesel Xtrail and got quoted 8k for a new diesel pump and associated parts - I have done the job myself with a genuine Bosch rebuild for under 1.2k - go figure.