Opinions on V6 FSI DSG Passat

[Pullstarter]

Hi Guys,
Am thinking about getting something bigger than the Golf and interested in the 3.2 V6 FSI DSG Passat (07-08 model). How do you guys find these to drive? Any known issues? The only 0-100 figures i could find was 6.9 seconds, does this sound correct? Seems a bit unlikely to me? Could be wrong of course

PS, did these ever come out in a manual?

[ClioF1]

My dad has an 08 model, has a few things over the 07 model but misses out on the highline seats (R36 seats) that the 09 model has.

Great car, only drawback is the ride quality with large bumps. Some of that was fixed with the new Pirelli PZeros that replaced his OEM Contis.

[3Putt]

Love mine

It is a 7 sec car.

The DSG is the best thing about it - you won't go back to a manual again! These dual-clutch transmissions are the way of the future. Everyone's doing them now. Porsche calls it SST, BMW SMG II, Mitsubishi something else etc.

The car does ride hard, and suffers from tyre ROAR (and i mean ROAR!) on all but the smoothest of freeway bitumen. I'm ok with the hard ride, as its a compromise for the great handling. If you want handling and comfort you'll have to up the ante and buy a Beamer!

Have had small issues only for my 2 years of ownership. Had a Suby Liberty B4 twin turbo before and the Passat beats it in every category (except 0-100 ).

[DubDub]

Hey Pullstarter

I've had mine from new for nearly a year. It is fabulous in most respects, although I have been having some problems with the DSG. The DSG is both the best and worst thing about the car. At most times, it is great - quick, smooth changes, and it certainly helps give impressive fuel economy, given the weight and performance of the car. At times, especially at slow speeds, the DSG can be a bitch of a thing, hesitating, then snapping into gear. Mine occasionally jolts back into 1st gear when it should be in 3rd, or 2nd at worst. I'm currently going through the process of getting VW to hopefully replace the mechatronics unit, which should fix the problem, according to some other threads on this and other forums.

The performance of the car is very impressive, and the engine note sounds fabulous. It has heaps of power and still returns between 10 and 11 L/100km in day to day driving. I get 7.5L/100km on a trip, and about 15L/100 when towing a 1.4 tonne trailer. It's a wonderful drive on the open road - very comfortable, heaps of grunt for overtaking and good, stable roadholding. Be aware that it enjoys the expensive 98RON juice.

The brakes are great, although a touch too sensitive on occasions, as is the stability control. I regularly set it off when I'm driving sedately when there are some minor undulations in the road.

Some of the electronic wizardry (gimmickry?) takes a bit of getting used to (for example, the electric handbrake only works if the driver's seatbelt is connected - logical normally, but silly when you're moving the car around in your own sloping driveway). The optional VW iPod connector is very average, removing most of the functionality of the iPod's search function.
Be aware that some extras such as towbars are hideously expensive (around $1800 fitted) due to the need to alter the electronics.

If you're getting one that's a couple of years old, try to get an extended warranty, in case there are any gremlins in the DSG - it is apparently expensive to repair out of warranty.

I hope this doesn't sound too negative. I love my Dub, 98% of the time. It's well built, great to drive, perfect size for my needs, comfortable, surprisingly quick, and very economical. If VW fixes the DSG, I'll be completely happy.

BTW, I do not believe they were ever released in Oz in a conventional manual.

[Pullstarter]

Thanks heaps for the info guys, everything I wanted to know and more I'm torn between the wagon and the sedan, I prefer the look of sedans but the wagon would be good for the MTBs etc. I would definitely get an extended warranty Dub as the DSG repair price scares me a bit also. Not so worried about the hard ride, would definitely be softer than the VR6 with heavily modded suspension I have now.

Thanks again guys, I may well be Passating as soon as the VR is sold

[passatpout]

Some of the electronic wizardry (gimmickry?) takes a bit of getting used to (for example, the electric handbrake only works if the driver's seatbelt is connected - logical normally, but silly when you're moving the car around in your own sloping driveway).

The park brake will release without the driver's seat belt being in place if you hold the foot brake (the MFD will come up saying so too).

Real pain in the proverbial when trying to reverse with a small, empty (read not visible) boat trailer down a 200m ramp... the simple solution is to put the boat back on..