Info on 1995 Passat GL (B4)

[MattyT]

Hullo!

It looks like my folks are getting into the dubbing too

My mother dearest is interested in a passat, theyre slim pickings over here but we've found this: here.

Are there many things to look out for?
What explodes on them?

I have heard that auto VW gearboxes are prone to failure, can anyone confirm??

[Tulyar]

From experience on the B4 Passat much is the same as Golf 3 so all the usual Golf issues such as eating ignition coils.

They seem to need top strut mounts regularly, the central locking system can leak and the cv joints arent always the standard Golf ones. Mine seems to have a passion for chewing ABS pumps but its a Teves MkIV which seems to be a very fragile system - brakes are good though without ABS so its not too much of an issue.

As you say the gearbox is a weakness so check that carefully. The other thing that seems to be an achilles heel is the front door window regulators. Apart from the Golf 3 slide issue the mounting screws seems to work loose causing the window regulators to wear prematurely towards the top of the travel. The regulators are handed and not interchangeable with anything Ive been able to find and are damn expensive so make sure there is no play in them.

The ignition switch aslo seems to play up. Check all the electrical equipment works before buying - wipers a/c lights etc. Two or three devices (cant remember which but I think wipers blower fan and headlights is indicative ignition switch is shot. Just changed one a month or two back and didnt enjoy the experience!

Generally seem to be a better car than they look imho. I went from a brand new BA Futura that kept locking its gearbox up to one and I prefer it so ditched the Futura. Best of luck!

[phaeton]

I love B4 Passats

Good luck with the purchase Matty

[GermanwithaVdub]

lol after all that he still prefers the dub... awsome

[Tulyar]

The BA was a shocking car - notwithstanding that the gearbox would jam leaving me stuck in the middle of the road it would never idle or run properly despite software upgrades, fuel guage never registered properly, the interior trim used to rattle and fall off, the air con was useless and it would stall everytime I made a harsh braking application. Believe me a 1995 B4 Passat is an absolute pleasure afterwards. IMHO the ride is better, its never failed to start, uses stuff all fuel comparatively, the aircon is freezing and its never broken down once. Better still instead of giving me the BA my company pay me a significant car allowance and at the moment Im making a fortune out of the Passat!

Works for me!

[MattyT]

Cheers guys for all the info. I suspected it would be basically a golf-ish sedan.

Mother dearest currently owns a 1999 Volvo S40, which is honestly pretty good. Except the rear visibility is ****. She cannot see out the back. Even I cant.

Is the rear and 3/4 visibility (you know, changing lanes n stuff) in a passat good? As good as the golf's?