Passat B7 Wagon Suspension

[Melts75]

Hi all,
I've had my 2011 Passat TDI Highline Wagon since new. Its coming out of lease in about 5 months. We currently have 100,000 km on the clock. It's been a great car and we are considering re-leasing for another 2-3 years.
The only gripe I have with it is that it is a little soft and tends to bottom out easily when pushed on country roads, Nearly worn the front Mudflaps down!!. To be honest I feel it is too low for this type of driving. We live in Gippsland Vic and the road maintenance down here is pretty ordinary.
Anyway, anyone got any suggestions for a new set of shocks that wont sacrifice comfort, but can give me a bit less bottoming out. I will consider springs also, but I don't wont to lower!!
Any other opinions on Keeping this car would also be appreciated
Cheers

[ope126]

Does it have Sports Pack?

[kaanage]

Bilstein or Koni OEM replacement dampers should sort out the issue, particularly as they will have compression damping which the stock ones lack.

Don't get their sports options, though, given your requirements.

[Melts75]

I don't think the Sports Pack was an option on the Passat, I might be wrong. I think the B7 Highline already had the 15mm lowering and 17's standard. It corners great, very rarely understeers. It's only when you throw in a bump halfway through the bend that it will scrape.

[Melts75]

Cheers, I'll look into those. Suggest any retailers/fitters Gippsland or SE suburbs Melbourne??

[Melts75]

Just Checking This Signature

[Guest001]

Why not change to an Alltrack its about 80mm higher

[Melts75]

The Alltrack would be nice. I can Re-lease this one for Under 18k, so that sort of sway's it a little.
It never leaves the Blacktop anyhow. I have a Ute for That

[Cossor]

Hi all,
I've had my 2011 Passat TDI Highline Wagon since new. Its coming out of lease in about 5 months. We currently have 100,000 km on the clock. It's been a great car and we are considering re-leasing for another 2-3 years.
The only gripe I have with it is that it is a little soft and tends to bottom out easily when pushed on country roads, Nearly worn the front Mudflaps down!!. To be honest I feel it is too low for this type of driving. We live in Gippsland Vic and the road maintenance down here is pretty ordinary
. Anyway, anyone got any suggestions for a new set of shocks that wont sacrifice comfort, but can give me a bit less bottoming out. I will consider springs also, but I don't wont to lower!!
Any other opinions on Keeping this car would also be appreciated
Cheers

I have the 130TDI sedan. Suspension is too firm. No way does it bottom out. (But oh boy, does it crash, and makes noises as if the spare tyre is bouncing around!) At first had to learn to drive over local roads without clenching my teeth. Sits low, copes well with sagging local road surfaces. (My previous Golf sat lower, scraped over local parking front buffers)
A friend has Alltrack TDI. Sits higher, has selection of damper setting!
But gee, would love to have a more compliant suspension in my case. I have long suspected a rear suspension problem, but local dealer has put this in the too hard basket.

Re new Passat, from recent report in Sydney Morning Herald, is a bit lower than previous Passat. But this was for top of the line version. More important, gave a very good review regarding suspension.

[Cossor]

Bilstein or Koni OEM replacement dampers should sort out the issue, particularly as they will have compression damping which the stock ones lack.

Don't get their sports options, though, given your requirements.

I have previously thought of changing dampers. But no idea what to ask for. In addition, as car under warranty,
would this give dealer (And extended warranty ins) opportunity to cancel?
I do not require sports car performance on local roads, and no problem if it leans a bit around corners.
Front suspension is firm and shows up every bump. Back suspension bounces around, as if the rear spare is loose.
(Noisy to boot)
Living in Southern Highlands, about 100K south of Sydney, any suggestions re specialist locations?
This advice would be really appreciated.

[Melts75]

Doesn't sound ideal Cossor. The only Sedan I've ever driven was the B6 TDI. From memory definitely not firm. My take on the suspension set up is that it is overly compliant to compensate for the feedback from the standard low profile 17's. The overall result is a nice soft ride that can be pushed to go around corners at an impressive rate.
My guess would be that the rear set up on the wagon would be firmer than the sedan for the extra load carrying. Mine is definitely not too firm!! But my complaint relates mainly to the front.
I throw half a ton of crap in the back of my Colorado to get a nice ride, but you should not need to do that in your Passat mate.
I'd go and test drive another with the service Manager.
Failing that, drive faster [emoji16][emoji16]


2011 B7 Passat TDI highline wagon. I tinted the windows [emoji106][emoji106]

[Cossor]

I must admit mine does ride better with a couple of bags of cement in the boot.
Yes, going faster helps, but problems with speed limit.

Tried lower tyre pressure. If anything made it worse. So waiting till tyres need replacing.
(Present tyres continental as delivered)

My real annoyance stems from rear suspension noise (As if a spare tyre is bouncing around)
when driving over a series of small hollows in the road. (Similar to a worn out Camry)
Even driving very slowly over speed bumps creates a "Plop noise" once rear wheels come back down on
the road surface.