All owner reviews about Volkswagen Passat B7. European business sedan for relatively little money: shortcomings of the Volkswagen Passat B7 with mileage Passat b7 configuration

The new Passat B7 was first presented at the Paris Motor Show in autumn 2010. The 2010 VW Passat belongs to the D-class and is one of the best-selling models of the German company today. In the entire history of the global automotive industry, there are hardly a dozen models that could boast such phenomenal sales success as the 2010 Volkswagen Pasat.

What is the guarantee of such love of motorists for the Volkswagen Passat B7? Obviously, not only in a carefully adjusted marketing policy. One of the reasons for the success of the VW Passat 7, in addition to the highest quality of materials used, is the lack of inclination to experiment with design.

Using the example of the latest Volkswagen Passat 2012, we can confidently say that the German company does not deviate from its traditions. The external changes that the new Volkswagen Passat B7 was subjected to are purely cosmetic. Mainly in the Volkswagen Passat B7, the front and rear lighting equipment has changed, designed in the “corporate” style of all the latest brand updates. VW Passat 2011 model began to look like a premium "Phaeton" (especially in profile) and look more expensive and more prestigious. The modernization of the Volkswagen Passat 2011 also affected the dimensions of the novelty. For example, the new Passat B7 has grown in length by four mm, in height by two, and in width has remained the same.

Salon VW Passat 2012 has slightly changed: the interior has become better and more thoughtful. Its updates include a revised instrument panel, new seats with built-in massagers and ventilation, other door panels, lighting and an analog clock.

The new Passat has changed the most in terms of technology. The main update of the Passat B7 touched on the line of engines, which has now come into full compliance with the fashion for everything economical and environmentally friendly. The new VW Passat B7 engines consume less fuel and emit less harmful substances into the atmosphere, despite the fact that the performance of these engines has increased significantly. Volkswagen Passat 2012 in all modifications, with the exception of the basic one, is equipped with a generator, which turns on only when the battery needs to be charged. All diesel units are equipped with a start-stop system.

The 2013 BlueMotion VW Passat has increased transmission ratios, some aerodynamic improvements, and a set of tires with reduced rolling resistance. Such improvements allow the most economical car, the 2013 Volkswagen Passat, to consume only 4.2 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers, while emitting 109 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer into the atmosphere.

The improved VW Passat B7 engines are aggregated with a six-speed “mechanics”, as well as a DSG preselective robotic gearbox. All-wheel drive versions of Alltrack are equipped with a proprietary 4Motion system. Passat B7 sedans and station wagons with front-wheel drive are now equipped with the XDS system, which was tested on the “charged” Golf and Polo GTI hatchbacks. It is unlikely that the owners will be able to feel a big difference by reseeding from the sixth “trade wind” to the seventh, because there were still no super-cardinal changes in the running gear of the car. The price of the new Passat varies from one to two million rubles, depending on the type of body and equipment options. One of the least expensive is the 2012 Volkswagen Passat sedan, the price of which does not exceed one and a half million rubles, unless we are talking about a charged version with a 210-horsepower engine under the hood. If the front-wheel drive does not suit you, then it remains only to choose a special version of the Alltrack VW Passat 2012, the price of which is in the region of one and a half million rubles.

The new Passat, like its predecessor, is offered in three equipment variations: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. The key task facing the developers of the updated VW Passat 2013 was to equip the model with modern driver assistants and introduce new options in the field of comfort. So the new Passat can please buyers with the presence of an emergency braking system at low speeds. This is done for the safety of people on the streets. The latest Automatic Distance Control system will instantly stop your car (at speeds up to thirty kilometers per hour) as soon as an obstacle in the form of a negligent pedestrian appears.

Another assistant to the driver of the Passat 2013 is the anti-sleep driving system, which generates sounds that prevent sleep.

The function of automatically switching from high beam to low beam Dynamic Light Assist (or active head light) migrated to the new Passat from the VW SUV.

A very convenient option for easy access to the luggage compartment Easy Open, installed on the new Passat, allows the driver with busy hands to open the trunk with a slight movement of the foot under the rear bumper in the area of ​​\u200b\u200ba special sensor.

The Seventh Passat was put on display to the public in the fall of 2010 at the international auto show taking place in Paris, but it reached the Russian market in May 2011. In fact, the car is the “fruit” of a deep modernization of the 6th generation, but, according to tradition, it was separated by another index - “B7”.

At the end of 2014, the eighth generation car saw the light, which is already being sold on the European market, but it will arrive in Russia only in the summer of 2015, which is why we still sell the “be-seventh”.

The appearance of the 7th generation Volkswagen Passat sedan is made in a strict and concise style, fully in line with modern trends. If the predecessor had wardrobe items typical of young people, then the car in this body has more straight lines with rectangular lighting. The “seventh Passat” looks stylish and solid, its appearance is able to emphasize the status of the owner, while its silhouette is not devoid of swiftness.

The German tricycle is a typical representative of the D-class in terms of overall dimensions: 4769 mm long, 1470 mm high and 1820 mm wide. Of the total length, the wheelbase is allocated 2712 mm, and the ground clearance of the car is 155 mm.

At the disposal of the "seventh" VW Passat is a magnificent interior, characterized by comfort, high ergonomics, thoughtfulness in details and excellent finishing materials. The interior of the sedan can be described in a few words: intuitive and conservative. Everything is done in a simple style - and an informative dashboard with a clear digitization and a color display of the on-board computer, and a three-spoke steering wheel of optimal size. A neat console in the center is crowned with an analog clock, an entertainment system control unit (radio or multimedia complex with a color screen) and a well-arranged climate control - nothing more, everything is as functional as possible.

Pleasant and soft plastics, real aluminum inserts, leather steering wheel and seats - all this forms a high-quality and cozy interior. The front seats of the seventh generation Volkswagen Passat are simple and flat in appearance, but endowed with an optimal anatomical profile and the required support on the sides. The “gallery” is friendly for three riders in terms of space, but the transmission tunnel can cause discomfort to the legs of the central passenger.

For everyday needs, the Passat B7 offers a generously proportioned 565-litre luggage compartment with great depth and a wide opening. The transportation of a large amount of luggage can be organized by folding the back of the rear sofa, as a result of which the volume increases to 1090 liters.

Specifications. For the Russian market, the 7th generation Passat is equipped with three Euro-5 gasoline engines, each of which is equipped with a turbocharging system and direct fuel supply to the combustion chamber.
The base version is a 1.4-liter 122-horsepower generating 200 Nm of torque. Intermediate versions of the sedan are equipped with a 1.8-liter unit, the output of which is 152 forces and 250 Nm of thrust.
On the "top" cars, a high-performance 2.0-liter engine is used, giving out a herd of 210 "mares" and 280 Nm of torque.
Available for the “seventh” Volkswagen Passat and a two-liter turbodiesel unit, which develops 170 horsepower and 350 Nm of thrust to the maximum.
In addition to traditional engines, the sedan is also equipped with a 1.4-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 150 "horses" and 220 Nm, running on gasoline or liquefied natural gas.

For the "top" gasoline version and diesel, a 6-band "robot" DSG is assigned, the rest - a 6-speed "mechanics" or a 7-speed DSG, in all cases the drive is front. Depending on the version, the Passat exchanges 100 km / h after 7.6-10.3 seconds, the limit of possibilities is fixed at 203-236 km / h, and the “eating” of fuel is 6.3-7.7 liters (for a diesel engine - 5.3 liters).

The Volkswagen Passat B7 is based on the PQ46 architecture with a transverse engine. The chassis of the car is completely independent - spring-loaded with McPherson struts in front and multi-link in the back. An electromechanical power steering is implanted in the steering mechanism, and deceleration is provided by four-wheel disc brakes.

Options and prices. At the beginning of 2015 in Russia, the three-volume Passat of the 7th generation is sold in three trim levels (Trendline, Comfortline and Highline) at a price of 1,118,000 rubles.
The simplest version of the car is equipped with ABS and EBD systems, front and side airbags, dual-zone “climate”, lift-start assist technology, full power accessories, standard “music”, 17-inch wheels and other equipment. The most "advanced" option will cost at least 1,439,000 rubles.

25.06.2017

Volkswagen Passat) is the seventh generation of the legendary Volkswagen sedan. This car has an impressive history of over 40 years. More recently, the eighth generation of this model debuted on the market, thanks to which the previous generation has significantly fallen in price and has become accessible to a larger circle of motorists. The Passat is a car that is chosen with the mind, not the heart, but here are the problems that the future owners of the Volkswagen Passat B7 with mileage will have to face, now let's try to find out.

A bit of history:

The Volkswagen Passat first appeared on the market in 1973 and, in fact, it was an Audi 80 (in 1964, the rights to the Audi brand were bought by Volkswagen). Initially, the car was produced in three versions - station wagon, three- and five-door hatchback. In 1980, the second generation of the model appeared on the market, which, in fact, was an upgraded version of the first generation. And, here, the third generation was built on a completely new platform with a transverse engine and was produced only in the station wagon. Despite the new designation, the fourth generation of the model was a product of a deep restyling of its predecessor - with the same power body frame, roof and glazing, but with different exterior body panels and a modified interior design. Starting with this generation, a sedan version became available to customers.

Production of the fifth generation started in 1996. The novelty was radically different from its predecessors, as it was developed using the platform and units of the Audi A4. The sixth generation of the car appeared in showrooms in 2005. Unlike the previous version, this generation was designed on the . In 2008, on the basis of this model, the Passat SS coupe sedan was created. The new Volkswagen Passat B7, introduced in 2010, is essentially a deep restyling of the model with the B6 index. Outwardly, the novelty has changed almost completely, but the interior has remained the same, the only thing inside that distinguishes the seventh generation from the sixth is more expensive finishing materials. The car is assembled at factories in Germany (Emden) and Russia (Kaluga). The production of this generation lasted until 2015, in the same year the next generation of the model appeared on the market.

Weaknesses and shortcomings of the Volkswagen Passat B7 with mileage

Like most modern cars, the bodywork of the Volkswagen Passat B7 is not of the best quality, as a result of scratches and chips on cars older than three years old is a common occurrence. As for the corrosion resistance of the body, in general there are no complaints about it, but a couple of places on the body still require special attention - the front of the hood, the edges of the doors and the trunk lid (near the license plate). In most cases, rust spots (bugs) appear in these places - it is rare that a car in its “native” paint has rusty spots the size of a coin. An exception may be cars restored after an accident.

Engines

For buyers of the Volkswagen Passat B7, a huge selection of power units is available: gasoline - atmospheric V6 with a volume of 3.6 (300 hp), turbocharged (TSI) with direct injection 1.4 (122-150 hp), 1.8 (160 hp). ), 2.0 (210 hp); diesel TDI with common rail injection system - 1.6 (105 hp) and 2.0 (140, 170 and 177 hp).

Petrol

The most popular among motorists are turbocharged power units with a volume of 1.8 and 2.0. Both engines have good dynamics and moderate fuel consumption, among the shortcomings can be noted increased oil consumption, for a car with a mileage of more than 100,000 km, it can reach 2-2.5 liters per 10,000 km of run. Both engines are equipped with a timing chain drive, which, on specimens manufactured before 2011, in most cases requires replacement after 60,000 km. Later, the manufacturer fixed the problem by releasing better parts (chain, tensioners), which made it possible to increase the drive service lines to 200,000 km. For the replacement of the timing and pump in the service, you will have to pay about 300 USD.

According to the regulations, spark plugs must be changed every 80-100 thousand km, however, many experts recommend doing this much earlier (every 50-60 thousand km). The fact is that due to insufficiently high-quality fuel, the spark plug electrode quickly becomes dirty, and this can lead to a power surge, due to which the ignition coils can fail prematurely. Replacing one coil will cost about $50. Thanks to the electronics, which recognizes in which cylinder the incorrect combustion occurs and turns off the corresponding fuel injector, it is possible to avoid more serious troubles (heat load and catalytic converter destruction). Also, common disadvantages include: contamination of the crankcase ventilation system, leakage of gaskets and seals, coking of valves, as a result of which valve guides and their seals fail prematurely.

The 1.4 engine, unlike more powerful power units, does not have serious problems with increased oil consumption, but after 30,000 km of run it can surprise in the form of a failed pump with an electromagnetic clutch. If the problem is not corrected in time, this can lead to burnout of the pistons. Replacing the pump with a 150 hp version. will cost 500 USD, for a weaker version, the same part costs 50-100 USD. When operating a car with a 1.4 engine, you need to constantly monitor the condition of the timing chain, since it can present an unpleasant surprise on used cars (stretching and skew of the chain). Timing service lines with proper operation do not exceed 150,000 km.

Also, the disadvantages of this motor include poor tightness of the intake system, rapid contamination and leaks of the radiators of the cooling system. The engine resource in most cases is 150-200 thousand km, after which it is necessary to change the piston group, this fact pushes unscrupulous sellers to twist the real mileage. If you fill the car with 92-m gasoline, errors in the operation of the fuel equipment or failure of the turbine adjustment servo drive are possible. Due to the heavy weight of the machine during active operation, the turbine serves 40-60 thousand km.

The 3.6 atmospheric engine turns this car into a rocket, but you have to pay for such dynamics with indecently high fuel consumption of up to 17 liters per 100 km. As for reliability, here I would like to note the small resource of the timing chain, the fact that the engine will have to be removed to replace the chain adds trouble. Also, servicemen note a tendency to coking of valves and piston groups. It is worth noting the complexity of maintenance and repair, the high cost of operation and a considerable transport tax.

Diesel Volkswagen Passat B7

Diesel engines are generally reliable, but, as you know, buying cars with a diesel engine in the CIS is always a lottery, since most of them were brought to us from Europe with high mileage. Among the shortcomings of diesel power units, one can note the exactingness of the fuel system on fuel quality, and since there are problems with this in the CIS, owners often face the need to change nozzles (once every 80-120 thousand km), injection pump and EGR valve. Unlike gasoline engines, diesel engines are equipped with a timing belt drive. Its declared resource is about 180,000 km, but many owners recommend changing it every 100-130 thousand km. On cars that are mainly operated in the city, closer to 100,000 km, problems with the PDF filter appear. The malfunction is manifested by a deterioration in dynamics and the appearance of an error on the instrument panel. If you do not pay attention to the problem, over time, the engine will go into emergency operation. After 200,000 km, the dual-mass flywheel needs to be replaced.

Transmission

The Volkswagen Passat B7 was equipped with three types of gearboxes - a six-speed manual and automatic transmission, as well as a DSG robotic transmission. The mechanics are the least of all troubles, in it even the clutch kit, with careful operation, lasts up to 200,000 km. There are no particular complaints about the automatic transmission, however, due to the complex design of the box, there is a risk that they will face costly repairs. Most often, troubles occur on cars whose owners did not bother with timely maintenance (oil and filter changes). On a run of 100-120 thousand km, twitching may appear due to contamination of the valve body. With proper maintenance, the transmission is able to please with a mileage of 300,000 km.

It is better to refuse to buy a used Volkswagen Passat B7 with a DSG box, since its resource during operation in a metropolis is 80-130 thousand km, after which an expensive repair or replacement of the transmission is required (from 1000 USD). There were cases of failure of the box and at 30,000 km (clutch replacement was required). Frequent oil changes (every 30-35 thousand km) can extend the service lines.

Reliability of running Volkswagen Passat B7

The Volkswagen Passat B7 uses an independent suspension: front - MacPherson strut, rear - multi-link. The chassis is generally reliable, but with the advent of cold weather, it is filled with various sounds when crossing tram tracks or driving on uneven roads. The cause of extraneous sounds is mainly the stabilizer struts and bushings (their resource rarely exceeds 10,000 km). Also, it does not please the service lines of silent blocks 40-60 thousand km. With an aggressive driving style, after 50,000 km, wheel bearings can hum, and large-diameter discs reduce the chances of survival of this unit. The front strut supports live a little longer up to 70,000 km, and shock absorbers rarely nurse more than 100,000 km. The rest of the suspension elements serve 100-150 thousand km.

As for the reliability of the steering, the electric power steering deserves special attention here. Most often, problems with the amplifier occur due to oxidation of the power contacts. Also, problems can arise in the mechanical part of the unit. The rail, as a rule, does not cause trouble for 120-150 thousand km. The braking system is reliable and does not cause much trouble for a long time.

Salon

The quality of finishing materials, like most cars of this class, is at a high level, despite this, on cars with a mileage of more than 100,000 km, the interior is not without signs of wear. Also, it is worth noting that over the years, crickets settle in the cabin. Most often, extraneous sounds come from the instrument panel, center console, rear shelf and brake light cover. As for the electrics, in general it is reliable, no problems that are often repeated have been identified. The car is equipped with a large number of different electronic systems, for which the control units are responsible - it is they who can eventually begin to make the “head”. In most cases, to fix a particular problem, it is enough to reflash the corresponding unit, but this requires time and money, so be sure to check the electronics for errors before buying a used car.

Outcome:

In general, a used Volkswagen Passat B7 is a good car for quite adequate money (10-14 thousand USD). When choosing a car of this model, it is better to focus on copies released after 2012, there are two reasons for this: the first is that in 2011 the manufacturer eliminated many shortcomings; the second - such instances will have a relatively low mileage.

If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you had to face during the operation of the car. Perhaps it is your review that will help readers of our site when choosing a car.

Sincerely, editorial Autoavenue

Used German cars have always been an alternative to not the most affordable offers in the new car market. Today, transport from Germany remains quite high-quality, even if it is difficult to cite it as an example in terms of durability and build quality. The flagship of the German concern VW - a large business sedan Passat - today is produced in the 8th generation. The machine looks great, it serves perfectly and is unlikely to cause negative emotions in the buyer. However, the price tag for the car is simply huge. The cost starts from 1,400,000 rubles, which by any standards turns out to be quite an expensive pleasure. Lovers of comfort, modern style and other important advantages of the Passat began to look at the secondary market, where quite presentable options for buying a used B7 generation have long begun to appear. These machines still look very modern and can provide excellent performance for the buyer.

Of course, in order to use all the advantages of the machine, it is necessary to select it with high quality. In particular, you need to pay attention to the mileage, equipment, choose the appropriate units. Some versions of the seventh Passat were not the most successful, this is also worth knowing. To make a quality selection, you need to know the main weaknesses of the car and not buy vehicles without diagnostics at a good service. The service station should also be chosen carefully to avoid deception or incompetence of the craftsmen. Moreover, the car is technological and requires a very careful approach to detail. Pay attention to the condition of the body, engine and the main indicators of electronic devices, so as not to buy a car after an excessively high mileage. If the selection is made incorrectly, you will have to visit the service regularly and lay out round sums.

What is interesting Passat B7? Key benefits of buying

The car is very nice and retains the relevance of the design, as did all its predecessors. For many years this style will not go out of fashion and will remain modern, as the car has charisma, concise and thoughtful design in all small details. Unification with other models of the concern did not harm the Passat at all, only made it even more German and pedantic in regard to trifles. Today, the B7 generation is bought for some important advantages:

• a fairly extensive range of engines, among which there are very reliable and successful units for all occasions, a large number of boxes, there is plenty to choose from for the buyer;
• excellent quality paintwork, the machine is remarkably protected from corrosion and other problems, in this it continued the traditions of previous generations, making the quality of the body even higher;
• the highest comfort of movement, the car is designed for long trips, so the convenience in it is honed to the smallest detail, it is enough to drive on all types of roads to understand this;
• high-quality interior materials that do not wear out, as happens on competitors' cars, and this allows you to keep the interior in order even at 300,000 km;
• dynamism, a high level of driving pleasure, which also allows you to make an informed decision when choosing between the Passat and other similar cars on the market.

The car pleases with its exterior and interior decoration, rides well, does not break down so often. Auto can be called one of the best in its class, but this concept has long been subjective. Today, there are a huge number of cars on the secondary market from which you can choose. But prices for decent options remain quite high. For selection, pay special attention to some of the shortcomings and main disadvantages of the car in order to know where to look when buying.

What childhood diseases and problems can the Passat B7 have?

You can talk a lot about minor annoyances, such as abrasion of the upper part of the rear bumper. At the moment of closing the trunk, the lid touches the plastic part a little, the paint wears off over time. But these are trifles, and when buying a used Passat, you should not pay attention to them. There are much more serious and underestimated problems that should be considered when choosing a car. The main aspects of the application of attention when choosing a car are as follows:

• TSI engines - you need to be very careful in diagnosing, since the turbine lives no more than 120-130 thousand km, and the motor itself is constantly working under load, high mileage is undesirable;
• DSG boxes - in the Trade Winds, 6-DSGs were installed to a greater extent, which have nothing to do with problematic 7-speed robots, but there are problems in such gearboxes;
• front suspension - it’s worth driving on rough roads before buying a car, knocks can be associated with stabilizer struts, this is normal, and if there are other problems, repairs will be expensive;
• smart steering rack - you should be very careful about diagnosing the rack, as problems will be very expensive, and problems often happen with the amplifier control system;
• anthers, clamps and fasteners - it is worth looking at the lower part of the car, assessing the integrity of the CV joint anthers, clamps in the lower part of the radiator at the connections with the pipes.

In the operation of the Passat, it is important to comply with all the small requirements of the manufacturer. For example, on TSI engines, dropping the coolant level below a specified minimum can cause the engine to overheat. Overheating for 1.4 and 1.8 TSI is fraught with very serious problems. It is worth making sure that the car is serviced normally. Otherwise, problems that are expensive to fix may arise in the near future. Passat repair is very expensive.

Prices, years of production and vehicle options

It makes no sense to list all the options for equipping the Passat B7. The car was delivered to Russia in dozens of configuration options, buyers in most cases ordered individual configurations and equipment options. In the secondary market, many cars are not with the best technology options. For example, 1.4 TSI for 122 horsepower is not recommended, it causes a lot of problems in operation after 100,000 km of run. The pricing features are as follows:

• cars manufactured in 2011 - the first in the Russian market from the seventh generation, stopped selling cars in 2015, and the final cost depends heavily on the year of manufacture;
• the largest number of offers of 2012-2013 years of production, then the crisis began and the rise in the exchange rate of foreign currencies, which caused a rise in the price of the car and problems with its purchase;
• among gasoline engines, the 1.8 TSI option paired with a manual gearbox is considered the best configuration, but you need to look at the timing chain at every regular maintenance;
• diesel engines are represented by the corporation's flagship - a 2-liter unit with several power options, a 140-horsepower device is considered optimal, the machine is not bad here;
• today, the average cost of a 2012 car in good condition is estimated at 700,000 rubles, but you can find options that are much cheaper, but with drawbacks.

Cars were often bought for commercial use. Many enterprises use the trade winds as a vehicle for transporting important clients, guests, and delegations. This implies huge miles, so you should buy such cars very carefully. Also, the owners of the Passat B7 do not take care of their cars too much, realizing that after 150-200 thousand km they will simply sell them. So when buying a used car, you should carefully consider all the subtleties of diagnostics.

What competitors should be considered for the Passat?

There are many interesting offers in this price range. If we take as a basis the cost of about 700,000 rubles and the year of issue from 2012 to 2014, you can find very attractive options. In particular, European and Japanese cars of the elite segment, which were developed by the best specialists in the automotive industry, evoke pleasant emotions. It is worth mentioning that the Passat is one of the class leaders, despite the large competitive range.

The main competitors in the secondary market are as follows:

1. Opel Insignia. A very decent car that has similar dimensions, excellent equipment, modern style. A 2014 car with a 140-horsepower 1.8-liter engine and mechanics will cost about 700,000 rubles.
2. KIA Optima. Despite the Korean origin, this car easily competes with more famous manufacturers from around the world. A 2014 machine in a simple configuration with a 150-horsepower engine will cost about 700,000 rubles.
3. Nissan Teana. In 2012, a lot of cars were sold in Russia, today you can buy a used version of this year of manufacture with a powerful 2.5-liter unit for 670-690 thousand rubles.
4. Ford Mondeo. A very worthy European alternative with excellent engines. A complete set with a 2.3 liter engine for 161 forces can be bought for an affordable 650-670 thousand rubles, a car manufactured in 2013.
5. Renault Fluence. Let this car be a little smaller than the Passat, but the level of comfort and quality can be compared. Moreover, a 2014 car with a practical simple motor can be bought for 620-650 thousand rubles.

As you can see, there are a lot of competitors. Interestingly, the German car offers you quite a decent opportunity to compare with rivals. But many will choose other cars. You need a little more money to buy a Camry; only fairly worn cars are represented in this price segment. Passat B7 owners are often better car-watchers than alternative vehicle owners. So it is worth making sure that your choice is correct.

We offer you to look at the review of the used Passat and learn about its advantages and disadvantages:

Summing up

Choosing a car in the Russian secondary market is quite difficult. Many cars have heavily twisted mileage, very well hidden flaws. Almost half of the ad options are offered by resellers, who perfectly disguise themselves as caring owners. So you should pay special attention to the quality of the car and always carry out diagnostics, inspect everything with your own eyes. There are cases when the Passat B7, quite pleasant in appearance, turned out to be checked with a mileage of over 400,000 km and a lot of hidden problems. The machine has interesting features of preserving visual qualities.

It is better to select a car not from a photo or even from external perception, it is very important to conduct an inspection at a service station. By lifting the car on a lift, you can indirectly get more information about the mileage, the quality of service and a certain attention to the car. It is worth paying attention to the wear of interior parts, computer diagnostics data, recommendations of specialists at the service. Otherwise, it is quite difficult to determine the quality of the car offered to you. Buying a good car can be quite simple, but for this you need to understand certain childhood diseases and know where to look when choosing. Do you think the Passat B7 is a good option for buying a used one?

Four-wheel drive, "mechanics" and more

If you do not take into account the features of the "machines", then the transmission is more than reliable. Minor difficulties are associated only with the anthers of the front CV joints, there are frequent cases when they flowed at runs up to 50 thousand due to loose or flown clamps. It is recommended that this assembly be checked, and if a non-factory clamp is installed, then a thorough revision of the state of the CV joint itself is necessary.

All-wheel drive vehicles with a Haldex clutch in the rear wheel drive perform well. The latest generation clutch itself is still working reliably, it is recommended to change the oil in it at 40-50 thousand mileage, not earlier, the electrician does not fail, the pump will pass 120-180 thousand kilometers even if there is no maintenance, with runs above 200, the unit usually requires repair.

Again, there are no difficulties with the angular gearbox. True, this is all provided that a heavily tuned motor is not worth it. With a 350-horsepower engine under the hood and regular “races” on the tracks, all transmission elements are at risk - you can “roll up” the driveshaft, the rear gearbox, and the clutch for literally tens of thousands of kilometers.

There are no particular difficulties with mechanical boxes, provided that. Here the clutch is rather weak even for stock 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TSI engines, not to mention diesels. The clutch resource is on average about 50-60 thousand kilometers, even with careful handling, and the expensive two-mass flywheel does not last much longer, especially on diesel engines.

And if the motor is boosted, then real difficulties begin. The clutch at a torque above 320 Nm wears out literally in 10-20 thousand, and then slippage begins. The clutch from VR 6 does not fit in this place, but fortunately, tuning comes to the rescue - you can put a custom Bryce flywheel and get what you want.

But the manual transmissions themselves in practice turned out to be less strong than the six-speed preselective DQ 250 and, moreover, than the DQ 500, so for serious tuning in this case, the “mechanics” are not the best fit. With a torque of 450-470 Nm, regular manual transmissions do not last long. Well, there are no purely resource problems yet, except that the oil seals of the manual transmission axle shafts can leak at high mileage.

Robots DSG7

The most successful option that could be found on generation B 6 machines - the Aisin TF 60SN - was not officially installed on the B7. If you see it in the ads for the sale, then most likely the car is not quite a B7, but its American relative, which has a very distant relation to the European B7.

Pictured: Volkswagen Passat (B7) "2010–14

Occasionally there are cars with an automatic transmission “swap”, since the manufacturer has provided everything for this - literally “take it and put it”, for example, with Passat CC or Skoda Octavia, where this equipment was one of the most common. Not a bad box, but on a Passat with a standard cooling system, it regularly overheats and does not last so long. Already after 100-120 thousand kilometers, twitches are possible due to contamination of the valve body, dirty oil and intensive wear of the gas turbine engine blocking linings, and overheating makes the automatic transmission wiring fragile. In general, this automatic transmission will overcome 200-300 thousand kilometers only with good service, but the chances are high, and it is repaired relatively inexpensively.

Regularly, cars with engines up to 1.8 TSI inclusive relied on a seven-speed “dry” DSG transmission with the general name DQ 200. VW succeeded in making an inexpensive, fast and economical automatic transmission for their cars. That's just all the users of cars with these boxes until 2013-2014 acted as beta testers. After 2014, a set of improvements to the box finally covered the main weaknesses, and the reliability of its operation increased to quite acceptable for automatic transmissions of the latest generations. Now the box began to drive stably until the moment of regular wear of the clutch kit for 120-160 thousand city mileage, without bothering with breakdowns.

Unfortunately, on machines until 2013, there were more than enough difficulties. The low resource of the clutch kit is just the tip of the iceberg. The company was constantly refining the box software to save resources while maintaining the dynamics of the car, so the first versions of the automatic transmission were noticeably “more cheerful” than the current ones.

Initially, the clutch resource often did not exceed 30 thousand kilometers, and the technology for replacing them turned out to be very complicated. After the first repair, the problems multiplied - if the technology was violated, the mechanical part of the box suffered, and the set of clutches itself did not last very long. Now the services have become adept at carrying out this procedure, and even unofficial ones change clutches with a good chance of success. But there are other problems as well.

The most obvious and fatal incident for the box DQ 200 was a very weak differential, not designed for a moment of 250 Nm from the engine and a large gear ratio of the first steps of the automatic transmission. During intensive launches, the axis of the satellites was literally welded to one of them or simply left the body. Of course, in any case, the body of the box collapsed, the wheels wedged, and only the fact that this usually happened at low speed saved from serious consequences.

In addition to the clutches, the engine flywheel also wears out at the box. Its price is high enough to pay attention to its wear and tear.

Breakdowns of the mechanical part are also not uncommon, until 2013 this happened often, especially for cars with operation in Moscow traffic jams. The wear of gear shift forks, clutch release forks, rod seats led to shock engagement of gears or a complete failure of the box. Shafts and bearings also broke down with this kind of malfunction, but sometimes the shaft bearings failed on their own.

An important part of the DSG is the mechatronics unit, which contains the control electronics and hydraulics. In the case of the DQ 200, the unit does not have external cooling, which makes it dependent on the temperature in the engine compartment, and the electric pump drive. Previously, valve bodies were not repaired, only assembly replacement was practiced, but at the moment this problem has been solved.

If you still decide to buy a car with DSG 7, and the box went into an “accident”, then even self-repair is possible. All you need is a suitable diagnostic scanner to move the rods to the service position and a set of tools to fix the clutch. You can remove it almost in the yard, although all the systems of new boxes are very demanding on cleanliness, so I cannot recommend this style of repair.

Further, it is quite simple to replace the valve body drive pump, hydraulic accumulator, system seals, filter (on the condition of which much depends) and clean or replace the set of solenoids. If the board is damaged (for example, part of the wiring burned out or the contact between the electronics board and the main wiring board is lost), then few people do such repairs, but it is also possible.

Boxes from the turn of 2013 and 2014 have an order of magnitude fewer failures, especially in terms of mechatronics and mechanics, and optimized algorithms protect the clutch. Those owners who bought the car in 2013 were especially lucky - their cars have a five-year warranty, as well as earlier, frankly unreliable box options. Since 2014, the warranty has been reduced to the previous 2 years, but this is fully justified.

Robots DSG 6

The six-speed automatic transmission DQ 250 looks much more interesting, which was standardly installed with 2.0 TSI, 3.6 FSI engines and 2.0 TDI diesel engines. Its design is very different from the "dry" box. Her clutch is made in the form of packages of "wet" clutches that operate in a common oil bath of the engine.

The box is designed for noticeably more torque and is actively “swapped” instead of the DQ 200 during tuning. The main advantage of this box is the older design, which means a better balance in the reliability of all its components.

Radiator

original price

9 603 rubles

But in essence the problems are the same. The clutches do not burn, but their wear affects the contamination of the gearbox oil and the wear of the mechatronics. There is external cooling, and installing a banal crankcase protection will no longer lead to the death of the box. But the cooling is clearly insufficient, the design of the thermostat and heat exchanger allow the oil temperature to go far beyond 120 degrees, and at such temperatures, the wear of the mechanics greatly increases and the electronics begin to fail. Fortunately, most of the problems are solved by frequently changing the box oil - this is just the case when the more often the better. Once every 30-40 thousand will be optimal.

The most common problem with this automatic transmission is wear on the solenoid seats. Due to the heavy contamination of the oil during operation, the abrasive literally gnaws out pieces of the aluminum board. Garbage and shavings are a common misfortune of such boxes. It is recommended to change the filter frequently, it can be simply torn if it is very dirty. It is also worth installing an external radiator (for example, from the American Passat CC it gets up as a native) and a filter.

Seals, rubber rings and box seals suffer from chips, so leaks and pressure leaks from poor maintenance occur regularly. The mechanical part also suffers from oil contamination, dirt damages bearings and gears, and at a certain level of contamination with solid particles, damage grows like an avalanche.

DSG 6 repair is not too easy, a lot of problems arise due to unskilled intervention. Services that have mastered hydraulic four-stages and some five-stages in repair may be surprised to find that the qualifications of craftsmen and equipment are not enough even for accurate assembly and disassembly of the unit.

Both DSG robots provide very high performance to the car, but the number of expensive repairs due to their fault is very high even with low mileage. And if the DQ 250 box basically requires frequent and high-quality maintenance, then the DQ 200 until 2013 simply has too many design defects. Not all of them appear immediately, many cars managed only to replace the block software and one clutch replacement with runs up to 200 thousand kilometers, but the chances of serious expenses with such an automatic transmission are very high. Especially during cork operation, and even with an increased temperature in the engine compartment and maximum loads.

It’s really bad for such a box when tuning motors, because with a standard limit of 250 Nm, there is software for it and even clutch kits designed for a moment one and a half times greater. In this case, the mechanics simply “burns”.

Motors

Petrol 1.8 and 2.0

The engines of the Passat B 7 are also "the most advanced". He is supposed to have only one naturally aspirated engine, this is a 3.6-liter VR 6, the rest are equipped with turbines with all the ensuing difficulties. I’ll immediately upset that all the proposed motors are not flawless in terms of the mechanical part. But the scope for tuning is simply amazing. If you read my article, then the motor from the EA888 series is used as an example, just like on the Passat. 1.4 TSI engines are tuned noticeably worse, but the increase in power compared to the factory version can be up to 50%, which is very, very much. That's just with reliability, even during normal operation, there are serious problems.

In the photo: Under the hood of the Volkswagen Passat TSI Variant (B7) "2010–14

Even at such a young age by automotive standards, there are complaints about poor tightness of intake systems, radiator pollution and cooling system leaks. You should pay attention to this when buying any gasoline Passat. Oiling the intake pipes at the same time will tell you whether the engine is using oil, and where the leak occurs - through the turbine or through the ventilation system. In general, inspection of the engine compartment, even on a fresh car, should be carried out with all the meticulousness.

A lot of engines have already gone through a piston group replacement or even a block replacement for a run of 120-150 thousand kilometers, so there may be nuances associated with an unqualified installation: damage to the wiring, violation of the laying of hoses and wiring. In addition, the owners are clearly "embarrassed" to admit to the true mileage of the cars. Sometimes you can get this information when diagnosing with a scanner, according to marks from various blocks, where “mileage rewinders” were too lazy to climb, but the condition of the engine will tell a lot to an attentive person.

The most running engine for the Passat B7 is the 1.8 TSI EA 888 family. With a power of 152-160 horsepower, it provides very good dynamics, especially in combination with DSG, and high efficiency. The two-liter 2.0 TSI engine is extremely similar in design to it, except that it is equipped with a completely different box and is more boosted in terms of torque. But the basic nuances of the design they have in common.

In the photo: Volkswagen Passat TSI (B7) "2010–14

Turbine 1.8 TSI (K03)

original price

112 938 rubles

1.8 engines are mainly the CDAA series, and two-liter engines are CCZB. First of all, you should pay attention to the tendency to oil appetite. The manufacturer struggled with this intensively, but as a result of all the replacements of the piston group, only after 2013, the option can be considered acceptable. It is not prone to coking at the slightest opportunity and has an acceptable resource.

Several different options with different thicknesses of the piston pin, piston and connecting rod on machines until 2013 are limitedly compatible with each other, but all have the unpleasant property of starting to devour oil at the slightest overheating or a rare oil change. This is due to the strange design of the piston rings, insufficient oil flow from the oil scraper ring and its weakness.

An additional factor contributing to losses is contamination of the crankcase ventilation system, leakage of gaskets and seals, a tendency to coking of intake valves, increased wear of intake valve guides and low life of their seals.

Pictured: Volkswagen Passat TSI Variant (B7) "2010–14

Another nuisance that every owner will face is the small and unpredictable resource of the timing chains and oil pump. On average, it does not exceed 120 thousand, although there are unique ones with runs over 250 on one chain. Yes, there are also breaks in the pump circuit, especially during winter starts. The pump itself rarely fails, but in any case, the result is fatal to the engine.

The icing on the cake is the execution of the pump and thermostat in a single unit with a plastic case. Plastic from the age of three years is prone to warping and leaks. The price of the node is quite high, in addition, the motor is very sensitive to coolant leaks and overheating.

Pump with thermostat 1.8/2.0 TSI

original price

13 947 rubles

With all this, the engines of this series have a large margin of safety of the piston group, a good crankshaft, a durable block and a boost margin of one and a half to two times without interfering with the piston group, only with the replacement of turbines and the power system.

Moreover, moderate forcing does not greatly affect the resource during normal operation, at least because tuning firmware first of all reduces the operating temperature, which has a good effect on the condition of the engine. They also require the use of a higher quality and viscous oil and more frequent oil changes than prescribed by the maintenance schedule. A very significant number of cars in Russia have chip tuning, do not be too afraid of this when buying, but in this case you should take a closer look at the state of the automatic transmission.

Petrol 1.4

The younger brother of the "big" 1.4-liter engines is noticeably more fragile. Its piston group does not tolerate forcing, the pressurization system has a weak spot in the form of a liquid intercooler, and the timing chain drive has a very small resource and is prone to chain jumps.

The family includes four series of motors. The simplest 1.4 122 liters. With. - these are CAXA motors, they are the most common. Less common is the variant of the 160 hp twin supercharged engine. s., CTHD / CKMA series. It is very rare to find variants of this motor optimized for operation on compressed gas, the 150 hp CDGA series. With.

Pictured: Volkswagen Passat (B7) "2010–14

Oddly enough, the best option is precisely the “gas” engine. It has a hardened piston group, which is almost not prone to coking, a more durable cylinder head material and a nominally lower operating temperature. Dual-supercharged engines have a very complex intake system, with a compressor and a turbine, and therefore a high cost of maintenance after the warranty expires.

Timing chain 1.8/2.0 20V

original price

4 993 rubles

In Europe, they were in demand for a combination of high power and amazing efficiency. A large sedan with such an engine on the highway has a consumption of less than 5 liters per hundred, and at low speed - even less than 4, in the urban cycle the consumption can be less than 9 liters, which is a serious achievement for a car of this mass with a gasoline engine.

Problems with the timing chain are typical mainly for cars manufactured before 2012, but surprises are possible after. In any case, the resource will not exceed 120-150 thousand, and when noise appears, it is recommended to change it immediately, without waiting for the jump. If the motor is older, then check if the front cover of the engine has changed - on the new design, the protrusions that prevent the chain from jumping, a more aggressive configuration.

You also need to monitor the cleanliness of the water-oil heat exchanger (its block is inserted into the intake manifold and is contaminated by crankcase gases), the serviceability of its cooling pump, and the cleanliness of the intercooler radiator section. And even with the systems in full working order, it is recommended to carefully monitor the operating temperature of the engine and the quality of gasoline. "Burning off" after a plug can lead to piston burnout, as well as summer "races" on the highway at speeds close to maximum speed.

Pictured: Volkswagen Passat Alltrack (B7) "2012–14

The same consequences are caused by refueling with 92 gasoline, ignoring errors in the fuel equipment or failure of the turbine adjustment servo drive in the closed position. A little more trouble can be delivered by the existing tendency to coking of the piston group at standard oil change intervals of 15 thousand kilometers. It occurs less frequently than on 1.8 / 2.0 engines, but it is not so painless.

Motor in the version of 122 liters. With. rather weak for this machine, and with firmware for 150-160 liters. With. the turbine is already suffering - it can withstand a maximum of 40-50 thousand kilometers. In general, this option is noticeably less reliable than larger engines, and the reduction in fuel consumption and maintenance costs is unlikely to compensate for this disadvantage.

Petrol VR 6

The top 3.6 BWS motor is frankly rare. A very interesting design has a good resource in general, but there are also enough shortcomings. At least a timing chain with an insufficient resource, the replacement of which requires the removal of the motor. It is located on the flywheel side, and the replacement of the lower chain is, in principle, impossible on the machine. Valve coking, a tendency to coking of the piston group are also noted. The dense layout, complex inlet, extremely complex cylinder head design also do not contribute to lower operating costs. Despite not being supercharged, it is hardly lighter than the 1.8 TSI.

Diesels

HPFP 1.8 TSI

original price

14 215 rubles

Diesel engines are mainly represented by two types of engines - 2.0 TDI with 140 hp. With. The CFFB series with unit injectors is a relatively old design, the second CBAB engine is already with Common Rail injection.

The pump-injector option is considered unequivocally resourceful and reliable, and the disadvantages associated with high wear of the camshafts and a drop in oil pressure in the cylinder head are known and solved. But new engines with electronic injection with the same power are much more responsive, have lower consumption and fewer expensive parts.

Of course, due to rare complaints, they get the impression that these are the most reliable engines on the new Passat. It may well be that this is so, but the operation of a diesel engine in Russia is always a lottery. It depends too much on the quality of the fuel, and components such as EGR and a particulate filter, when operating in traffic jams, increase the number of failures and reduce the resource.

In the photo: Under the hood of the Volkswagen Passat "2010–15

Is it worth taking?

For such a new car, the Passat B 7 has a lot of problems. Particularly unpleasant are the failures of engines and gearboxes with runs up to 150 thousand and expensive repairs at the same time. But other than that it's not that scary. The body isn't perfect, but most cars are holding up well so far. The salon has become noticeably better than its predecessor. Electricity is a little more complicated than that of most cars, but it also gives a lot of opportunities, raising the comfort of use at times. In addition, most repairs are carried out under warranty or as part of the manufacturer's post-warranty service, so that the owners do not bear the brunt of the costs.

If you take such a Passat, then as fresh as possible.

It is the latest series of machines that are less likely to have problems - just in time for the sunset, the PQ 46 platforms have corrected all the problems that have been dragging on for a pair of PQ 35 / PQ 46 platforms since their introduction. Both motors and gearboxes have become much more reliable, having got rid of childhood diseases. More specifically, I would advise a car with 1.8 on the "mechanics" or 2.0 with a well-maintained DSG 6. Do not count on a carefree future - sooner or later the car will ask for investments, but it is quite possible that by that time it will no longer be in your hands.

Pictured: Volkswagen Passat (B7) "2013–14