Upgrade advice please

[tlp333]

Hi all,

Hoping for some advice on a potential upgrade for my B8 Passat. Situation is:

Current vehicle - 2015 B8 Passat 140TDI Highline with R-Line pack
100,000 km, full service history with VW. Just carried out timing belt service, car has been brilliant with the only issue being an AdBlue sensor going requiring the tank/sensor being replaced (VW covered 1/2 of the cost out of warranty given the service history). I've been the owner for the past 5 years, picked it up at 45,000 k's (all country k's) and the vehicle is great condition overall. I could sell the car for what I purchased it for/slightly more despite putting 50k + km on the clock given the used car market at the moment. 2 years left on a service plan which should help resale.

Vehicle I'm looking to purchase - 2018 B8 Passat 206TSI R-Line
23,000 km, owned by an older couple and cosmetically the car is brand new! Pretty much identical to my current car except for the TSI having bi-xenon headlamps, the digital drivers display and the updated infotainment system and overall better condition. My dilemma is that the owner has carried out all servicing by himself, as he is a mechanic by trade. Oil changes have been carried out every 6,000 k's, he's super fussy about maintenance and care of the vehicle but I don't know how to feel about the vehicle being serviced at home, if I was to purchase it I'd be returning to VW or a VW specialist for maintenance.

I expect the cost to trade into the newer car to be about $10,000 to $12,000 AUD.

If the TSI had a full VW service history, I wouldn't even blink! Even if all of the servicing has been carried out, would anyone be concerned that it's been carried out in a home garage? I'll get a full inspection carried out if I am serious about proceeding, just wondering if you guys think this might be a smart move or I'm out of my mind? Anything else I should be considering?

Thanks!
Tom

[MIG]

Suppose the owner has filled out the log book and kept receipts for oil and filters. Other service items like the brake fluid, Haldex oil, and filter are important every ~24-36 months, even if the car has low kilometres.

If the above has been done, and the car passes an interdependent euro shop inspection, I would think it's probably been looked after.
The warranty is probably up from VW anyway.

[tlp333]

Suppose the owner has filled out the log book and kept receipts for oil and filters. Other service items like the brake fluid, Haldex oil, and filter are important every ~24-36 months, even if the car has low kilometres.

If the above has been done, and the car passes an interdependent euro shop inspection, I would think it's probably been looked after.
The warranty is probably up from VW anyway.

Thanks for the info! I went and inspected the vehicle today, and it was immaculate, drove and presented as a new car! Service history is as follows:

- Purchased new June 2018
- Service 1 4/2/19 - 5,000 km
- Service 2 12/12/20 - 13,500 km
- Service 3 9/8/22 - 21,000 km

Oil & filters have been changed with the services, there hasn't been any other DSG/Haldex/other servicing carried out, just inspections. RACV have also looked over the vehicle and gave it a 10/10y. I have zero doubt that the car has been looked after, it is absolutely impeccable and a credit to the current owner who's clearly a car enthusiast came along with me on a long test drive.

I'd get a major service carried out by VW/Euro specialist if I were to buy the car, however would you think the lack of DSG and Haldex service after nearly 5 years is a deal breaker? Keeping in mind my car has 100,000 km on the clock now and is out of warranty, so I'd still expect the car with 23,000 k's with the above service history to still be better mechanically?

[petemac110]

With such low kms, the lack of DSG and haldex servicing would absolutely NOT be a worry for me, and likewise, the home servicing. Get both of these items (along with a brake fluid flush) done during the next service and you're good to go. It sounds like a great example of a B8 Passat to me!

[MIG]

Like petermac110 above, this does sound like a great example of a B8.

No issues with those services being missed with that many kms. The DSG is not time-based, but brake fluid and Haldex are; I would get them done if you decide to go with the car. I won't of damaged anything being missed; Brake fluid absorbs water and can reduce performance, and the Haldex moved to time-based (3 Years) with the gen five not having a filter; it's a good idea to service it regularly.

[Lucas_R]

I wouldn't have any hesitation buying this car as long as the services are documented and receipts/photos are provided for the parts used.

As others have mentioned, it would probably be wise to have your regular mechanic service the DSG, Haldex and replace the brake fluid, but with such low kms its unlikely to be an issue.

[tlp333]

Just an update to this thread - I purchased the car and have caught up with all of the servicing (incl. DSG, Haldex and brake fluid). It has been an absolute dream! I am missing the economy of the diesel, but the performance, ride quality and lack of road noise is wonderful compared to the 140TDI. There was a promotion on the VW service plans also so I've purchased the 4Plus plan which seem like decent value for the basic servicing, I'm sure I'll pay a premium in dealership servicing for all of the extra's though!

I was advised to change the tyres over soon given they're 6 years old (45% tread remain) and get the spark plugs done next year also, always something to be done

Thanks for the advice guys.

[petemac110]

Congrats! Glad to hear you're enjoying the new wheels.

I can highly recommend installing a throttle controller to eliminate the throttle lag and rather dead feeling when moving away from a stop. It's quite transformative and really improves the overall driving experience.

Beyond that, a good Stage 1 ECU and DSG tune takes the car to a new level of driveability (and of course, outright performance). The DSG tune in particular is a gamechanger in my experience.