arge
Part of things
Posts: 301
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Dec 14, 2015 12:38:42 GMT
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Hello,
I have the option of purchasing a 1.9tdi 1997 Passat.
The only thing I am wary of is the mileage. At 175k it's on the higher end of what I have ever owned.
It seems to drive well, plenty of oomph, no smoke or anything and changes gear smoothly. Apparently it has been recently serviced glow plugs and all.
Cambelt needs doing (last done 8 years ago)
My question, is 175k worth a punt on?
Car is fairly cheap, however once I have had the cambelt done, sorted a window switch and some trim it starts hitting the higher end of my bracket and is around the same price of other cars that are newer, with half the mileages etc etc.
Any info or guidance would be awesome.
Thanks
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Last Edit: Dec 14, 2015 20:27:32 GMT by arge
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Dec 14, 2015 12:45:43 GMT
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Worth a punt if it is still cheap after getting the jobs done. I would repeat your last paragraph to the seller and see if he will do a deal....
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qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,421
Club RR Member Number: 52
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Passat 1.9tdiqwerty
@qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member 52
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Dec 14, 2015 12:56:05 GMT
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What engine and what shape?
97 could be an early B5 or a very late B4?
Either one will have a pretty bullet proof non PD 1.9tdi. I had a B5 Audi A4, had about 180k on it when I sold it and it was still going great, only sold it because the wife wouldn't drive it.
Don't let the mileage put you off. None of my VAG 1.9tdi's have had less than 150k on them when I've bought them and none of them has ever needed anything major other than a clutch in the A4.
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arge
Part of things
Posts: 301
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Dec 14, 2015 13:02:18 GMT
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It is an early b5 sport.
Needs a good valet and clean but essentially looks pretty OK.
Guy wants 500 quids. Trim and switch work out around 40 quid. Cambelt kit and water pump come in around £100. New tyre will be around £50. Cambelt change will be a couple of hundred I guess?
Only mot'd until March.
I reckon he would take £400 so that puts the overall price at around £800.
I've seen several other cars; Volvo's, Saab's, Mercs and BMW's with half the milage, a full ticket and in the case of the BMW's and Mercs no timing belt to change...
Think I may have answered my own question!
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Dec 14, 2015 13:21:07 GMT
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cambelt isn't too bad to do on any of them, B5's front panel lifts forwards and gives excellent access to the engine.
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Davey
Posted a lot
Resident Tyre Nerd.
Posts: 2,349
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Dec 14, 2015 17:46:47 GMT
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My Skoda on same engine did 360k before I sold it and its still going, original turbo too.
Bomb proof.
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K11 Micra x3 - Mk3 astra - Seat Marbella - Mk6 Escort estate - B5 Passat - Alfa 156 estate - E36 compact
Mk2 MR2 T-bar - E46 328i - Skoda Superb - Fiat seicento - 6n2 Polo - 6n polo 1.6 - Mk1 GS300
EU8 civic type S - MG ZT cdti - R56 MINI Cooper S - Audi A3 8p - Jaguar XF (X250) - FN2 Civic Type R - Mk2 2.0i Ford Focus - Mercedes W212 E250
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jonk
Part of things
Posts: 154 
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Dec 14, 2015 17:59:37 GMT
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Recently sold my (pd) golf 1.9 which I bought with 152k and sold at 180k. In that time the engine did not worry me at all, like everyone says, they are bombproof. I did however spend a fair bit on things like brake pipes, shocks, power steering rack, ball joints etc.
Whilst these are well made cars with brilliant engines they will still be getting a bit worn out. That will be true of any car of that age though, of course, and at least bits are cheap and plentiful.
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Dec 14, 2015 20:00:50 GMT
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I've seen several other cars; Volvo's, Saab's, Mercs and BMW's with half the milage, a full ticket and in the case of the BMW's and Mercs no timing belt to change...
tensioner failure or streched chain can cause issues as bad as a snapped belt from personal experiance! they still need changing at somepoint!
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peewee
Part of things
Posts: 103
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Dec 16, 2015 20:37:21 GMT
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got a skoda tdi at my work place with 380k drives really well so well i would happily drive it about
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Dec 16, 2015 23:13:51 GMT
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Get a Saab 9-3 tid. I bought a 55 reg for £800 6 months ago.
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1994 BMW 525i touring
2004 BMW Z4 sorn and broken
1977 Ford Escort
1982 Ford Capri getting restored
1999 Mazda B2500 daily driver.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Passat 1.9tdiChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Dec 16, 2015 23:31:07 GMT
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As a non modern VAG fan (I have a bad experience with them) I'd say it's worth a punt with the above taken note of.
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arge
Part of things
Posts: 301
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Thanks for the advice all.
Got him down a bit and can get the cambelt done for £200 parts and labour so overall it has worked out pretty well I think.
Mpgs on the horizon.
Now just to sell the mk2 Cavalier.... Any takers?!
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Dec 18, 2015 10:41:33 GMT
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For a £400 car, it it worth getting the cambelt done? I wouldn't bother if I'm honest!
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Dec 18, 2015 11:19:41 GMT
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I bought a B5 Passat sport a few years ago on 175k miles for a grand. Great car, great MPG, id have another. As I bought her -  As I sold her -  |
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Current retro - 1996 Alfa Romeo GTV / Daily - 2016 Nissan Qashqai
Previous retros - Prelude, Integra, XR2s, XR3s, Orions, CRXs, Sylvia S12, S13, Pulsar, ZX 16v, 205 Gti, MX5, MR2 etc
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Passat 1.9tdiBenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Dec 18, 2015 20:52:24 GMT
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For a £400 car, it it worth getting the cambelt done? I wouldn't bother if I'm honest! My brother-in-law bought a Passat diesel like OP's, which needed the cambelt changing. He drove it for about a week before it snapped and scrapped the car. Personally, if it needed it I'd change the cambelt on any car I bought, regardless of how much the car cost. In my opinion if I buy a car with the intention of using it and relying on it then it's worth maintaining it I think. It beats being stranded somewhere waiting for the big yellow van and throwing £400 away!  |
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arge
Part of things
Posts: 301
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Dec 19, 2015 11:17:29 GMT
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For a £400 car, it it worth getting the cambelt done? I wouldn't bother if I'm honest! My brother-in-law bought a Passat diesel like OP's, which needed the cambelt changing. He drove it for about a week before it snapped and scrapped the car. Personally, if it needed it I'd change the cambelt on any car I bought, regardless of how much the car cost. In my opinion if I buy a car with the intention of using it and relying on it then it's worth maintaining it I think. It beats being stranded somewhere waiting for the big yellow van and throwing £400 away! Said it for me! Will be my daily driver, weekend hack, drive anywhere car. £200 for the peace of mind is worth every penny to me! |
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Dec 19, 2015 14:17:04 GMT
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Do it. I bought one. A 98 tdi estate with ropey bodywork and dodgy electrics. .
Fixed the trivial electric issues, put a set of tyres on it, gave it a new cambelt and service and it hasn't missed a beat.
30k miles later it's still doing me proud
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tofufi
South West
Posts: 1,463
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Dec 21, 2015 10:52:14 GMT
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My parents have had their '97 TDI Passat estate for the last 16 years and it's now on about 170k. In that time, other than servicing and consumables it's needed one air-mass meter, an air-con pump, and had to have a drain-hole in the scuttle area unblocked. I don't think that's bad for 16 years of motoring. It is decidedly dull though... it does come in useful occasionally  |
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Dec 21, 2015 11:29:51 GMT
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I had a 98 estate with the AFN lump which is what yours should have. It was great and I had a hard time getting it below 40 MPG even ragging it everywhere. A few niggles but nothing major. The main thing with these is the front suspension arms. Good ones are expensive and cheap ones won't last till the next MOT. Mine had 230k on it and still went very well.
While the front end is off for the cambelt you might want to consider a new aux belt tensioner as it's a PITA to do with the front end on.
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Dec 21, 2015 13:12:45 GMT
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It will be an afn if its the sport,
Look out for DMF timing belt change and front control arms x8.
Cheep cars cheep to run and will reward good maintenance with ever lasting loyalty...
Bought the one in my sig in 2000 its a 1997 sport with 247k on the clock and is as sweet as it was when I bought it.....
Go for it I say....
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