Tallpaul":1ng8uy24 said:
legrandefromage":1ng8uy24 said:
VW fault codes rarely match VW engine problems - 'overboost' code could mean MAP or MAF or turbo or about 7 other things. I no longer bother with engine fault codes as they seem pretty meaningless.
Whilst they don't always directly point to the problem, in combination with the symptoms and experience of VAG engines they are a usefull and often essential aspect of diagnosis.
Just ask the lad I work with who refused to take his car to a garage for a persistant misfire on a golf. The CEL light was on indicating that a code was stored but he proceeded to spend £200 changing everything from the ignition coil to the lambda probe. Finally he took it to a garage who looked at the code, drove it and immediately said 'it's your crankshaft speed sensor' and they were right.
You indicate you can't immediately replace it. Would it run satisfactoraly until you can replace it? If not, you have to fix it. Otherwise there's not enough info here to make a decision i.e. what would a replacement be (in terms of age, mileage and marque)?
In the 90k I've run this car, the fault codes have yet to match actual problems. This was using the correct equipment and not a reader or VAG.com software.
With the budget I have, a like for like replacement would literally replace it with another 180k Passat. If I wanted a lower mileage model, they are still £2500+ which would mean in 6 months time having to replace suspension bushes, ECU problems, window mechanisms and so on.
Equivalent models from Audi are even more expensive even though to open the bonnet on a TDI A4, you'd struggle to tell the difference.
I find the Octavia an attractive alternative but I suspect the Golf derived rear suspension would be more costly in the long run and they are also a little cramped width wise, plus I'd have similar electrical problems to a replacement Passat.
There are not enough large Japanese models available at this price bracket (£2000 to £2500), although the Toyota Avensis D4-D is capable of legendary mileages. Mazda diesels are thirsty, Mitsubishi Charisma may be a little small but are excellent value. Long term, I have no information on them.
Owning a Fiat for a year, 30,000 miles and 1 clutch cylinder fault impressed me considering their woeful reputation. Our Doblo has taken all the abuse of Tesco diesel, heavy loads and intermittent remembering to put water in it. Cambelt was around £130 and Peugeot running gear is tough but coarse. If it wasnt for the easily damaged interior, I would be considering one of these.
Having put 150k on a Ford, never again. These cars seem designed for short term ownership and constantly mithering for some sort of attention to ancillaries such as steering racks and pumps.
The Peugeots that were run were always in for repair especially the run-out model 406 whereas the early 406 carried on and on and on.
That leaves Mercedes... I've found a 75,000 mile E300 Turbodiesel for £2500 - ooof... I would but only if income matched the extra fuel costs. A C250 sport estate would make for a better alternative...
So, to sum up, £700 spent on my own Passat seems to be the way forward, or, get off my ass and find a job locally where I dont have to rely on a car ever again...?
