Anybody here current or former VW TDI owners? I've got a B5.5 Passat sedan. For all VW's quirks, they finally had that model completely sorted by the time they went to the B6. I'd be curious as to others' experiences in going from VW to MINI, particularly dealer comparisons, refinement and reliability of the cars, and whatever impressions you might have. TIA!

 

Im not sure about the VW TDI, but my mom has a 2007 VW bunny manual, which she has had for about 9 months. I just got my mini in february, and after driving my mini, she is seriously considering selling her vw so she can get a mini as well. But what do i know, i have never driven a VW, so my response will probably be no help. ohwell. happy motoring anyways!

 

Ha - just sold my B5.5 Wagon - 03 model June build and happy to report that I just made the cut on the "sorted" Passat era. I had no problems whatsoever w/mine.

I haven't taken delivery of my Clubman yet so can't comment on the service/reliability yet.

I can only chime in to say that I loved my wagon and shedded a tear when it went.

 

I've been a VW nut since I purchased my 1980 Scirocco new. Sold it after 26 years of ownership. I've also owned a '89 Cabriolet, '91 Passat (worst car ever), and still have a 2001 New Beetle Sport with an APR chip and suspension mods. Fun car. Fairly reliable except for the standard recalls and 1.8T coilpack issue.

My MCS has been more reliable than the NB. Dealer service experience has been better although I really haven't had major issues with VW service. I guess I can count myself lucky in that regard. I've gotten used to VW interior rattles over the years so I don't even notice them in my MINI anymore.

 

Just sold our 05 Touareg V8. Loved the VW other than service and parts prices. The brakes on the Touareg run about 1500.00 from the dealer Service I could go on for weeks about how bad I have been treated from 3 dealers in my area! Look around the VW forums they all have posts about bad service. If VW ever gets that in order I may go back to them. Just got my clubman a few weeks ago and only one problem with the club window. Took it to the dealer and will be getting a loaner car while they fix it.

 

You mean the door? What sort of problem?

 

Yes the glass on the club door pulled away. The dealer said it was the glass but I think they could have just glued it back in place.

 

Just bumping this back up to see who else might comment. Have a good Memorial Day!

 

I have been driving a 2003 VW GTI, and my Mum drives a 2004 VW R32. I like VDubs, but I hate the part quality. My GTI squeaks, rattles, leather steering wheel and seat are deteriorated. I think they use crap quality parts, and their service sucks in my experience. I can't wait for my MINI to get here.

 

Okay, so technically it's not a VW, but they're all part of the VAG group.... love my A6

 

Our car before the MINI was a 1996 Passat TDI station wagon. It was excellent for the first 5 years or so, then started to put out diesel fumes and smoke at around 40K miles. We kept it until over 100K miles and was still running fine when we sold it off. Mileage was around 38 mpg on around 90% city driving, and we regularly got 700 miles from a tank (it was advertised as having 800 mile range, and should easily do that on the freeway). Later I heard that it had a large overflow tank, and if you fill slowly, you can make fuel overflow into it and get a range of well over 1000 miles!

Actually we would have kept it longer if not for the strong diesel fumes/smoke that began after 40K-50K miles. The dealer was never able to resolve the issue. I believe our model (1996) was the first year of TDI in the US. It was a very good practical size, before the Passat ballooned out to the size of current models (as happened with all manufacturers).

We still had the TDI for a couple of months after getting the MINI. Here's a pic of it on my rear view camera!

 

Another previous VW owner...

here's my 1999 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T which I still own. I traded my 2004 golf 2.0 for my mini......no regrets. Dealership visits are much more pleasant.

 

Nice looking B5!

 

I currently own a 2006 vw beetle convertible and I have had nothing but problems with the car. Multiple recalls and electrical problems. This was the first new car that I have ever had and I have never had more problems with a car. I hate the dealer, who refuses to offer a courtesy ride on the weekend, and the fact that they tell me things are fixed and they are really not. I could go on and on, but instead, I will just wait patiently for my MINI and keep my fingers crossed that the vw doesn't have another recall before I can trade it in.

 

I'm still trying to break the habit of pushing down the gear shifter for reverse!

We just sold my old 98 jetta, but still have a B5.5 passat wagon as our family truckster. After driving the mini for a week, I drove the passat to the store this weekend. I had to pull over to check to see if the tires were flat. The car felt sooooooo loose.

 

I've run into quite a few guys from the Scirocco owner's groups here on NAM. I've had a '95 Passat GLX (VR6) since new - still have it. I have two '88 Scirocco 16v's, and we had a '00 GTI VR6 for about 4 years. They are nice, but, like another said, the B5 was a big dissapointment because it got so big and so boatlike. The 4th gen Golf/Jetta's were just OK, and the NB never could compete on anything but looks. We drove an NB vert before buying the MCSc, and there is just no comparison. The VW is loose, shaky, and slow. I was really disappointed. Anyway, VW keeps saying they are heading up-market to tackle Mercedes. I think they had things right in about '95 and have gotten a big head since then. Still, we will consider a B6 wagon for a family hauler. They are still way better than most things out there, and apparently much of the B5's slopiness has been tuned out of the new car.

 

I've been a VW nut for 20 years and this is the first time in 20 years that I haven't owned a VW. I've had an '84 GLI, '95 Jetta, '97 Cabrio and until May a '97 GLX. All in all they were fantastic cars and uber reliable. I was truly torn between an R32, A3 and the JCW - you can see from my sig which one I own. The real reason I didn't buy one of the others was that the R32 didn't come in a manual, and the A3 didn't come in a quattro with the 2.0 FSI engine. Furhtermore, I had not heard one good thing about either of the Audi dealers in the city. I knew all of the service guys at VW in the city so figured I'd be taken care of and a few of them I actually trusted. But it all came down the to the drive. I can honestly say that since I've bought the MINI, only once have I looked at another car and, just for a minute, thought I'd rather have it. That was an every day occurrence with the VW

Bottom line is that VW service is deplorable, MINI is very good in my limited experience. The build quality is better, but my car was 10 years old. My sister went from a '05 MCS to a Fahrenheit GLI and wishes every day that she had her MINI back. I don't think you'll be sorry.