Alright --- Stupid question that I definately should but don't know: What is the difference between the '99 and '99 1/2 Passat? I've seen this so many times but just never thought to ask.

I don't know all that many differences, but there definately are some small ones...IE - some of the relays are different, the coolant temp sensor is different...things like that. I don't know of any major components that don't match (ie - the ECU from a 98 will work on a late 99, suspension/steering components are the same, etc.)

 

How do I tell which one I have?

 

Look for the born on date located on the drivers door sill.

 

The date of manufacture of my car is 5/99, so would this be a 99 or the 99.5.

 

12 monts in a year. Half of 12 is 6.

I will not insult your intelligence completely.

Dates aside why do you need to know? Taking inventory of you relays?

 

I don't think it relates to the '99 calendar year. His was built very late in the '99 model year. Mine was built in Sept '98. I would think there would be a VIN number cutoff.

 

I don't think it relates to the '99 calendar year. His was built very late in the '99 model year. Mine was built in Sept '98. I would think there would be a VIN number cutoff.

There is...but it's very screwy. Mine was also 05/99, but it's an "early 99" model. When trying to source a fuel pump relay, my dealer couldn't match the one my car had to it's VIN...they had to use a VIN from a 98 model. Same deal with the coolant temp sensor.

 

is 99.5 when they stopped using the aeb engine?

 

is 99.5 when they stopped using the aeb engine?

I believe it changed MY 2000? Mine is an AEB & so is the 99 1/2 crowd.

 

I believe 6/98 was when it was built.

 

12 monts in a year. Half of 12 is 6.

I will not insult your intelligence completely.

Dates aside why do you need to know? Taking inventory of you relays?

I'm not a moron and do realize that there are 12 months in a year and half of that is 6. Like mentioned above, its not based upon the calander year. I don't know when volkswagen decided to change things and call it a 99.5. I just realize that its not based off the calander year. With your thinking, how do you explain the 2006 model year Passats being out already?

 

Because it is just that: model year.

Take that 06 and look on the sticker. I bet you will come across all current 06s being built in 05! Why, becuase it is not 06 yet! Unless the 06 is equipped with flux capacitors and has already acheived 1.21 Giggawatts.

Also, there are some B5 AEBs that do have 97 build dates. Yet, B5 was a 1998 year model.

So whats this all mean?

Model year and build year aren't always the same.

Years aside, what really matters is VIN. Even AEBs I would guess do not have all the same ETKA #s. For example, there exist AEBs with green dashes and blue/red dashes. Those bulbs I bet are different #s.

All this being said, my thinking still is in check. I bet even in year 2006, there would be 12 months.

 

early '99:
stubby passenger side mirror (vs full size)
amber turn signal repeaters on fender (vs clear)
less hash marks on speedo- every 10 MPH, IIRC
different sunroof panel/motor
no child seat tie-downs on rear hat shelf (i think)

those are the differences that i can recall...

 

early '99:
stubby passenger side mirror (vs full size)
amber turn signal repeaters on fender (vs clear)
less hash marks on speedo- every 10 MPH, IIRC
different sunroof panel/motor
no child seat tie-downs on rear hat shelf (i think)

those are the differences that i can recall...

Even those aren't always spec...my 05/99 has the full passenger mirror, clear turn signal repeaters, more hash marks on speedo, the late-99 sunroom panel/motor, yet doesn't have child seat tie-downs (which I would like to have...at least for another 6 months).

There's something strange to be said for the 98/99/99.5 models...my VIN comes up as a late 99, but certain parts don't fit & require a 98 spec. Very interesting to say the least.

 

My car is probably pretty similar to yours as i have the full size mirrors, but no child seat tie downs, clear turn signal repeaters, more marks on the speedo. So basically its a mix between the two models.

 

My car was built 7/98 and its an early '99, another way you can verify it, is by checking to see where the button for the gas refill door is located, if its located dirrectly under the middle handrest (on the right side of the driver seat) then its an early '99 for sure.

 

My car was built 7/98 and its an early '99, another way you can verify it, is by checking to see where the button for the gas refill door is located, if its located dirrectly under the middle handrest (on the right side of the driver seat) then its an early '99 for sure.

That's where mine is...where is it on the late 99's?

 

i could have been wrong about the child seat tie-downs... but i think the gas filler release didn't move to the driver's door (with the trunk release) until '00. Can anyone verify that?

 

brake rotors?

 

+1 for what everyone else said AND...

282.5mm rotors. all later carshave 288mm(i believe)

 

The child seat tie-downs are a freebie. The LATCH system is to be installed at your local dealer by your dealer.

 

3 rear headrests instead of 2?? fold down arm rest in rear seat?

also the pass mirror is gls/glx difference, not a model year diff.

 

also maybe the mirror controls, my 98 has a flat panel, girls ex-passat (late 99)had joystick.

 

I have the joystick on my early '99.

 

Brake pad wear indicators - late build 99s have them earlier ones don't. Also the rotor size as someone mentioned but true to VW its not necessarily consistent.

I have an early VIN 99, without pad sensors but with 288mm rotors. I have the blue dash and full size side mirror as well as the joystick and the center console fuel filler door release. Additionally, I have the 3 rear headrests but no LATCH tie downs on the parcel shelf. I also don't have the rear seat fold down armrest.

Cars built close to the middle of the year have a combination of the two - it probably came down to which parts they had in inventory when the car was built.