[ctheodores]

If so around what mileage should I sell. I was looking to get a new car in january but my 02 b5.5 is about to hit 90k.

I know i NEED the timing belt and am planning to get it done at 90 k. The hoses were already looked at. Changed my cabin air filter and the other AC filter. Changed out spark plugs and coil packs. Shampooed the engine bay. Oil change of course.

What else am I gonna need to keep in tip top shape?

The springs sound like they are starting to go. It makes a "clunk" noise when I stop fully. Should I sell soon or wait a lot longer!

 

[GSO_Passater]

It is more likely a control are or connecting link than a spring. It may also be a strut.

 

[ctobio]

Repairing an older car that has a good service record and was well maintained is cheaper than a monthly car payment for 5 years.

 

[timebomb02]

Do the maintenance and repairs and hold onto it.

 

[YetAnother20V]

116K on my 02 1.8T

I changed my spark plugs at 40K and 80K. Oil changes with synthetic every 5K. Cabin filter every 20K. K&N filter cleaned and oiled every 30-40K. I use a maintenance dose (2oz) of Auto-RX every oil change. Has had 2 Auto-RX cleans (preventative). TB done at 72K.

About to change spark plugs (nearing 120K notice?). But with non-stock (BKR7Es) this time (chipped car).

Car still looks and drives like new. Much better looking design than a lot of the newer cars on the road today. Paid for!

Change your TB ASAP, you are on borrowed time there. And love it.

 

[VAGguy]

x2 doubt it's a spring. Control arms are most likely. It's funny, rather than spend a little to get it back into top shape, people would rather spend 3-400 a month for the next 5 years on another car.....amazing.

Tiing belt and all associated belts/parts.
Have the suspension looked at
replace all braided vacuum lines for hi-temp silicone.
That's really it.

 

[02GLXWag6stk]

Typifies why Passats have continuous TURNOVER

Full agreement with respondees.

IF one can't put up with the necessary maintenance and $'s necessary when
the "mountain of maintenance grows: it's TIME" most BOLT.... taking the easy... but myopic way out, unable to "see beyond their nose" because most are young!

And then those that are older would rarely consider a Passat for all the known reasons.

That IMHO epitomizes and plagues the reliability, design issues or torture (the hate side of the love/hate) that only certain types put up with!

Hence supply overwhelms demand and resale prices show no floor.

 

[shuPASSAT]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned anything about drivetrain fluids. Auto/manual trans fluid, differentials(if 4 motion)

 

[keithermadness]

X3 on all of the above!

 

[traubenberg]

You don't sell unless you're spending more on monthly maintenance items (outside of scheduled bits like oil changes, etc) than you would spend on the monthly payment and increased insurance cost of a new car.

Just FYI: because they are necessary but infrequent, you cannot count the likes of TB changes into this equation.

 

[mk3]

I'm not sure about the corrosion/rust situation in FL but for those of us in the rust belt:

- lift the car up on stands and get under it to look for loose or cracked or missing undercoating. repair as you like. I like rust converter, body seam caulk and 3m 08883 undercoating because this is what VW called for in the TDI fender corrosion TSB.

- repair rock chip damage on the outer body as you like.

have you flushed the brake fluid every 2 years? This is called for in the manual.

I don't mess with vacuum lines unless there is a problem but maybe these go bad quicker in hot climates.

 

[ctheodores]

I will get my suspension looked at. Getting tb done soon. I am looking to keep for maybe another 90k and when graduate college in a year I'll have enough to throw out with the help of family as a grad present. I've had a lot of problems with the car but it sat for 5 months from a previous family member. She was second owner. Hopefully after this preventative maintenance now I won't have any more problems like full brake system replaced or oil in engine coolant or such