DaveF

VW Passat Aficionados: Need some some information

I'm shopping for a car, and I found a used 2002 Passat GLX 4Motion V6. While there is much to like about the Passat, there are some features that I strongly dislike and I'm wondering if there are fixes for these. (I googled and didn't find any decent VW forums. If they exist, please point them out to me.)

First, during my test drive, the steering wheel radio tuner buttons made the radio scan to each next available station, rather than cycle through only the presets. That odd design choice is enough to keep me from buying the car. Can it be set to cycle through just the presents?

Another radio question: can the in-dash radio be upgraded or changed out for one with a single CD player? Having to open the trunk, then open the access panel, then eject the CD cartridge to access the CDs is just no good for me. And a whole new stereo would be nice; I find the '02 stereo controls to be a real mess especially compared to the clean design of the Accord and Mazda6. (They've cleaned this up in the '04 Passat, but that's out of my price range.)

Finally, are there any aftermarket mods to increase the performance of the car? (I googled this and couldn't find solid information). If so, do they void the manufacturer's warranty? The 4Motion Passat is a bit sluggish compared to competitors such as the Camry, Accord, Mazda6, and Altima.

A used '02 Passat is very appealing, but the poor stereo/CD design kills it for me.

Thanks for your help and insights.

NickSo

Keith Mickunas

If the radio controls are like my '01 Jetta, nope, you can't change them. There might be some adapters that allow you to keep the steering wheel controls when you change out the radio but I'm not sure.

As for the engine mods, that's the same engine used in some of the Audis, like the A4 and A6. I'm sure there's mods out for it. The warranty issue is touchy, as with any car manufacturer. It'll depend on your dealer and your mods.

DaveF

Nick - thanks for the forum link. I'll check it out.

Keith - so in your '01 Jetta the steering wheel controls scans through all stations, and not just presets? (if so, bummer )

Keith Mickunas

Dave, yeah, but I made it work for me. I placed my presets appropriately, and it allowed me to get through a bunch of stations quite easily. I'd listen to more stations than presets, so this worked best for me.

BTW, the vortex is a great place for info VWs. Lots of noise there too, but plenty of good info.

Mark Paquette

1. On my Passat the steering wheel control scan each available station, not the pre-sets. I find this pretty stupid. A lot of things on this car can be changed using Vag-com, I wonder if the dealer could do something to change the function of the steering wheel controls.

2. Are you saying that the installed radio has no in-dash CD player? I figured the GLX would have a CD player by default. My GLS has a radio and single CD player in the dash. It also has a cassette tape player, why I'll never know. I also have a Phatbox mp3 player in my trunk, it holds 20GB worth of mp3's. Much nicer than a trunk mounted CD changer. Check it out here, http://www.phatnoise.com

3. I don't believe there are many perfomance mods available for the V-6 in the Passat you're looking at. The 4 cylinder, 1.8T engine is a different story. Don't forget that your Passat is also turning more wheels than the other cars you mentioned. It takes a bit more power to do that as opposed to a conventional front wheel drive design.

As already suggested check out VWvortex and Club B5

Mark Paquette

Michael Boyd

http://www.clubb5.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=61847

Okay Dave this could be good for you. This guy in Austin is selling a 2003 4mo for 23K and has less than 14,000 miles. A steal in my opinion if everything checked out on it.

I also have a 2003 4mo and I love it. As far as performance mods there are very few for the V6, but who cares it feels great to drive the thing. I love driving now! And you arent going to get AWD with the other sedans you mentioned.

You can get a V6 chip but it gives you maybe 5-10 HP more. I don't have this, but maybe someday.

a Vag com can re code the Triptronic to sports mode and it responds more like an Audi then. Also Tiptronic transmission chips are available which increase perfomance there.

For about 4K you can get a supercharger and increase the HP to about 280-290. Perfect for the 4mo, probably not so good with a FWD V6.

I haven't done much to my car, but I did recently drop it with H&R springs and Koni shocks. I'd recommend this to improve handling. Wheels will come someday.

I've just ordered a duel exhaust from Brullen and will be adding this next month or so.

I've also added an ITG air filter.

Non performance mods include Kamei eyelids and a Kamei grill.

Here's a pic of my other hobby right here . . .big pic so I didnt want to post here.

http://hometown.aol.com/mboyd00000/m...age/photo.html

I don't know what your price range is but if you want more HP and the 4mo system you might look at the 1.8 turbo which comes with 4mo in spring of 2004 (as well as nifty turn signal mirrors) This of course can be chipped and you will get around 210 HP. I've also heard of some used 2002 W8s recently in the 25-28K price range. And there is always the Audi A4. A pre 2002 3.0 A4 can probably be had pretty cheaply, with Quattro even.

PM if you have any other questions and if I cant answer someone on clubb5 surely can. That site is definitely the best for Passat info.

Michael Boyd

Goodbye Guzzlefish!

Scott L

mmmmm.. supercharged V6 with AWD. There's got to be a lot of mods for those 6-cyl passats, they're a dime a dozen on the roads around here. On maximas we usually go for a cold air intake, and y-pipe. Good 15hp with that combination since most car makers make their Y so damn restrictive.

DaveF

Yes, in the '02s with the trunk-mounted CD-changer, there is no in-dash CD player. A silly

Michael, that's a great price! However, I'm 2000 miles away (NY) and not comfortable buying a car at such a long distance. (And the guys car is the ugly green color ) But thanks for the tip.

I'm not really into modding cars, but the Passat V6 has about 40 hp less than the competitors. Coupled with the extra weight of the 4motion, it feels substantially less zippy. That's not a killer for me, but the radio controls are.