Fifth generation Volkswagen passat with the factory designation B5 was released in 1996, with its appearance the car opened a new milestone in the history of the model - it became much more technologically advanced and in its status came close to cars of higher classes. In 1997, there were "Passats" with all drive wheels, and in 2000 the car underwent a planned modernization, as a result of which it received the index B5.5 (or B5 +).
"The fifth Volkswagen Passat" marked the transition to a new design style for the brand, which was demonstrated at conceptual model Concept One. The car can be described as follows - a large representative of the D-class, which has a somewhat contradictory appearance. "Passat" has a low and streamlined silhouette, in which the "front" part and stern are crowned with optics of modest size, which makes it look somewhat uncharacteristic.
This "German" was offered in two body modifications - sedan and station wagon (Variant). The car is 4669-4704 mm long, its width does not exceed 1740 mm, and its height is 1460-1499 mm. The distance between the axles is unchanged in all cases - 2703 mm, but the ground clearance varies from 110 to 124 mm.
The interior of the Volkswagen Passat B5 is monumental and "thoroughbred" in appearance. The dashboard is represented by two large dials, between which an information display is located trip computer... The steering wheel is endowed with a 3-spoke design with a large brand emblem, and the massive center console has sheltered the climate control unit, radio and auxiliary buttons.
The interior of the German D-model is finished with high-quality materials, namely, pleasant and soft plastics, decorative wood-like inlays and good-quality leather in which the seats are dressed.
The front of the "fifth" VW Passat has wide seats with an optimal profile and decent adjustment ranges that will be comfortable for riders of any body type. The back sofa with soft filling provides ample space for three passengers on all fronts.
The luggage compartment of the three-volume Passat B5 is designed to carry 475 liters of luggage, with the back of the second row of seats folded down - 745 liters. The “hold” capacity of the cargo-passenger model is 495 liters, and its maximum capacity is fixed at 1200 liters.
Specifications.
One of six petrol engines can be found under the hood of the fifth generation Volkswagen Passat.
The range of "fours" consists of naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines with a volume of 1.6-2.0 liters, which generate from 101 to 150 horsepower and from 140 to 220 Nm of torque. A V-shaped five-cylinder 2.3-liter unit was also offered for the car, the potential of which has 150 "horses" and 205 Nm of maximum torque. The 2.8-liter V6 is assigned to the role of the "top-end", developing at peak 193 power forces and 290 Nm of torque.
The four-cylinder diesel turbo engine with a volume of 1.9 liters, depending on the level of boost, produces 90-115 horsepower and 210-285 Newton meters. There was also a 2.5-liter V-shaped "six" with a capacity of 150 "mares" and 310 Nm of torque.
Engines were combined with a 5 or 6-speed manual gearbox and a 5-speed automatic gearbox, by default the car was equipped with a front-wheel drive transmission, 4Motion all-wheel drive technology was optionally available. Depending on the modification, up to the first 100 km / h "Passat" of the fifth generation rushes in 7.6-15 seconds, and the possible speed is fixed at 177-238 km / h.
The Volkswagen Passat B5 is based on the PL45 bogie with longitudinal positioning power unit... The front suspension is a double wishbone design, the rear suspension is a semi-independent design with a torsion beam on front-wheel drive vehicles and an independent "multi-link" with all-wheel drive. V steering system the steering booster is implanted, and the brake package consists of fully disc brakes (front - with ventilation).
The owners describe it as a cute car with roomy interior and reliable construction, which costs an adequate amount of maintenance. In addition, VW Passat B5 has a huge "hold" for luggage, acceptable fuel consumption, high-quality sound insulation and good materials finishes.
The overall picture is spoiled by the suspension, which is rigid for Russian roads, "capricious" electronics, and a modest clearance to the roadway.
Prices. On secondary market Russian "Passat" of the fifth generation in 2015 can be found at prices ranging from 180,000 to 300,000 rubles.
"Passat" of the fifth generation (index 3В2, 3В3; in common parlance B5) debuted in August 1996 in the sedan body, or Limousine - according to the corporate classification. In 1997, a station wagon (Variant) and an all-wheel drive modification were presented in Geneva. Subsequently, almost every year, buyers were offered a new engine, and at the end of 2000, the model was retouched. It is the updated B5 (B5 + or B5.5) that rule the show in our secondary market, since the current customs rules make the import of pre-styling cars unprofitable.
During the restyling, the front end was especially badly hit: new bumper, radiator grill, fenders, optics. Chrome was used in the bodywork; almost all body elements were finalized, with the exception of the roof and doors. Mechanical units, at first glance, did not undergo any special changes, but, as representatives of Volkswagen stated, 2315 (!) New parts appeared in the car. At the same time, the track was expanded by 17 mm, the front part was lengthened by 15, and the rear overhang - by 13 mm. There are much less innovations in the interior: they moved the lever parking brake closer to the driver, thereby freeing up space for two cup holders, replacing the reclining armrest between the front seats with a stationary box, and the scales on dashboard surrounded by silver.
"Passat" of the fifth generation was produced until the appearance of a successor under the B6 index, presented in 2005 at the Geneva Motor Show.
Almost all cars are assembled in Germany and Slovakia. Where, it is easy to determine by the 11th character of the VIN-code: E - Emden, D - Bratislava, P - Zwickau / Moselle, 8 - Dresden). The B5 model was also produced in China, but these machines were intended exclusively for the domestic market.
Let us also mention the famous three letters ZZZ, which have already become the talk of the town. Many believe that their presence in identification number means that the body is fully galvanized. In fact, they just filled in the empty positions of the 17-digit VIN. However, it was the B5 that really became the first Volkswagen to have a fully galvanized body, which allowed the manufacturer to declare a 12-year guarantee against perforating corrosion.
CORNUCOPIA
The offered choice of engines will satisfy even the most sophisticated customer - there are several dozen modifications. Cars were officially supplied to Russia with both gasoline and diesel engines... Among the former are in-line 4-cylinder 1.8 L turbocharged (150 hp) and naturally aspirated 2.0 L (115 hp), as well as VR5 2.3 L (170 hp) and V6 2.8 L (190 HP). In 2001, the exotic W8 4.0 L (275 hp) was added to them. Diesel units represented by a "four" 1.9 l TDI (depending on the modification 101 or 130 hp) and a V-shaped "six" 2.5 l TDI (150, 163 or 180 hp). European buyers were also offered a 1.6-liter with 102 hp, but it turned out to be frankly weak for such a car.
The most powerful versions of the W8 have a constant four-wheel drive 4Motion (Haldex clutch with electronic control unit). All four leading ones can also have modifications with a 2.8-liter gasoline engine or diesel 1.9 liters (only 130 hp) or 2.5 liters. In 2004, this list was joined by cars with a 1.8-liter turbo engine, which were sold only in the American market.
Engines were aggregated with 5- or 6-speed mechanical boxes either with 4- or 5-speed automatic transmissions. The latter have the Tiptronic prefix in their name and can be switched manually. For each engine variant, the company offered its own set of transmissions; We will not list all of them, we only note that only the weakest engines worked in tandem with a 4-speed automatic transmission, and, on the contrary, the most powerful ones with 6-speed mechanics.
The list of standard equipment of the basic "trade winds" in the initial Basis configuration, which is usually trumped by the brand's dealers, is very, very extensive (see our help). Comfortline adds to the basic version a velor interior, rear power windows, lumbar support for the front seats, a center armrest with a storage compartment between the front seats, chrome-plated side glazing bezels. Trendline sports seats upholstered in sports leather wheel and handlebars and handbrake, aluminum interior trim. Highline features chrome bumpers and moldings, aluminum or wood interior trim, heated front seats, leather and Alcantara upholstery, outside temperature indicator, heated windscreen washer nozzles, etc.
The trade winds with the W8 engine are almost identical to the Highline. Externally, they can be identified by the nameplate W8 4Motion, 17-inch light-alloy wheel rims and four chrome-plated exhaust pipes. List additional equipment, offered to choose from, occupies more than one page.
European modifications are practically no different from Russian ones, but the “Nashenskie” ones have one indisputable advantage - the so-called Russian package, which includes stiffer springs and shock absorbers, a ground clearance increased by 30 mm and adaptation for 92nd gasoline. But you should not neglect additional crankcase protection, since a standard plastic one will save only from dirt.
POWER IS NOT A FAILURE
In the American market, restyled "trade winds" began to be sold in 2001, also with two body types (sedan and station wagon). Initially, local buyers were offered only two gasoline engine: 1.8 l (170 hp) and V-shaped 2.8-liter "six" (190 hp). In 2002, a 4.0 L W8 (270 hp) was added to them. Cars with engines of 1.8 and 2.8 liters could have both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive transmissions (although cars with a less powerful engine received four-wheel drive only in 2004), and the most powerful version of the W8 could only have all-wheel drive. The choice of gearboxes was somewhat poorer than in Europe: 5- or 6-speed mechanics plus a 5-speed automatic.
All-wheel drive versions with 2.8-liter engines were equipped exclusively with automatic transmissions. The rest of the engine and gearbox combinations depended on the model year, but a certain trend can be traced. So, in the first years of production, almost all cars in the database were equipped with mechanical transmissions and only as an option for them an automatic transmission was offered, while in the last year of production (2005), an automatic transmission was installed on all cars, except for the weakest one. Apparently, the German engineers did not manage to convince the Americans to change gears manually.
With the start of sales in this market, only two levels of equipment were offered: GLS and GLX. The first, cheaper, is in many ways similar to the base level for Europe and Russia, and the more sophisticated GLX could already boast of a leather interior, wood trim, sunroof, radio control on the steering wheel, etc. All this was available for the GLS, but as options. But heated front seats, electric driver's seat (with memory) for eight positions, climate control (Climatronic), music amplifier, leather steering wheel, rear curtains, etc. remained the exclusive domain of the GLX version. As options, a six-disc CD changer and a rain sensor were offered here. The stabilization system could be additionally ordered for all modifications.
In 2002, they added a complete set W8, equipped with an engine with the same index. Its distinctive features are 17-inch wheels, forked exhaust system, ventilated discs in a circle, an 80 liter tank, a stabilization system as standard, as well as some decorative elements. In 2003, Volkswagen offered, in addition to others, the cheapest configuration - GL: only velor interior, no sunroof (in other versions it was included in the basic equipment), most options were unavailable. And in 2005, buyers again, as in the first year of sales, could only choose between the GLS and GLX.
In general, the local cars traditionally differ from their European counterparts in optics (a different standard and, moreover, the turn signals are not in the center of the headlight, but closer to the wings), the algorithm of its operation, bumpers (stamping for square numbers and additional parking lights), digitizing dashboard and the step of the radio receiver (does not catch radio stations whose frequency ends in even digits). Most of the spare parts are the same as European counterparts.
FULL SET
"Passats" have been immensely loved by Russians since the 90s, so there is plenty to choose from in the secondary market. Here are the cars that were once officially sold from us, delivered from Europe - mainly from Germany - and brought from the United States. All have their pros and cons. The former have a more transparent pedigree, but they drove along our roads and on our gasoline; technical condition The "Europeans" are, as a rule, somewhat better, but quite a few copies have passed through the hands of Lithuanian craftsmen; the "Americans" have an attractive price, but their health is usually worse.
The lion's share of cars is with 1.8 liter gasoline turbo engines or 1.9 liter diesel engines. "Tradewinds" with large engines are initially more expensive, and it is much more expensive to clear them through customs.
OUR REFERENCE
The basic equipment of the Basis includes: front airbags, seat belts with pretensioners, disc brakes in a circle, immobilizer, central locking with remote control, Power steering, adjustable in two planes steering column, ISOFIX child seat mountings, electric drive and heated exterior mirrors, front power windows, manual driver's seat height adjustment, 40:60 folding backrest rear seat body-colored mirrors and bumpers, thermal glazing, chrome-plated radiator grille surround, roof antenna, plastic protection crankcase, fog lights, cleaner and washer rear window(station wagon), full size spare wheel, etc.
Equipment depended on installed engine... For example, 2.0 l and 1.9 TDI (100 hp) were equipped with ABS only; 1.8T, VR5 and all-wheel drive modifications additionally equipped with an electronic differential lock (EDL), V6 and 1.9 TDI (130 hp) in addition to the above - traction control system(ASR), but the V6 TDI and V6 TDI 4Motion are also electronic system vehicle stability (ESP), including "brake assist". Only cars with V6 TDI had air conditioning in this version.
The editors would like to thank the Volkswagen Passat B5 Fan Club (www.passat-b5.ru) for their help in organizing the filming.
Ground clearance, or clearance, is an extremely important value when driving off-road. If the car moves exclusively in urban conditions and on paved motorways, then the lower the ground clearance, the better stability and handling will be. Therefore, some passenger car models are tuned in order to make the ground clearance equal to 130 mm. But what is good for asphalt is not at all suitable for driving on rough terrain. In such cases, extreme people tend to increase the ground clearance using various inserts.
Ground clearance "Volkswagen Passat"
Modern a car The Volkswagen Passat belongs to the business class models in terms of comfort. The car received its name in honor of the winds revered by sailors - the trade winds, which, due to the constancy of direction and strength, made it possible to pave routes over long distances. 8 generations have been produced since 1973 legendary car... Initially, the cars of the Volkswagen concern have a large margin of safety for all components and assemblies, which makes it possible to make trips to the country, out-of-town picnics, as well as on tourist trips.
Everything would be fine, but one problem interferes - a small ground clearance, which different versions Passat varies from 102 to 175 mm. This is easy to explain, because the German concern focuses on European roads with excellent road surfaces. In Russia, on the asphalt roads, you can find potholes of great depth, a wheel hitting which leads to serious costs for suspension repairs. In winter, snow drifts are observed even on federal highways, which are difficult to overcome with low ground clearance. In addition, this clearance is clearly not enough when parking, since our curbs are high due to the constant increase in the thickness of the asphalt. Therefore, the car clings to them by attaching shock absorbers, engine protection or other low points on the chassis.
It must be remembered that a laden car becomes 20-30 mm lower, therefore the clearance of the VW Passat with full weight becomes very small. It is worth thinking about installing a special insert under the shock absorber, which will make the car taller. On the latest VW models, this problem was solved by using special shock absorbers with electronic control, which change the stiffness of the suspension due to the change in the working length of the rod.
Ground clearance for Volkswagen B3-B8 and CC models
For each new generation VW Passat, the ground clearance changed in different directions. This is due to the change in tire size, design features chassis and other reasons.
Table: ground clearance and suspension characteristics of VW Passat models of different generations
| Generation | Year of issue | Clearance, mm | Wheel size | Front suspension type | Type of rear suspension | Drive unit |
| AT 3 | 1988–1993 | 150 | 165/70 / R14 | independent, spring | independent, spring | front |
| AT 4 | 1993–1997 | 120 | 195/65 / R15 | independent, spring | semi-independent, spring | front |
| AT 5 | 1997–2000 | 110 | 195/65 / R15 | independent, spring | semi-independent, spring | front |
| B5 restyling | 2000–2005 | 110 | 195/65 / R15 | independent, spring | semi-independent, spring | front |
| AT 6 | 2005–2011 | 170 | 215/55 / R16 | independent, spring | independent, spring | front |
| B7 (sedan, station wagon) Alltrack station wagon | 2011–2015 | 155 165 | 205/55 / R16 225/50 / R17 | independent, spring | independent, spring semi-independent, spring | front full |
| B8 (sedan, station wagon) | 2015–2018 | 146 | 215/60 / R16 215/55 / R17 235/45 / R18 235/40 / R19 | independent, spring | independent, spring | front |
| B8 station wagon 5 doors Alltrack | 2015–2018 | 174 | 225/55 / R17 | independent, spring | independent, spring | full |
| Passat cc | 2012–2018 | 154 | 235/45 / R17 | independent, spring | independent, spring | front |
Video: what is clearance
How to increase the clearance "Volkswagen Passat" with your own hands
To ensure a safe ride in VW Passat with increased ground clearance, it is necessary to select the right body lifting parts. They can be:
- factory polyurethane spacers;
- package for bad roads;
- springs and shock absorbers with special characteristics.
Most popular for increasing ground clearance for 20–40 mm, the option of installing special inserts between the body and the support bearing on the front and rear suspensions is used. The material of the spacers is of great importance. Practice has shown that the most effective are elastic polyurethane inserts, which are several times more durable than cheap rubber ones. Some owners grind metal counterparts, but they increase the load on the suspension parts by 2-4 times, thereby reducing the service life of the silent blocks and shock absorbers.
The most effective devices for increasing the ground clearance of the Volkswagen Passat are polyurethane inserts between the body and the support bearing
The VAG concern itself has developed a package for bad roads especially for Russia, but it is quite expensive (about 50 thousand rubles). When using it, the ground clearance increases by only 1–1.5 cm, which is clearly not enough in our conditions. Owners of Volkswagen cars are advised to buy this package by car services, which they turn to to increase the ground clearance, and by official dealers.
All the latest Volkswagen models use adjustable springs and shock absorbers. It is problematic to independently make the front suspension adjustable due to the need to make serious changes to the software. on-board computer("Brains" of the car).
DIY step-by-step instructions for increasing the clearance VW Passat
We will lift the body of the "Passat" by installing polyurethane spacers between the support bearing of the front pillar and the car body.
Tools and materials
To do this work, we need a certain set of tools.
- Spark plug wrench 21 mm.
- A set of spanners.
- Set of heads.
- 7 hexagon wrench.
- Adjustable wrench.
- Hammer.
- Semi-kuvalda.
- Hydraulic jack.
- Chisel.
- Ties for compressing springs.
- Wooden coasters (blocks, blocks, board trimmings).
- Aerosol WD-40 (universal tool for loosening stuck nuts).
- Set of polyurethane spacers with six elongated bolts.
Installing a spacer under the rear shock absorbers
This is the most reliable, simple and effective method increase in clearance with normally working rear struts. Since the German concern strongly advises against changing the working length of the shock absorber rod, you need to raise the attachment point of its lower part. For this, special brackets with bolts are sold, but you can make them yourself.
The work is done in this order.
Table: dimensions of a homemade stand
Installation of spacers under the front shock absorbers
Changing the attachment points of the front shock absorbers is associated with the removal of the front struts and directly affects the camber and toe-in of the front wheels, the change in the angle of rotation of the universal joint shafts, and others important characteristics car. It is recommended to carry out this work independently only by drivers with extensive experience in locksmith work. If you do not have the necessary qualifications, it is better to contact a specialist in a car service.
Video: Passat B5 installation of spacers
Polyurethane spacers have excellent qualities. It is easy to buy them on automotive Internet resources. They not only increase the clearance of the VW Passat for driving on difficult Russian roads, but also dampen the vibration of the body. The polyurethane compound is not afraid of corrosion, anti-icing sand-salt mixtures.
When choosing parts to increase ground clearance, be sure to pay attention to the make, model, body type and year of manufacture of the Volkswagen Passat. Each generation of this car needs its own spacer dimensions, because the thrust bearings and seats under the springs are individual. This is due to the fact that the dimensions and characteristics of springs, shock absorbers, silent blocks and other products are calculated depending on the gross vehicle weight, and it is different generations unequal.
What do the spacers change?
When driving on uneven roads, suspension assemblies, including shock absorbers and silent blocks, are exposed to shocks, vibrations and other types of loads. Such an impact reduces the service life of these parts, their condition becomes worse. Over time, the suspension begins to react inadequately to the unevenness of the road - the wheels come off the ground, and the car seems to hang in the air. If you start to brake at this time, then only those tires that are firmly pressed to the ground will effectively affect the speed reduction. Uneven braking contributes to skidding. The increased ground clearance shifts the center of gravity upward, which increases the likelihood of the vehicle overturning when skidding. The same situation occurs when turning. Therefore, the material from which the spacers are made is very important. Too soft rubber or hard metal during extreme driving can lead to dire consequences.
Video: polyurethane suspension reviews, differences with rubber
In countries with good road surfaces car manufacturers strive to reduce ground clearance so that the car handles better and is safer when cornering. In Russia, roads are considered one of the main troubles in Russia, therefore, increased ground clearance is relevant, popular and is often used. When deciding to change the ground clearance, you need to remember the cost of the issue. Incorrectly sized spacers can shorten the life of expensive front and rear suspension parts, resulting in unnecessary costs. The best way- put spacers when replacing the front and rear pillars for new parts.
Fifth generation Volkswagen Passat with the factory designation B5 was released in 1996, with its appearance the car opened a new milestone in the history of the model - it became much more technologically advanced and in its status came close to the cars of higher classes. In 1997, there were "Passats" with all drive wheels, and in 2000 the car underwent a planned modernization, as a result of which it received the index B5.5 (or B5 +). The “fifth Volkswagen Passat” marked the transition to a new design style for the brand, which was shown on the Concept One. The car can be described as follows - a large representative of the D-class, which has a somewhat contradictory appearance. "Passat" has a low and streamlined silhouette, in which the "front" part and stern are crowned with optics of modest size, which makes it look somewhat uncharacteristic.
BODY CHARACTERISTICS
The body of the car is completely galvanized, the presence of traces of rust is a sign of unqualified restoration of the car of the victim in an accident. The German concern gave a 12-year warranty for the body, which means that corrosion resistance is at its best. However, this is traditional for German cars.
WHAT'S INSIDE
The interior of the Passat of the 5th generation, including the instrument panel, covers, and everything with which the passengers directly have contact inside, is made so soundly and efficiently that the driver sometimes feels like his car is of a higher class. The gaps between the panels are minimal, the wood finish looks high quality, solid and expensive, and there are also a lot of options in the store. Due to the ratio of a good interior and large selection additional equipment Passat favorably stands out from the competition.
- The Volkswagen Passat B5 is still available in three trim levels: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline.
In the basic version of the Passat B 5 there were only 2 airbags, ABS, steering column adjustment, power steering, central locking and power accessories (mirrors and front windows). The number of options and additional equipment is simply enormous: xenon, rain and light sensors, various radio tape recorders, air conditioning or climate control, steering wheel and seat heating, leather interior, sunroof and other attributes of an expensive car.
Technical features
The B5 eventually became a real cult, many call it "the last real Volkswagen", implying that it fully meets the concept of "German quality". The owners were delighted with the quality of the interior materials, handling and engine performance, while considering the fifth Passat the standard of reliability. However, there were still some complaints, and, first of all, they concerned the chassis: the suspension did not last long on bad roads and required regular revisions.
Gasoline engines are reliable (there is only a problem with uneven operation on idle and failure of the water pump), but the 1.9-liter turbodiesel cannot boast of durability under tough use. Among his sores is a rapidly failing turbine and a tension roller, due to a malfunction of which the timing belt breaks, which leads to overhaul or replacing the engine. 1.8-liter gasoline units (including the turbocharged version), in turn, are known for their large (up to 1.5 liters per 1000 km) oil consumption with mileage of more than 250 thousand km.
Top 4.0-liter engine mechanics consider not the best choice when buying a used B5: it is difficult to repair, and he may need one just after refueling with low-quality gasoline.
As for the corrosion resistance of the body, it is extremely high - only those Tradewinds of the fifth generation that have been in serious accidents rot and rust.
In general, in the reviews on the Passat V, experts agree with the owners of these cars: this is really very reliable car, the problems with which begin, for the most part, only from the mark of 300 thousand km.
Specifications Volkswagen Passat B5 1.6 MT 1997 - 2000
Body
Engine
Transmission
Performance indicators
Diesel Engines
| Engine model | |||
| Engine code | |||
| Production time, from - to | |||
| Working volume, cm 3 | |||
| Power: | |||
| - kW at rpm | |||
| - l. with. at rpm | |||
| Torque, Nm at rpm | |||
| Cylinder diameter, mm | |||
| Piston stroke, mm | |||
| Compression ratio | |||
| Arrangement of cylinders and their number |
Inline, |
Inline, |
Inline, |
| Number of valves per cylinder | |||
| Engine management system 3) | |||
| Fuel, minimum CZ 4) |
|||
| Refueling volumes: | |||
|
– engine oil(with filter), l |
|||
|
- coolant, l |
|||
POSSIBLE PROBLEMS AND MALFUNCTIONS VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT B5 BU
This category includes the uneven operation of the engine at idle speed. This error can be easily treated, the reason most often lies in the clogging throttle... Quite often (every 45-50 thousand kilometers) the water fuel pump (pump) fails, due to poor quality antifreeze, which corrodes the pump oil seal. The most trouble spot a turbocharged 1.8-liter engine is a turbine; to extend its life, it is imperative to let the engine idle for 1-2 minutes before turning off the engine. 
As for diesels, many diseases gasoline engines they are not typical, but you cannot do without troubles. 1.9-liter turbodiesels are often cranked up to high revs(contraindicated for a diesel engine) during acceleration, and this leads to a faster wear of the cylinder-piston group (CPG), but still, subject to competent maintenance, they will pass 400,000 km without any problems.
To sores diesel engines mechanics attribute the rapid wear of the turbine, due to a lack of lubrication and the failure of the coolant temperature sensor. Often, antifreeze leaves little by little, the boost valve fails and the compression drops due to burnout of the valves. A very serious problem can be a fracture of the tension roller, which leads to a broken belt and collision of valves with pistons, and this guarantees a large investment.
Although the unit injectors have proven to be very reliable, they are still quite expensive to repair. The reason for the replacement is the terrible quality of domestic diesel fuel with a high content of sulfur and paraffins.
Gearboxes are a priori reliable, but subject to timely oil change and maintenance.
- From the factory, the cars were equipped with a five-speed mechanics, to which a 6-speed manual was added after restyling. There are no complaints about both boxes, only the replacement of the clutch disc at the turn of 200,000 km. Over time, there is a slight backlash when shifting gears, but this does not create problems.
- Relatively automatic box gear. Until 1999, a 4-speed automatic was installed on the Passat B5, later it was replaced by an automatic transmission with 5 steps and a tiptronic manual shift function. In general, automatic transmissions are very reliable and do not bother the owners, but all this is true only on condition of timely qualified service. An oil change is recommended every 60,000 kilometers.
Security
The Passat B5 is not among the safest cars: in 1997 it earned only three stars out of five in EuroNCAP crash tests. Moreover, with a side impact, the mannequins suffered less than with a frontal impact. As for the safety of pedestrians, in this discipline the fifth Passat could not meet even the minimum requirements of EuroNCAP.
In 1999, Volkswagen China introduced a lengthened version of the fifth Passat, which was later renamed and launched in Europe as the Skoda Superb. 
The B5 suspension has been modified seven times to be strengthened, but chassis was still a headache for the owners of the fifth generation Passat.
In 2005, the British magazine Top Gear named the Passat B5 one of the worst family cars, worse than which, according to journalists, were only the Fiat Marea and the Rover 45.
Competitors
The main competitors of the fifth Passat are the Opel Vectra, Citroen C5, Peugeot 406 and the third generation Ford Mondeo, that is, the most popular cars in the category of mid-size family cars. All of them offered approximately the same level of comfort and equipment, were quite reliable, therefore, it is possible to name an unambiguous leader from this five only in Russia, where the fifth Passat confidently bypassed all its competitors.
PRICES FOR SPARE PARTS FOR VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT B5 WITH MILEAGE
Although the creators position the car as a popular car, prices for auto parts are often far from democratic. But this was to be expected, since the car is quite complex in technical terms. For example, chassis parts, various sensors responsible for the operation and control of the engine, fuses can be unpleasantly surprised by their cost. The only consolation is that the Passat bu is a very common car, so problems with original spare parts will not. In the worst case, it is possible to buy a used part for disassembly, and this applies not only to such frequently required parts as the hood and bumper, but also to the technical filling. Also in online stores you can order original and non-original stock for Volkswagen Passat B5. Another plus is that the car is well known to the craftsmen, so there are usually no problems with the provision of high-quality repairs.
Figures and awards
The fifth generation Passat was treated kindly by the specialized press, in just two years (1998 and 1999) it received four awards at once. It was named Best Family Car by Used Car Buyer, Auto Express and Which Magazine and What Car?
In 2000 and 2001, the B5 won two more Auto Express Family Car awards, as well as Diesel Car of the Year and Used Car Buyer and Auto Express titles.
In nine years, 485,797 B5 Tradewinds were produced for the Canadian and US markets.
Volkswagen Passat B5 test drive and review. Passat B5.
We've covered how to choose the polyurethane spacers, as well as the springs and dampers needed to increase the ride height. In this article, we will talk about two important points regarding the increase in ground clearance - the possibility of self-installation of spacers, springs and shock absorbers, as well as the need to repair the suspension before increasing the ground clearance.
Do I need to repair the suspension before increasing ground clearance
Many workshops that increase ride height offer their customers complete suspension repairs. The cost of such repairs is comparable to all the costs of increasing ground clearance, so not everyone agrees to such an offer, perceiving it as an attempt to impose an unnecessary service. But is she really not needed? To answer this question, you need to understand what happens to the suspension after the ride height is increased. Usually, the clearance is increased in order to drive on bad roads without damage. Indeed, in terms of comfort, the Volkswagen Passat is noticeably superior to such cars as the UAZ or Niva, although it is inferior to them in cross-country ability. When a car with a suspension tuned to good roads, driving off-road or broken roads, the suspension is subjected to very heavy loads. When driving on a good road, the amplitude of the vertical movement of the unsprung mass is small, because small irregularities in asphalt or concrete are not able to create a sufficiently powerful impulse. Because of this, the load on the shock absorbers and suspension bushings is minimal.
When the car moves off-road, the situation changes dramatically. On off-road or bumpy roads, the amplitude of movement of the unsprung mass is ten times greater. After all, it is one thing to successfully resist the inertia of an unsprung mass, and quite another thing to push the road. Due to the large height difference on the road and the associated large travel of the unsprung mass relative to the body, the pressure on the silent blocks increases sharply. After all, the suspension is a triangle with two static vertices that cannot change their position. The first peak is the junction of the body and the support bearing or spring, and the second peak is the silent blocks connecting the suspension arms to the body. The suspension of the Volkswagen Passat is tuned for good roads, therefore, it is quite stiff. On the track, this is an undoubted advantage, because it improves the handling and stability of the car. But off-road, this turns into a huge minus, because a too stiff suspension does not have enough travel to effectively dampen the huge vertical amplitude of wheel motion. Consequently, the energy that could not be stretched in time with the help of the spring will shock the silent blocks. This explains the short service life of the suspension of foreign cars on Russian roads.
The increase in ground clearance often instills in the owners of foreign cars unreasonable confidence in the high all-terrain qualities of their car. And they sweep along the broken sections of the road like Russian Volga, Ladas or Muscovites. Here are just a suspension domestic cars much better adapted for our roads, therefore, the load on the silent blocks there is much less due to the lower stiffness of the springs and shock absorbers. Therefore, even small, barely noticeable damage to the silent blocks, during fast driving on bumpy roads, can quickly turn into full-fledged breaks. Moreover, the rupture of an entire silent block occurs several times slower than even a slightly damaged one. All this allows us to conclude that repairing the suspension before increasing the ground clearance is not a whim of car service workers and not a desire to impose an unnecessary service, but very necessary event, which will seriously extend the service life of the silent blocks. And broken silent blocks, this is a decrease in controllability, loss of stability in corners, accelerated tire wear and other unpleasant manifestations.
Is it possible to increase the clearance yourself
Despite the fact that the cost of installing spacers or a package of bad roads in the workshop is not high, many Volkswagen Passat owners are wondering if it is possible to do this work yourself? Theoretically, there is nothing complicated in this work, and a description of the process can be found both on the website and in other sources. If you can repair the suspension yourself and have all the tools you need, then you can easily cope with installing new springs and shock absorbers or spacers. If you do not possess such skills, then there is a high probability that you will make a mistake that will negatively affect some of the characteristics of the car. In one of the subsequent articles, we will tell you about such errors and give recommendations on how to avoid them.
