hughc
Well-known member
I realize your post is at least one year old but I felt I should comment.I own one of these rare 4Motion Passat wagons, 5-speed, 1.8T, cold weather package with cloth seats. I looked for three years before I found this one that has a slight nose bump, tossed timing belt and a few bent valves - $2500! I searched so long so as to build my dream TDI wagon. But a strange thing happened: I decided to fix the 1.8T and drive it while gathering the TDI parts. I then realized how much it was a cleaner burning, fun rpm monster that with a chip makes 220hp. And then I factored in the 50-cent fuel price difference and other TDI-related issues and realized how silly this costly project would be. The 1.9T gets 30 mpg when I keep my foot out of it, the TDI 4Motion would be lucky to break mid-upper 30's. I LOVE my TDIs, but this is staying 1.8T. Just my 2 cents.
I also picked up a 2004 4 motion auto, real cheap ($600) that I thought I would have converted to a Tdi 5 manual. We got it running fairly cheaply and like you I decided it was quite a nice vehicle, and would be expensive to convert to Tdi 5 sp.
I like the fact that it's auto and often find it's more practical as a DD around town than my 2005 Tdi with 5sp manual.
It's a lovely snow car and it heats up quickly, so I'll keep it as is.
If I decide I still want a Tdi 4 motion (AWD) I'll make other arrangments.
But the 1.8T is thirsty, only downside.
