98 Passat TDI Wagon - 1st year of the B5

Joined
Feb 22, 2015
Location
Right on the US / Canada border in Manitoba, Canad
TDI
98 passat tdi wagon
Hi there everyone. I just joined the TDI Club. Looking forward to getting emmersed in TDI culture. I've got a 98 Passat TDI wagon with about 175k miles. The 1st year of the B5. This thing is in great condition seeing it is 17 years old. This is one amazing car. Last year my wife and I took a 8500km road trip. We averaged over 50 mpg... usually driving over 70 mph up and over mountains. I only had to shift down once or twice... crazy good torque.
The crazy thing is...I found out that this car was imported to North America sometime after 2010. It was originally manufactured in Emden Germany and sold in Germany. At that time I was unaware the the B5 TDIs were only available in NA beginning in 2004. It has a AFN engine and a manual 5 speed transmission. I'm very pleased to find out that this is a very good VW TDI drivetrain. I must say it kinda cool driving such a rare TDI.

http://pics.tdiclub.com/showfull.php?photo=110246

http://pics.tdiclub.com/showfull.php?photo=110248
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
Neat car. I waited for a B5 TDI until I realized they simply were not going to sell them here, and bought a '98 Jetta TDI instead. I really like the B5 platform, fell in love with it a couple years earlier in the '96 Audi A4.

I almost bought a 1.8t '98 Passat, but for some reason I just couldn't stomach a gas engine for as much driving as my wife and I were doing.

So in 2004, when they finally got their head out of their butt and saw it fit to bring us a diesel, I was sure to get one. I was really ticked to find out they were all going to be slushboxes (still am :mad: ), and was once again toying with getting a gasser. But I came to my senses, got the diesel, and have been very happy with it. The B5 is a great platform.
 

Abacus

That helpful B4 guy
Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Location
Relocated from Maine to Dewey, AZ
TDI
Only the B4V left
Back when I was looking for a TDI, I wanted a B5 with a 5 speed until I learned they were never offered with that combination. I have been very happy with the B4 even though it's not nearly as good looking.
 

Col Sanders

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2014
Location
Illinois
TDI
97 B4 Green And it's Possessed 2001 Audi A4 AFN SWAP
changeyourworld, sir you are in possession of a illegal vehicle in North America ! This is what you must do to correct this terrible violation! Fill the tank, wash, wax and vacuum this illegal car. Leave all keys and owners manual in unlocked car. I will be up in a few days to take possession of this ,so you do not get into any further trouble. We TDI members are here to help you! I will be more than happy to send you a monthly report ( if you pay the postage ) on your impounded vehicle.
The TDI POLICE.
 
Joined
Feb 22, 2015
Location
Right on the US / Canada border in Manitoba, Canad
TDI
98 passat tdi wagon
Ha ha. Nice try. I think that it must have come across the ocean when we had a number of German families move into our area. The car has undergone an extensive government regulated safety inspection but I'm not sure what the actual import paperwork might have involved because I was not the one who imported it. All I know is... I really enjoy driving this thing!
 

Col Sanders

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2014
Location
Illinois
TDI
97 B4 Green And it's Possessed 2001 Audi A4 AFN SWAP
A very nice find on your part ! I hope you have many, many happy kilometers with this very rare car. It's a shame we can't import them, Europe is full of them.
 

ketchupshirt88

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2012
Location
waupaca, WI
TDI
2005 Passat daily, a bunch of others in the graveyard out back...
just 8 more years... then we can run rampant through the european union and import them all back here... ok maybe im getting a little carried away...
 
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