2004 Volkswagen Phaeton: the Long-Term Review

"Jagvar" (Jagvar) 08/25/2014 at 11:48 • Filed to: Oppo Reviews

95

100

Five years ago this month, I walked into an Audi dealership in Nashville, Tennessee with my driver’s license, a cashier’s check, and a CarFax report. I had flown 700 miles to be there, having never purchased a car before in my life. I was about to either realize my dream or make a colossal mistake. Perhaps both.

( Full Disclosure: I am the second owner of my 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton V8. The first owner was a doctor from Brentwood, Tennessee who drove the car for five years before trading it in on an Audi. One year after its factory warranty expired, the car found its “forever home” with me.)

Almost every gearhead has shopped used Phaetons at one point or another. It’s a Bentley with a Volkswagen badge and an Audi price tag. Add steep depreciation to the mix, and it’s a veritable steal. What stops most of us from pulling the trigger is our fear of the unknown. What does it cost to maintain? A second mortgage? A healthy kidney? A human soul?

No. Stop being paranoid. It’s $2K to $3K in a good year, and upwards of $5K in a bad one. In other words, about the same as a 2004 A8L, S-Class, or 7-Series. But the Phaeton is a very different animal from those other cars, and not just at a glance. It needs to be driven to be appreciated.

Exterior 8/10

The Phaeton doesn’t have a lot of chrome, flares, or furrows. It has no scoops, ports, or vents. Its fenders and pillars are bare of any badging. It is, in a word, understated. Simple, clean lines are what make the Phaeton so elegant. This particular example has the “Klavierlack” high-gloss finish, a $2K option that I’m glad the original owner saw fit to purchase. Polished to a high mirror shine, it sparkles like obsidian glass.

There are some who criticize the Phaeton for looking too much like a B5 Passat. From head-on, the resemblance is unmistakable. If you’re all right with your luxury cruiser being mistaken for something more quotidian (and I am), then this shouldn’t present a problem. The Phaeton simply isn’t a car that shouts; it whispers.

Interior 9/10

The Phaeton’s cabin is its pièce de résistance. The original owner splurged for the optional “sensitive leather” seats, upholstered in the same butter-soft hides that cosset the Bentley Continental’s pampered passengers. The dash and door sills are trimmed in lacquered red eucalyptus—standard in the V8 model—though walnut, chestnut, and myrtle were all available for a premium.

This is a car that’s more about comfort than it is about speed (though it’s certainly not slow…more on that later). It comes with four-zone climate control, a dehumidifier, carpeted footrests, and rear and side sun shades. This particular example is fitted with the Comfort and Cold Weather Package, so each of the multi-way power seats can individually heat, cool, and massage. There aren’t many cars today that come with heated, cooled, and massaging seats both front and back—and remember, this car was built in 2004.

That said, it isn’t perfect. I tend to advise my passengers not to hit the “massage” button. The function is fairly weak and feels like a midget stubbornly poking you in the back. And once you decide that you’d rather not have your midget-poking massage, you need to wait 10 minutes for it to stop automatically. It’s mildly annoying.

Acceleration 8/10

Back in 2004, the Phaeton V8 could hit 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. That doesn’t sound particularly impressive, until you consider the fact that the car weighs two and a half tons. It’s virtually as quick as its Audi cousin, despite the fact that the A8L weighs nearly 600 pounds less.

My Phaeton’s an older girl, and has lost a few of her 335 horses over the years. She’ll still hit 60 mph in a little over seven seconds, and it’s easy for me to forget how fast I’m actually going. Since Virginia has the most militant speeding laws in the country, this isn’t always a good thing.

Braking 8/10

You’d expect such a big, powerful car to come with big, powerful brakes. And it does. Brakes are responsive, and bring the car to a quick but comfortable stop with virtually no pitch or body roll. The ABS is a little noisier than I would like, and man, do those brakes ever kick up dust. I’ll wash the car, drive about 20 miles, and the wheels will once again be black as coal.

Ride 9/10

I wouldn’t describe the Phaeton’s ride as characteristically German. It rides more like a Lexus LS460. In the Phaeton, you’re quite literally riding on air, thanks to its over-engineered, adjustable air suspension. Bumps, dips, and potholes go largely unnoticed in Comfort mode, which is the only one of the Phaeton’s four damper modes I ever bother selecting. Sport mode does stiffen the suspension for a more spirited driving experience, but I hate fiddling with knobs and buttons in the Phaeton. I’m always afraid something will break.

Handling 6/10

She maneuvers admirably in regular driving conditions, but doesn’t turn particularly gracefully. This is a car that’s just a hair under 17 feet long. The turning radius rivals that of the Titanic. Thankfully, icebergs aren’t much of a problem in Virginia.

Steering feels a bit light for a vehicle so heavy. The Phaeton can tear through gentle curves at speed, but does not like to be thrown around hairpin turns. But then, if that’s your driving style, maybe you should be looking at a Miata.

The Phaeton’s best performance feature is its 4Motion permanent all-wheel-drive system. In dry conditions, power is distributed evenly to the front and rear wheels, and a loss of traction redistributes power where it is needed.

Gearbox 7/10

The Phaeton’s V8 is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, which is perfectly capable as far as automatic transmissions go. Sometimes it seems a bit unsure of itself, and I need to punch the gas to encourage it to upshift.

Bump the gear lever to the right, and you’re in Tiptronic manual shift mode, if you prefer to feel like you’re rowing your own. Personally, I’ve never driven the car in Tiptronic, so I can’t speak to its abilities.

As I said, I don’t like to throw the Phaeton around like a sports car, but in Sport mode, the engine will rev higher before it shifts. Even in Sport, the car emits more of a sonorous thrum than an actual roar.

Toys 8/10

Due to its age, there are toys that the Phaeton simply doesn’t have. There’s no Bluetooth, backup camera, or USB connectivity. But there is so much that it does have. For comfort, there’s the aforementioned seat heaters, coolers, massagers, and lumbar support. Rear-seat passengers have their own screen display for climate control settings. The rear sunshade rises and retracts at the push of a button. A mini LED flashlight can be charged via the cigarette lighter.

Using the buttons surrounding the dashboard screen, you can adjust the four temperature zones, fan speed, and audio settings. The “TRIPDATA” button shows you a bevy of information pertinent to your present journey, including average fuel consumption, distance traveled, and miles to empty. Ride height and suspension settings are controlled via two buttons to the right of the shifter.

The navigation system flat-out sucks. There, I said it. It uses a 10-year-old set of CD-ROMs, doesn’t display street names on screen, and requires every single digit to be entered by twisting a knob. I used it once, on the day I bought the car. Since then, I’ve relied on Garmin or my phone.

The coolest toys in the Phaeton (by far) are the three sliding vent covers. These wooden panels magically slide open when the car is started to reveal the dashboard air vents. When the car is shut off, they return to their closed positions. They’ll also open or close individually or separately depending on how you change the fan settings. First-time passengers always react to this, sometimes with squeals of glee.

Audio 9/10

The audio system in this car is freaking fantastic. It’s a 270-watt system with 12 speakers, a 12-channel amplifier, sub woofer, Digital Sound Processing (DSP), and dynamic sound compression. No matter where you sit in the car, you’re enveloped in a cocoon of eargasmic resonance. The acoustics are that good.

Thanks to the double-paned glass and lots and lots of sound deadening, the interior of the Phaeton is whisper-quiet. As a result, there is nothing throaty or guttural about the 335hp V8. Floor the accelerator, and the sound that meets your ears is undeniably powerful, but silky and mellow. It really purrs.

Value 4/10

The Phaeton may be the only car out there that depreciates faster than a Jaguar. Don’t buy one as an investment, unless it’s an ‘06 W12. Even then, I’m not so sure. The original owner spent $76K on my car, which was loaded with all the bells and whistles except for the four-seater package. When I bought it five years and 54K miles later, I spent a hair over $20K, and that’s including a set of brand-new tires. Today, at 10 years old with 83K miles, my car is worth around $9,000. At least that’s what KBB says. That’s 88% depreciation in a decade. Ouch.

But for all of the reasons above, the Phaeton is a fantastic buy in the used car market. You get so, so much for the money. Just remember to keep a good chunk of your savings for the maintenance bills.

Five years in, I am still completely, totally in love with this car. Like all aging luxury cars, it can be high-maintenance, but it never fails to put a smile on my face. Buying a Phaeton might just be the best decision I ever made. And if a new one comes to the U.S. in 2018, I’ll be buying it in 2023. You can count on that.

76/100

Engine: 4.2 liter V8
Power: 335 HP at 6,500 RPM/ 317 LB-FT at 3,500 RPM
Transmission: Six-speed Tiptronic automatic
0-60 Time: 6.2 seconds
Top Speed: 130 MPH
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Curb Weight: 5,194 pounds
Seating: 5 people
MPG: 15 City/22 Highway
MSRP: $66,950

GhostZ > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 11:52

0

What was your yearly cost on maintenance? If you can pick one up for $10000 now and keep 5-year maintenence below an additional $10,000, it sounds like the perfect buy.

505Turbeaux > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 11:55

2

obligatory...

great review Jagvar. I will wait for depreciation to do it's dirty work a bit longer then create a wagon out of one. Every time I see one I want to see that dish sized VW logo on a hatch

Victorious Secret > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 11:55

0

When in doubt, feet out

jkm7680 > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 11:56

0

Noice review, car looks great!

PS9 > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 11:57

9

I still think you should have saved up for the estate.

EL_ULY > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 12:02

0

awesome review. Car has aged well, way better than the ones I've seen

N51fanatic > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 12:07

84

While what you wrote was well written, you failed to address the answer to your initial question in the introduction, " What stops most of us from pulling the trigger is our fear of the unknown "

You've owned the car for 5 years and simply gave a generic idea of the maintenance costs. You should have included a section with specific maintenance costs and a simple explanation on whether said service was routine, preventative or of the catastrophic variety, and the cost.

As you explained, us jalops love this car, we just don't like the costs associated with the maintenance (or the rumored maintenance costs). You have been an owner for 5 years, you can put those to bed with a little bit more writing.

Jonathan Harper > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 12:09

1

Awesome. You can drive me anywhere, anytime in that :)

spanfucker retire bitch > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 12:11

1

Is this with your seats all the way up, or in your regular driving position? Because if it's the latter, holy shit.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 12:13

4

I cannot speak highly enough of the Phaeton as an experience. You never forget while you are in it that you are driving/riding in something very, very special. Even with the black interior (I don't like black interiors, and much prefer the one on yours), it is a wonderful, relaxing place to be.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 12:18

0

"found its "forever home" with me"

Ha! Cue Sarah McLachlan...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 12:20

0

I expected better.

CHARIOT, perhaps, as a nod to its namesake?

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 12:24

9

I'm considering going full tilt insanity and sourcing a W12. Just because.

From a Mini to a W12 Volkswagen.

#IMustHaveLostMyMind

Jagvar > N51fanatic 08/25/2014 at 12:27

22

A valid point, though I didn't want to break up the narrative with a list of all of the maintenance and repair issues the car has encountered. But for the sake of those who are curious, I will include the average sums here:

I don't drive the car every day, so it only requires about one major service a year, and at best two. An average visit for routine maintenance runs $600-$800, ballpark. An oil change alone is $150. Getting the brakes and rotors serviced is about $1,200

The most expensive service in the life of the car is the 80K-mile service. All filters, belts, and hoses are replaced, plus the water pump and thermostat. It's fairly involved, and requires the removal of the front bumper assembly. This will set the average Phaeton owner back about $3K-$3.5K, though I had a set of four brand-new tires and new xenon bulbs thrown in, so my grand total was $4,912.

As for repairs, there have been a few:

Wiring harness replacement: $1,100
Realignment of the washer nozzles: $600
Taillight replacement: $900
Left rear window motor replacement: $800
TPMS module replacement: $1,000
Center vent-cover motor replacement: $1,100
Replacement of interior trim: $5,500

Much of that was covered by my 4-year aftermarket RealDriver warranty, which I paid $3,300 for in 2009. I'm out of warranty now.

The last $5,500 figure comes from a leakage issue. One of the sunroof drains busted a seal and rainwater got into the interior, damaging a good deal of insulation and trim pieces. The interior needed to be ripped apart to reach the source of the leak, and the labor was naturally expensive.

That's about all I can think of off the top of my head.

Jagvar > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 08/25/2014 at 12:29

0

I hope you know a good VW mechanic who will work for cheap! ;)

Jagvar > spanfucker retire bitch 08/25/2014 at 12:30

4

Regular driving position (though I am only 5'5"). Yeah, there's a ton of room to stretch out back there.

PedalHead > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 12:52

0

The little Phaeton name tag looks like a complete afterthought. It would look bare without it but the rectangular shape makes it seem like they just ran over to the local engraving shop and said, "Hey, can you make us a bunch of shiny name tags?" and glued it on.

Sn210 > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 12:56

5

awesome write up! I definitely want one some day, just for a toy. I got to take a close-up look at the interior of a W12 at a show in Monterey and all I can say is wow. It definitely reminded me why these cars cost so much new. Have you attempted any if the maintenance items yourself?

Brewman15 > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 13:10

0

Great Review! I have always loved these cars. A few have been popping up on my local Craigslist lately, and I've started to really consider it...

Hooker > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 13:20

1

Great write up! Also, I like the midget massage reference. Kind of concerning that there is no way to turn it off once it starts. I thought they thought of everything with that car! It's beautiful and you have done an excellent job of maintaining its luster! That interior is in perfect condition!

Hooker > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 13:20

6

This picture is pretty damn bad ass as well.

Jagvar > Hooker 08/25/2014 at 13:22

1

Thanks so much!

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 13:28

4

As long as I have a working VAGCOM unit, and the factory service manual, and a good relationship with my local VW Parts Counter, that should cover 80% of it.

The other 20% will take the remaining 80%.

macanamera > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 13:38

1

Great write up I'll bet this gets FP'd.

phenotyp > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 13:42

1

Holy shit, a grand for the TPMS module? I had to replace the one in my 550, which I thought was expensive at $300.

heliochrome85 > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 14:03

8

It goes without saying that i have a deep deep love for this car. Have had it since I first learned of the project. My Dad almost leased a V8 one in 06, however he got turned off by the size. Ultimately, though, the maintenance costs are shocking. I genuinely am appalled by the cost. I know Phaeton parts are hard to source and are high quality, however, I think that the long term maintenance and overall drivability is the downfall of this car. The reality exists that you yourself state you are afraid of fiddling with the buttons in fear of them breaking. Statements like that make me sad. Cars are meant to be enjoyed and unfortunately this car would have likely fallen apart like a past gen RX-7 were it not for your fastidious care and prodigious wallet. I salute you for doing this car a service and treating her like the queen she is.

TotallyThatStupid > Sn210 08/25/2014 at 14:07

7

Oh... four-place seating. I am weak with lust. Pure interior p0rn.

TotallyThatStupid > phenotyp 08/25/2014 at 14:11

1

Same part as a Touareg. You wouldn't believe how many people would spend the money on a new module to not have the blinking lights annoying them.

FWIW, on a 2004 Touareg you could unplug the module and then recode the car to not look for said module. That was cheaper than $1000.

TotallyThatStupid > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 14:12

0

This particular example has the "Klavierlack" high-gloss finish, a $2K option that I'm glad the original owner saw fit to purchase. Polished to a high mirror shine, it sparkles like obsidian glass.

I will now have to Google Klavierlack.

phenotyp > TotallyThatStupid 08/25/2014 at 14:18

1

Yeah, I replaced mine (dead when I bought the car) because I wanted a car that, for the first time in like 7 years, didn't have a warning light bitching at me. The CEL in my MR2 was forever on because of a faulty evap return sensor that wasn't worth the labor to fix.

Sn210 > TotallyThatStupid 08/25/2014 at 14:53

1

it was immaculate. The first one I've actually had the chance to get close to, too. All the other ones I've seen have been on the road.

JGrabowMSt > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 15:45

0

So, aside from anything else on the car, being your first vehicle purchase, what was you're biggest concern? That the car would financially destroy your life?

Admittedly, my Magnum was a roller coaster for the first 2 months (and I've only really had it for 3).

The first long drive I took it on, she was getting a solid 14mpg. I was hurting bad. I wanted the car, I didn't want to be run into the ground because of gas, but I was feeling seriously burned at first. I drove the car nearly 200 miles in the first 3 days of ownership. It took about 1100 more miles in the first month to "teach" the car how to drive (having an adaptive computer). Now I get in the ballpark of 20mpg average, and I'm far more confident in my ability to keep the car than I initially was, and I'm planning big things for it that were initially just jokes if I ever managed to get it.

In a worst case scenario, and something major happened to it, would you seek out another Phaeton?

Jagvar > JGrabowMSt 08/25/2014 at 16:07

0

The first four years, I didn't have much of a concern because I had an aftermarket extended warranty on the car. Without that warranty, it would have been much harder for me to own the Phaeton, since I was in my mid-20s and not exactly making a fortune.

If (God forbid) anything ever did happen to my beloved Phaeton, I'd consider buying one slightly newer: an '05 or better yet, an '06 (if I could even find one). Other than that, I can't imagine what I'd replace it with.

michael bleggi > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 16:30

1

a little warm there???

RMudkips > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 16:47

1

"Wait, what was that called again?"

Fleetwood T. Brougham > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 16:51

0

Point of clarification, por favor. You're saying the 4Motion all wheel drive system helped you stop in slick conditions better than the Benz?

AspenRS > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 16:52

2

Wow...I think I would have just left those washer nozzles out of alignment.

willkinton247 > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 16:53

0

How often do you drive this? This isn't your daily is it?

macanamera > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 16:54

5

Glad this went to the FP! It was a good read.

bbutle01 > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 16:55

4

OMG?!

replace interior trim? What was wrong with the trim. I've driven quite a few years now, many different cars, and I never found the need to replace $5k worth of trim.

How does a wiring harness break?

iguessilikehooters > TotallyThatStupid 08/25/2014 at 16:56

0

i'm guess piano black in german. but let me know what you find.

BrtStlnd > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 16:56

6

PHAETON DRIVER SPENDS SO MUCH ON MAINTENANCE HE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD SHOES

Cyrus > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 16:57

28

You spent $16000 in repairs/maintenance and $12000 in depreciation over 5 years. That's $28000 total. In 5 years. You're insane.

protodad > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 16:58

0

Any chance that last one could be covered by insurance? Not that they wouldn't total it based on value...

UncleWalty > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 16:59

0

No W12? I agree with everything you've said about the Phaeton....but if I ever pull the trigger, it will have to be the W12.

UncleWalty > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 16:59

0

Casual Friday.

LJ909 > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:00

0

"Today, at 10 years old with 83K miles, my car is worth around $9,000. At least that's what KBB says. That's 88% depreciation in a decade. Ouch."

Damn. Thats a steal if you can find one that low. Ive seen them for like 12-15k. But with the way they were engineered, I think buying a Phaeton used would be the equivalent of buying a used last gen BMW M5, repair costs wise.

Spanielmander > heliochrome85 08/25/2014 at 17:01

7

If the parts are such high quality, why do owners like the above spend thousands of dollars every year replacing them?

Vincent Davidson > TotallyThatStupid 08/25/2014 at 17:03

0

Check the Ikea catalog.

MatthewHokie03 > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:04

0

You've had it for 5 years and you've never once thrown it into the Tiptronic mode? It's not a great gearbox, but I would have thought you would at least do it out of curiosity.

55_mercury > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:04

2

No way I'd consider one of these even if it were given to me. Its not just a VW, its a much, much more complicated VW and therefor the likelihood of major catastrophic mechanical and electrical problems is that much greater.

Jagvar > Cyrus 08/25/2014 at 17:05

10

Love makes you do crazy things. ;)

Jagvar > UncleWalty 08/25/2014 at 17:08

4

It's a great engine, but the maintenance is so, so much more expensive. Typically, the repair costs on the W12 are 150% those of the V8. Sometimes more. But if you have deep enough pockets to do it, it's amazing.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:10

1

Soo... the Phaeton is so expensive to operate you had to give up wearing shoes, eh?

LOL

Jagvar > Sn210 08/25/2014 at 17:12

5

I love the four-seater package. It is so choice.

I don't really wrench on the car myself. It's a complex machine, and I trust my mechanic, even if I am putting his kids through college.

Jagvar > TotallyThatStupid 08/25/2014 at 17:13

3

Yeah, the only reason I even agreed to have the TPMS module replaced was that it was completely covered under warranty. Otherwise, I would've said no thanks.

ninjagin > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:14

0

Might be a dumb question, but is the Phaeton and the C6 the same car?

Jagvar > iguessilikehooters 08/25/2014 at 17:15

0

Yep, piano black in German.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:15

0

"TPMS module replacement: $1,000"

I heard this is a very common thing.

Have you done any maintenance and repair work yourself to try to keep costs down now that the warranty is up?

Jagvar > willkinton247 08/25/2014 at 17:16

0

Nope, she's not my daily. I typically drive the Phaeton a couple times a week. Sometimes a bit more.

Jagvar > macanamera 08/25/2014 at 17:16

0

Thanks very much!

bryan40oop > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:16

0

"Since Virginia has the most militant speeding laws in the country"

Communist state of Virginia!

Stang70Fastback > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:17

6

"Realignment of the washer nozzles: $600"

Please tell me this involves something more complex than what I am picturing...

MoreGone > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:19

0

#GiveMeAHyundaiInstead

Jagvar > Fleetwood T. Brougham 08/25/2014 at 17:19

0

Better than a first-gen ML320, yessir.

Bigjack > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:21

0

The first car you ever bought was a used Phaeton? What kind of life are you living??

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Spanielmander 08/25/2014 at 17:22

9

I can answer that as a former owner of a Euro car.

With a car like this, "high quality" means it feels nice, looks nice and leads to enjoyable operation of the vehicle.

It is NOT "high quality" in the 'it just keeps working forever' Toyota sense.

It's like the difference between soft plastic and hard plastic. Hard plastic feels "cheap" and is "low quality"... but it will last a long time without damage. In contrast, a nice soft touch plastic is more likely to get damaged or deformed if something rubs against it hard or scratches it. Quality can mean different things. It doesn't always mean 'durability'.

Jagvar > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 08/25/2014 at 17:22

0

Not yet, but I'm open to trying.

I actually had my mechanic just disable the TPMS entirely (a simple fuse-pull, which he did for no charge) since it was constantly on the fritz. I just check my tire pressure the old-fashioned way.

505 - morphine not found > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:25

0

Great write-up, and although you probably didn't make it clear enough, i still somehow deducted what is it that you love about this car. It never did it to me, but that doesn't mean you're wrong, just that we're different.

however, i don't like this paragraph:

"The Phaeton's best performance feature is its 4Motion permanent all-wheel-drive system. In dry conditions, power is distributed evenly to the front and rear wheels, and a loss of traction redistributes power where it is needed. This has gotten me out of a couple jams over the years. I once stopped ten feet short of a snowbank as I watched a Mercedes SUV glide past me going sideways."

You referenced the good braking performance in snow as a strong point of the AWD system? Really? Please tell me it's an edit mistake...

Loping Camshaft > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:25

6

Goddamn. I know you love the car, but some of that is nuts. I would only ever try to own this car in a strictly DIY setting, or not at all. Sounds like a challenge for Tavarish ....

Used German luxo-barges begin and end with E38's for me. I'd love to have an '01 740i Sport with the 6-speed swapped in. The only thing I'd miss is the ventilated seats.

Jagvar > Bigjack 08/25/2014 at 17:25

1

The first car I ever owned (and actually still have) is a '99 Galant...but I didn't buy it entirely on my own. I received it as a 16th birthday present from my dad 14 years ago, though I did have to pay for half of it myself.

But yes, the VW is the first car I ever bought outright.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 08/25/2014 at 17:26

2

And after a few years, do a long term review that starts with a picture of you, sitting on a curb, crying while holding an empty wallet open....

Jagvar > Stang70Fastback 08/25/2014 at 17:28

1

Yep. There are two motorized spring mechanisms inside the bumper. Unfortunately, some disassembly is required to replace them. The whole thing was covered under my extended warranty.

seansss > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:29

0

A note on brake dust generation: It usually has more to do with a driver than with a car.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:31

1

"But if you have deep enough pockets to do it,"

...or a complete lack of sanity... LOL

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > RMudkips 08/25/2014 at 17:33

3

It's called the Pay-ton...

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Cyrus 08/25/2014 at 17:34

15

It's cheaper than a marriage and divorce... I speak from experience...

Jagvar > Loping Camshaft 08/25/2014 at 17:35

2

YESSS. Make mine Imola Red, please!

Rob > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:35

0

Phaeton: Official car of shoe-less dudes.

Andrew T. Maness > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:38

1

Yes! Glad you finally got this fleshed out and posted. My Phaeton buyers guide should be done Thursday, been lagging on putting it up.

By the look of your photos you've kept this thing in tip top shape since purchasing it. Proud of you for pulling the trigger on one. Over the past couple of years it's been the car that I just keep coming back to and envisioning myself loving.

Being that I still love canyon driving on the weekends, I went for an S4 Avant. So far I'm loving my first German automobile, the repair costs have been minimal and I've learned a-lot about working in them.

I know I'd never touch a Phaeton to do any repairs myself and frankly that's fine because it's not a car you tune or customize. It's elegant and flys under the radar, the two things I hold above all others when it comes to car traits.

When I move on from the S4 I'll hopefully have convinced my girlfriend that the Phaeton is a car she'll love. That way I can drive it whenever I want and enjoy a Fiesta ST on the weekends.

Jagvar > Andrew T. Maness 08/25/2014 at 17:40

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Nice! I've toyed with the idea of buying an S4 Avant. What year is yours? Is there any work you can't do on it yourself?

GliveCo > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:44

1

"Polished to a high mirror shine" - Someones a Shawshank Redemption fan.

TamerlaneBlog > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:44

3

Great review, Barefoot One.

Here are my 2005 Phaeton's running costs:

http://hooniverse.com/2012/10/29/a-y…

I ended up selling mine and lost just $1,000:

http://hooniverse.com/2013/03/15/how…

Jagvar > GliveCo 08/25/2014 at 17:45

2

Oh my God, you actually caught that. Bravo.

"I mean, how often do you look at a man's shoes?"

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:46

1

I just advised a friend of mine with a Passat to pick up the VAG-COM kit... it's only $250:

http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/VCKII.htm…

Apparently you need it to even do some routine things like replacing brake pads. In the case of my buddy's Passat, to do the rear brake pads, you have to first disengage the electronic e-brake using VAG-COM.

So the first step for DIY maintenance on these modern VWs is getting the VAG-COM kit... and a laptop to install it on if you don't already have one.

Jagvar > TamerlaneBlog 08/25/2014 at 17:46

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I remember when you bought yours! Love the Coucou Gray. Do you ever miss it?

BaginaFace > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:46

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Have you had any major cosmetic mechanical issues?? I wanted one of these cars BAD. But I was convinced as soon as I got it off the lot the vent cover motors and other things like that would immediately start failing.

TamerlaneBlog > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:47

4

One more thing. Note how similar the Bentley Continental Flying Spur and Phaeton's interiors are:

http://karakullake.blogspot.com/2012/01/bentle…

G-Lader'd. Cabby style. > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:47

2

This car is so far ahead of its contemporaries, and still ahead of so many new cars.

I'm in love with the Phaeton. I've been looking for a well-loved loaded W12 for years.

Jagvar > TamerlaneBlog 08/25/2014 at 17:48

3

Definitely. The two cars were even built on adjoining assembly lines for a couple of years, until Bentley production shifted back to Crewe.

NG22 > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:48

0

Is there a reason why you're in the street barefoot? Anyway, nice to put a face to the username.

And very, very nice car. I can't wait to see the next-gen.

TheOtherOne > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:49

0

Obviously not living in Arizona!

Jagvar > G-Lader'd. Cabby style. 08/25/2014 at 17:49

1

Owners of the W12 models tend to hold onto them tightly. If you see one, definitely take a look. Just remember that 12-cylinder cars typically aren't cheap to run!

Loping Camshaft > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:50

1

OH YES. 100% with you. Rare color.

Jc Coello > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:50

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TamerlaneBlog > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:50

2

When I sold my 2005 Phaeton last year, VW was willing to sell a service contract/extended warranty to the new owner, for $9,000.

Jagvar > TamerlaneBlog 08/25/2014 at 17:52

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Holy cow! I guess if the air suspension fails, that's a good deal. Otherwise, I'd pass.

67mgb > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:52

1

What a beautiful car.

Andrew T. Maness > Jagvar 08/25/2014 at 17:52

1

Rolled off the line in February of '06 so from what I've read, it's part of the second manufacturing run and a true B7 known to have fewer timing chain issues, hooray!

Fixing this stupid sunroof rattle is something I haven't tackled yet as the whole headliner needs to be dropped. That's due more to a lack of tools and time than know how.

I put in an APR air intake myself and am soon doing a heat shield but other than that, not fiddling with the engine. Doing very little modification other than cosmetic refinement as I plan to sell the vehicle within the next 6 months.

Jagvar > 67mgb 08/25/2014 at 17:53

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Thank you! I try to keep her in good shape.