Watch Out For The Horn: A W8 6-Spd Passat Unicorn

"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
08/08/2014 at 12:03 • Filed to: daily turismo, blog, w8

The B5 generation Volkswagen Passat was a surprisingly fun to drive alternative to the Camry, Accord, and Taurus bland-mobiles that ruled the mid-size family sedan segment when it was released in 1997. Even more shocking was the compact W8 engine released in 2001 mated to an available 6-speed manual gearbox.

The B5/B5.5 Passat was built at a time when VW and Audi shared many components between their mid-sized sedan families, meaning the Passat shared a platform with the A4 & A6. It was also built at a time when VW received abysmal quality scores from the lopsided yardsticks of survey companies like JD Power. Rumor has it that the Passat did not suffer from the same constant issues as the Mexico assembled Jetta/Golf/Beetle because the Passat and A4 were assembled in Germany at a greater cost and probably with more experience/automation from the folks on the factory floor. This will give you some peace of mind when you consider picking up the most complicated of all B5 platform vehicles — the Passat W8. Find this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! offered for $7,200 in Richfield, WI via craigslist.

The B5 generation Volkswagen Passat received a mid-cycle cosmetic update mid-year in 2001, with the 2001.5 models getting the designation of B5.5. Most of the update included some fancier headlamps and more belt-line chrome, but there was also the addition of W8 powerplant. It was an extremely odd addition to the mid-sized family sedan and bumped the MSRP from $21k (with the base 1.8T) to $37k with the W8. Needless to say, few were purchased with the W8 engine (considering you could step into a nicely optioned A6 for that kind of money) and an even smaller number left showrooms with the 6-speed manual gearbox.

The B5 chassis is one of the few modern cars to use a longitudinal engine/trans in a front wheel drive automobile, but the compact W8 engine is sitting in front of the front axle. It displaces 4.0 liters and puts out 275 horsepower and 273 ft-lbs of torque — which doesn't sound too bad, until you realize that the W8 wagon tips the scales at 4000 lbs, compared to a FWD 1.8T sedan at 3000. The extra 75 horsepower over a chipped 1.8T isn't enough to overcome the additional mass and only the traction benefit of 4WD at low speeds helps maintain any semblance of performance advantage.

This is one of the precious few W8 Passats to come with a clutch pedal and a 6-speed manual gearbox. All W8s came with the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, so at least you aren't doing peg-leg front wheel burnouts when you mash the go pedal. Carter from germancarsforsaleblog pointed out that this very car is probably a one-for-one color/options combination and was offered for sale on ebay almost a year ago from what appears to be the same seller — read his article !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

As cool as the W8 engine mated to a 6-speed gearbox might be, is it really worth the added complexity when a chipped 1.8T will probably be faster from 30 to 60 mph? tips@dailyturismo.com

Originally posted as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

H/T to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Image credits craigslist and VAG.

DISCUSSION (14)

HammerheadFistpunch > DailyTurismo
08/08/2014 at 12:06

I want to love everything about this:

crazy engine

Manual

wagon

rare

Then I remember:

B5 platform

Crazy engine

VW parts costs

FYI the B5 passat was just as turdy as anything built in mexico. We had a 2001 1.8t that went though 2 UCA's several fuel pumps and a host of electrical gremlins. Pieces of garbage.

Stupidru > DailyTurismo
08/08/2014 at 12:08

Wait what? I work like... 2 miles from there

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > DailyTurismo
08/08/2014 at 12:10

That engine/trans/body combo has to be very rare, and its reasonably priced too.

Also it's only a couple hours away. If I had 7200 bucks right now, I'd be making a phone call.

Stupidru > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/08/2014 at 12:15

I probably drive within 5 minutes of this guy's house twice a day. If I had $10k, I'd be making a call. $7000 to buy the car for and $3000 to have for the inevitable repairs

Will with a W8 races an E30 > DailyTurismo
08/08/2014 at 12:23

Looked at it already. Has a driveline wine (do you really want to try to find a replacement transmission for this? The housing is unique and only 103 came to the states) and the interior is photographed rather optimistically, with unique parts such as the headliner control (panel with switches for interior lights and sunroof) in poor shape.

Sorry to rain on the parade.

Will with a W8 races an E30 > DailyTurismo
08/08/2014 at 12:27

More Pics

http://s59.photobucket.com/user/ddd4114/l…

Will with a W8 races an E30 > HammerheadFistpunch
08/08/2014 at 12:40

The user name probably says it all, but I have been daily driving the automatic version of this car for almost two years now, and I still absolutely love it. Its comfortable, plenty quick for daily driving, eats highway miles with incredible ease, does beautiful drifts in the snow, and has been surprisingly reliable.

It also gets 18mpg, and plows like a pig above 90%

HammerheadFistpunch > Will with a W8 races an E30
08/08/2014 at 12:42

I've heard tales of your kind, people with B5's that aren't terrible, but until today I thought it was just an urban legend.

Will with a W8 races an E30 > HammerheadFistpunch
08/08/2014 at 12:46

I bought my W8 fully expecting it to die within a year. I even kept the car I was replacing insured and in the driveway for a full 6 months after the purchase "just in case." And by surprisingly reliable, I mean for a W8. Compared to most other 10 year old cars, its reliability has been mediocre at best.

Brewman15 > DailyTurismo
08/08/2014 at 13:01

Thanks for the H/T. I was about to say some of those pics looked familiar...

Definitely a CP at the original $37k MSRP, but $7,200 for a used one seems pretty good to me especially for that rarity and that very unique engine. Having 3-pedals is a massive bonus for me when looking for any wagons.

David > HammerheadFistpunch
08/08/2014 at 17:39

Yours just hated you, probably because you hated it. My 2001.5 GLX wagon was a dream, and never gave me ANY trouble that I didn't cause.

Kinja'd!!!

HammerheadFistpunch > David
08/08/2014 at 17:44

That's a hell of an assumption to make. It was my wife's car and it was babied. serviced regularly and driven sedately. it actually had an issue where the pedal would get pinned under the floor mat that i found years after she bought it because she never pinned it. I think it would be pretty insane to call the B5 platform on whole a dream. Great dynamics, good numbers, built TERRIBLY.

TheHeavySetThinGuy > DailyTurismo
08/11/2014 at 16:58

It's all fun and games until you need to change the forward O2 sensor... The engine needs to come out to access it.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > David
08/14/2014 at 12:58

My dad has a TDI in the same color :D It's very mediocre :/