Volkswagen Passat B3 / B4 - is it worth buying an old legend in 2022

Eternal cars, as you know, do not exist. But there are models that appeared in Russia in the early 1990s and continue to ride on the roads of our vast Motherland. Of course, there are few of them left in big cities, but in rural areas such machines are not only exploited, but also considered a valuable asset.


This Volkswagen Passat B3 / B4 is a legend, especially in the station wagon. A real "dachmobile", which is valued for its reliability, simplicity of design and conditional efficiency, especially in the diesel version. Although heavy-fuel cars in Russia are traditionally disliked, they made an exception for the Passat.

You can buy a Volkswagen Passat B3 / B4 for 100 rubles and it will be a copy in good technical condition. Of course, you will have to go around and review a lot of options. Yes, and it will also be necessary to invest a certain amount in bringing the device “to mind”, but this is not necessary and depends on a certain amount of luck.



The initial cost of a car on the go is from 45 rubles, but there you will definitely have to invest in repairs. In the case of an old foreign car, it is better to pay more immediately than to look for spare parts for disassembly later. And new parts, especially body parts, can easily pull half the cost of a car for one element.

History of the model

Volkswagen Passat B3 debuted in 1988. If the previous generation was created on the chassis of the B1 model, then the third Passat was revolutionary.

The car turned out to be pretty, although it continued the line of available models from the German manufacturer. For the first time, the Passat began to be produced in a huge number of versions, with different engines.



It is necessary to mention the Volkswagen Passat B4 model, which many consider the new generation. In fact, this is a global external restyling of B3. In technical terms, the models are similar, except that the manufacturer got rid of a number of outdated motors.

Body and interior

What can you expect from a model that was completed in 1993 or 1997, if you take into account the B4? Only that it will rust! So it is, but Volkswagen cars, compared to other foreign cars, resist corrosion quite well.



They cannot be compared with Audi, but the fact that they travel in large numbers in Russia speaks of the survivability of the body. Or maybe the owners follow their favorite cars?

In any case, rust, often even through, for the Volkswagen Passat B3 / B4 is more of a common phenomenon than something extraordinary. A car with a body that has not been touched by the “red plague” is a rarity and speaks of an overcooked and repainted car.

First of all, the arches, the bottoms of the doors, the trunk lids and the hood rot. If a car is bought for oneself and it is planned to drive on it for 5-10 years, it is better to subject the body to a complete disassembly with anticorrosive treatment and subsequent repainting. If this is not done, then the car will drive until it completely rots and falls apart.

The interior of the old Volkswagen Passat B3 / B4 is boring and gray - a typical working car for every day. But there are no miscalculations in ergonomics, and there is enough space. Of course, this is not a business class, but the materials are of high quality, the squeaks in the cabin are almost oppressive.

Do not forget that the car is old. Therefore, the condition of the cabin depends on the previous owners. You should not expect an ideal look from the material of the seats, although sometimes you come across really worthy specimens where the interior looks almost like new.

Packages

At the same time, let's briefly go through the varieties of the Volkswagen Passat B3. Now it is unlikely that even the owner knows what the Passat once was, but there are a number of signs by which a specific version can be recognized.



The basic equipment was called CL or Classic. This is that "empty as a drum" car, in which there is not even a central lock, not to mention electric windows. On the other hand, there is nothing to break. For those who need a cheap and hassle-free "workhorse" for several years, the CL package will do.

GL stands for Grand Lux. Outwardly, it is distinguished by bumpers and rear-view mirrors in body color. Inside, the cabin is much more comfortable, both for the driver and passengers. The seats are soft, after a trip of 200 km behind you do not get the feeling that he was sitting on a wooden bench.



The GLX version was produced for the USA - in addition to the Grand Turismo package, there were safety bars in the knee area, a cruise, a leather interior, a sunroof and a few more options that, in principle, no one expects from the old Passat.

The rarest versions of the Volkswagen Passat B3:

✅ Trend / Break - modification for the French market
✅Special
✅ Syncro - all-wheel drive
✅ Arriva - factory tuning
✅ ABT - modified by the studio of the same name

Most of the cars that you can buy in Russia are CL and GL. We recommend contacting others only for fans, because the old car has many options - this is rather a minus.

Engines

On the Volkswagen Passat B3 / B4, many power units were installed with a displacement of 1,6 to 2,8 liters. Motors are found both gasoline and diesel.



The basic power units are carburetor 1,6. It is not recommended to contact them - they are old and low-powered.
Injection engines are mono-injection with a displacement of 1,6 / 1,8 liters. Power from 75 to 90 liters. With. They are considered the most reliable and trouble-free, but they do not shine with dynamics.

Engines with distributed injection are only 1,8 and 2,0 liters, they come in both eight and sixteen-valve. The latter are faster, but more capricious and more expensive to maintain and repair. Motor power - from 107 to 136 liters. With.

A rare VR6 with a displacement of 2,8 liters per 174 liters. With. A reliable and trouble-free motor, but it is difficult and expensive to maintain and repair it.



Diesel power units - 1,6 / 1,9 with a power of 64 to 80 liters. With. The weakest engine in the line is not even turbocharged.

Technical details

Gearboxes for the Volkswagen Passat B3 / B4 are mainly mechanical - 5-speed manual. Rarely, but there are also versions with an "automatic". There are no questions to the mechanics during operation, and the clutch nurses 300 km.



The automatic transmission is reliable, but like most old cars, it's a ticking time bomb. However, it will not be difficult to buy a unit for dismantling, and it is inexpensive.

If the car is purchased for yourself, then it makes sense to sort out the automatic transmission, which is starting to blunt, kick and slip. To prevent problems with the "machine", you need to monitor the oil level in the box.

The suspensions of the Volkswagen Passat B3 / B4 are reliable, but it is not recommended to raise the cars higher than it should be from the factory. If this advice is neglected, then the front levers will quickly fail. Another ball joint may require replacement, but it is inexpensive and easy to change.



Behind the problems deliver only shock absorbers and springs. It is not worth saving on them, especially on the latter. It makes no sense to put Chinese springs - they quickly sag.

Volkswagen Passat B3 / B4, despite the years, is still in demand in the secondary market. If you need an inexpensive car for every day, it can be recommended for purchase. The main thing is to find a body in good condition, everything else can be solved.

VR6 and automatic transmissions are best avoided - they are more expensive to repair and maintain, which is unacceptable for an old budget car.