508 / Passat - Peugeot 508 or VW Passat?

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Mon 6 Aug 2012 00:14
508 / Passat - Peugeot 508 or VW Passat? - nimbus

I have a choice between a new 508 SW 2.0 HDi 163 automatic and a new Passat 2.0 TDi estate DSG automatic. The Peugeot appeals to me more. However I need good reliability. Is the 508 SW a sound choice? Would the Passat prove a better option, if so, why? Thanks

Edited by nimbus on 06/08/2012 at 00:15

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Mon 6 Aug 2012 00:21
508 / Passat - Peugeot 508 or VW Passat? - Avant

Personally I'd chhose an Octavia estate in front of either: it's mechanically the same as the Passat but it's cheaper, and in general Skoda dealers are better than VW's. A Toyota Avensis is solid rather than exciting but Toyota's reliability record is very good.

But if your choice is restricted to these two, VWs, although not brilliant in the reliability surveys, are certainly better than Peugeots. Also Peugeots seem to have lost the knack of getting the ride/handling compromise just right, as they used to do 20 years ago.

Edited by Avant on 06/08/2012 at 00:21

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Mon 6 Aug 2012 08:31
508 / Passat - Peugeot 508 or VW Passat? - Chris79
I was chatting the owner of a 508 recently. His has done 30 k now as a taxi. It's a lovely car inside but he has suffered from a few minor electrical niggles. These electrical niggles seem to be cured by software update but never permanently.
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Mon 6 Aug 2012 09:15
508 / Passat - Peugeot 508 or VW Passat? - balleballe

If you intend on keeping the car for more than 3 years - I would not go for a DSG box.

They are known to develop expensive faults, especially in their later life

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Mon 6 Aug 2012 11:26
508 / Passat - Peugeot 508 or VW Passat? - pd

The Passat is similar to the Octavia mechanically, but the Octavia is based on the Golf Mk V, not the Passat (although the Passat is an extended version of the Golf platform). The Superb is the Skoda Passat equivalent.

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Mon 6 Aug 2012 14:09
508 / Passat - Peugeot 508 or VW Passat? - coopshere
Most obvious question to ask yourself is what sort of automatic do you want.

Though I'm not absolutely sure the 508 is possibly a proper automatic box with torque converter, the Passat is definitely not. If the 508 is not a proper auto but an automated clutch (the 5008 I drove was definitely the latter) then I would avoid it, the gear changing was awful and under some circumstances almost dangerous.

If you haven't already done so research the difference and the relative problems between the various manufacturers who call their gearboxes "automatics". Some of the problems with these boxes and related parts such as a dual mass flywheel are well documented. Before deciding on any I strongly recommend a long test drive in real traffic conditions to see how they operate differently.

Is the choice of these two models your own or are you being told you can only have one or the other?
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Mon 6 Aug 2012 18:02
508 / Passat - Peugeot 508 or VW Passat? - 72 dudes

If it's a company car - Peugeot 508. Looks nicer, very good interior, more unusual, but will not be as economical (auto is a traditional sort)

If it's a private purchase - Passat. Residuals will be higher, more economical, dependable, less to tax, but dull interior (which is where you spend your time)

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