Passat or New Passat?

I bought that 2001 Passat(1.8T BTW), how do I tell if it's a Passat or the
New Passat, and what's the difference?

On the new ones (B5.5 I believe) the rear lights have two round cirles
stacked, with whiteish colour between them... on the old style (B5) Passats
they were all red, and a rather ugly shade of red, at that IMO.

The front end on the new ones has two clearly visible projector beams and
two high beams to the inside... the older cars have more of an old style
light that looks like all one piece, but I believe it also is separate
low/high projectors, just not as distinct.
"Jeff Bailey" > wrote in message
...
>I bought that 2001 Passat(1.8T BTW), how do I tell if it's a Passat or the
>New Passat, and what's the difference?
>

"Rob Guenther" > wrote in message
...
> On the new ones (B5.5 I believe) the rear lights have two round cirles
> stacked, with whiteish colour between them... on the old style (B5)
> Passats they were all red, and a rather ugly shade of red, at that IMO.
>
> The front end on the new ones has two clearly visible projector beams and
> two high beams to the inside... the older cars have more of an old style
> light that looks like all one piece, but I believe it also is separate
> low/high projectors, just not as distinct.

New Passat looks like the current one.

Old Passat does not.



Other tips:

New = chrome around windows and on bumpers, side marker lamps in sides of
bumpers, tails do not wrap around the sides of the car.

Old = black around windows, body-colored strips in bumpers w/o chrome, side
marker lamps integrated into front corner lamps and wrap around tails.

Rob Guenther wrote:

> On the new ones (B5.5 I believe) the rear lights have two round cirles
> stacked, with whiteish colour between them... on the old style (B5) Passats
> they were all red, and a rather ugly shade of red, at that IMO.
>
> The front end on the new ones has two clearly visible projector beams and
> two high beams to the inside... the older cars have more of an old style
> light that looks like all one piece, but I believe it also is separate
> low/high projectors, just not as distinct.

The B5.5 also has chrome trim where the B5 has none - on the bumpers,
and on the window surrounds, as well as on the dash gauges.
(Personally, I prefer the B5 look.) Also, the B5.5 has cupholders in
the center console next to the e-brake, while the B5 has that crappy
(IMO) pop-out cupholder in the center stack.

--
Mike Smith

I have a 5.5, and I agree that the 5 has the better "look" -- I hate the
chrome trim on the dash -- and the 5.5 has the better cup holders.


"Mike Smith" > wrote in message
...
> Rob Guenther wrote:
>
> > On the new ones (B5.5 I believe) the rear lights have two round cirles
> > stacked, with whiteish colour between them... on the old style (B5)
Passats
> > they were all red, and a rather ugly shade of red, at that IMO.
> >
> > The front end on the new ones has two clearly visible projector beams
and
> > two high beams to the inside... the older cars have more of an old style
> > light that looks like all one piece, but I believe it also is separate
> > low/high projectors, just not as distinct.
>
> The B5.5 also has chrome trim where the B5 has none - on the bumpers,
> and on the window surrounds, as well as on the dash gauges.
> (Personally, I prefer the B5 look.) Also, the B5.5 has cupholders in
> the center console next to the e-brake, while the B5 has that crappy
> (IMO) pop-out cupholder in the center stack.
>
> --
> Mike Smith

I find the B5.5 looks much more elegant, the B5 is looking a little dated
IMO. To each his own, as they say.
"tf" > wrote in message
...
>I have a 5.5, and I agree that the 5 has the better "look" -- I hate the
> chrome trim on the dash -- and the 5.5 has the better cup holders.
>
>
> "Mike Smith" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Rob Guenther wrote:
>>
>> > On the new ones (B5.5 I believe) the rear lights have two round cirles
>> > stacked, with whiteish colour between them... on the old style (B5)
> Passats
>> > they were all red, and a rather ugly shade of red, at that IMO.
>> >
>> > The front end on the new ones has two clearly visible projector beams
> and
>> > two high beams to the inside... the older cars have more of an old
>> > style
>> > light that looks like all one piece, but I believe it also is separate
>> > low/high projectors, just not as distinct.
>>
>> The B5.5 also has chrome trim where the B5 has none - on the bumpers,
>> and on the window surrounds, as well as on the dash gauges.
>> (Personally, I prefer the B5 look.) Also, the B5.5 has cupholders in
>> the center console next to the e-brake, while the B5 has that crappy
>> (IMO) pop-out cupholder in the center stack.
>>
>> --
>> Mike Smith
>
>

Rob Guenther wrote:

> I find the B5.5 looks much more elegant, the B5 is looking a little dated
> IMO. To each his own, as they say.

To each his own. To me, the B5.5 looks "blingy", while the B5 looks "Euro".

--
Mike Smith

I prefer the 5.5 also. I think it looks more finished and more mature. Although
I suppose it's a bit more feminine too. I'd probably do a B5.5 on a short lease
(2-3 years). With the next generation model iminent I'd want the oppurtunity to
move out of my B5.5 and into a newer one without the hassle of selling the one
I bought now. Either that or try to drill the dealer on giving me a price break
on purchasing a W8.
Steve Grauman

I've always loved tastefully (and that is really the key word here) applied
chrome (old Mercedes 560's come to mind) and they do it nicely on the
Passat... they went overboard on the Jetta - chrome GRILLE STRIPES... come
on, that looks ugly.
"Mike Smith" > wrote in message
...
> Rob Guenther wrote:
>
>> I find the B5.5 looks much more elegant, the B5 is looking a little dated
>> IMO. To each his own, as they say.
>
> To each his own. To me, the B5.5 looks "blingy", while the B5 looks
> "Euro".
>
> --
> Mike Smith

blingy?

"Mike Smith" > wrote in message
...
> Rob Guenther wrote:
>
> > I find the B5.5 looks much more elegant, the B5 is looking a little
dated
> > IMO. To each his own, as they say.
>
> To each his own. To me, the B5.5 looks "blingy", while the B5 looks
"Euro".
>
> --
> Mike Smith