are 1.8T's JUNK????

[JordanVw at aol.com]

> >>The 1.8t is bullet proof.  Any engine will have problems if you ignore 
> the basic >>maintenance items.
 


  Not everyone is looking for a NEW B5.  i cannot afford a NEW B5.  therefore 
i must look for a USED B5.    and guess what.. not everyone changes their oil 
every 3000 mi w/ synthetic (especially since the dealer originally 
reccomended oil changed every 10k?!?)  
so.....i am looking at used B5's...and the average new passat/A4 owner isnt 
into vw's/Audis.  most just buy the car because its a nice ride and they have 
heard good stuff about it or like the way it looks.    MOST dont keep up with 
the oil changes or service. most B5's are doing good if the owner can make it 
to jiffy lube once a year.. lots of B5's are lease cars....do people care about 
maintenance and service on cars that are leased?  nope.   most are purchased 
by professionals who have busy schedules/work/families  and put LOTS of miles 
on them and dont even think about service.   just put gas in the car and go. . 


 the 1.8T  is a high maintenance engine.  which 90% of the time doesnt get 
properly maintained..   its not a forgiving engine.   these B5's are getting 
older..and more miles on them..  and the 1.8T is showing how unforgiving and high 
maintenence it is..

so how are buyers looking for used B5's supposed to know if the original 
owner 4 or 5 yrs and 50 thousand miles ago changed their oil every 3k with 
synthetic?   how is a used B5 buyer supposed to know if their bottom end is full of 
sludge?  or the turbo is about to go?    its a crap shoot.  
the 1.8T may be a reliable engine if you owned the car since new..but...  
looking for a used B5  1.8t????   BEWARE...  this is the opinion i have recieved.
from what ive gleaned on the audi and passat list is that the 2.8L V6 is a 
much more forgiving engine..
im not knocking 1.8T's.. they can be modded and you can have alot of fun with 
them.  but im talking about long term. for the average used B5 that you see 
on a used car lot or in the paper..over 50k mi...on the 2nd  owner..   
I dont have alot of money to spend on a B5..but i want one..  the cars that 
are in my price range have between 50k and 95k miles on them..   and i have 
been seeing alot of scary stuff..   replaced engines..replaced turbos..   major 
problems that have happened on these 1.8T cars at relatively low mileage..  it 
just makes me skeptical..   
 

chris