If anyone was wondering why the Passat was so much cheaper than the A4 Cheack out the rear suspension. It is completely different than the A4's. No coil overs there. It's got a cheasy purple lit dash also. If the A4 weren't made I still wouldn't buy a Passat. I don't think it's attractive at all.

i am about to buy a passat over the A4's. After reading this forum for a long time, i have finally decided not to buy a A'4 because they seem to fa;; apart and have to many problems. Now ill buy a passat or wait a little more<p>sammy

Gus, <p>The Passat front-wheel-drive models have the same solid-beam axle rear suspension as the front-wheel-drive Audi A4s. <p>The Quattro system on the A4 necessitates an independant rear suspension. Likewise, the Passat Syncro (AWD) has the exact same rear suspension as the Audi A4 Quattro. <p>-jamie<p><ul><li><a href="http://www.vwvortex.com">www.vwvortex.com</a></li></ul>

Not trying to start anything here, but I think the A4 has proven itself to be a very good car. There are a few cars with problems, but not enough, IMO to classify it as troublesome. You'd be very mistaken if you thought the Passat would be a better built car than the A4. Both share many, many of the same components ( all the same major components), and both are very well assembled cars and have few problems. <p>Charles<br>

...the Passat and A4 share the same drivelines, and also the same suspension components. You must have been looking at a FWD Passat and comparing it to the A4 with quattro. I do agree on the purple dash. Someone must have been dreaming of Barney when they thought that one up!<p>Charles<br>

Man at our dealership most customers tell us that they prefer the VW dash to the red Audi dash (we sell both brands) I've even had customers ask if the A4 can be ordered with that dash coloring!<p>evlfred

Have you ever thought that this board is where people come as a "knowledge" base for their A4? This board represents a small portion of A4 owners (probably less than .02%). I've owned Acuras and Hondas that I've posted problems or questions on their respective board. Why don't you go to an Audi dealerships service department and talk to the A4 owners there... from my experience they all love their cars and the only time the car is in the shop is for routine maintenance.

The rear suspension in the FWD Passat is completely different from the Fwd Audi. The Fwd passat does not have a rear coil over suspension setup. Check it out.