* Pete:
> What exactly is a Passat 3BG? I've never heard of this nomenclature out
> here in the US.
3BG stands for the internal VW model nomenclature (like "D2" and "4E"
for the Audi A8). The 3BG is the facelift version of the 3B (the
successor of the Passat 35I).
This is a Passat 3B:
<http://www.autogaleria.pl/tapety/img/volkswagen/volkswagen_passat_1997_01_b.jpg>
And these are Passat 3BG:
<http://fotogalerien.tuningzine.de/rieger_vw_passat_30102006/vw_passat_text_1.jpg>
<http://www.autopflege24.net/showshine/2007/passat/passat_index.jpg>
And this is the old 35I:
<http://www.selfbase.com/car_interior_database/photos/cars/400/4400501401.jpg>
The 3BG was basically made to make the Passat look more luxurious and to
be able to compete with Mercedes C-class, BMW 3-series and Audi A4.
> During which years was it available?
I don't know the timeframe it was sold in the US (but I doubt it differs
much) but here in Germany the 35I was made from 1988 to 1996 where the
35B was introduced. It was replaced by the 3BG in 2000. The 3BG was
terminated in 2005.
BTW: does the US also have the hazzle with bio ethanol mixture in
regular fuel? Here in Germany the government forced that all grades of
gas contain 5% of bio enthanol (E5 gas). A new law from 2006 now forces
the percentage of bio ethanol to raise to 10% (E10 gas), probably
starting already in 2009. Bio ethanol is very corrosive and can cause
higher wear (especially in the area of valve seating), it's expensive to
produce which makes the gas more expensive and also contains less energy
than gas which leads to a lower gas mileage. Since it's still not really
clear which older cars do tolerate E10 gas and which don't (for example,
Audi says all models since 1992 can tolerate E10 - except FSI engines
before 2004!) the government decided to leave around 1000 gas stations
nationwide with E5 "Super Plus" (premium grade, most older cars only
require lower grades) gas until 2016 where no E5 will be available any
more in this country. Not only "Super Plus" is the most expensive gas
grade, the E5 "Super Plus" will be even more expensive due to higher
logistics and production costs. So you buy a new Ford Ka (compact car)
today, you won't find any fuel for it after 2016. You have an Audi, Seat
or Volkswagen with FSI engine older than 2004? Same problem. You have an
Mitsubishi Carisma GDI? Same problem. And this goes on for lots of other
cars, too. Besides that, even for the manufacturer it's not clear what
long-term effects bio ethanol has in older cars. Isn't that great?
Benjamin
Benjamin
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