Question:

The A6 is on a platform named C5. I found the Passat platform name on a VW entyhusiast website. I can’t relocate it now. It does have a different name. At the same time the TT, Jetta and New Beetle have the same platform name. I thoroughly understand what a platform is and  that it doesn’t have to be similar in size. When a good manufacturer changes materials though they’d better change design to optimize the new material. While aluminum is a lighter material than steel I believe it has a much shorter fatigue life and is not as rigid. Identical castings between steel and aluminum parts would result in either and overweight steel design or an aluminum design that would fail in a very short time. Audi understands this. That is why the platforms are different between the similarly sized Passat and A6. The Passat and A6 do share many things: suspension geometry (though not materials or castings), engine cradles (I believe), suspension sub-assemblies, etc. Their platforms are different enough that they are not recognized as identical by VW/Audi. I am very happy that VW and Audi share parts because it drives down the cost of my car. If you look far back in this thread you will see a post from me indicating I thought the platforms are identical. Since then I’ve researched it and found the difference. If there is data available that proves me wrong plase share it – I’ll stand re-corrected. The only data I have indicates they are on different platforms. It doesn’t bother me one lick if my Audi shares a platform with a Volkswagen or a Hyundai. It does matter to me that my A6 quattro has a much more confidence inspiring road feel than a Passat 4Motion – tested back-to-back-to-back. It does matter to me that the information shared in various forums be correct so that people who trust it are well informed. Aar

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Look at the chassis codes. The Passat, A6, A4 and Jetta are all from > different platforms. I thought the same as you until I recently researched > it. They share many mechanicals, suspension components/designs, etc but > the > basic platfors are quite different. In particular the Audis make much more > extensive use of aluminum which necessitates a different construction. It > also makes for a more rigid, lighter car. Thus, a higher performing car. > Where’s your research? I’d like to read it. It seems obvious that each model > has a different code – it would be quite confusing if they matched. > Differing materials doesn’t mean the part is not of the same design, either. > Just modified. The Passat and A6 got facelifts and suspension overhauls here > in UK at about the same time. Coincidence? If the car you refer to  as the > Jetta is the same model as the UK Bora, which I think is right, then that > car has the same platform as the Skoda Octavia. If I remember, the > industry-talk of the new A4 before it was fully developed was of a shortened > A6 platform. > Platforms do not have to be exactly the same in final dimension, material > and usage to be the same basic platform. This is so well publicised that I > am at a loss to understand why so many people get so huffy about Audi’s and > VW’s being so alike!

Response:

> Look at the chassis codes. The Passat, A6, A4 and Jetta are all from > different platforms. I thought the same as you until I recently researched > it. They share many mechanicals, suspension components/designs, etc but the > basic platfors are quite different. In particular the Audis make much more > extensive use of aluminum which necessitates a different construction. It > also makes for a more rigid, lighter car. Thus, a higher performing car.

Where’s your research? I’d like to read it. It seems obvious that each model has a different code – it would be quite confusing if they matched. Differing materials doesn’t mean the part is not of the same design, either. Just modified. The Passat and A6 got facelifts and suspension overhauls here in UK at about the same time. Coincidence? If the car you refer to  as the Jetta is the same model as the UK Bora, which I think is right, then that car has the same platform as the Skoda Octavia. If I remember, the industry-talk of the new A4 before it was fully developed was of a shortened A6 platform. Platforms do not have to be exactly the same in final dimension, material and usage to be the same basic platform. This is so well publicised that I am at a loss to understand why so many people get so huffy about Audi’s and VW’s being so alike!

Response:

Yes, Passat and A6 use the same platform.  But the Jetta uses Golf platform (as Seat Leon, Toledo, VW Golf, Bora (Jetta), Beetle, Audi A3, TT, Skoda Octavia).  A4 uses a shortened A6/Passat platform.  The components in VW and equivalent Audi models are basically the same, but Audi is better quality, that’s all.  Worth the extra cost?  Personnally, I think so… O.D.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Look at the chassis codes. The Passat, A6, A4 and Jetta are all from > different platforms. I thought the same as you until I recently researched > it. They share many mechanicals, suspension components/designs, etc but > the > basic platfors are quite different. In particular the Audis make much more > extensive use of aluminum which necessitates a different construction. It > also makes for a more rigid, lighter car. Thus, a higher performing car. > Where’s your research? I’d like to read it. It seems obvious that each model > has a different code – it would be quite confusing if they matched. > Differing materials doesn’t mean the part is not of the same design, either. > Just modified. The Passat and A6 got facelifts and suspension overhauls here > in UK at about the same time. Coincidence? If the car you refer to  as the > Jetta is the same model as the UK Bora, which I think is right, then that > car has the same platform as the Skoda Octavia. If I remember, the > industry-talk of the new A4 before it was fully developed was of a shortened > A6 platform. > Platforms do not have to be exactly the same in final dimension, material > and usage to be the same basic platform. This is so well publicised that I > am at a loss to understand why so many people get so huffy about Audi’s and > VW’s being so alike!

Response:

I have a Passat and an A4 and I can prettry well swap any engine or drive train items. C. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Look at the chassis codes. The Passat, A6, A4 and Jetta are all from > different platforms. I thought the same as you until I recently researched > it. They share many mechanicals, suspension components/designs, etc but > the > basic platfors are quite different. In particular the Audis make much more > extensive use of aluminum which necessitates a different construction. It > also makes for a more rigid, lighter car. Thus, a higher performing car. > Where’s your research? I’d like to read it. It seems obvious that each model > has a different code – it would be quite confusing if they matched. > Differing materials doesn’t mean the part is not of the same design, either. > Just modified. The Passat and A6 got facelifts and suspension overhauls here > in UK at about the same time. Coincidence? If the car you refer to  as the > Jetta is the same model as the UK Bora, which I think is right, then that > car has the same platform as the Skoda Octavia. If I remember, the > industry-talk of the new A4 before it was fully developed was of a shortened > A6 platform. > Platforms do not have to be exactly the same in final dimension, material > and usage to be the same basic platform. This is so well publicised that I > am at a loss to understand why so many people get so huffy about Audi’s and > VW’s being so alike!

Response:

I thought everyone knew that the Passat and A6 were basically the same car? Platform sharing has been parent company VW’s policy since the mid 90’s. The A4 (pre new model) was the last bespoke Audi chassis until the A2. The same engines and suspension can be found on each vehicle, albeit in different guises and combinations. The differences lie, obviously, in the design and quality, as Audi represent the upper sector in the market. I would bet money that a great many of the other components all over the vehicles could be told apart only by having VW or Audi stamped on them. Audi = Luxury sector VW = Middle class sector SEAT = Sporty for the masses sector Skoda = Value sector The new Skoda Superb is another Passat (based on a long wheelbase version sold only in China) with different front/rear panels and slightly down-market seats, but it drives like an A6 to me.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I was having lunch with a business associate and his wife when the subject > about my new Allroad came up.  She said she had a VW Passat wagon and stated > that they were "basically the same car."  Her husband also reiterated that > we "had the same car."  I almost choked on my lemon chicken and had to bite > my tongue, although somehow mentioning "twin-turbo" and "off-road" > capabilities had no effect on convincing my friends that they were, indeed, > NOT the same car!! > The bottom-line, I guess, is that other than car aficionados, there are > Volkswagen people who think that VWs and Audis are "the same." > HELP!

Response:

Look at the chassis codes. The Passat, A6, A4 and Jetta are all from different platforms. I thought the same as you until I recently researched it. They share many mechanicals, suspension components/designs, etc but the basic platfors are quite different. In particular the Audis make much more extensive use of aluminum which necessitates a different construction. It also makes for a more rigid, lighter car. Thus, a higher performing car.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I thought everyone knew that the Passat and A6 were basically the same car? > Platform sharing has been parent company VW’s policy since the mid 90’s. The > A4 (pre new model) was the last bespoke Audi chassis until the A2. > The same engines and suspension can be found on each vehicle, albeit in > different guises and combinations. The differences lie, obviously, in the > design and quality, as Audi represent the upper sector in the market. I > would bet money that a great many of the other components all over the > vehicles could be told apart only by having VW or Audi stamped on them. > Audi = Luxury sector > VW = Middle class sector > SEAT = Sporty for the masses sector > Skoda = Value sector > The new Skoda Superb is another Passat (based on a long wheelbase version > sold only in China) with different front/rear panels and slightly > down-market seats, but it drives like an A6 to me. > I was having lunch with a business associate and his wife when the subject > about my new Allroad came up.  She said she had a VW Passat wagon and > stated > that they were "basically the same car."  Her husband also reiterated that > we "had the same car."  I almost choked on my lemon chicken and had to > bite > my tongue, although somehow mentioning "twin-turbo" and "off-road" > capabilities had no effect on convincing my friends that they were, > indeed, > NOT the same car!! > The bottom-line, I guess, is that other than car aficionados, there are > Volkswagen people who think that VWs and Audis are "the same." > HELP!

Response:

I was having lunch with a business associate and his wife when the subject about my new Allroad came up.  She said she had a VW Passat wagon and stated that they were "basically the same car."  Her husband also reiterated that we "had the same car."  I almost choked on my lemon chicken and had to bite my tongue, although somehow mentioning "twin-turbo" and "off-road" capabilities had no effect on convincing my friends that they were, indeed, NOT the same car!! The bottom-line, I guess, is that other than car afficianados, there are Volkswagen people who think that VWs and Audis are "the same." HELP!

Response:

Yeah and my A6 is really a Porsche. Some people are just dumb, plain and simple. cL – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I was having lunch with a business associate and his wife when the subject > about my new Allroad came up.  She said she had a VW Passat wagon and stated > that they were "basically the same car."  Her husband also reiterated that > we "had the same car."  I almost choked on my lemon chicken and had to bite > my tongue, although somehow mentioning "twin-turbo" and "off-road" > capabilities had no effect on convincing my friends that they were, indeed, > NOT the same car!! > The bottom-line, I guess, is that other than car afficianados, there are > Volkswagen people who think that VWs and Audis are "the same." > HELP!

Response:

> I was having lunch with a business associate and his wife when the subject > about my new Allroad came up.  She said she had a VW Passat wagon and stated > that they were "basically the same car."  Her husband also reiterated that

While the line between VW and Audi is getting more and more blurred, they are indeed different cars.  Some of the engines are the same, such as the 1.8T and 3.0 30v V6.   The trend isn’t Audi being more like VW, but rather VW being more like Audi.  The price, however, is beginning to reflect that. People are always going to group Nissan/Infiniti, Lexus/Toyota, and Audi/VW.  Some people know what they *think* they know about cars,  and nothing will convince them otherwise. — Vic 1997 A4 2.8q 2000 Mustang GT suspension upgrades remove _no_spam to e-mail

Response:

>I was having lunch with a business associate and his wife when the subject >about my new Allroad came up.  She said she had a VW Passat wagon and stated >that they were "basically the same car."  Her husband also reiterated that >we "had the same car."  I almost choked on my lemon chicken and had to bite >my tongue, although somehow mentioning "twin-turbo" and "off-road" >capabilities had no effect on convincing my friends that they were, indeed, >NOT the same car!! >The bottom-line, I guess, is that other than car afficianados, there are >Volkswagen people who think that VWs and Audis are "the same." >HELP!

I could see comparing the Passat wagon with "4motion" as being *similar* to A4 Avant, but not the AllRoad.

Response:

The VW Passat 4 Motion is sized between the AWD versions of the A4 and A6 wagons. VW has definitely moved up market, much closer to where Audi has traditionally been. The Passat is a fine automobile, so the comparison is not a slam on your Audi. That said, VW does not offer a similar model to the allroad–although soon they will release the Tuareg, which to my mind is a better overall design (and quite similar to the Porshe Cayenne). The real question may be, why does it bother you what others might think about what you drive? Gregg

Response:

The Passat 4Motion is essentially an A4 suspension in the front and an A6 in the back. The 2.8 and 1.8 ARE the same between the 2. Lots of other common stuff with the A4 BUT, the Passat is not the same as an allroad. The 2.7TT for starters. The adjustable ride height is another… Close, but no cigar….

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I was having lunch with a business associate and his wife when the subject > about my new Allroad came up.  She said she had a VW Passat wagon and stated > that they were "basically the same car."  Her husband also reiterated that > we "had the same car."  I almost choked on my lemon chicken and had to bite > my tongue, although somehow mentioning "twin-turbo" and "off-road" > capabilities had no effect on convincing my friends that they were, indeed, > NOT the same car!! > The bottom-line, I guess, is that other than car afficianados, there are > Volkswagen people who think that VWs and Audis are "the same." > HELP!

Response:

well i’m a little offended that they were looking for confirmation from me that the Vdub was the same as my allroad.  And i didn’t give it to them!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The VW Passat 4 Motion is sized between the AWD versions of the A4 and A6 > wagons. VW has definitely moved up market, much closer to where Audi has > traditionally been. The Passat is a fine automobile, so the comparison is > not a slam on your Audi. That said, VW does not offer a similar model to the > allroad–although soon they will release the Tuareg, which to my mind is a > better overall design (and quite similar to the Porshe Cayenne). The real > question may be, why does it bother you what others might think about what > you drive? > Gregg

Response:

You know the car enthusiast in me agrees with you. With the exact vehicles in question you have a strong point. The logical side of me that spends money on automobiles has a different take. At this point I’m looking to purchase a vehicle in the $32-38K range. I’m looking for AWD and 250+ hp and size slightly smaller than my Maxima. That basically gives me options of a Passat W8 or S4. On the outside of any 1 of those specs I could look at a Passat GLX V6 4Matic, A6 2.7T, A6 4.2 or A4 3.0. Given that all the cars come from the same (or at least similar) platform and have simliar mechanicals the Volkswagens appear to offer a substantially better value than the Audis. Further, given that about every 10th Audi owner I talk to had a horrible experience with their Audi and Volkswagen owners don’t the Volkswagen offers an even better value. As a car enthusiast and Audi fan what am I missing? What makes the Audi worth the extra money? Bleeding edge AWD and LeMans victories do not offset higher purchase prices and lower resale values to me. In the end I believe the cars I am most interested in are the W8, V6 4Matic and A4 3.0. Aar

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I was having lunch with a business associate and his wife when the subject > about my new Allroad came up.  She said she had a VW Passat wagon and stated > that they were "basically the same car."  Her husband also reiterated that > we "had the same car."  I almost choked on my lemon chicken and had to bite > my tongue, although somehow mentioning "twin-turbo" and "off-road" > capabilities had no effect on convincing my friends that they were, indeed, > NOT the same car!! > The bottom-line, I guess, is that other than car afficianados, there are > Volkswagen people who think that VWs and Audis are "the same." > HELP!

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Aw, don’t be offended by social climbers. They are doing the best they can!

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There you go being rational and and all!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m looking to purchase 1 car I want not 2 I don’t.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> better value than the Audis. Further, given that about every 10th Audi owner > I talk to had a horrible experience with their Audi and Volkswagen owners > don’t the Volkswagen offers an even better value. > I cannot at all confirm that. Two out of 3 Passat owners I know have and > had numerous problems with their cars. From continuously braking airvent > grids to self opening windows. From broken suspension bushes to > electrical flaws in the dashboard. > I have several friends owning a passat, it’s a popular family car over > here. Many of them wish they had bought something different. > Not that my A6 is totally flawless :-) but there are only minor > nuisances and it’s far more fun to drive than the Passat..

*Burning* suspension bushes I’ve heard of.  Never broken. – Greg Reed — 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood 9-passenger sedan 1989 Audi 200TQ Sedan 1990 Audi V8Q 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue 2001 Chevy Astro AWD (wife’s)

Response:

> *Burning* suspension bushes I’ve heard of.  Never broken.

*sighs* Pls. consider broken as synonym for "defective". > – Greg Reed

Wolfgang

Response:

I’m looking to purchase 1 car I want not 2 I don’t.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> save a few more bucks and buy a Jetta and a Ford F-250 4×4. > You know the car enthusiast in me agrees with you. With the exact vehicles > in question you have a strong point. The logical side of me that spends > money on automobiles has a different take. At this point I’m looking to > purchase a vehicle in the $32-38K range. I’m looking for AWD and 250+ hp > and > size slightly smaller than my Maxima. That basically gives me options of a > Passat W8 or S4. On the outside of any 1 of those specs I could look at a > Passat GLX V6 4Matic, A6 2.7T, A6 4.2 or A4 3.0. > Given that all the cars come from the same (or at least similar) platform > and have simliar mechanicals the Volkswagens appear to offer a > substantially > better value than the Audis. Further, given that about every 10th Audi > owner > I talk to had a horrible experience with their Audi and Volkswagen owners > don’t the Volkswagen offers an even better value. > As a car enthusiast and Audi fan what am I missing? What makes the Audi > worth the extra money? Bleeding edge AWD and LeMans victories do not > offset > higher purchase prices and lower resale values to me. In the end I believe > the cars I am most interested in are the W8, V6 4Matic and A4 3.0. > Aar > > I was having lunch with a business associate and his wife when the > subject > > about my new Allroad came up.  She said she had a VW Passat wagon and > stated > > that they were "basically the same car."  Her husband also reiterated > that > > we "had the same car."  I almost choked on my lemon chicken and had to > bite > > my tongue, although somehow mentioning "twin-turbo" and "off-road" > > capabilities had no effect on convincing my friends that they were, > indeed, > > NOT the same car!! > > The bottom-line, I guess, is that other than car afficianados, there are > > Volkswagen people who think that VWs and Audis are "the same." > > HELP!

Response:

How do you figure? An F250 runs 28K stripped up to around $45K. Toss in a Jetta for around $20K. Where’d you learn math, kid? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->save a few more bucks and buy a Jetta and a Ford F-250 4×4.

Response:

> better value than the Audis. Further, given that about every 10th Audi owner > I talk to had a horrible experience with their Audi and Volkswagen owners > don’t the Volkswagen offers an even better value.

I cannot at all confirm that. Two out of 3 Passat owners I know have and had numerous problems with their cars. From continuously braking airvent grids to self opening windows. From broken suspension bushes to electrical flaws in the dashboard. I have several friends owning a passat, it’s a popular family car over here. Many of them wish they had bought something different. Not that my A6 is totally flawless :-) but there are only minor nuisances and it’s far more fun to drive than the Passat.. Wolfgang

Response:

save a few more bucks and buy a Jetta and a Ford F-250 4×4.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You know the car enthusiast in me agrees with you. With the exact vehicles > in question you have a strong point. The logical side of me that spends > money on automobiles has a different take. At this point I’m looking to > purchase a vehicle in the $32-38K range. I’m looking for AWD and 250+ hp and > size slightly smaller than my Maxima. That basically gives me options of a > Passat W8 or S4. On the outside of any 1 of those specs I could look at a > Passat GLX V6 4Matic, A6 2.7T, A6 4.2 or A4 3.0. > Given that all the cars come from the same (or at least similar) platform > and have simliar mechanicals the Volkswagens appear to offer a substantially > better value than the Audis. Further, given that about every 10th Audi owner > I talk to had a horrible experience with their Audi and Volkswagen owners > don’t the Volkswagen offers an even better value. > As a car enthusiast and Audi fan what am I missing? What makes the Audi > worth the extra money? Bleeding edge AWD and LeMans victories do not offset > higher purchase prices and lower resale values to me. In the end I believe > the cars I am most interested in are the W8, V6 4Matic and A4 3.0. > Aar > I was having lunch with a business associate and his wife when the subject > about my new Allroad came up.  She said she had a VW Passat wagon and > stated > that they were "basically the same car."  Her husband also reiterated that > we "had the same car."  I almost choked on my lemon chicken and had to > bite > my tongue, although somehow mentioning "twin-turbo" and "off-road" > capabilities had no effect on convincing my friends that they were, > indeed, > NOT the same car!! > The bottom-line, I guess, is that other than car afficianados, there are > Volkswagen people who think that VWs and Audis are "the same." > HELP!

Response:

Not exactly. 4-Motion comes with 30V 2.8 Tip, period.  No other options in the US. Except W8, of course. A4 gives you several choices, including a stick. Considering the A4 and A6 share supsension front and rear, I’m not sure what your point is there. Passat is a large A4 or a small A6.  Sedan is far greater in actual size than an A4, regardless of what statistics say. As for the 1.8T, there were some power differences between the lines, now they are finally even. The Passat is a much better value than the A4 if you happen to like a Tip and the 30V engine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >The Passat 4Motion is essentially an A4 >suspension in the front and an A6 in the back. >The 2.8 and 1.8 ARE the same between the 2. >Lots of other common stuff with the A4 >BUT, the Passat is not the same as an allroad. >The 2.7TT for starters. The adjustable ride height >is another… >Close, but no cigar….

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