U.S. W8: Just a GLX unlike the Euro model?

853 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Tox, Feb 7, 2002

SAEDave

Discussion Starter · Feb 6, 2002

Unless the display W8's at the auto shows are not representative, it appears that the big brakes, larger front seats, larger wheels and other upgraded specifications and amenities are for Europe only.
If the W8 is only a higher powered GLX 4Motion, the W8 price is excessive! How can one put money on the table for a pig in a poke?

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douglas75

· #2 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: U.S. W8: Just a GLX unlike the Euro model? (SAEDave)

I saw the same thing at the Detroit Auto show. A GLX 4mo with a W8. In my humble opinion, that sucks. I have also looked at the W8 Passat in Europe; in fact Sixt auto rental had these at the Munich aiport. They had the nicer seats etc.
So, for my $40,000 I will buy another 530i for my wife, or perhaps an A6 3.0 or 2.7t. The BMW will drive better and the A6 has a nicer interior with almost the same power.
Boy this sucks, a $5,000 price diference for 2 more cylinders and a few more HP! VW should give us the Passats that we really want; 1.9tdi FWD and 2.5tdi 4 Motion. Those would rock!
-Doug

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nasTTcar

· #3 · Feb 6, 2002

I Agree - We Need the TDI Passat

I just do not understand why we cannot get the TDI Passats here in the US.
Can one import from Canada?

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vwguild

· #4 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: I Agree - We Need the TDI Passat (kudzu101)

It is called *Public Sentiment*...the people in the US HATE DIESEL...

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SAEDave

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: I Agree - We Need the TDI Passat (vwguild)

VWGuild
Are the auto show models representative of what you will be selling?
Or will there be two different W8 models for the U.S.: GLX fix-ups to start and then the real thing? Two more cylinders don't add up to $6,000.

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Bartnik

· #6 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: I Agree - We Need the TDI Passat (vwguild)

quote:[HR][/HR]It is called *Public Sentiment*...the people in the US HATE DIESEL...[HR][/HR]

That, and the fact that our diesel fuel sucks ass

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Electron Man

· #7 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: U.S. W8: Just a GLX unlike the Euro model? (SAEDave)

Well, you can look at it like this.
There are already "4Motion Specialists". By changing only the engine, VWoA will save a substantial amount of money by not having to train a few techs to be "W8 Specialists".
Deletion of wheels/brakes and the larger seats is an easy choice since the GLX already has power seats. It's likely VWoA nixed the 17s and larger brakes mainly because the group the W8 is being marketed to is roughly 35 and up (smoother ride preferred). Why not make the ride more compliant and keep a thousand dollars (per car sold) in your pocket at the same time?

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VWGUY4EVER

· #8 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: U.S. W8: Just a GLX unlike the Euro model? (Electron Man)

The "general" public is funny. A customer of mine is sueing Mercedes because of the Z-rated tires on his car are"defective". In 45K he's replaced 7 tires on his 00 E430 4MATIC. Four of them were due to impact breaks,2 out-right punctures and one was worn on the inside. Meanwhile he fails to mention he commutes to NYC every day and drives like an escaped mental patient and never checks his tire pressures between services. Benz was sued in the mid 90's as well(in the US of course) due to Z-rated tired flat-spotting overnight on the 140 bodied S-Class (92-99). These 44-4800 pound sedans would vibrate in cool weather or for the first few miles then smoothen out. Now all except the AMG cars and any Sport Package equipped cars come with H-rated tires and are governed to 130 mph. Seems that's why all the Euro boys are governing to 130,they can use a H-rated tire with harder rubber so the "sensitive" US buyer will not gripe about tires.

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SAEDave

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: U.S. W8: Just a GLX unlike the Euro model? (Electron Man)

quote:[HR][/HR]Well, you can look at it like this.
There are already "4Motion Specialists". By changing only the engine, VWoA will save a substantial amount of money by not having to train a few techs to be "W8 Specialists".
Deletion of wheels/brakes and the larger seats is an easy choice since the GLX already has power seats. It's likely VWoA nixed the 17s and larger brakes mainly because the group the W8 is being marketed to is roughly 35 and up (smoother ride preferred). Why not make the ride more compliant and keep a thousand dollars (per car sold) in your pocket at the same time?[HR][/HR]

The 17s are indeed hard ride inducing, but the A6 seats are VERY desirable for those over 35 years old! (That's me.)
An A6 3.0 has little different performance and has new big brakes along with superior seat comfort and at about the same price. Perhaps the Audi dealers influenced the package for the W8.

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vwguild

· #10 · Feb 6, 2002

Re: I Agree - We Need the TDI Passat (SAEDave)

Without making this overly long and tedious, and because this comparative
info is available at *CarPoint*, let me say that the merchandising of the W8
will conform to the spirit of it's purpose...Competitive Value...At the proposed
$37,900 for the W8 vs. the E430 4Matic AWD, comparably equipped, @$62,280 it seems that it would be hard to justify the additional $23,400...
Some points of differentiation, the MBZ does not have Child safety Locks, the
CD is optional, the Powertrain Warranty is shorter @48/50 and Rust is
48/50 as well vs. 12/Unlimited for the W8.
W8 Standard features will include Xenons and ESP, and the option of a
Heated Steering Wheel for $150 USD. And I would hope to presume that
a NAV System, 17" Wheels, *On Star*, and the 6 Speed will come along next
year...
But for now, the W8, even in this config. offers tremendous Value over it's
primary competitor...

[Modified by vwguild, 7:50 PM 2-6-2002]

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av_audi

· #11 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: U.S. W8: Just a GLX unlike the Euro model? (douglas75)

quote:[HR][/HR]So, for my $40,000 I will buy another 530i for my wife[HR][/HR]

For $40K, you can only get a no-option 530i. Once you add the auto trans, the premium pack, and Xenons, to merely get close to the equipment level in the W8, the price tag reaches $45K. I think MSRP for the W8 is $37-38K. $7,000 isn't exacly chump change. Most people looking at a W8 will never consider instead a 530i with stick shift, leatherette, and no-sunroof. And those who would consider such a base 530i would not look at the W8 anyway.
In terms of features to price ratio, the W8 beats all its German competitors. The Japanese luxury models may actually be more competition to the W8 than BMW, Audi, or Benz. I was very skeptical at first, but it seems like the W8 has a nice little niche it fits in. We'll soon see how it really does in terms of sales.

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Tox

· #12 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: U.S. W8: Just a GLX unlike the Euro model? (av_audi)

quote:[HR][/HR]For $40K, you can only get a no-option 530i. Once you add the auto trans, the premium pack, and Xenons, to merely get close to the equipment level in the W8, the price tag reaches $45K.... I think MSRP for the W8 is $37-38K. $7,000 isn't exacly chump change. ...Most people looking at a W8 will never consider instead a 530i with stick shift, leatherette, and no-sunroof. And those who would consider such a base 530i would not look at the W8 anyway...[HR][/HR]

That seems to be VW's general philosophy with the Passat -- sell them at about 75% of the price of a comparably equipped BMW, but with similar build quality and levels of refinement (if not ultimate handling). It sure worked for me. My Passat replaces a '94 325i. With my daughter about to enter college, I couldn't justify the extra $10K or so a well-kitted new Bimmer would have cost. This choice lets me seem noble and self-sacrificing, but without the actual sacrifice.

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