2012 VW Passat TDI forum buying guide and review article is up

Now that the SE and SEL models have been going around car shows, here are some differences between the SE and SEL based off the car show demos. The final trim specs may be slightly different and some things may be optional. For example, the SE is shown with 18" wheels and the RNS 315 GPS but I have a hard time believing that these are standard on the SE. More likely is 17" wheels and the RCD510 radio. Consider this all preliminary information until the official order sheets are released (leaked )
The buying guide has also been updated.

The VW Passat TDI SE comes with:

-alloy wheels (might be 17")
-fog lamps
-RNS 315 GPS system w/sirius
-8 way driver power seat and 6 way passenger power seat
-MDI w/iPod adapter
-leatherette (vinyl) interior
-leather steering wheel, shift knob, and parking brake handle
-full multifunction steering wheel and display
-auto headlights and auto dimming interior rear mirror
-rear multilink suspension
-sunroof
-rear spoiler
-electric assist steering (saves energy)
-bluetooth
-dual zone auto climate control
-engine block heater
-cold weather pack (heated front seats and windshield washer nozzles)
-soft touch dashboard (higher quality plastic)

The VW Passat TDI SEL adds:

-18" alloy wheels
-RNS 510 GPS system
-KESSY and remote engine start
-leather interior
-Fender audio system
-homelink
-memory function on the side view mirrors and power seats
-comfort sport seats

Added a few updates to the buying guide.

First, the engine is definitely different. Some of the major changes: side feed fuel injectors instead of top feed. According to my tech literature, they are also solenoid injectors instead of piezo injectors. Don't know why this was changed because piezo injectors can cycle much faster and much more accurately than solenoid.

The engine uses an air-water intercooler instead of a large front mount air-air intercooler. The intercooler is also much smaller. Don't know why.

The DPF should be much easier to remove. It's easily visible at the back of the engine and there's a ton more room than the Jetta-Golf-Sportwagen. There could be as much as 6 inches more room between the engine and the firewall - I didn't have a ruler but there's a ton of space. Yes there's still a high-low pressure EGR and exhaust throttle but the engine is tuned differently.

Also, I think a lot of people will have questions like why doesn't this feature or that feature work? Here is one question answered: how do I get the mirror lowering option to work.

I'm not 100% sure but believe this will not work on the SE since it does not have memory driver seat. I believe it's only for the SEL since you need a highline door module for this to work and memory seat. Can someone with a SE or if you don't have memory driver seat tell me if you have this option in your multifunction display or if it works on your car?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_jVCvFTbl0

wolfsburg_de said:

With the 09 coded for mirror tilting, I do have it in the MFA of my SE but it doesn't seem to work. Mine does not have memory seats.

Click to expand...

You have an SE so it won't work, it needs memory seats.

I added this question and answer to the buying guide. You probably thought it was real suede right?

Is that real suede on the SEL comfort-sport seats?

No, it's dinamica, a high quality brand of microfiber that looks like suede. It's breatheable, durable, and fire/stain resistant. The rest of the leather seating area is made from leather but the dinamica contains no leather. It's advertised as pill-free which means it should wear better than Alcantara fake-suede. If it makes you feel any better, it's made from polyurethane fibers and recycled polyester and is also found on Mercedes Benz as an upgrade (and where most also think it's real suede). You can read more about Dinamica here: http://www.dinamicamiko.com/miko/azienda/miko?language=2