Self levelling rear suspension

[pjf56]

Hi,

This is my first post, I'm buying a new Passat Estate 140 TDI DSG, can anyone tell me the pro's and con's of the 'Self levelling rear suspension' option as the VW sales staff don't seem to be able to advise me?

Thanks in advance,

Pete.

[james_tiger_woo]

It's an option to ensure that the back doesn't sit on the floor when fully loaded or when towing. It'll help with handing, economy (I think) and performance).

I'm sure someone else out there has this already and will be able to comment properly

I can't find any real information about it though, but I did find these on wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-levelling_suspension
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydropneumatic_suspension

Hope this helps a bit

[Black]

We have it on ours. Ordered it as I intend to do bit of towing.

It is perhaps the most mysterious option on the Passat. There is absolutely no mention of it in the owners book at all.
When it arrived I was beginning to doubt it had been built with it and resorted to looking under the car and getting the part number for the shock absorbers.
Mind you I should have known it had it as even with the back of the car fully laden it stayed level!

It is a Nivomat system made by Sachs. It basically levels itself when the car starts moving of.

The attached VW technical presentation on the passat mentions it briefly.

http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwc...esentation.pdf

[pjf56]

many thanks for the responses, they have put my mind at rest.

Regards,

Pete.

[Bristol Tim]

I had this option fitted to my Passat 2:0TDI 140BHP. It works well and a must for caravanners and or when carry a loaded boot and roof box.
Down side - I have one which is leaking oil and will have to be replaced, my VW garage have quoted me £550 + fitting! This is for one side only. I am told it has a "limited lifetime garantee". What does that mean? standard shocks are £73 from VW.

[dunkley201]

Mine has the standard suspension - with the caravan fitted at 85kg nose weight the car sits fairly level anyway. Much better than my previous B5.5 which sat on its **** at 75kg!