 I purchased my 2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion new after owning 2001.5 Passat wagon.  I get about 20 mpg around town (about 3 mpg less than the fuel usage computer reads, however).  I expected exciting performance with the W8 engine; but the Tiptronic transmission takes away all the fun.  Also, the car will bog down badly (dangerously) if you try to accelerate quickly after braking to a stop (say after coming down a freeway exit).  Also, the A/C randomly fails to come on, and the car has to be shut off and restarted to reset.  The dealer apparently has no answers for either issue.  The OAT readout is 6 to 9 degrees F high.  This car's depreciation has been fierce.  My wife dislikes the door that come back on her when she pushes it open to get out.