2004 Phaeton recommendations.

[RooflessVW]

Greetings all,

It has been a long time since I have been here, but I am back with a new vehicle that I intend to keep for a very long time. I purchased it and completed the 140k mile service which was not much more than an oil change. I used an OEM (Hengst) filter and Mobil 1 0w40. I considered using Motul 8100 X-cess 5w40, but did not see an apparent increase in benefit when compared to the increase in cost.

I currently work on 90/30 day rotations from home, so the Phaeton stays in the heated garage with a digital dual-bank Battery Tender for 270 days a year. When I am home it mainly gets used for long drives, so I estimate I will average about 3,000-4,500 miles per year. I plan on annual oil changes.

Does anyone have any advice, or do I appear to be on the right track regarding this vehicle's maintenance?

Respectfully,

Joel

 

[BreakerBreaker]

Nice ride. I don't know much about Volkswagen's W engine family, buy you have some Bugatti lineage there. (Not related to your car, but, very nice.)

I think a good solid 0W-40 on that one since and you are all set, the heated garage is lovely.

I do seem to remember that that engine likes a 0W-40 though. Great choice on the Mobil 1, the only other acceptable alternatives are expensive boutique oils.

 

[RooflessVW]

My apologies; my Phaeton is a V8.

I love the W12, but I purchased this one based on maintenance records and my personal familiarity with it as the previous owners SA. It just happened to have the correct colors and options.

I am a fan of the W12. The acceleration is smooth and brisk, but the sound of The V8 simply cannot be beat.

 

[panther427]

Did you know that car has 2 batteries. I can not remember for sure the correct one to put the battery tender on but I think its the one in the agm one

 

[BrocLuno]

You're doing fine. Your program is sound. You can go to QS Ultimate Durability if you want a slight upgrade in oil. But it's all pretty close at that level.

Nice ride, enjoy

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted By: panther427
Did you know that car has 2 batteries. I can not remember for sure the correct one to put the battery tender on but I think its the one in the agm one


I have a dual-bank Tender. I am maintaining both the AGM Vehicle Power Supply battery and the conventional starter battery with permanently installed and fused leads.

All I have to do it open the trunk, connect the leads, and close the trunk!

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted By: BrocLuno
You're doing fine. Your program is sound. You can go to QS Ultimate Durability if you want a slight upgrade in oil. But it's all pretty close at that level.

Nice ride, enjoy

Thank you! I have given it thought but a second or third opinion never hurt. I will give the QS oil a look. I have always been intrigued by the brand but have never tried it for some unknown reason. Maybe a negative word I heard years ago.

 

[panther427]

Sorry didn't see the dual battery part. Seems lo me you have all the know major trouble spots taken care of. Enjoy your ride

 

[OneEyeJack]

I drove one from Las Vegas to San Diego and thought it was probably the best long trip car I've ever driven, cost no object. I've always wondered how it would have done if VW had separated it from the rest of the VW's and made it it's own brand. This was one car I really liked. My only worry would be that I tend to keep cars I like and I wonder what service and parts expenses will be for such a low production car.

I think you're on the right track, that is taking good car of your car now so that you can continue to enjoy it in the future.

 

[RooflessVW]

I have all the service records from new, and recommended/sold some of it myself. If you average the costs per year since new, it averages to about $3000/year.

Of course, this is the owner that had both headlights replaced when they started to haze instead of getting them resurfaced, so it is a higher average than usual. It is certainly a higher average than I will see, as I plan on performing 90% of maintenance and repairs myself.

It is suspected the Phaeton was developed so that Bentley did not have to foot a massive R&D bill for its Continental and Flying Spur. Having driven all three, I prefer the Phaeton. It has all the right stuff and doesn't shout about it.

 

[zoli]

Good choice - I always wonder on very smooth run on uneven roads.
Oil recommendation: proposed VW approvals as 504.00, 503.01 or. 503.00.

 

[KGMtech]

Sweet ride, and you are well researched on the basics of keeping it as good as possible. Carry on and enjoy!

 

[bunnspecial]

Just wanted to comment that the only time I've seen one of these "in the flesh" was while watching the Changing of the Guard at the Palace in Monaco about 10 years ago. We were told that the ceremony would be delayed because Prince Albert was due to arrive shortly, so naturally we stood and waited.

Imagine my surprise to see a small(3 or 4 car) motorcade pull up with Prince Albert waving from the back seat of a VW Phaeton.

I figured if it's good enough for royalty, it's probably a pretty decent car. Since seeing it there, it's been "on my radar" and I've never seen one in the US.

 

[ryanm8]

Originally Posted By: BrocLuno
You're doing fine. Your program is sound. You can go to QS Ultimate Durability if you want a slight upgrade in oil. But it's all pretty close at that level.

Nice ride, enjoy

QS doesn't make a VW approved oil that is easily obtainable.

 

[Gasbuggy]

Originally Posted By: rooflessVW

I am a fan of the W12. The acceleration is smooth and brisk, but the sound of The V8 simply cannot be beat.



Flat plane crank

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW

I am a fan of the W12. The acceleration is smooth and brisk, but the sound of The V8 simply cannot be beat.



Flat plane crank


The 4.2 40v has a conventional cross-plane crankshaft, AFAIK.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Maybe a negative word I heard years ago.


I'll give you two negative words: Liquid Rubbish

I bought 6 quarts for one OCI and will never buy any QS products ever again.

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Maybe a negative word I heard years ago.


I'll give you two negative words: Liquid Rubbish

I bought 6 quarts for one OCI and will never buy any QS products ever again.


Fair point. I can't seem to find a QS oil with the VW approval I need or the weight I want so it has been, in any case, ruled out for me.

 

[deven]

Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Maybe a negative word I heard years ago.


I'll give you two negative words: Liquid Rubbish

I bought 6 quarts for one OCI and will never buy any QS products ever again.


Fair point. I can't seem to find a QS oil with the VW approval I need or the weight I want so it has been, in any case, ruled out for me.

Your car's out of warranty. You don't really need a VW approved oil.
My car is still under warranty and I use Royal Purple 5w40 and 5w30 HPS which is not VW approved for my Audi but I know it'll work just fine.

 

[RooflessVW]

I understand that I do not "need" manufacturer's approvals, but they are there for a reason. I do see that there is a Quaker State 5w40 that carries LL01. Part of the reason I like Mobil 1 0w40 is that it carries certifications and performs well in all of my vehicles.

Would the Royal Purple be any better for my planned use/mileage? That's what I am here to ascertain.