Passat estate upgrades

[porch]

My dad's just bougt a nice Y-plate Passat estate PD130 TDI Sport, the latest shape.

He needs to know:

Can the chrome strips on the bumpers and rubbing strips (as fitted to high spec models) be retrofitted? If so, where is the best place to get them? I have tried Vagparts, but they don't seem to supply anything for the Passat. Would they just sit on top of the existing black plastic strips, or would the original strips have top come off in order to fit all-in-one chrome strips? If anyone has done the mod themselves, let me know how cheap/easy it is.

Also, the flat, top part of the rear bumper that sits under the bottom edge of the boot has some sort of protective 1-2mm transparent plastic sheet stuck to it. I assume this is factory fitted, but he was wondering if any other estate models have maybe an aluminium plate there rather than the plastic. Does such an OEM part exist, or would it be a case of getting something fabricated?

Lastly, does anywhere do sill protectors? The paint on the driver's side has already been scuffed to death.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[asta]

From eurocarparts, it all adds up.

the mouldings dont stick on top, these ones are genuine so you need to remove the old ones and fit these. i dont think its the simplest of jobs as you need to take off the bumpers i reckon. the side mouldings are sticky though and might be a bit of a pain to get done right.

ive noticed that some newer passats have a black trim on the back bumper instead of the clear film.

GENUINE n/a 844441470 N/S/R DOOR MLDG (PAINTED) PASSAT 00-

LHR Door (Painted) £26.85

GENUINE n/a 844441480 O/S/R DOOR MLDG (PAINTED) PASSAT 00-

RHR Door (Painted) £26.85

GENUINE n/a 844441490 N/S/R LOWER DOOR MLDG(PAINT/CHROME)PASSAT 00-

LHR Lower Dr (Paint/Chrome) £13.54

GENUINE n/a 844441500 O/S/R LOWER DOOR MLDG(PAINT/CHROME)PASSAT 00-

RHR Lower Dr (Paint/Chrome) £13.54

GENUINE n/a 828440970 N/S FRONT BUMPER CHROME PAS 2001- PAS 2001- CHROME

L/H Chrome mldg £15.30

GENUINE n/a 828440990 O/S FRONT BUMPER CHROME PAS 2001- PASSAT 2001- CHROME

R/H Chrome mldg £15.30

[Mook]

What a fantastic post Asta

Thought about doing this on my wifes Passat Estate TDI Sport, but VW wanted too much for the mouldings (£70 + VAT a corner for the bumpers). Will think about doing it now.

[Wobby]

Very informative post!! Is this something you have fitted yourself Asta? Are these prices to buy the genuine parts from a VW dealers?? I have this exact same model, it only has the crome on the grill and the VW badge. Was wondering about changing the grill for a de-chromed one and replacing the lights with the darker ones! Not sure what it would look like though? Probably look like a D**khead owns it!

EDIT!!! Sorry, never read it proper, it says where they are from. Even more informative if i had just read it correctly

RobK

[porch]

Excellent info; many thanks.

[asta]

cheers guys,

not done it myself but i do like the idea - just a bit wary of pulling the rubbing strips off the sides and taking the paint with them or taking a bumper to find really annoying tricky clips holding the strips in..

ive seen a debadged chrome grill on passatworld forums and it looks very nice..

[Wobby]

I was gonna do away with the chrome as well, its the only but mine has on!!!! thats easier than sticking lots more bits of chrome on.

I will never do it

RobK

[asta]

I think this is the best grill, looks very smart.

Also, you could be really different and get the American style trims with the orange lights in them. Probably only $5 over there!