Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
Isn't the new Passat the big fattened up Americanized NMS? I think the NMS uses a transverse V6, whereas the A4 is still based on the real Passat. The Passat has all the problems, but none of the good aspects of a real VW.
If you were really leaning towards the Passat NMS, you might as well just get an Accord 2.0T or the Camry V6.
Real leather is better than vinyl, unless you're either vegan, or if you were shopping Mercedes-Benz (their MB-Tex is the best pleather/vinyl upholstery ever used in cars). Seriously, MB could very well just license out the MB-Tex to other companies (not even just car companies) and make a fortune off that alone.
Besides, it sounds like you really want the A4 anyway, and are just being tempted by "new" vs "used" car. Just get a CPO A4, or one from Carmax with that extended warranty
The A4 is longitudinal based. The "Real" Passat is still a transverse engine chassis, which the current Euro one is MQB-based. The NMS passat is still based off of the old PQ46 chassis.