Passat blue dash

Anybody know what year VW started to put in the blue and red dash? (like the Mk 4 Golf)

 

late 1997, only the very early production run passats had green illumination

 

Cheers!

 

Any other bits of buying advice you can offer?

 

tell me what you want to know then

 

As its a second car I've only got 1 years no claims,so the 20 VT is out of the question,but whats the N/A 20 V like? or would I be better off with a TDi?(and spend a bit more!)what extras do you get on the SE?