B5 Passat..which model?

[Mr Big]

Having had a 35i VR6 wagon in before my current car (an 02 mondeo v6 -sorry) I have decided to make the leap back to passats.

I have always liked the blue dash b5....when did they come in?

Can you fit 18's to them without any major hassle?

Most importantly...which engine. My daily commute is about to get much longer thanks to a change of office and I can no longer stomach 23mpg. The head says get a TDI, but i've not got much experience with the early diesels, and I just dont think I can live with 90bhp! The budget is 2k, but the rate im going its going to be more like 1500! I dont really want something thats done starship mileage....especially on a turbo car.

I did want a 1.8T especially since I've been in a chipped 1.8T golf, but now im considering just going for 1.8 20v NA and saving money on the purchase price and running costs. Do the turbo motors cope with high mileage ok?

Anyone got any advice for me?

Thanks,
Craig.