RE: Volkswagen Phaeton: Guilty Pleasures
Discussion
See one parked in plain silver outside the head office of John Lewis in Victoria on a pretty frequent basis - clearly meets the need for a luxurious, yet understated, mode of transport.
I do much prefer the interior of the D3 '8s over the big VW though - you're also far more likely to find one of those with a stonking engine. Whenever I've looked in the classifieds the majority of Phaetons for sale have been small capacity diesels. The '8 can be had with the 4.2tdi which is a lot less scary than the V10tdi in terms of the need to pull it to bits to get to a sensor etc. The W12 in the '8 was also quite popular and you're likely to find decent spec on one too (different gearing between SWB and LWB though) or the V10 petrol which is better on fuel than the V8 in my previous generation '8
I do much prefer the interior of the D3 '8s over the big VW though - you're also far more likely to find one of those with a stonking engine. Whenever I've looked in the classifieds the majority of Phaetons for sale have been small capacity diesels. The '8 can be had with the 4.2tdi which is a lot less scary than the V10tdi in terms of the need to pull it to bits to get to a sensor etc. The W12 in the '8 was also quite popular and you're likely to find decent spec on one too (different gearing between SWB and LWB though) or the V10 petrol which is better on fuel than the V8 in my previous generation '8
C
Was it Sunday the 28th, Southbound mid afternoon?
jogger1976 said:
The V10 Tdi is a proper torque monster.
I remember seeing one take off like a stabbed rat from an average speed section on the A1 just last week. It certainly surprised the tailgating knobber in the 5 series that got to share in the DPF regen
Kind of reminded me of this
Was it silver?I remember seeing one take off like a stabbed rat from an average speed section on the A1 just last week. It certainly surprised the tailgating knobber in the 5 series that got to share in the DPF regen
Kind of reminded me of this
Was it Sunday the 28th, Southbound mid afternoon?
Edited by don logan on Wednesday 8th July 22:17
Okay, so I drive a Phaeton and therefore might be biased but the Phaeton is definitely one of the most interesting cars out there.
It pretty much exemplifies the Piech period of VW where the accountants were locked in the cellar and the engineers allowed to do what they want. As has often been pointed out, the 155mph limit on most German cars is really there because building cars that can safely go at that speed is very expensive. The Phaeton was designed to be capable of 186mph, which partially explains why it weighs so much. I remember being told that the reason it didn't use an all-aluminium structure like the A8 is that the frame wasn't able to meet the torsional rigidity laid down by Piech and that the aluminium bonnet panel would distort too much at high speeds... It's also worth pointing out that its suspension system was more advanced that the D3 A8 that everyone usually compares it to since it featured additional sensors for monitoring the acceleration of the unsprung mass of the suspension.
In terms of the driving experience, it still the best long-distance car I've driven. I never drove the D3 A8 but I have driven the D4 for several thousand miles and whilst it's definitely a better handling car, as a cruiser it doesn't match up to the effortlessness of the Phaeton - the ride is too firm and the steering too fidgety. It's hard to describe, but driving the Phaeton on the motorway is almost telepathic - you just think where you want the car to go and it follows. It's also the most planted car I've ever driven. It doesn't matter what the weather throws at you, the Phaeton will keep going as if nothing has happened.
It pretty much exemplifies the Piech period of VW where the accountants were locked in the cellar and the engineers allowed to do what they want. As has often been pointed out, the 155mph limit on most German cars is really there because building cars that can safely go at that speed is very expensive. The Phaeton was designed to be capable of 186mph, which partially explains why it weighs so much. I remember being told that the reason it didn't use an all-aluminium structure like the A8 is that the frame wasn't able to meet the torsional rigidity laid down by Piech and that the aluminium bonnet panel would distort too much at high speeds... It's also worth pointing out that its suspension system was more advanced that the D3 A8 that everyone usually compares it to since it featured additional sensors for monitoring the acceleration of the unsprung mass of the suspension.
In terms of the driving experience, it still the best long-distance car I've driven. I never drove the D3 A8 but I have driven the D4 for several thousand miles and whilst it's definitely a better handling car, as a cruiser it doesn't match up to the effortlessness of the Phaeton - the ride is too firm and the steering too fidgety. It's hard to describe, but driving the Phaeton on the motorway is almost telepathic - you just think where you want the car to go and it follows. It's also the most planted car I've ever driven. It doesn't matter what the weather throws at you, the Phaeton will keep going as if nothing has happened.
Remember borrowing a W12 when they first came out, I thought it was amazingly fast for such a huge car, but ultimately thought it was rubbish, objectively a good car but really nothing to love about it, awful ride, cheap feeling leather etc. My brother had a V10 Touareg at the time and that was a much better piece of kit, had character and a sense of utility that really suited it.
But would never buy a Phaeton, just too many other better cars around!
But would never buy a Phaeton, just too many other better cars around!
I have a 2010 LWB 3.0TD in silver with grey leather upholstery. It is a superb car. However, it has taken me months to get used to its wallowing ways and immense difficulties in reversing into parking spaces. I have scuffed 3 wheels so far - one to go before a full 4 wheel refurb!
Having moved from a Boxster S 981 into a Phaeton, there has been quite an adjustment - but I can honestly say that I am loving the understated nature of this car and the effortless way it gobbles up the miles.
Great to see this article - the phaeton actually is a great car in all its guises. I would recommend to anyone who gets a chance, to try one out. It is such a refreshing antidote to the standard German barge and I love the surprised look on peoples faces when it accelerates sharply and the quiet ride and surprisingly luxurious and comfortable interior.
Having moved from a Boxster S 981 into a Phaeton, there has been quite an adjustment - but I can honestly say that I am loving the understated nature of this car and the effortless way it gobbles up the miles.
Great to see this article - the phaeton actually is a great car in all its guises. I would recommend to anyone who gets a chance, to try one out. It is such a refreshing antidote to the standard German barge and I love the surprised look on peoples faces when it accelerates sharply and the quiet ride and surprisingly luxurious and comfortable interior.
Not surprised it flopped. People in the UK/EU seem to be under the illusion that the VW is luxury brand, its not and poor sales of the "Phantom" reflect this. VW are just overpriced for doing things like not using much plastics.
With the large saloon in this sector, both Ford Scorpio and Vauxhall Omega have been withdrawn over the years, same for the Toyota Camry, Nissan QX, Peugeot 605, Honda Legend. It also doesn't help the VW group have this to compete with the Audi A8 (don't know why they didn't go for the A6 size like the Scorpio and Omega would have been), when it comes to resales, it wouldn't be anywhere near the price of the A6 and the type of person to buy this car would be more conscious on resale value.
With the large saloon in this sector, both Ford Scorpio and Vauxhall Omega have been withdrawn over the years, same for the Toyota Camry, Nissan QX, Peugeot 605, Honda Legend. It also doesn't help the VW group have this to compete with the Audi A8 (don't know why they didn't go for the A6 size like the Scorpio and Omega would have been), when it comes to resales, it wouldn't be anywhere near the price of the A6 and the type of person to buy this car would be more conscious on resale value.
Rumblestripe said:
I think the principle reason these never sold well was that they look, even to a moderately experienced eye, like a Passat. I the world of "prestige" motoring, anonymity isn't a sales point, it's the kiss of death. If you are spending £(insert price of Phaeton when new) the Audi/Beemer/Merc pilots want everyone to KNOW how much they've spent (or at least a sizeable number of them do).
"Nice Passat, mate" would be the kiss of death...
Thing is, you never did notice all that coin wafting by. You just thought Passat sales were higher than you'd expected."Nice Passat, mate" would be the kiss of death...
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