VW Touareg 4.2 TDI

[ChocolateFrog]

After selling my Transporter, about 10 mins after, I was on the phone for it's replacement.

Pure indulgence to go for the V8 over the V6, it's more expensive to tax and it's heavier too so probably handles slightly worse. But this is PH and V8's won't be around forever.

I bought the cheapest in the country, Hoovie style. That said there was only 3 to choose from, this was the only private sale and I had to bid over asking, the first time I've ever done that.

Feel for the guy that was just about to view it before me but that's the way it goes, he had the opportunity to come back with a higher offer, anyone on here?


I hate the term fully loaded and this isn't but I think it's only missing the Dynaudio hifi and the auxiliary heater. It's got the 360 degree camera, heated and cooled seats, panoramic roof and air suspension.

I'm not a VW fanboy and not a massive fan of silver, not sure why all my cars end up being that colour.

Here she is, along with the best fuel economy it'll do in it's ownership with me, that was 95% motorway at 75mph with cruise, bloody ridiculous figures considering. The OH's C3 does about 42mpg and literally nothing happens if you put your foot down at 60 on the motorway.

Edited by ChocolateFrog on Monday 22 February 08:20

Edited by ChocolateFrog on Monday 22 February 08:30

[carinaman]

Nevermind Hoovie, PH has Escy. Thread on his cheap V10 TDi:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[ChocolateFrog]

carinaman said:

Nevermind Hoovie, PH has Escy. Thread on his cheap V10 TDi:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Pretty sure I've commented on that one.

I contemplated the V10 but even for me who doesn't mind a bit of bork, that one tips over the edge into unreasonableness.

Plus the V8 is lighter, more powerful, significantly more economical and importantly to me has the 8sp gearbox, which still feels modern today 10 years on.

[carinaman]

I'll be interested to know how the ownership experience goes. I like accessible, usable torque.

[paua]

I've had a v8 TDI for 13 months, it has the Dynaudio. I don't have the sunroof - am happier without. I need a tow vehicle for work ( I tow a boat). It replaced a Landcruiser VX diesel 4.2
Am happy with it. A lot more comfortable, heaps faster, better handling, better economy. Downside is smaller luggage capacity.

added : I average about 10l/100km without the boat, about 12-13 with. Am running Cooper off-road tyres, so probably not the most economical possibility.

Edited by paua on Monday 22 February 09:00

[ChocolateFrog]

carinaman said:

I'll be interested to know how the ownership experience goes. I like accessible, usable torque.

800Nm before any fettling I believe.

[ChocolateFrog]

paua said:

I've had a v8 TDI for 13 months, it has the Dynaudio. I don't have the sunroof - am happier without. I need a tow vehicle for work ( I tow a boat). It replaced a Landcruiser VX diesel 4.2
Am happy with it. A lot more comfortable, heaps faster, better handling, better economy. Downside is smaller luggage capacity.

Interesting, that was one of my other serious considerations.

Just couldn't find a clean one.

[paua]

ChocolateFrog said:

Interesting, that was one of my other serious considerations.

Just couldn't find a clean one.

I had the L.cruiser fettled a couple years prior to changing - HP up to 195 (at rear wheels on dyno ) and torque up to 500 nm. Still no match for 340 hp & 800 nm.
Towing is effortless, passing ( even towing), a breeze.

[ChocolateFrog]

paua said:

ChocolateFrog said:

Interesting, that was one of my other serious considerations.

Just couldn't find a clean one.

I had the L.cruiser fettled a couple years prior to changing - HP up to 195 (at rear wheels on dyno ) and torque up to 500 nm. Still no match for 340 hp & 800 nm.
Towing is effortless, passing ( even towing), a breeze.

I find the more powerful the car the slower I tend to drive, certainly more relaxed.

It's just nice knowing it's in reserve even when it spends 90% of its life between 1400-1800rpm.

[idealstandard]

ChocolateFrog said:

I find the more powerful the car the slower I tend to drive, certainly more relaxed.

It's just nice knowing it's in reserve even when it spends 90% of its life between 1400-1800rpm.

Agree with this. i have a supercharged RR and drive it probably using about 5% of its power all the time, you get a lovely supercharger whine at lower revs with minimal acceleration too

[Compromised Shah]

Nice purchase! Considering it is what, a decade old? It looks minty fresh.

Thank you for sharing.

[ChocolateFrog]

Compromised Shah said:

Nice purchase! Considering it is what, a decade old? It looks minty fresh.

Thank you for sharing.

Yep, will be 10 at the end of the year.

I didn't even realise the 360 camera systems had been out that long.

Suppose it goes without saying but sitting in a new cheaper car it's hard to say what it does better or nicer.

Maybe stuff like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

[AJB88]

Been weighing up my next car which will be a first "family car" after selling my Cayman S.

I've looked at Touareg R50, Q7 V12, Q7 V8. a long with some other strange things like XC90 V8.

Wasn't aware they did the Touareg with the 4.2 V8 TDI lump in it, that's just given me another option!

Edited by AJB88 on Monday 22 February 18:17

[ChocolateFrog]

AJB88 said:

Been weighing up my next car which will be a first "family car" after selling my Cayman S.

I've looked at Touareg R50, Q7 V12, Q7 V8. a long with some other strange things like XC90 V8.

Wasn't aware they did the Touareg with the 4.2 V8 TDI lump in it, that's just given me another option!

Edited by AJB88 on Monday 22 February 18:17

They're fairly rare, only ever seem to be 2 or 3 for sale at any one time.

I think the price with a VW badge on the front put a lot of buyers off in a similar way to the Pheaton.

There's plenty more 4.2 Q7's but they just look ungainly to me although the V12 with the nicer bodykit and interior helps.

The Touareg looks to me like a normal car that's been put through the photocopier at +20% rather than a more traditional SUV. It's not actually that big inside but then I'm coming from 6 cubic meters of storage so it was always going to seem small.

[ChocolateFrog]

Taking it in tomorrow to get the wheels refurbed, they're not bad, couple of curb scuffs and the start of a bit of corrosion so as I've never owned a car this clean it will be nice to keep it that way.

[Usget]

Taking it to Darkside Automotive? I've really enjoyed their Touareg videos - particularly pulling HGVs uphill in the snow!

[Compromised Shah]

ChocolateFrog said:

I didn't even realise the 360 camera systems had been out that long.

Is that original to the car? I know they can be retrofitted. Surprised too!

[AJB88]

Does this version of the Touareg have all off road toys like the older version? 5.0 V10 has a few different settings to be picked on a knob. As much as I like the V10 lump, this engine is probably more sensible.

What ever I get it will be going to Darkside.

Edited by AJB88 on Wednesday 24th February 16:48

[Register1]

Usget said:

Taking it to Darkside Automotive? I've really enjoyed their Touareg videos - particularly pulling HGVs uphill in the snow!

Good set of lads there.
My wife has a 3.0 liter V6 Touareg.
265 bhp and 550 Tq.
Talking to D.S. they can easily over 300 bhp and gobs more Tq.
So for a 3.0 liter, thats great.

[ChocolateFrog]

Usget said:

Taking it to Darkside Automotive? I've really enjoyed their Touareg videos - particularly pulling HGVs uphill in the snow!

They're local to me.

I may have enquired

Whether I pre-empt a DPF related fault or wait for one to arise before opening the wallet time will tell.

I also like Martin at Pendle Performance as he did my Transporter so I may pay him a visit, although he is further away.