Anyone got a Touran DSG?
Discussion
My wife had one earlier this year... ours had the 170bhp TDI lump with DSG... it was pretty much top of the range on a 57 plate.
We were somewhat disappointed with it, and chopped it in after 6 months of woe, just as I got to the verge of slashed my own wrists.
First of all it needed constant visits to the dealer - this was only made bearable (though not acceptable) by the fact that:
1) we had a spare car at the time so no inconvenience suffered
2) our good local VW garage (who didn't supply the car) would offer to collect and deliver the car back to our house
3) it was all covered by VW warranty
Besides the minor issues / component failures repaired under warranty the DSG itself let the car down in my opinion, it was infuriating to drive. I am convinced it was faulty but on several occasions VW tested it and were adament it behaved normally.
I would describe it as like driving a manual but with a binary switch for the clutch, which incidently is operated for you automatically on a seemingly random basis depending on throttle position. In just about every driving situation it was worse than either a manual or a conventional auto in my opinion. Take reversing carefully into a tight space on an incline, in a manual you would use the clutch to control speed, in an auto you would use the brake, with the DSG you would either roll forward or accelerate backwards with what felt like a millimeters difference in throttle position. I also thought it was a matter of 'learning' how to use the box, but it remained simply infuriating to live with and I've driven a number of manuals and conventional autos without ever experiencing the same total inability to make progress smoothly.
Also fuel consumption for the 170 / DSG combo was poor despite VW's vlaims, achieving a mere 40mpg on a motorway run was a struggle even when driving it like a fairy, and averaged barely 35mpg. Disappointing when my E39 530d auto @155k does 40mpg all day long and the X3 3.0SD that replaced the Touran averages ~30mpg despite having 60% more power/torque, half a ton more weight, 4 wheel drive and a slushbox. The BMW comparisons may not be fair but highlight the relative inefficiency which was way below my expectations, I'm equally as accustomed to seeing 50-60mpg out of various VAG TDI's we've had in the family.
On the other hand, in terms of practicality, it was ace. Three chunky kids seats in the back and a ton of family gubbins in the boot, no probs
If I had to own one of these again I'd be looking at a 140 TDI / manual. That or standing in front of a high speed train.
We were somewhat disappointed with it, and chopped it in after 6 months of woe, just as I got to the verge of slashed my own wrists.
First of all it needed constant visits to the dealer - this was only made bearable (though not acceptable) by the fact that:
1) we had a spare car at the time so no inconvenience suffered
2) our good local VW garage (who didn't supply the car) would offer to collect and deliver the car back to our house
3) it was all covered by VW warranty
Besides the minor issues / component failures repaired under warranty the DSG itself let the car down in my opinion, it was infuriating to drive. I am convinced it was faulty but on several occasions VW tested it and were adament it behaved normally.
I would describe it as like driving a manual but with a binary switch for the clutch, which incidently is operated for you automatically on a seemingly random basis depending on throttle position. In just about every driving situation it was worse than either a manual or a conventional auto in my opinion. Take reversing carefully into a tight space on an incline, in a manual you would use the clutch to control speed, in an auto you would use the brake, with the DSG you would either roll forward or accelerate backwards with what felt like a millimeters difference in throttle position. I also thought it was a matter of 'learning' how to use the box, but it remained simply infuriating to live with and I've driven a number of manuals and conventional autos without ever experiencing the same total inability to make progress smoothly.
Also fuel consumption for the 170 / DSG combo was poor despite VW's vlaims, achieving a mere 40mpg on a motorway run was a struggle even when driving it like a fairy, and averaged barely 35mpg. Disappointing when my E39 530d auto @155k does 40mpg all day long and the X3 3.0SD that replaced the Touran averages ~30mpg despite having 60% more power/torque, half a ton more weight, 4 wheel drive and a slushbox. The BMW comparisons may not be fair but highlight the relative inefficiency which was way below my expectations, I'm equally as accustomed to seeing 50-60mpg out of various VAG TDI's we've had in the family.
On the other hand, in terms of practicality, it was ace. Three chunky kids seats in the back and a ton of family gubbins in the boot, no probs
If I had to own one of these again I'd be looking at a 140 TDI / manual. That or standing in front of a high speed train.
Edited by theboss on Monday 28th December 23:31
Hi theboss,
thanks very much for a comprehensive answer... the car is on my shortlist, as we have decided we need a bigger wagon for carting the kids about in. I just havent had time to get a test drive done...
very surprised at the poor reliability suffered... oh hold on, am i? I've had plenty of issues with previous VAG products I've owned!
thanks very much for a comprehensive answer... the car is on my shortlist, as we have decided we need a bigger wagon for carting the kids about in. I just havent had time to get a test drive done...
very surprised at the poor reliability suffered... oh hold on, am i? I've had plenty of issues with previous VAG products I've owned!
Full road test of Touran 2.0 TDI (140 PS) DSG in the November 2004 issue of Volkswagen Driver magazine...
see www.volkswagendrivermag.co.uk
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