VW time

[ethosguy]

Hello VWWatercooled forum.
How'd I get here? I finally lost the Subaru fit & faith after owning 3 previously.

Fit: 6 foot 2 and a second baby with capsule. I can't sit in the seat in front of the capsule in Subarus which sent my wife and I on a search which led us to buying a Tiguan 103 TDI manual about 18mths ago. Apparently there were as few as a dozen in Canberra when we took delivery. The bakers dozen maybe?

After the test drives a Scoda Scout almost got across the line ahead of the Tiguan but we really valued the 5 star ANCAP safety rating, even if at the time it probably would have passed if it was retested. It coped with the baby capsule better than an Outback but wasn't as flexible as a Tiguan. And the Scoda desperately needed a nose job...

The Tiguan was a genuine supprise and didn't even flicker on the radar prior...I expanded the purchasing scope by including a Passat which enabled us to trp over the Tiguan.

The Subaru (superseded) Outback had no passenger room, was gutless, especially the low torque and coarse engine disappointed, is too softly suspended and, well, that leads me to the faith. Or rather loss of...

Faith: I've been underwhelmed with my 03 WRX hatch ownership experience. It is a frail, delicate car. I can't give it a go often 'cos it gets expensive. Brakes, gearboxes, ignition switches, wiring, security system and press clip assembly have all needed too much attention given the particularly sensitive approach it has had. My old Mazda RX2 was tough. Flog it and it would come back for more, with a smile. The WRX? I wouldn't even think about having a go like the Mazda would tolerate. Almost never been driven on dirt surfaces, slowly. How far removed is that from it's image as a rally platform?

The fit, finish and ownership experience of the VW is well ahead of the bought new WRX journey. And then there was the dealers/service support. Nope VW all the way.

Much more recently I've got a craving for a Golf R. Drove it. All good. Really good! Then the unavailability of towbar fitment realisation surfaced. It's a weekend addiction for dirtbike riding requirement

The Tiguan is great in this role but I (we?) need the flexibility for both cars to fit either activity, it seems.

Now I'm considering an S3 Sportback in new/used condition in 18mths when they become available; too expensive for now. Or re-evaluating the need for a towbar when car sharing is less of a deal; prams, nappy bags...it's a domestic thing.

Either way, I'll be driving my noticeably more focused than delivered WRX (APS 210kw inc, exhaust, inlet & chip, Whiteline Sports suspension kit s/bars, springs, dampers, alignment & anti-lift parts, production race brake rotors & pads) for a while longer.

Could be worse I suppose; could be still driving L Series Subaru wagons.
Pete

[team_v]

Welcome to the forums mate.
There have been a few Subaru owners swapping brands to VW recently.
The new styling and "jap" feel are the most relevant factors from what i have seen.

The Tiguan is a very understated car, more practical than most and with very few failings.
The petrols also have a great power base behind them and can be bumped up with a chip and intake.
Value for money it is a great vehicle.

[ethosguy]

Hi Team_v
Our Tiguan really got me interested in the R...even in diesel, 16inch wheels & stock suspension it impresses with compsure and easy weight transition onto the outside rear tyre. It doesn't like to be hurried at turn in; it can struggle to find the apex. Give it some grace, consider its' abilities and it works very neatly indeed.

I've watched your discussions in the Golf 6 and associatated topics with interest and amusement. There are some very proud people who struggle with a personal approach. I can imagine your Tiguan is an entertaining and capapable unit...

BTW, the Orsam Rallye 65w globes...are they twin wattage - high/low beam and fitted to the outside reflectors? Or single wattage and fitted to the high beam only? Are they available in Oz or should I just order some from Candlepower?
Cheers
Pete

[team_v]

Hi Team_v
Our Tiguan really got me interested in the R...even in diesel, 16inch wheels & stock suspension it impresses with compsure and easy weight transition onto the outside rear tyre. It doesn't like to be hurried at turn in; it can struggle to find the apex. Give it some grace, consider its' abilities and it works very neatly indeed.

I've watched your discussions in the Golf 6 and associatated topics with interest and amusement. There are some very proud people who struggle with a personal approach. I can imagine your Tiguan is an entertaining and capapable unit...

BTW, the Orsam Rallye 65w globes...are they twin wattage - high/low beam and fitted to the outside reflectors? Or single wattage and fitted to the high beam only? Are they available in Oz or should I just order some from Candlepower?
Cheers
Pete

I have held off from comparing the car to others in detail any more since it seems to cause only anger.
It is quite capable and with a few tweaks would definitely give other more pricey cars a run for their money.

The bulbs aren't available in Aus as far as i know of so candlepower is the way to go.
They are fitted to the outside housing and provide a greater throw/brighter light on low beam, doesn't really make a difference to high beam.

Will check on that info for you when i get home.
I got the info from the My-GTI site as the MK5 platform is mostly compatible with the Tiguan.

[ethosguy]

I have held off from comparing the car to others in detail any more since it seems to cause only anger.
It is quite capable and with a few tweaks would definitely give other more pricey cars a run for their money.



The bulbs aren't available in Aus as far as i know of so candlepower is the way to go.
They are fitted to the outside housing and provide a greater throw/brighter light on low beam, doesn't really make a difference to high beam.

Will check on that info for you when i get home.
I got the info from the My-GTI site as the MK5 platform is mostly compatible with the Tiguan.

Quite so but ours is and is destine to remain a shopping trolley all rounder.
I look forward to the info.

[team_v]

Okay so i checked the box and there is no information on them at all regarding twin wattage/single wattage.

I do know that they act operate when normal beam is activated and when high beam is activated and sit in the outside projector and the light output is noticeably better than stock.
Parkers are not affected.

[ethosguy]

Okay so i checked the box and there is no information on them at all regarding twin wattage/single wattage.

I do know that they act operate when normal beam is activated and when high beam is activated and sit in the outside projector and the light output is noticeably better than stock.
Parkers are not affected.

So when you turn on h/beam the outside globe gets brighter (indicating 2 filaments) or just the inside globe turns on?
I think I'll order some anyway.

[team_v]

The inside bulb turns on and the outside bulb stays the same brightness.

The Highbeam really only increases throw distance for the lights when using the upgraded bulbs.

[Sharkie]

Hi Team_v
Our Tiguan really got me interested in the R...even in diesel, 16inch wheels & stock suspension it impresses with compsure and easy weight transition onto the outside rear tyre. It doesn't like to be hurried at turn in; it can struggle to find the apex. Give it some grace, consider its' abilities and it works very neatly indeed.

Depends on what you want to use the car for. If it is to be a family runaround with more go I'd change the TDI Tiguan for a TSI Tiguan and do the mods others here have done.

Once modded its more responsive than a stock R and have much more interior and boot space, in short its much more family friendly.

If you want a performance hot hatch rather than a quick family car then go for the R.

[RSOK]

Hi there ethosguy, sounds like you're in a similar stage of life to me, I have a 3yo and a 5month old, and around Jan-Mar this year was looking to update the family car (from a 2001 Mitsu Verada Xi)... wanted something with large load space so rear seats wouldn't have to fold down (owing to child restraints being installed) yet wanted something with performance so when I was driving by myself I could open her up and let rip with a satisfying blast... I shopped a lot of vehicles and was very impressed with products from the VW family (which I'd never considered before).

Pretty much had to be a wagon for the extra carrying space in the back given the sort of prams/bags combos my wife and I would be carrying, plus suitcases etc on trips away... a hatchback would have been no good (damn shame GTi off the list!!!) given small load space, and the fact we'd have 2 child restraints installed in the backseat (pain in the butt to constantly take these out (and reinstall them afterwards) in order to fold down the rear seats to make load room when needed).

I found the Mazda 6 lacking under the bonnet (but otherwise a good package), I did not like Subaru offerings because we've got some Foresters and Outbacks as fleet cars at work and they're fairly gutless (as you've experienced), not to mention the new Liberty range is as ugly as sin... I tested a couple compact SUVs suh as Outlander and Tiguan but again the load spaces were not impressive enough, in fact I'd have to say I was surprised how small the Tiguan's load space was. Beautifully built vehicle mind you, great interior quality, good looking too and drives as well as any VW product, but you really don't get much more space on the load area than say a Golf.

Obviously I bought the Skoda RS wagon, and continue to be impressed. The TSI engine is a killer, really addictive, and I'm 6'3" and can sit with my seat all the way back and my 3yo sits behind me, the rear-facing restraint for our 5month old sits behind my wife and she's still got good leg room... heaps of room in the load space, more than you'd think by looking at the car, Skoda have done a great job on interior packaging... its safety rating for me was not of serious concern as it's a VW Golf chassis with full compliment of 6 airbags, yet to be tested by ANCAP (whose rating system I have issues with anyway, I mean now a car apparently can't get 5 stars without a front passenger seat-belt warning chime... can't remember the last time I drove a car where the front passenger didn't put on their seat belt... so the absence of this 'vital' audible chime feature to protect occupants in the event of a crash denies a car a full "safe" rating? beats me)

Anyways... just sharing my thoughts, one father-of-two with an appreciation of a quality drive to another... would recommend VW family to any potential buyers out there, superbly built and hi-tech engines with excellent fuel economy.

[ethosguy]

Sharkie,
We had an 89 Toyota 4WD Corolla wagon the Tiguan replaced'.
The TDI was an essential for my wife and for the most part it is adequately powerful and wonderfully frugal - less than 30l for the return trip - Canberra to Guthega (a bit past Perisher) @ 110 and overtaking as possible. It isn't, however, much good passing on the highway fully packed, trailer and dirtbike in tow. I want to flash it but $2k seems a lot of coin for performance upgrade on a car that isn't targeted as a performance car. Then I flip again; it's not much for what would be in effect the next éngine'up in what is our travel car: I'm the travel driver...

Luggage space was a strong point of the Skoda Scout, but the 150mm slide of rear seats in the Tiguan offered flexability and not we are prepared to drive, day to day, something would match a roof boot for luggage volume when necessary.

...Golf R would be a discrete proposition to replace my WRX and will get a stage 1 APS and Haldex controller if it goes ahead as accessories to accompany the leather and ACC if it gets up.

There is nothing on the market that matches the value and quality comming out of VAG. I am, as they say, SOLD.