Preparing for the shift from Subaru Forester to VW Tiguan

[Bydant]

Hi All.

I'm in the market for a Tiguan MY09/MY10 147TSI and though I would check in on the people that own them.

I am formally a Subaru Forester GT / Liberty, but am looking to upgrade, as the Subaru's don't cut it for me anymore (build wise).

I am pretty handy with tools and ECU programming and have done a few engine builds and tunes in Subaru land.

I am not looking to mod the tig, just get buy on doing maintenance myself.

Anyway, if all goes well I should be a real member of the club by months end!

Oh, and if anyone can give my buying tips and show stoppers to look out for that would be much appreciated.

[team_v]

Welcome to the forums mate.
The 125 and the 147 have the same engine and turbo but the 125 has a slightly smaller intercooler and is detuned from the factory.

I have the "125" which is a good base to work from.
The 147 didn't include anything from the factory over the 125 other than the auto only transmission and 17" wheels.

Hope we can get you into a tig as they are really good to drive and with a tune they go like the clappers!

[Bydant]

Welcome to the forums mate.
The 125 and the 147 have the same engine and turbo but the 125 has a slightly smaller intercooler and is detuned from the factory.

Thanks.

I suspected as much. Can't even go for one post without thinking about modding!
Are remaps a DIY possibility with a cheapish cable? Is there much involved in going from the 125 to 147 map?

I was wondering why I wasn't seeing any manuals in the 147 listing. Can the manuals handle the extra 22kw?

[team_v]

The 6MT is flawless and mine has handled the significant increase in power fine.

Re-mapping on these is a bit more complicated than the old DIY subie/bmw/evo method.
Having said that, a tune really brings these alive (both the 125 and the 147 jump to 189kw at the engine with a stage 1 tune)

Feel free to pop in to the Euro meet and you can see how mine goes.

[brad]

yes the manuals can handle the extra power (it's actually extra torque - about 100Nm extra)

You use aftermarket maps, not factory. You'd be looking at 170+ depending on the tuner. Minimum spend is about $650ish unless you can find a cheap reset handheld device.

The tuning thing isn't like Subarus (ecutec & that white interceptor box people used to get). You'll find heaps of ex-Subaru owners here.

[tigger73]

Firstly welcome and in order not to turn this into a Tiguan tuning thread I suggest you head over to the Tiguan section and have a look at the mountain load of info there.

However one small piece of advice is that somewhere in 2010 the 125/147 Tigs got a revised ECU which had security enabled on it and many tuners now have problems in tuning these over the OBD port. It means the ECU has to be physically removed from the car and hot-wired on the bench. It's not a big issue but does limit you to tuners in your geographical area and/or who have the tools to work on these.

But again we're off topic as you "said" you weren't going to tune it

Also don't be afraid of the 7 speed DSG (DQ500) in these. They are a lot stronger box than in the Golfs (DQ200). I'm pretty sure the 147 only came in DSG so if you want a manual you'll need to go to 125TSI. If you're looking at keeping it long term past the warranty, then I'd steer clear of the FWD 118TSI. There have been quite a few issues in the Golfs with this engine and a few also in the Tiguan unfortunately.

[team_v]

Firstly welcome and in order not to turn this into a Tiguan tuning thread I suggest you head over to the Tiguan section and have a look at the mountain load of info there.

However one small piece of advice is that somewhere in 2010 the 125/147 Tigs got a revised ECU which had security enabled on it and many tuners now have problems in tuning these over the OBD port. It means the ECU has to be physically removed from the car and hot-wired on the bench. It's not a big issue but does limit you to tuners in your geographical area and/or who have the tools to work on these.

But again we're off topic as you "said" you weren't going to tune it

Also don't be afraid of the 7 speed DSG (DQ500) in these. They are a lot stronger box than in the Golfs (DQ200). I'm pretty sure the 147 only came in DSG so if you want a manual you'll need to go to 125TSI. If you're looking at keeping it long term past the warranty, then I'd steer clear of the FWD 118TSI. There have been quite a few issues in the Golfs with this engine and a few also in the Tiguan unfortunately.

The DQ500 DSG box only became available after the My11 cycle and the 1.4TSI (118kw fwd model) was only available post the My12 facelift.

[tigger73]

The DQ500 DSG box only became available after the My11 cycle and the 1.4TSI (118kw fwd model) was only available post the My12 facelift.

OK stand corrected - sports auto for everything up to 2010 and MY2011 came with DSG.

The other thing the 147 gets that the 125 misses out on is some chrome blingy bits around the windows and roof rails. These are almost impossible to retrofit so if you want them best to get a 147.

[Bydant]

The other thing the 147 gets that the 125 misses out on is some chrome blingy bits around the windows and roof rails.

Being able to drive around, slam on the brakes and yell "kachow" out of the window as I blind other drivers with my chrome is high on the list of things I want from a car.

Is the DSG box worth it? For me it looks like a $3k premium. I would like to compare, but its hard to get a test drive without feeling like the obligation free part is a load of BS.

[team_v]

Being able to drive around, slam on the brakes and yell "kachow" out of the window as I blind other drivers with my chrome is high on the list of things I want from a car.

Is the DSG box worth it? For me it looks like a $3k premium. I would like to compare, but its hard to get a test drive without feeling like the obligation free part is a load of BS.

It's probably a 3k premium as it was only available on the 147TSI originally and only on the MY11 or newer models so you are paying more becasue the base car cost more or is newer.

It is worth it if slick gear changes and traffic light GP is your thing.
I enjoy the manual as it is engaging enough to drive, first gear is a bit on the short side though.

[tigger73]

The DSG is quicker and more fuel efficient than the 6 speed auto.


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[Bydant]

That's interesting. 13% better fuel economy (lab conditions) and take 95 instead of 98. Does this translate to real life?

[tigger73]

That's interesting. 13% better fuel economy (lab conditions) and take 95 instead of 98. Does this translate to real life?

Depends how you drive it. But yes you should get better economy from the DSG.

All the 2.0T engines should be run on 98RON fuel.


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[nat225]

Thanks.

I suspected as much. Can't even go for one post without thinking about modding!
Are remaps a DIY possibility with a cheapish cable? Is there much involved in going from the 125 to 147 map?

I was wondering why I wasn't seeing any manuals in the 147 listing. Can the manuals handle the extra 22kw?

All 147TSI comes in either 6speed torque converter auto (before MY11) and 7speed DSG (MY11 built from Oct10 I think).

I have the MY11 147TSI.
Remapping... I would recommend going with Bluefin superchips for good value for money.

But in stock form, it is easy to drive with sufficient power and torque

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[team_v]

That's interesting. 13% better fuel economy (lab conditions) and take 95 instead of 98. Does this translate to real life?

All the recent petrol VW's say 95RON but it is reccomended that 98 ron is used (certainly if it is tuned)
The fuel efficiency might translate to real life but i doubt you would see it unless you drive like a granny everywhere.