Considering a Tiguan

[jb747]

Right now I'm driving an R32. The lease is up on it soon, and I'm considering putting a new lease onto a Tiguan (and keeping the 32 as 'his' car).

The idea with the Tig is to tick most of the option boxes (i.e. sunroof, RNS, parking, camera, adaptive suspension, leather)...in other words, to convert it to as close to the 32 as we reasonably can, whilst still keeping it a practical vehicle.

We're fans of the DSG gearbox, but quite cool on the auto. The manual though, is only available with the 125 kw engine. So, the idea was to look at a manual 125, and to then have APR give us back the missing power ('cos as far as I can tell, there is little difference between the 125 and 147 kw engines).

I'd be interested in hearing comments from anyone who is familiar with the DSG re the performance of the auto gearbox.

Has anyone else taken this route?

And does anyone know if a set of R32 Omyant wheels are suitable for the Tiguan ('cos I have an extra set)?

[team_v]

Firstly, awesome idea!

I am going withthis option when i get my tig.
125 + APR = 189kw.
The 125 and 147 engine is identical just de-tuned i believe.

I believe the Tig runs an older slushbox auto rather than the DSG but someone else may have to clarify this.
Read on VWVortex that the Stage 1 upgrade from APR doesn't affect the Gearbox and they have even tested some stage 3 kits on the ato and it has held up fine.

Omanyt wheels would suit the bolt pattern of the tiguan (5x112) however the offset may produce some problems as the Tig is happy around ET:35-45
I believe the R-Line Tig (EU and America only) runs 19" Omanyt's or something that looks very very similar.

[NZTiguan]

e.

I believe the Tig runs an older slushbox auto rather than the DSG but someone else may have to clarify this.

Confirmed BUT it is a very good 6 speed in my opinion. It's vastly better than any other auto I've ever driven EXCEPT the DSG but it depends what you want it for. It's worth driving an auto to see for yourself in my opinion AND make sure you put it in "S" and give it a burst for a while OK.

Cheers

[Sharkie]

As autos go it is 1 of the best there is. Not as quick through the gears as the DSG but then it does not have that same lag off the line as the DSG either.

It depends on what you want to use the car for I guess. If you do a lot of city driving, stop-start in traffic the auto would be the best bet.

IF however, you want to get out there and really enjoy a spirited driving experience the manual is the only way to go. It is also quicker than the autos.

In fact I suspect you'd be surprised to learn that a chipped manual TSI Tig will leave your R32 behind in a straight line ......... 190kw/400NM v 184kw/320NM and similar weight is the key here ..... mid-range punch in the Tig will leave a R32 light years behind as well .....

[clip]

a chipped manual TSI Tig will leave your R32 behind in a straight line ......... 190kw/400NM v 184kw/320NM and similar weight is the key here ..... mid-range punch in the Tig will leave a R32 light years behind as well .....

I can testify to this - particularly the mid-range punch that comes from the Tig
- and so can my mate with the R32 (much to his annoyance and my delight ).

[jimbomort]

IF however, you want to get out there and really enjoy a spirited driving experience the manual is the only way to go. It is also quicker than the autos..

the manual provides better fuel economy also and is a great box to use, especially when driving spiritedly. Wound the Tig out thru the gears (0-100) few days back and even in stock form the 125 gets moving fairly quickly - the box is nice to use. Cant wait till the APR Stage 1 upgrade - coming this xmas

As Sharkie says, depends on what you want it for, but unless you are doing a lot of city driving, I'd go the manual.

[jb747]

It's not really a race. If I choose to go this route, I'm interested in building a quick, but practical car. A chipped Tig may well be faster than the R32 in a straight line, but I doubt that a 32 would be worried in the twisty bits. And, if it is quicker, then who cares anyway, as I'd have both.

Aim is to build something interesting, a sleeper, but also practical.

[team_v]

It's not really a race. If I choose to go this route, I'm interested in building a quick, but practical car. A chipped Tig may well be faster than the R32 in a straight line, but I doubt that a 32 would be worried in the twisty bits. And, if it is quicker, then who cares anyway, as I'd have both.

Aim is to build something interesting, a sleeper, but also practical.

Stage 3 APR in a tig = ultimate sleeper with practicality to boot.

[Sharkie]

It's not really a race. If I choose to go this route, I'm interested in building a quick, but practical car. A chipped Tig may well be faster than the R32 in a straight line, but I doubt that a 32 would be worried in the twisty bits. And, if it is quicker, then who cares anyway, as I'd have both.

Aim is to build something interesting, a sleeper, but also practical.

I've driven a R32 extensively and it is set up for comfort over top performance suspension wise (drive a S3 to see the difference). It would be a bit better than Tig due to differences in center of gravity heights but not much .... this weekend on the way back from Mount Mee (mountain pass) with maca I had no problem keeping a enthusiastically driven Kawasaki Z750 at bay coming down .... in fact he had to use the straights to catch up .....

With modified suspension and quality tyres I suspect a Tig would be a match for a R32 even in the twisty bits. I aim to take the Tig to a track day soon and will let you know how many R32's manage to pass me and stay in front ...

It is the ultimate sleeper ... ... very quick but still extremely practical.

[jb747]

I've driven an S3. It didn't make me want to open the wallet.

We've just driven two Tigs. An auto 147, and a manual 125. It drove well, but quite honestly wasn't anywhere near a standard R32 in terms of handling. The suspension will not be modified, beyond ticking the 'adaptive suspension' box. With a lower c of g, and a bit of a fiddle, then perhaps, but that's not the point of this exercise.

The auto totally ruined the 147. It was basically woolly. Typical auto which managed to remove much of the engine's power, and most of its responsiveness. I can see the appeal for traffic, but I wasn't something I could even learn to live with, much less love.

The manual 125 was a very different animal. Surprisingly lively, and still a good drive, even though it was just the standard car. Overall liked it a lot.

Stage 1 APR will be as far as it goes.....

So, it's shaping up to be:
125 kw Tiguan
Manual
New York alloys
RNS510 & Dynaudio & rear view camera
Metallic paint
Sunroof
Park assist
Bi-xenon lights
Leather
Fog lights
Comfort pack
Tinted glass
Media in
Adaptive suspension

APR stage 1
Skoda bluetooth

[team_v]

The 125 Manual is the best base for a performance mod i believe.

Your options list is going to put the price up a fair amount, looks like you are ticking every box.

I am going the other way, bog stock 125 in candy white.
New york alloys aren't worth the money imho as they look ugly and there are much better aftermarket alternatives for a cheaper price.