Feelings after 2 years 11 months and 55,000 k's

[aussietig]

Dislikes: Not much: ..... Light in the boot is poor...

Don't know about the other gripes, but this one can be solved here:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...tml#post654373

Link to actual item on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-LE...Q5fAccessories

[Phil G]

I have to admit, the Tig is my wife's car. I just bought another Landcruiser diesel for myself as I like to travel off the beaten track (I've been a Toyota/Nissan man for 30 years).
But when I drive our Tig (2008 build Tdi with Tiptronic auto) it reminds me of how good the Tig is. Nice vehicle - smooth, economoical and more fancy options than the Toyota at half the price. The Tig has 55k on the clock after 4 years. Only hassle we've had was an engine warning light that the dealer cured under warranty by replacing the throttle body. 12 mth servicing is great.

My problem is that I'd like to give the Tig a workout offroad but my wife feels thats unnecessary .....bugger
Pity we don't get the better approach angle that is an option in Europe.
I'll wait until the Tig is a bit older and hopefully no use to my wife anymore and I can have a good play with it
Cheers
phil

[Dartiguan]

103tdi DSG AWD 2012 55000 km

A good car that seems to get better. Fuel economy is magic in the diesel. Lights are BiZenon and superb for long night drives (200km each day I get in the car), generally easy to live with, quality switches and feel still evident. Gripes? the suspension is too hard unless you are on smooth highway (which is German roads anyway) I would like an air suspension option like the Toureg, or something akin to Peugeot ride for this car, the reverse lights are very poor, (but you can retrofit LED's, just haven't bothered (same for boot light)), I have leather seats and while they are good there is no memory in the electric drivers seat which is a real PITA when you are swapping cars with the better half. The seat does have a range of adjustment but it just isn't as good as I think it should be. The seat height is a good feature. The electronic brake is excellent in my view when you understand its usage, it should be on all cars. Space options are excellent on the car. Painted door arms are low quality IMO. My dealer gave me a key ring fob which I used until I realised it was taking the paint off the car armrest each time I opened the door by chipping it. I was rather annoyed to have a 6 month old car and be told it would cost me $400 to have the arm rest replaced, especially when the dealers key part had caused it, so I think VW has made a mistake with this finish. The carpet in the boot is low quality too, best to replace it with a fitted liner. I had Volvo's before this so I had pretty high expectations for fit and finish and material. This car is put together well. Not one squeak or rattle after 55K in two years, but they have clearly saved money in specific material areas. (eg; plastic fuel cover, plastic rear 'bumper' bar and front etc) Not stressed about these as they are in most modern cars and weight saved is fuel saved, but I wonder about its longevity. On balance, this was the best car of its type in the market when I bought it new and generally speaking it still is. The seven speed gearbox is brilliant for smooth changes, it does get caught out occasionally when cold starting but has been excellent so far. I don't have an interest in chipping it for more power (it gets along pretty well as it is) and my main gripe is I think VW could have provided a more resilient ride for our type of roads. Perhaps a change of shock absorbers might solve the issue, but it is going into the market at the end of the year and I will decide if I get another one. This time I will want to see the ACC (I think it is adaptive chassis control) or perhaps I might look at a Toureg. Cheers