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

[Transporter]

Oh yeah it was all there when I bought the car. But the broken plastic clips, seat side panel falling off, too many squeaks and rattles to list, the Inability to remove a rear brake calliper without special tools were all discovered along the way. Can't wait to sell it.

Are you serious, why should VW make a car that would be possible to take a part without using special tools? By complaining about that, you just invalidated all the complaints that you have about the car, at least with me anyway.

[Phillslats]

I am serious when it come to safety and the ability to correct a fault beyond a VAG agent. Surely you can't be serious when you say that being stranded on the nullabor without a special service tool is in some way my fault for not checking when I bought the car. Items like BRAKES should be infinitely resolvable wherever you. By the way you sound like you haven't seen the double hex socket bolt I am referring to which could just as easily be replaced with an equivalent single hex. The only purpose of the VAG item is to keep owners coming back to VW for their outrageous service fees. If you are a true independent?...you should be supporting my view.

[Transporter]

I always have more tools with me when go on longer trips, but I'm not convinced that the highway and roads are the place where you should do DIY repairs beyond replacing the flat tyre. If the late model car would break down on me, there would be a good chance that it would go on the tow track anyway, because of the need for the spare parts.

[team_v]

I always have more tools with me when go on longer trips, but I'm not convinced that the highway and roads are the place where you should do DIY repairs beyond replacing the flat tyre. If the late model car would break down on me, there would be a good chance that it would go on the tow track anyway, because of the need for the spare parts.

This!
Whilst it can be done i would never replace the brakes myself in case i messed something up and made the car unsafe.

All of the concerns that have been outlined here have been the things that were praised in all of the video reviews so i can only offer my opinion that you maybe got the wrong car for what you were after.

[Sanman]

Bought my mother a Mitsu ASX, which is the same package as the Tiguan but $28k - about $15k cheaper than my Tiguan,
Not powerful, flimsy doors and so-so ride, but the continuously variable transmission is good, 7 airbags, comes with LED taillights, rear park sensors and bluetooth radio. 5 year warranty and roadside assist, fixed price $200 servicing. And its turn circle is tiny.
It makes the 50% more expensive Tiguan look a little sick, even though the Tiguan is the superior vehicle.

[gldgti]

12 point socket headed bolts have been VAG standard fare for a long time now, because for high torque applications (cv joints, brake parts, head bolts) they are far more reliable than allen head bolts.

If you want to service your own VW, a 12point (or triple square) driver set is a must. I've had one since my first mk1 Best $50 I ever spent

[hippyhippy]

if the ASX had a higher clearance and auto in diesel.. i would have got that... its a good car.

[Phillslats]

AWD 4WD are vehicles that will encourage people to venture off the bitumen. Rocks even sticks (logs) can bend or lodge themselves in the most unlikely of places in a cars suspension. If all that stands between me and making a bolt for freedom is a VAG special tool, I'm not going to be very happy am I ? My workshop is extremely well equipped including two lathes. I have owned a beautiful 1984 Audi 100 Manual which I stripped and rebuilt. Yes I know about the 12 point sockets that VAG love, please don't get me going on the torque strength of a properly seated Allen bolt and whilst I would agree that a 12 pointer is easier to apply a greater torque there are degrees of necessity here. Go out to your garage and locate your 17mm 12 point drive? Couldn't find it eh!

Yeah I am the first to admit I bought the wrong car, but these cars are now everywhere, they will be found in remote places (not mine) because people will think AWD or 4WD.

While I'm on the brakes, the problem I had should have been picked up by the electronic failure check system. It did not! It should have been seen by the VAG service team on the 60K service, they did not! So I end up with a problem brake part and after I rectify the problem then the warning light comes on. If the warning lights don't warn, they are just coloured lights for decorative purposes only, but worse give you false security. I actually don't drive this car a lot now, my wife does, but she shouldn't have to be compromised because she doesn't know how things work, should she.

No my own view is the Tiguan is a dud. I know I am a lone voice here. But who cares. Does it put me of VW, of course not, they still make the worlds best cars, and once they get rid of the idiot italian stylist who is marauding his way through the range, VW will once more make the worlds best looking cars too. Now this statement will start some discussion.

[Transporter]

Now this statement will start some discussion.

Well, why we should discuss your dislike for the Tiguan? I just read all your 8 posts in the forum and didn't find anything positive in them. If, I would be so unhappy with the car I would sell it and move on.

[Sharkie]

Agree with Transporter .... after 9 VW's to date, the Tiguan is 1 of those that will stay in my thoughts long after it has moved on.

In fact, my wife and I was discussing this yesterday and I said that out of all my cars (and there has been many), my 2 BMW M3's, my Golf VR6 and the Tiguan are the cars that I remember most fondly and still miss.

I think as a small SUV the Tiguan (apart from its boot space and spare tyre issues) is the best package out there.

PS. Its even better if you got the TSI and "enhanced" it to produce 190kw/410NM ....

[Philbie]

Today marks the start of year 4 and the end of the warranty on our tiguan and 36,000 k's. We also had one of the first 200, and i have to say it's been a brilliant car.

Warranty issues include misfitting trim around the radio, (this seems a common issue) and a drink holder in the rear that came off. (kids)

The car has been excellent, has saved me from harm when a roo hit the passenger door, is as quiet and smooth as the day i picked it up. Fuel economy is so good, I drove from Adelaide to Echuca on 30 litres of diesel.

Boot space is crap, and yes i knew this when we bought it, but it hassled us cause we always wanted to take the Tiggy on a trip rather than the duel cab ute we owned at the time. It has become less of a problem now due to our purchase of a Multivan. The multivan is a families best friend.

Service costs are through the roof, and with the expiry of the warranty, and ongoing rising utility costs we all face, Other makes of cars and their "fixed" price service costs are starting to look inviting. With rumours that Ford, Holden and Nissan are all getting on this system - will the euros follow?

Now, at the stage of replacing the Tiguan, we cannot find a car that ticks the same boxes yet is a fresh new shape and somthing new to look at. It's never been so hard to buy a new car as at this current time. In the meantime, we'll keep the tiggy and enjoy it until something better comes along.......if that happens.

[Tigga1]

125 TSI (APR Stage 1) 60k

agree with most comments in this thread, great car, ticks most of the boxes for me.
18" wheels are a bit heavy and make for a slightly more lumbering ride, especially on rough roads. However, with APR tune, it's still very enjoyable and rock solid on the road.

other mods: h/d adjustable rear swaybar (currently on middle setting) and anti lift kit, the both make a huge difference to on road behaviour and, next to APR tune, make the ride and drive that much more enjoyable (especially as daily drive involves a 10km range road)
Had consdiered springs, but combination of swaybar and lift kit is just perfect for me, with one extra setting to go if needed.

not so good mod: torque arm insert, which I had on for about tow years. I got so sick of the vibration and always having to always take gear out of drive to N, and all the comment from passengers asking was there anything wrong with the car/engine. Had it taken out recently and this has really given the car a new lease of life. Back to using the auto-hold function, which is great in stop-start traffic but hopeless with insert. Previously had the insert on Golf Diesel DSG, and loved it there. Guessing the difference with DSG is that at total stop, gearbox is not engaged until you press the accelerator.

economy could have been better, but then you do'n't get APR tune with economy in mind (even though it can help), with overall figures around the 9.3L/100k

Boot is on the small side, but still amazes me how much you can actually get in. Also like the complete flat back loading area with seats down.

Would I buy another one, yes, but I've just bought a Polo GTI, and will keep Tig for a while as second car.

cheers

[clip]

... Now this statement will start some discussion.

I doubt it, just demonstrates your almost complete ignorance of the marque.

[clip]

...end of the warranty on our tiguan and 36,000 k's. Service costs are through the roof..

Mine's coming up to 60000k service and none have been over $350 so far. Not through the roof IMHO and no more than Honda, Suzuki or Citroen that I've owned over the last 10 years. My girl friend 16 years ago (good grief, where does the time go?) bought a new Nissan Pulsar and her second service was $987! Yes, that's 16 years ago (I wonder where she is today? ).

[Ralphs]

Our 2008, 103TDI has 58,000 on the clock. We live 2 hours south of Sydney up on a "mountain" and the car climbs 450m in vertical height at least once per day on a nasty twisting narrow road. Then we are down about 4km of gravel "road" to our farm. Also it has done several trips to Melbourne and about 4 to the Gold Coast plus heaps to Sydney on the freeway.
The Tiguan has been fantastic and we would replace it with another tomorrow.
Only faults have been an engine sensor light (which never let us down) and currently a blown rear brake bulb (1 of 5 so it can wait till next service).
Despite the work it gets it averages sub 7l/100km. To those critics who want sports car handling, I would say .... it's not Golf GTI it's an SUV. We had a Golf (also a great car) but it was too low to the ground for country work.
Likes: The pockets on the door are awesome, hold a 1.25 L bottle or a bottle of wine/champers if you are going byo. Firm seats even for 12 hours from the Gold Coast to Sydney. Diesel economy and responsive toque. Size is great in Sydney or the country. Boot is tight but only two of us so move the rear seat forward is a great feature. Frankly, I find the service costs reasonable and our local service centre, Kinghorn Motors at Nowra are very helpful.
Dislikes: Not much: ..... Light in the boot is poor. Headlights are for Europe not country Australia. Cargo barrier as standard would be nice, as I often take out the cargo lid to get more space. A full size spare would be nice; although it has never has a flat (touch wood). Some more comfort in the suspension would be nice .... but hell it is a small SUV not a Touareg.
Overall 09/10 (my last Merc. ML270 was a 6/10)