Tigger73's 125TSI Tiguan Build Thread

[Blackdakdak]

Hi, vw steel rim is same width as alloys. I know the 200 bucks was excessive like all vw parts, but guaranteed to fit Tig as made for it. Plus I tried a few wheel/tyre places and they had bugger all interest in finding and selling me a single steel or alloy rim with vw holes and 33 offset. Plus I had the experience of a nongenuine spare in a previous car not fitting - holes were correct in theory, but mm out when attempt made to use. Great to be stuck between broken hill & mildura for 5 hours.

I basically took the lazy option at a price that while not great was affordable to me and saved me heaps of time.

I still think vw had a crap design moment when they went with the space saver. Cheap cost cutting measure, just like removing the bag hooks. Plus the dealer made it unecessarily difficult for me to find the genuine steel rim.

[Bambazonke]

I concur with all the above and what I find strange is that VW offer the Passat a normal road vehicle with a full size spare!

[tigger73]

Replacing lower grille... bird punches hole at 100km/hr

Has anyone replaced their lower grille with a wire mesh?

Ran over a pidgeon at 100km/hr the other day. Saw it and was hoping it was going to get out of the way but it hesitated and then was too slow.... heard a thud and then when I stopped later had a pidgeon embedded in my front grille.

Managed to get it and most of the feathers out, but now there's a nice (or not so nice) 5cm hole in my front grille.

Went to the dealer spare parts dept and they said it was a very comon part - went through 3-4 a week with front enders. Cost is $189 for the plastic insert. Hmmmm

So I was just wondering if anyone has looked at replacing their grilles with stainless steel mesh. I know it's probably not something that you'd go and do straight out, but given I need to replace mine I'm open to all options.

[noone]

eBay? Making your own wouldnt look the same

[tigger73]

The only grilles I can see on ebay/online is for the updated 2012 model Tigs.

There is a manufacturer in China on Alibaba but min order quantity is 10... would mean I have quite a few spares.

[djdavian]

Hi there, I have replaced my lower grille with a stainless steel mesh (custom made for Tiguan's- not the universal type). Here is the supplier and an image of what it looks like:

VW Tiguan Accessories (Volkswagen) - Antec Stainless Steel Parts, Accessories and Styling - Roof bar Systems for Tiguan 4x4



I hope this helps : )

[aussietig]

For a moment there ... I thought I was looking at Speedy Buggy or certainly at least a car that's smiling at me with two dimples on both cheeks.

[djdavian]

Glad I put a smile on your face
Looks like I didn't pull the 'mean machine' look off well lol

[djdavian]

I think its the close up shot I took...side view doesn't look as smiley lol

[aussietig]

Yes ... definitely better especially with the Savannahs & wheel arch extensions!

[Transporter]

I think its the close up shot I took...side view doesn't look as smiley lol

It looks good. Where did you get the wheel arch extenders from?

[aussietig]

He's based in the UK.

So probably cost nothing as a standard fitting.

[djdavian]

Correct, wheel arch extensions are mandatory in the UK for the VW Savannah wheel (as it is 19") thus I didn't pay any extra.

[tigger73]

I like the grille, though will have to see what the cost is to get it shipped out here. From the website it's GBP195 (AUD$290) so will be a bit more when landed here when you add on freight costs.

It's funny I've done a few web searches and none of these manufacturer/agent sites came up.

Re the wheel arches you would have paid extra for them - just the cost would have been "hidden" in the price of the Savannah's. Though it's nice of them to tell you that it was a "free" upgrade.

[DkN]

Not sure about stainless steel but plastic replacement can be found for much better price than at the dealers:

2010- VW Tiguan Front Bumper Grill Central Grille | eBay