Pre-facelift 2.0L TSI Buying Tips

[Andres]

Hi all - I'm looking to get my hands on a manual 2.0L TSI model, around 50,000kms and wondering if there's any real drawbacks with the 2009 models?

From what I can tell, mechanically it's the same as the other 'pre-facelift' models, but it has a different multi-function display and different steering wheel controls.

Does this limit any upgrade pathway?

I'd intend to do a 'stage 1' tune of some type, but not too much more in the way of modifications. Maybe a stereo upgrade.

Any things to avoid, or watch for?

[team_v]

The 2009 may still have the red MFD, depends when it was brought in.
Shouldn't be any concern for the upgrade path as the ecu encryption only became a problem for the 2011 models i believe.

As long as it has had the yearly service schedule completed and the recall for door handles and fuse overheat done it should be good to go.

[tigger73]

The red display and steering wheel is from the Mk5 Golf. In 2010 they went to the white MFD. It does make a difference if you intend upgrading the stereo/Bluetooth as newer RNS/BT units will not be 100% compatible with the older style displays/steering wheel controls.

On the brighter side the older Tigs didn't tend to have security on the ECUs which makes it much simpler to tune. These can be flashed over the OBD port and doesn't require pulling the ECU out of the car.


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[Andres]

The 2009 may still have the red MFD, depends when it was brought in.
Shouldn't be any concern for the upgrade path as the ecu encryption only became a problem for the 2011 models i believe.

As long as it has had the yearly service schedule completed and the recall for door handles and fuse overheat done it should be good
to go.

Yeah, a fair few of them have the red MFD. I must admit, the 'round button' steering wheels look a lot older, but that's being a bit fussy.

The red display and steering wheel is from the Mk5 Golf. In 2010 they went to the white MFD. It does make a difference if you intend upgrading the stereo/Bluetooth as newer RNS/BT units will not be 100% compatible with the older style displays/steering wheel controls.

On the brighter side the older Tigs didn't tend to have security on the ECUs which makes it much simpler to tune. These can be flashed over the OBD port and doesn't require pulling the ECU out of the car.

This does concern me a little. I generally upgrade the stereo on all my cars, and have been quite impressed with the VW 'upgradability' from within the VW family. I would like to put one of the SatNav units in the car, so maybe avoiding a 'red MFD' model might be a wise idea.

Thanks for speedy replies gents. The hunt continues!

[tigger73]

Yeah, a fair few of them have the red MFD. I must admit, the 'round button' steering wheels look a lot older, but that's being a bit fussy.




This does concern me a little. I generally upgrade the stereo on all my cars, and have been quite impressed with the VW 'upgradability' from within the VW family. I would like to put one of the SatNav units in the car, so maybe avoiding a 'red MFD' model might be a wise idea.

Thanks for speedy replies gents. The hunt continues!

You can put a new RNS510 into an older car but you have to also upgrade other modules to get everything working so the unit shuts down properly and doesn't drain your battery flat.


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[Bambazonke]

CANbus upgrades not required on any Tiguans sold in Australia. I upgraded my RCD300 in my first Tiguan purchased in May 2008 with an RCD510 in 2011 without any battery drainage issue.

[YellowLemon]

CANbus upgrades not required on any Tiguans sold in Australia. I upgraded my RCD300 in my first Tiguan purchased in May 2008 with an RCD510 in 2011 without any battery drainage issue.

Hi I can confirm this - I have a 2008 Tiguan, one of the first ever delivered in Australia. It is great. Don't worry about the red MFD and steering wheel, it really doesn't make a difference. In fact I find the red/blue dash much cooler than the boring new white one

You can easily put a brand new RNS510 in there, and it will work with the red MFD just fine (you just need to VAGCOM into the radio and tell it to use DDP protocol (red screen) instead of BAP protocol (white screen). Then you can install latest 9W7 bluetooth module under the seat, and use the RNS510 satnav to control it. (The 9W7 menu won't show on the red MFD unless you buy a AutoPolar FIS thing as well for about $200-400)

Check my links, or carsystems.eu for all the parts you need from Poland, or jku.com.au for an aussie dealer. No affiliation.

PS: I am also swapping the old round-button Mk5 style wheel to the newer Mk6 style flat bottom R-wheel: Cost $500 for the wheel with airbag and $80 for the new steering wheel control module. eBa FTW.

[Andres]

Cheers guys - that's very handy to know.

Going to check these out on the weekend hopefully:

A tad more than I want to spend, but very low kms - and I like white.
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan 5N 132TSI MY12 4-Motion

This one is more kms than I'd like and not a huge fan of silver, but considerably cheaper:
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan 5N 125TSI MY10 4-Motion

[YellowLemon]

The white one is nice! Price is much too high though. Haggle? Interesting to see even the 2009/MY10 already has the white MFD so you should be set for the RNS510 upgrade

[Bambazonke]

I would take the white one the mileage is very low hardly run in plus it is full house with leather comfort pack fogs which at new would have been an extra 5 to 6k over the basic purchase price so 25k is reasonable considering it is the 132TSi. Maybe offer 23 or 24k cash!

[Andres]

Turns out the white one has already sold a while ago, they just hadn't updated their ad on Carsales.

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[Andres]

Having a look at this one, this arvo. A little bit higher in kms that I would have preferred, but it does have the sunroof and leather which I'm keen on.

2009 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 125 TSI 5NC MY09 6442 « www.cronullacarsales.com.au

I reckon for $18,500 I'd be looking alright.

Still looking at Foresters as well (about the only comparable car), but they seem to be a lot more $$$s to run.

[Andres]

I went and had a look at the car. It was very tidy, nothing seemed out of place beyond a little bit of gutter rash on the wheels. Interior was schmick, exterior was neat, no scratches/dents, under bonnet was spotless. Had the leather interior and sunroof (which is frikken awesome!!)

It's the first one I've driven and I am very impressed, quite peppy, and very refined. Gearbox is quite notchy though - is that normal?

BUT... I had a look at the servicing and while the first few services were OK, the 60,000 km one was done at 62,000kms and the 75,000kms one was not done (car is at 82,000kms). So it's waaay overdue on it's last service which has turned me off it. Also the airbag light was on. I don't think I can bring myself to purchase a turbo car that hasn't been serviced in ~20,000kms!

Am I being too fussy, or is this prudent on a modern, turbo car? Otherwise it ticks all the boxes.

[YellowLemon]

Am I being too fussy

It's easy to miss a service by a few KM so 60k for the 60k MAJOR service is fine. The 75k service is just basically an oil change so probably no big deal if it was missed - it is only ~7K late it seems, not 20K like you say? The normal interval is 15K for this car. Probably not a dealbreaker to be honest. The 75K service is only a $150-200 from your local VW independent or ~$350 at the dealer IIRC.

HOWEVER with the airbag I would get a VCDS scan to see what's going on: I have had the airbag light come on for silly insignificant errors in VCDS like "battery voltage low" at the airbag module (ie. I left the car out in the cold and the battery ran a bit low - just required the code cleared and good to go. Then again it could be a serious fault - is there anyone near you who could lend you a VCDS cable to check it out? Then if it's no big deal, get them to know a few thousand $ off for the error Or get the owner to take it to VW dealer for a checkup and ask them to let you talk to the VW service personally to get the low-down on the car's state especially RE the airbag light?

[tigger73]

+1 what Yellow said.

I don't think it's great but wouldn't turn me totally off the car as you said it's got the options you're looking for. I'd just use it as a tool to bring the price down... in fact I'm really surprised the yard hasn't got the service done to help move the car. I'm sure they fix up the minor dents and scratches before putting it on the lot.

And agree airbag and the lack of service leaves you wondering what else didn't the previous owner do. I'm guessing there isn't a lot left on the brakes/tyres either and combined with the 75k/90k services the car is going to need $1.5-$2k spent on it in the next 6 months or so. Not that I'm putting you off buying the car but this is probably partly the reason why the previous owner has traded it in at the time that they have.

So if you want to go ahead with this car I'd suggest getting the warning light checked and then price up all the maintenance items required in the next (say) 12 months. Add this to the purchase price of the car because that's effectively what you're going to end up paying. If I was in your shoes I'd be looking at the car (including maintenance items) costing $18-$19k.... but then again I drive a hard bargain. Depending on how much the dealer wants/needs the sale will be how low they are prepared to go on the day.

As a guide, Redbook pricing for a 2009 125TSI Manual:

Private Price Guide $15,500 - $17,700

Trade In Price Guide $12,100 - $14,300

Average Km 80,000 - 130,000


Obviously the extras do make this car a bit more attractive, however the reality is the dealer probably wouldn't have paid any more than the redbook price for the car.