Pre-facelift 2.0L TSI Buying Tips

[Andres]

The dealer just called then to follow up. Apparently they're getting it serviced currently - which is good, but it will also probably be the cheapest/nastiest service they can do! Thankfully the 75k service appears to be a relatively minor one.

We're getting our money sorted out at the moment, as I want to be able to talk 'cash' (bank cheque) with the dealer if I go ahead with it.

Assuming the dealer 'resets' the airbag warning light (and doesn't just pull the globe!!) - the light WILL illuminate again if something is fundamentally wrong, and it's not just the low-voltage error, right? i.e. you can't just tell the ECU to 'ignore' the error can you?

Edit: Forgot to say, appreciating all the input guys! Seems like a great community you've got here!

[YellowLemon]

Assuming the dealer 'resets' the airbag warning light (and doesn't just pull the globe!!) - the light WILL illuminate again if something is fundamentally wrong, and it's not just the low-voltage error, right? i.e. you can't just tell the ECU to 'ignore' the error can you?

Hehe yeah if the light goes out and stays out, it should be OK. There is no setting to ignore warnings and they can't 'pull the globe' because it's a LED soldered to the circuit board

[Andres]

Popped in an enquiry on this one:
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan 5N 125TSI MY09 4-Motion
Really not a huge fan of silver, and the dashboard looks very dated with the AC controls, but I could probably live with that. 4X,000 kms is more appealing than 8X,000kms, especially if I'm going to push it a little bit with a tune. It still has leather + sunroof, so should still be a nice place to sit.

I'm originally from SA, so doesn't bother me too much getting a car from there.

Frustrating search continues... There's nothing available that ticks all the boxes, even if I up the budget to 30K.

[tigger73]

The other thing you can do is to fit leather into a existing car. I had a previous car retrimmed in leather. It will cost about $2k to get done. Best thing is you'll end up with brand new seats

This will also open up more possibilities in finding the right car.


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[YellowLemon]

The other thing you can do is to fit leather into a existing car. I had a previous car retrimmed in leather

How does that work with the airbags inside the seats?

[tigger73]

Pre-facelift 2.0L TSI Buying Tips

How does that work with the airbags inside the seats?

You'd have to ask the retrimmers how they handle that but they do it all the time on modern vehicles.




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[brad]

How does that work with the airbags inside the seats?

No probs. It's a special stitching technique. Also, aftermarket leather is generally much nicer leather than factory.

have you looked at a Yeti as well? Basically the same vehicle with a slightly different configuration

[Andres]

have you looked at a Yeti as well? Basically the same vehicle with a slightly different configuration

Yeti is kinda funny looking! haha
And from what I gather only has a 1.8?

I've looked into Forester XT and Octavia RS as well, but the Tiguan has such a good balance (on paper at least) of city efficiency and still some semblance of off-road ability. I like the Octavia RS (especially the price vs performance) but I hate the idea of getting stuck on even damp grassy hills when going camping with a FWD. Looks like it'd be more spacious (boot-wise) than a Tig though.

[brad]

Yeti is kinda funny looking! haha
And from what I gather only has a 1.8?

I've looked into Forester XT and Octavia RS as well, but the Tiguan has such a good balance (on paper at least) of city efficiency and still some semblance of off-road ability. I like the Octavia RS (especially the price vs performance) but I hate the idea of getting stuck on even damp grassy hills when going camping with a FWD. Looks like it'd be more spacious (boot-wise) than a Tig though.

Skoda styling isn't for everyone but it grows on you (so do planter warts so that's no recomendation).

Yeti has slightly smaller boot area I think but more versatile rear seats & because it's a Skoda will have some clever inclusions. I have no idea what engines they have but I have the 1.8tsi in my Octavia & it's a great engine tha performs better than the specs would suggest.

If you want a 4WD that's slightly more efficient then have a looka at the Octavia Scout.

Any particular reason you aren't looking at diesels as well?

[Andres]

Skoda styling isn't for everyone but it grows on you (so do planter warts so that's no recomendation).

Yeti has slightly smaller boot area I think but more versatile rear seats & because it's a Skoda will have some clever inclusions. I have no idea what engines they have but I have the 1.8tsi in my Octavia & it's a great engine tha performs better than the specs would suggest.

If you want a 4WD that's slightly more efficient then have a looka at the Octavia Scout.

Any particular reason you aren't looking at diesels as well?

I ruled out Subaru Outbacks a long time ago based on there looks, so the Yeti has a lot of work to do to win me over haha.

Octavia Scout is an interesting proposition. Appears diesel only though? And DSG only (which I'm not going to touch, despite whatever improvements there apparently have been).

I'm after petrol for a slightly more sporty-esque driving experience. I appreciate the diesels have great mid-range torque, but I'm quite keen on the TSI after a test drive. And the fuel economy is pretty good as it is, so the benefits of diesel are somewhat eroded there.

I've seen Tiguans around the mark I want, so I don't think I'm being overly unrealistic. I.e there's an awesome white one for sale on here for $18k, with a lot of fruit, but 100,000kms. There was also a 2012 with leather, 30,000kms for $24k I missed on Carsales. If I could find one in the middle, with say 50,000kms and leather/sunroof etc (for say $23-24k) I'd be all over it. I just need the right one to come up!

It appears I'm just impatient.

[YellowLemon]

I hate the idea of getting stuck on even damp grassy hills

The 4motion in the Tiguan is awesome, I really notice it even in urban Melbourne where it's always wet and slippery (with the tram tracks embedded in the roads everywhere) compared to the FWD Golf and Polo.

[brad]

I ruled out Subaru Outbacks a long time ago based on there looks, so the Yeti has a lot of work to do to win me over haha.

Octavia Scout is an interesting proposition. Appears diesel only though? And DSG only (which I'm not going to touch, despite whatever improvements there apparently have been).

I'm after petrol for a slightly more sporty-esque driving experience. I appreciate the diesels have great mid-range torque, but I'm quite keen on the TSI after a test drive. And the fuel economy is pretty good as it is, so the benefits of diesel are somewhat eroded there.

I've seen Tiguans around the mark I want, so I don't think I'm being overly unrealistic. I.e there's an awesome white one for sale on here for $18k, with a lot of fruit, but 100,000kms. There was also a 2012 with leather, 30,000kms for $24k I missed on Carsales. If I could find one in the middle, with say 50,000kms and leather/sunroof etc (for say $23-24k) I'd be all over it. I just need the right one to come up!

It appears I'm just impatient.

We had a gen5 Outback and they are simply pig-ugly. Yeti is more quirky but I can understand why some people don't feel the love.

DSG in the Scout is DQ250 so is quite reliable if serviced regularly.

If you've done your research & made up your mind then the right car will come eventually.

[Andres]

Just as an update, we ended up purchasing an Octavia vRS (mk2) last weekend. Loving it so far (although definitely notice the lack of FWD grip in the wet Sydney weather). Despite the traction, it really feels like you're driving something quite sporty, until you look in the rear-vision mirror and see you're dragging a big boot along behind. We couldn't find a Tig that had the right balance of features/kms/age/price (essentially, they were slightly out of budget for what we wanted).

Thanks everyone for the awesome feedback and help in he car choosing process!

[brad]

Nice choice.
I'm not sure why you'd be having grip issues unless your tyres are rubbish or throttle control is poor. I have ~135kw / ~320Nm & don't have an issue with FWD wheel spin unless I want it.

[tigger73]

Nice choice.
I'm not sure why you'd be having grip issues unless your tyres are rubbish or throttle control is poor. I have ~135kw / ~320Nm & don't have an issue with FWD wheel spin unless I want it.

I think it's when you're not used to having power on a FWD car. As you say tyres make a difference as does application of the right foot.