Dead Touareg

[bobzed57]

For those of you who don't visit club touareg, about a month ago I drowned my R5 Treg and today it was formally written off.

Only the engine mind you, the rest is good as gold. A wrecker's going to get a gold mine in parts.

Wife's turn to pick the replacement. Front runners are a V6TDI, LR D3, Prado and Paj in no particular order of preference.

It was fun while it lasted. I may be back.

Cheers

Bob

[phaeton]

Crap was that on the trek ?

Is is covered ?

[Transporter]

I'm sorry to hear that Bobzed, I hope it was insured for that.
I just remembered that you had 12v to 12V battery charger, can you tell please, what brand it was and where from?

[Moonan]

Bob was on a Club weekend with "Scenic" and me from CT, in the Barringtons. Just the wrong rock with the wrong dip in the creek bottom in a ford over a creek, and some water got past the air-filter, turbo, intercooler, and presumably into the motor. Bent rods plus, and written off... Bob can elaborate if he wants to..

Time to pressure VW into developing that snorkel!!

Vale the R5

[phaeton]

Bob was on a Club weekend with "Scenic" and me from CT, in the Barringtons. Just the wrong rock with the wrong dip in the creek bottom in a ford over a creek, and some water got past the air-filter, turbo, intercooler, and presumably into the motor. Bent rods plus, and written off... Bob can elaborate if he wants to..

Time to pressure VW into developing that snorkel!!

Vale the R5

How unfortunate

I think Bob should get a new Touareg from VWA (heavily discounted) as he is one of the biggest promoters for it going off road.

Hopefully the new Amarok pickup is more offroad friendly (as I want one).

[bobzed57]

Sad it was indeed. I went down to the dealer today and salvaged my stuff. The good-lady-wife actually shed a tear because it looked so sad draped in the hospital gear. Insurance picked up the tab, so we're out looking at a replacement. Not much to say about the incident itself, Neil covered it about right. When I looked at the air box today with all the engine bits missing, it's easier to see the air path to the engine. To be quite honest, I'm surprised it hadn't happened before, because it really is quite low down and at about the 500 mm fording mark, so even at depths less than that, a bow wave could easily shunt water into the engine. Definitely need a snorkel for Touaregs.

For Transporter, the charger I had, I bought from a guy in NZ, he makes them in his back yard. I swear by them and yes, I did salvage it from the Touareg. It cost me a little over $400, which is over the odds for a dual battery controller, but in my view worth it. The guy's name is Peter West [peter-west@clear.net.nz] and he was really helpful and it was easy to install. He makes two versions one for internal use, which I had, and a waterproof one for mounting under the bonnet.

The search for a replacement is on and maybe I can maintain a connection with VW. I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers

Bob Z

PS I keep looking at my avatar and wish all water crossings were so easy. I might have to replace it with Neil's photo of my Treg's final gasp.

[Transporter]

Thanks Bobzed57
I hope that everything will go smooth and you get the replacement car soon.

[phaeton]

Hey Bob,

I hope you buy the V6 TDI we would sorely miss you if you went to another brand.
Saying all that though your list is pretty good perhaps go the Jap way as I don't know if the Brits are all that reliable yet

ps wait till the Amarok comes out next year (I know its a long time )

[T Rex]

Hi Bob

Sorry to hear about your drowned Treg. As a new Touareg owner I have found your comments very helpful over our past year of ownership.

We actually moved from a cureent model Prado V6 to the Touareg - nothing wrong with the Prado except it had NO soul so if you want a car you LIKE driving consider very carefully.

We still love the Touareg.

Happy motoring.
Cheers

Geoff

[bobzed57]

Hi Geoff

I think your right about the Prado. It's my wife's turn to pick the vehicle and i think since we've owned the Touareg, she's become a fan of 4WDing, bling and comfort, all of which the Treg provides in spades. She's test driving the Prado and the Paj tomorrow, and I suspect they'll be put aside as contenders quite quickly.

The D3 is a definite starter and she was offered a really good deal on a RR sport, which we'll be driving in the next day or so. I've told her that she also needs to get down to VW and give the V6TDI a run and maybe even a V10 .

I'll let you know how I end up and I'm glad my contributions have been useful. If I don't get another Touareg, I'll be selling some stuff unique to the Touareg, so keep a look out.

Cheers

[bobzed57]

Well lads

Put the coin down on a new D3 today. Blue, front and rear air, front parking sensors, roof rails, phone kit, mats and three years' free service.

I'll trawl through my Treg bits and offer the up for sale in the the next week or so, also noting that the spare wheel and my Bentley Manual have tentative buyers pending haggling over price. The DP Chip might be of interest to the Golf/Jetta/Passat diesel owners as well.

It was a mixed ride. In my view, still the sweetest looking of its competitors, but I guess I got tired of worrying about what could go wrong next.

Cheers

[GolfAtom]

Two months ago I traded my Disco 3 for a Freelander 2. I downsized because I don't go off-road that often anymore. I miss my old Disco, it was very quiet, comfortable, offered a refined ride, brilliant off-road, economical (TDV6), had a versatile interior and accurate steering. The Landrover service and sales people are helpful top notch people. The VW dealers would do well to imitate them - when I was on the market years ago for a 4WD I had short-listed the Touareg and Disco 3, the reason I went the Disco 3 was because of the poor VW sales I received. Disco 3 website: www.disco3.co.uk. Good luck with your purchase Bobz!

[phaeton]

Good Luck in the future Bob

Its been a pleasure having your posts here and on CT

[bobzed57]

Hi GolfAtom

The LR dealer and the VW dealer are the same here in Canberra, and they have looked after me well these last three years. Ironically, the same salesman sold us the Treg as the D3. I'm looking forward to learning the new ride.

I guess it's only fitting really, as I'm the secretary of the ACT LR Club.

Cheers and I'll pass on through occasionally maybe even with another dub.

Cheers