Which Touareg to get?

[T Rex]

If I had a choice in fuel type, I would always go diesel - its superior in many ways!

Now, to 1/2 hijack this thread... I am also in the market for a second hand touareg and in interested in the 2.5DT around the 2005-ish age. Are those engines good? Any problems? Real world fuel consumption for city & highway driving? Also, I will want to go do a bit of off-roading - are the engine capable?
I would love the get the V6TDI, but there aren't many around in South Australia at the right price for me.
Lastly, the air suspension, I like the idea but what is it really like? Good for off-roading and general driving? Problem-matic???

Cheers, Patto



EDIT> Would love an R50 but who has that sort of money!

Hi Patto,After LOTS of research (especially given how unreliable the land Rover air suspensions seems to be) we chose to go with the air. Couldn't find a negative comment on either Touareg or Cayenne forums. If you tow it is great - self levelling. We haven't yet taken ours outback (although it does get a test on our property) but the extra clearance is excellent. I dial in "Sport" mode for normal touring (I like a firm suspension) and "Auto" for towing/low range work. Highly recommended. Cheers. Geoff

[jamesatfish]

Hi Patto,After LOTS of research (especially given how unreliable the land Rover air suspensions seems to be) we chose to go with the air. Couldn't find a negative comment on either Touareg or Cayenne forums. If you tow it is great - self levelling. We haven't yet taken ours outback (although it does get a test on our property) but the extra clearance is excellent. I dial in "Sport" mode for normal touring (I like a firm suspension) and "Auto" for towing/low range work. Highly recommended. Cheers. Geoff

We had steel suspension on our Touareg and the Cayenne has the air suspension as standard.

I absolutely love the air suspension and would strongly recommend it. I usually leave the Cayenne in low level as I prefer the look that way, but when towing we raise up to normal level as that makes it easier to hitch up the boat trailer. When driving away from sealed roads the raised levels are great for extra ground clearance and reducing the likelihood of underbody damage from loose rocks & debris.

Having adjustable suspension firmness is really useful too - the Comfort setting is great when my daughter is on board or for general about-town driving, but Sport is fantastic when on the track or more spirited driving sans-baby.

[patto]

TRex/jamesatfish...
Thanks for your replies on the air suspension set up. I do really love the idea of having those adjustable ride heights.
Now I just need to find me a good 2nd hand diesel with air suspension!!!
(Cant really afford brand new right now - Tregs are a bit expensive )
Cheers
Patto

[Moonan]

Patto,
from your earlier...
"Now, to 1/2 hijack this thread... I am also in the market for a second hand touareg and in interested in the 2.5DT around the 2005-ish age. Are those engines good? Any problems? Real world fuel consumption for city & highway driving? Also, I will want to go do a bit of off-roading - are the engine capable?
I would love the get the V6TDI, but there aren't many around in South Australia at the right price for me.
Lastly, the air suspension, I like the idea but what is it really like? Good for off-roading and general driving? Problem-matic???"

First, you'll be flat out finding a 2.5TDI with air suspension (I think maybe even zero chance in Australia but I could be wrong there), so if your budget runs to an R5 (correct terminology for the 2.5 TDI) then you'll be steel sprung...

Having said that, there is not much wrong with an R5. They are an "old tech" engine - VW Pump Duse fuel system, and have been the workhorse of the VW commercial fleet in various forms for years.
As fitted to the Touareg, the 128kw / 400Nm combination was more than a match for the Diesel Landcruisers of its time. So no worries about being underpowered in the bush or on the road fo rthat matter. Not a racing car on the highway, but still far and away more pick-up than a Tojo or Patrol and many times more comfortable. Chuck in a DP chip for extra pull if you feel the need.
Only type-fault I know of is that the water pump should have failed by now and been replaced with the newer type that won't fail again. If buying s/hand check that this has been done. It was the subject of an "enhancement" campaign by VW in 2007 so should have been done under warranty at that time.
My old 2005 is currently seeing duty pulling a Grey Nomad caravan around Oz.
Some specifics of engine technology mean that these should last a long time. They share many parts with the V10 TDI, which was in fact 2 x R5's crafted together. Features included plasma sprayed bores, also flywheel ring-gear driven valves etc, so no timing chain or belt to replace ever.
Another thing to consider in drivetrain / suspension / bearings / components in general - this vehicle was designed to handle the W12 engine (bigger than the V10) and so the R5 isn't going to be able to stress the gearbox / transfer case / diffs etc very much....
Also the R5 ran different wheels / hubs / brakes from the other T's. Needed to match the VW Transporter T5 standard for certain parts to meed EU government fleet requirements. The upshot is that you can get steel 16 inch wheels to fit for serious off-road if you look far enough, and the brakes last much longer than other Touaregs.

Real world fuel use - 100l tank. Over 4 years I can't say I averaged less than 10 l/100km (including city driving), but it was a very rare tank that didn't get me 950km.
Highway use got down to indicated 7.8 on trip computer (I have photos of the "range" display saying 1300km to empty), and I had no hesitation planning trips with over 1000km between planned fills.

How's that for a summary??

[Transporter]

Very nice review Neil,

My T5 has the same engine, w.pump failed at 72,000km approx. but I'm happy as Larry with my T5 and I don't see the reason to downgrade to 4 cylinder new tech (common rail) engine. And certainly don't miss the DPF box.

[patto]

Hi Neil...

Thanks for the info - always good to hear from experienced people before buying.
I do really love the Treg so its just a matter of time before I get my hands on one.

Point taken on the air sus and the R5, I'll might have to take a look at the V6 TDI too and see what they are selling for.
How do the R5 owners find the steel suspension? Have any of you taken it off road?
(when I say off road, I wont be going "crazy" off road or massive rock crawling)
Is the ride height and power enough so get you through the soft sand or small water crossings etc?? - got any pics of videos?

Water Pump replacement - check, let me know if there is anything else I need to look out for.

Also, approx 7.8L/100Km highway on a heavy luxury car is pretty bloody good I reckon!
And a potential 10L with city driving.... gooooood

Cheers,
Anthony

[Moonan]

Hi Neil...

Thanks for the info - always good to hear from experienced people before buying.
I do really love the Treg so its just a matter of time before I get my hands on one.

You won't regret it if you do

Point taken on the air sus and the R5, I'll might have to take a look at the V6 TDI too and see what they are selling for.
How do the R5 owners find the steel suspension? Have any of you taken it off road?
(when I say off road, I wont be going "crazy" off road or massive rock crawling)

Yes

Is the ride height and power enough so get you through the soft sand or small water crossings etc??

Yes

- got any pics of videos?

Yes

As far as off-road is concerned, the steel-sprung Touareg is equal to any stock Toyota/Nissan/whatever. Go where you want to go. Sand, mud, clay bush tracks, loose rocks - no worries
What Touaregs lack is wheel articulation. Whether steel or air, there is not a great deal of wheel travel to keep your wheels on uneven ground.
However, the EDL ("electronic diff lock") feature pretty much makes up for this. It will apply the brake to any wheel that is spinning uselessly, forcing up to 100% of torque to (at the extreme) one wheel to ensure forward progress.

cheers,
..Neil