4 motion what are your views

[kotim]

I need seats for 7 and am contemplating a multivan with 4 motion. I am weighing this up against a PRADO and SORENTO. I don't need hard core 4wd but will tow boat and do some minor off roading a lot. Normally I would not contemplate the multivan awd because of the price. So am living in hope that with all the troubles their having they may be offering some price drops to sell some cars and repair confidence in the near future. Want the AWD so that is my only choice in multivan. Benefits are the room in the multivan whereas for 7 the prado and sorento are a little more squeezy. new runout model prado in the late 50's and the sorento in the 45-55 grand mark, so after peoples experiences with AWD multivan etc. Will do the novate lease through salary sacrifice so there are extra discounts with vw over normal purchase. Have to order via the new t6 and If I can get for around 60 grand on the road through salary sacrifice I would lean over to the AWD multi.

So what would peoples advice be regarding the 4 motion etc

thanks

[vwpolo]

i have a 09 tiguan and while the heigth is a problem at times im yet to have it stuck offroad . i to tow and do a few trips a month on tracks and throught state forests . im looking at a workvan and hoping to find a 4motion auto transporter swb for this job so it to can be used on the trips if need be

[Seano]

Good luck with getting a novated lease on a VW at the moment that is affordable...there is concern about crashing residuals and the finance guys will want you to cover it.

As for Prado...I'd pick Kluger/Pathfinder/CX-9 in this application instead.

Otherwise I can't fault your thinking...the 4motion will do what you ask of it.

[kotim]

thanks for the views folks.

[greymad]

Our 2011 T5 camper has towed a heavy veteran car (on a HD single axle trailer) interstate and we have never had an issue. Went the twin turbo route for the grunt and in fact could have managed with the single turbo, with the advantage (to my mind) of having 16" wheels and a bit more ride comfort. The 55 profile 17's are harsh, but that's what VW in their wisdom say we must have because the brake discs are bigger. "Off road" is a relative term: our camper conversion (Frontline) has the water tank sitting lower than the Trakka set-up ... take a look at each and you'll see what I mean, but of course that won't apply to your Multivan.
The only other comment I'd make is that while the DSG box is fine, there is a lag issue which may be a combination of the turbo characteristics and the box "making up its mind". Roundabout entry and intersections have provided some, er - "interesting" experiences which I could have well done without.

[Transporter]

My observation on my 2005 4Motion is that the 17" 55 profile in Michelin Pilot Premacy and Hankook RA23 are whisper quiet and comfortable.
The later one is good for more than 40,000km, though the 16" tyres are more durable.

[Tig-uan]

17" are more comfortable and quiet than 16" because there are more advanced, passenger-car-derived, tyres available in 17". In size 16", only LightTruck-derived tyres are avaible, afaik. if you are finding the ride too harsh on 17", then put on Michelin Pilot Premacy 3 ST tyres.
Yes, 17" models come with bigger brake disks, but then again this is off-set by heavier LT-based nature of 16" tyres.

As for the difficulty of getting a Leasing Company approval for a VW at the moment: depending how flexble your place of work is, you may not even need to use a Leasing Company to run a legal lease. For example, if your accountant may explain how to split a part of your morgate as a provision of finance for your own Chattel Mortgage type of Lease. If you can finance your lease from your Morgate, you still get all the leasing benefits, while getting finance at a much lower rate.

[Sunny43.5]

Ha Ha Greymad loved the comment {interesting} I would have thought to those who for the first time experience the dreaded lag or should that be the DSG not knowing what to do next , the comment would have been a {trouser soiling moment }

[greymad]

17" are more comfortable and quiet than 16" because there are more advanced, passenger-car-derived, tyres available in 17". In size 16", only LightTruck-derived tyres are avaible, afaik. if you are finding the ride too harsh on 17", then put on Michelin Pilot Premacy 3 ST tyres.
Yes, 17" models come with bigger brake disks, but then again this is off-set by heavier LT-based nature of 16" tyres.

You're welcome to your opinion but I totally and absolutely refute your claims. "AFAIK" doesn't go "far enough" IMOP.

[greymad]

Ha Ha Greymad loved the comment {interesting} I would have thought to those who for the first time experience the dreaded lag or should that be the DSG not knowing what to do next , the comment would have been a {trouser soiling moment }

Yes, close to trouser soiling, but more to the point, "interest" comes from the reaction of drivers of the other vehicles - the odd finger gesture, fist shouting, etc. I had hoped that the twin turbo would have been a bit quicker to spool up, but not so.

[greymad]

My observation on my 2005 4Motion is that the 17" 55 profile in Michelin Pilot Premacy and Hankook RA23 are whisper quiet and comfortable.
The later one is good for more than 40,000km, though the 16" tyres are more durable.

Drop around sometime and give me a chance to experience your idea of "whisper quiet and comfortable".
Ride comfort is what I'm after above all else. And yes, I am an old fart...

[Sunny43.5]

Yes, close to trouser soiling, but more to the point, "interest" comes from the reaction of drivers of the other vehicles - the odd finger gesture, fist shouting, etc. I had hoped that the twin turbo would have been a bit quicker to spool up, but not so.

Single Turbo is not any different I believe it is a DSG problem as engine revs are crucial to the preselection of the next gear , when approaching a roundabout you tend to be braking or coasting so the DSG selects a gear higher than you expect then when you enter the roundabout you put your foot down but the mongrel is still in too high a gear and takes a moment to think HEY he wants a lower gear lets change now , by then you are in deadmans land . Same for decending down hills it will hold the gear and rev it's tits off until you blip the throttle .

[Tig-uan]

Greymad:

It is not an opinion, it is fact.
You give me an example of a 16" tyre for T5 that is rated W, Y or even V? There is none, because they are all load carrying orientated.
Whereas in 17", there is a range of premium tyres, I recently installed Dunlop Sport RT 235/55r17 103Y , which would be several level above in handling, comfort and quietness when compared to the best 16" tyre you could find suitable for T5.

[Transporter]

Drop around sometime and give me a chance to experience your idea of "whisper quiet and comfortable".
Ride comfort is what I'm after above all else. And yes, I am an old fart...

Are you sure your lift kit is not affecting the noises in yours?
Mine is almost stock standard, with only hd shocks and raised springs at the back and it's very comfortable and quiet.

In about 3weeks I should have my new van and if you like you can come around I'll give you a ride on these 17" Hankooks.

[Tig-uan]

P.s simple measurement gives a 17 in wheel on a VW 5.5 inches of sidewall which has far less ability to flex/ absorb bumps than the 6inches of sidewall a 16 inch wheel has, given they BOTH need the same minimum load rating. Also a LT. will be better for any off-road work than a highway car tyre.

You need to take into account what type of tyre is doing the absorbing: 5.5 inches of a premium car-derived tyre will absorb bumps better than 6 inches of LT-derived tyre. Also, note than 17" tyres are on wider rims to ensure that the total air capacity of 17" is matching 16".