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Comments
M
If the 20" tire wheel combination does what I think it will do it will (subjectively) look cool, (objectively) potentially improve the turn in, (objectively) increase noise, harshness/vibration and vulnerability to pot holes and (objectively) since no additional suspension or chassis modifications would accompany the lower profile sidewalls, the car would NOT ride as smoothly and since the chassis is NOT stiffer, probably be in some ways "over tired."
At this point, I would think 19" wheels would be "aplenty good."
But I'm often wrong (but never uncertain.)
These are 20's:
Bluetooth telephone capability?
I have to say, after seeing all those black beauties posted, I'm changing my mind about getting the gray.
XM & Sirius are now standard options on the Jetta V...package components actually. The new DVD is now in all currently produced Touaregs. Bluetooth & DVD already part of Passat B6 coming in the Fall...
If these are really important items; just be patient...
You or somebody posted some nice wheels on the vortex that looked like 19" VW factory wheels . Sorry I can't remember the name of those wheels. Are any 19 or 20" wheels available from VW for the Phaeton? P.S. For the W12 as we know the Helios don't count unfortunately.
Dave
Peter,
Sorry we didn't get to meet the other day, but you sure have a nice dealership and everyone was so kind to us. Thanks for the goodys too.
You sure live in a beautiful part of the world.
Dave
it is now a long term test car for them.
and ,the seem to like it .
what i ask is ,has vw done something to the steering ?
i do not remember it ,neither here or in europe ,as described.
the bentley does in fact ,closely resemble what the article says about the steering.
i wonder if this was a retrofit to the steering mechanism done when the bentley came out.
but,the wall street journal of today also has an article on vw ,not that good.
also read an article in a german newspaper about vw management group and the fact that after the roll out of the phaeton and its poor showing in europe ,the mgt. group in fact nixed the phaeton ,back then, and eliminated marketing and advertising support. this explains why we do not see more advtg. on this vw car.
the surprising thing is that they went ahead with the usa launch knowing that the future of this car was nixed only a few months after it was launched.
I have owned mine now for 3 months and I can't feel anything wrong with the steering. It handles very well. For those complaining about the steering, weight issues, acceleration, I advise to take a look at the front of the car and notice their is NOT a Ferrari emblem stuck on the front of this car!!!!
there is also a long term article in
European Car magazine. mostly positive.
See close up at bottom page 66.
There is conversation about the continuing issues the www.edmunds.com site is having in this discussion: Inside Line Feedback and Questions.
Essentially, all the Forums folks are very sorry for what's going on and it's apparently out of our control. It has nothing to do with the Forums at all, it's all the main site, but it affects some of the paths to get here.
In the first 400 miles the front left wheel has lost two hub caps. (18" V8 Wheels). Anybody else experiencing hub cap loss?
Those little black caps do seem to have a way of disappearing...I have not experienced the problem myself...15 Months and 12,000 miles, but I have one customer that this happens to all of the time. I have two locking ones and four regular ones on my desk for him right now so that he has backup. they cost $.60 or so...Next time you are in for maintenance have them check them...Best I can tell you...
I have read that the Audi A8 and VW Phaeton have a derivative technology.
I went to my dealer, after reading about the computer control for the ride height, and ask for the suspension to be lowered by 12mm. Preseto change-o the Audi shop technician hooked up the direct programing port to the Audi shop computer and dialed in -12mm and the car dutifully lowered itself, compressed its springs slightly -- and after an all wheel alignment, I drove off in my "new" better handling car.
I later found that some folks lowered the front and rear differently (-15mm and -12mm, for example).
Essentially, the car, on position two was about where it was on position one before the modification, position one is the sportiest of all (and since I never go off road, this 1/2" lowering is not an issue as I suspect it would not be with your Phaeton.)
In my case I went further and upgraded the anti-sway bars (which I had done on an A8 I had previously) to the sport anti sway bars (20% thicker) and also put "plus 1" sized wheels and tires on (I had also done this on my A8).
The point of this -- sure you can program your Phaeton to be either a bit taller or a bit shorter -- although I cannot imagine any benefit that would accrue to you by doing the former.
I didn't mean to suggest that there was a NEED for the AWA, just that they did it as a normal procedure apparently.
I have never had an issue with my lowered car and, at 45,000 miles have had no reliability issues with the air suspension.
Some folks have had air suspension issues, covered under warranty, but thus far I have managed to be problem free -- frankly this has been a very reliable car.
I would think this would bode well for Phaeton owners, but I could be wrong.
Any Phaeton or A8 owners try it yet - especially with using the electronic black box approach?
Unlowered. Lots of wheel gap!
A Lowered Phaeton!
M
At least wait til I buy one for me!
M
i purchased vwguilds' demo in december. it was delivered cross-country (but frustratingly delayed) and appeared to be in the exact condition he described; perfect. he handled the sales process with class and dignity.
i have had the car serviced at a local nyc dealership and my experience there (potamkin) has been excellent as well. so much for the tales of sales and service not being up to par...
the car is everything i thought it would be and more! what an absolute pleasure to drive. having just sold a 740il and a clk430 when i bought the phaeton i can say that this is a distinctly german car that appears unique. i love having the vw emblem; in my town reverse snobbery is respected. i have seen just 1 other phaeton in the past 6 months - this is both good and bad for obvious reasons.
people need to experience this car to understand it. i am not saying it is superior to an s class or 7 series but my m-in-law who is an s class owner was blown away by the phaeton as were my folks who have owned mb's for over 35 years (mostly s class and highest e's). i feel it is more than competitive with these established luxo-mobiles.
the only knock i have is that it isn't a canyon runner. but short of that i am really pleased with this choice. it does everything else with ease.
i hope it survives in the marketplace because it would be a shame to lose such a finely engineered and assembled car as an alternative to the more popular brands.
thank you, vw, for showing what a luxury car can be.