VW Touareg SUV

aggie76

Had a chance yesterday to spend a couple of hours looking at replacement for '01 MDX and had to visit the local VW folks to see the Touareg. Lease is up in a few months and Acura dealer is 100 miles away while VW is 6 miles. Also looked at SRX and can't see $50k for that except for the V8 engine - wow! But no lumbar support at all and options really increase price.

Loved the interior, always have liked Audi-style, options & standard equipment, and driving it was very impressive. Dealer offered me to take it for rest of weekend but I have to travel on business today so declined till later this month.

Having the Nav in our MDX and as it is my spouses vehicle, she has decreed the replacement must also have one too. We both were very disappointed in the complexity to enter destinations, slowness, CD format, not easy to adjust, etc. etc. Now where near intuitive and all the buttons are confusing. Seems primitive in design (sort of like how when techi's design for techi's to use) and turned us both off from what is otherwise a very nice alternative to the Acura. I could live with it but she is really but off by it at this point. Maybe having it for a weekend and playing with it will ease her hesitation but having a long-term marriage I believe experience says that may not occur.

As we climbed back into our MDX and started it up, she asked - why can't VW just follow the example of Acura and make it easy to use like this one is? Great question!

knockoff

Maybe consider a hand held Nav system, and get the Touareg anyway. Sad if that is what keeps you from getting one. With a hand held GPS then maybe you can use it sometimes if your wife will let you. :-)

aggie76

That wouldn't be the only reason. I still have questions on reliability and service by our local dealer given all that I have been reading lately. Dealer here has 4 (Ford, Mazda, VW & Mercury) that they sell/service and that has me a little concerned. Getting real mixed reviews leaning toward caution on the service dept here. I do have the concern that many others have listed about VW moving upscale without the dealer network being ready for the increased commitment and expectations to support the marketplace.

The other thing we are thinking about is that it is essentially a MDX again. Neither of us would use it off-road, more inclement weather/snow needs.

rower2

(Hopefully) There is finally a technical memo out on the fix for the Tyre Pressure warning light. I have no idea what the part was but it was replaced and it seems to be working fine. I am told that the VW Tech service is now working on replying to any service inquiries within an hour of receiving it to cut down on the time that the Touaregs are sitting in the shop. As far as overall VW service, it totally depends on the dealer. When I made the decision to get a Passat, my first VW, everybody warned me that the service was notoriously bad but I never had a problem with the Passat and getting problems taken care of. I think it was stated a couple posts back, that VW is going upscale but is unable to support it in the sevice department.

gtlloyd

Just posted this on the another site but it is relevant to some of the discussions here. I purchased a V6 Touareg w/ Xenon lights and the Prem Package from Russel VW in Ellicott City Maryland a couple of weeks ago. It's a really nice vehicle. Quiet, smooth, and handles at speed so much better than most mid-sized SUV's out there. Overall I am pleased with the vehicle but like every VW I have ever owned it was delivered with a few issues.

1. AM radio doesn't work at all
2. FM radio works some of the time and not others
3. Rear tailgate switch in door doesn't work
4. Rear liftgate will not open
5. Tire pressure monitor gives a warning and then clears itself after a few hours
6. Keyless entry remote is just dreadful. No distance at all

Today I made my first visit to the service department. This should not be a big deal since I was told VW is moving upscale (that would appear to be the case as this vehicle listed for over 39K) and as part of that move whenever a Touareg is brought in for service and left a loaner Touareg would be provided. After waiting in the service department for over an hour I was picked up by Enterprise Rental and taken to their local office where I was given my loaner Touareg? Well...Not exactly...aim lower. Maybe a Passat...no, aim a little lower. Jetta...no keep going. Ragged out, stripped Ford Focus...Bingo. Not exactly the kind of service one would get from Infiniti or Acura. I just hope the mechanics in the service department are better than the customer service section of the service department.

fish8

I would contact the Service Manager at your dealer and complain. If you were sold a bill of goods (ie: Touareg Loaners) and your experience was not what you expected, I would make my thoughts known. VW (dealers) need to learn form their mistakes. At least you could of been given a comparable vehicle.

Did you even say anything to the dealer about your displeasure??

rower2

My first loaner was a Neon and I was told that if I wanted the Explorer, I would have to pay $10. You won't get a Touareg but if you complain loud enough, you can get a whatever 4X4 that Enterprise has to offer. And gtlloyd, there is a fix now for the tire pressure. Even if your light is not on now, I would take it in to get fixed. As for the tailgate, the trunk switch on the remote has nothing to do with it, the tailgate will open when you open all of the doors. The button is useless, I don't know why it's on there.

rplum

Great info there, but to go another step, the V6 T-regs seem to be much more prevalent at our local dealer. Has Volkswagen/anyone released any information regarding sales of the V6 model vs. sales of the V8s?

We're probably going to lease a V6, but are the slightly more expensive V8s actually selling better?

I wonder what VW expected the V6/V8 sales split to be, did they anticipate the V8 demand?

back to work!

sciencegeek

my dealer contacted sources in Germany and they told him that it has been delayed. (I was eager to change my order to include one, if possible, so I was fairly persistent and didn't take no for an answer for a while.) I suspect it will be a while before you can order it. Assume that you can't until you hear otherwise ...

jpvwaudi

Cant get the outside spare yet; If I had to guess it'll be available sometime after the first of the year; same with OnStar

vwguild

added to Production last week(45)...Rear Mounted Spare starts week #2 2004...

sciencegeek

I'm puzzled about the spare; my dealer tells me it has been delayed once again. Here's the info from Germland:

>> good to hear form you! i hope everything goes ok out west!!
>> sop for 1g3 is delayed (surprise!!) and open. no date yet!!

Is this not true?

fish8

http://www.time.com/time/globalbusiness/article/0,9171,1101031124- -543826-1,00.html

vwguild

With no date it is kind of meaningless...

stever

Thanks for the link, Fish8. I don't think my sister is going to be a repeat customer.

Steve, Host

sciencegeek

two days ago. have you been able to place orders with 1g3?

fish8

Look in the Phaeton TDi Thread....post 27 of 28

rsholland

It's funny, as the Cayanne is already available with the outside spare. I saw one a few weeks ago.

Bob

markcincinnati

The host must have found the post you refer to in violation of Edmunds posting policies, so I cannot, alas read and comment on it. . .there is no post 27, it jumps from 26 to 28.

It must've been either a hoot (or a howl) eh?

stever

Just another unsuitable user name for a family friendly site....

Steve, Host

rsholland

http://vortex3.rely.net/artman/publish/industry_news/article_470.- shtml

highender

its lowered and the wheels fit the wheel well. The lines are not awkward......Can you get this in the U.S. ?

rsholland

What appeals to me is the "massaged" diesel that puts out an ungodly amount of torque at 2000 rpm/

Bob

tregowner

There is a door in the rear compartment of the T-Reg that has the standard euro safety/medical insignia on it. Inside, there is obviously a space for some sort of minimal kit. However, it was empty upon delivery. Does anyone know if there is supposed to be something in there, or is the label on it for no real reason (other than you can put something inside). All of my MB's have always come with a kit as standard equip. Or, is this a VW accessory?? Curious.....

vwguild

First aid kits are mandatory; not so US...Nice one available through Parts about $40.00

vwguild

can be ordered, but will sit in the Order Bank until January...

rsholland

Does the Touareg come with steel skid plates and front & rear tow/recovery hooks? If not, are they available as options?

Bob

pablop

Just bought a silver V8 with teak, and air suspension. Beautiful car. For SoCal shoppers, I highly recommend Commonwealth VW in Santa Ana, ask for Drew, the fleet guy.

But, I have a comment and a question. The tire pressure monitor gives one value for front, and one for rear, and doesn't distinguish between left and right. I went to my neighborhood tire store and had them adjust the tire pressures for me, and concluded that the TPM reports the lowest pressure of the two front and the lowest of the two rear, but if they don't match, it doesn't tell you that.

My question is, does anyone have any info on the accuracy of the tire pressure monitor? I am guessing it takes some time for the pressure to be read accurately, but after I added air, the display reported lower numbers.

Paul

vwguild

Check your Owner's Manual...Values have to be set when tires are cold...And, you will need to acquire a digital tire pressure gauge...

pablop

Thanks for the reply. The manual for this car was misplaced and a new one has been ordered for me. My local tire store people are really good, and used a digital gauge. Still the tpm read lower after air was added. As long as I don't get that dreaded warning message when everything is alright, I won't worry about it. (My car was made in August and just arrived a few days before I bought it, and I think VW dealt with that problem.) Now, if I can only find a replacement grill without the VW badge.

Where do you find a good digital gauge?

markcincinnati

rc7762

A $40,000+ automobile delivered and sold brand new with 6 defects and top notch customer service that will give you an unreliable loaner.

I am on my way to my local VW dealer, I simply cannot wait to order one of these!

nwroller

I am a little new to the Touareg board. What are the 6 defects that you are speaking of?

Thanks.

gtlloyd

I believe this is related to my post #1316. To update the service department did the following to fix the problems:

Problem 1&2-Ordered new head unit. Is on B/O
Problem 3-Ordered switch. On B/O
Problem 4-Adjusted Latch. Works fine now.
Problem 5-Adjusted Tire Pressure.
Problem 6-Said it was within specs. Seems the distance the remote works at is the most commen complaint about the Touareg.

noevlly

I hear a lot of talk about defects, most seem pretty minor complaints to anyone but an enthusiast and could be easily handled by good customer service. I did want to relate one recent audi dealer experience a colleague had on his new A8 that was recently delivered. The dealer bent over backwards to schedule his service within a 3 hour window and provided him with a Cayenne as a loaner. I guess it helps that the dealer is only porshce and audi and doesn't sell vws, so they understand the demands of lux buyers, but I would be surprised if vw doesn't pick it up to support the treg and phaeton. No other way to sell the number of cars they expect and provide golf level customer service.

sbcooke

can also be found at target, sears or autozone. No need to spend $$ at Brookstone on a gauge.

rsholland

http://vortex3.rely.net/artman/publish/volkswagen_news/article_46- 4.shtml

nwroller

How much did you pay for you Touareg?

I asked the dealer about the key fob distance, and they said they designed it that way. I guess people were "stealing" the signal from the key fob to later gain access to the car. The dealer said other car companies were also changing to shorten the distance because of this.

rower2

I got my V6 for 33,000 after taxes and fees. I don't have leather and I don't have anything fancy but this truck has enough bells and whistles that I don't feel like it's lacking in any way because I don't have the air suspension or the navigation system. Now that the tyre pressure problem has been fixed, I've gone back to totally enjoying my truck. It's awesome and for the price, totally worth it. I had a fully loaded passat before this and even the basic package on the Touareg alomost matches everything on the Passat. For three grand more, I really think I made the right choice. Anybody who is eligible for the pull ahead program should look into it.

gtlloyd

Paid 35,725 + T&T's. That is for a V6, PPII, Sound sytem 1, and Xenon's.

As for the Key fob distance, I guess time will tell if the dealer is being truthful. Somehow I belive VW is protraying a design problem as a "Feature". BTW, recently I have noticed that the display for the compass suddenly gets real bright for a few seconds then goes back to normal. This weekend the display died for about 30 seconds then came back. I also finally realized that the comfort settings in the MFI are not held if the vehicle sits for a day. Guess I'll have them look at it when I go in to have the radio and tailgate switch replaced.

fish8

The Pull Ahead program works like this: For current VW lease owners, if you are within 12 months of your lease termination, VW will pay for up to 12 months payments if you lease a new VW. I would contact your local dealer for more info.

heeno

Here's the story. Our V8 has been in the shop 3 of the four weeks we've had it. The final story, the car would not start! Really a $45,000 car not starting. Come to find out the wiring harness is too close to the exhaust manifold, melting the connections. The next step... take out the engine and replace the harness. To be continued...

thor8

vetpathologist

When does VW plan to introduce the diesel version of the Touareg in the USA?

vwguild

Should be available Q1 2004...Late February/March?

ann50

Has anyone had any real engine trouble? I was driving on a flat hiway at 60mph when I suddenly heard a sound under the hood like a card in spinning bike spokes. the catalytic convertor light came on, initially flashing, then solid. the engine data said the car was "ok". I pulled into the nearest filling station and filled it , thinking maybe the exhaust was getting water or something. I couldn't get to the motor because of the plates, night, etc. The noise was faster with the rise in rpm but was only intermittent. The engine kept saying it was ok and no other warning light went on. in that I was in the middle of nowhere at night I drove the 30 miles home, watching for warning lights, parked it and took it to the dealer in the morning. It seemed to be idling rough but not missing. the noise was gone. After the "event" it got about 12mpg on the hiway. according to the dealer one of the pistons broke. They are still not sure what went wrong but VW doesn't want them to take it apart and is replacing the engine as soon as one can be shipped from Germany. the car has 1600 miles. the only other problem it has had was one of the headlights didn't come on one morning but when I restarted the car it was fine and has had no problem since. has anyone had anything really wrong with this car or is this really a first like they are telling me?

heeno

Have VW buy the car back. They will and should. Be persistent with the dealer, regional rep and corporate. It's clearly a lemon and will never be the same. I'd bet you your dealer doesn't even know how to replace the engine. Does Texas have lemon laws?

vwguild

also known as Consumer Protection Laws...are arbitrated with the help of the Better Business Bureau, and designed to assist the Consumer resolve disputes and issues that fail to conform to the Warranty policy of the Manufacturer...

The apparently rapid decision to replace the engine, seems to meet the Warranty specs...

knockoff

What have any of you done to compensate for the lack of an in-dash multi-disc CD changer? Is it worth getting the base stereo and replacing w/after market? Who makes one that fits?

sacstate1

"the only other problem"

Like a broken piston in a 1,600 mile vehicle is not enough??!!