Newbie w/V10 CDI use questions

[reprobate]

Ok guys, here I am and if I buy a Touraeg you will have to put up with me! I will soon change vehicles and want to put some questions about Touareg use on this fourm. I found it by a web search bty.

I am a drilling (rock, not teeth) consultant and my commute goes from the Interstate to 2 lane blacktop to graded unpaved to tracks. I don't do brush busting or rock climbing, doing that in my Grand Cherokee Overland would be a sin, but I do drop into low range two or three times a month.
I drive SUVs' because I want something that will make it to my clients lease as well as taking them to lunch but I don't like, or want, a large crew cab pickup.

When I am at my clients lease my car spends a lot of time at idle. The southern areas where I watch other people work can get really hot. Just last week I sat (dozed) in my car four hours with the air conditioner running. My 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee does not run any hotter than when on the road. I have had other makes that needed the hood raised and one that got so hot while driving very slow in low range that the battery exploded and the radiator boiled.

I also use it for camping trips.

So that is how I use my cars. The one I now have has 140,000 miles on it and I change at 140 to 190 not because of the power train, but because the other systems start to fail. I can justify the price of a Touareg V10 CDI because I have found one with a couple of thousand miles that is deeply discounted, I suppose because of the cost of diesel. I did mention that I charge my clients $2.00/mile didn't I?
I get paid to 4wheel

After owing four Grand Cherokees' I am not going to get another one because the ground clearance is now only 8.3", that makes a differance.

Question;
I am not up to speed on Volkswagen turbo diesels. Will extended idleing in hot weather lead to over heating?

Question;
Does the 4 corner air suspension system really work?

Question;
I currently get 22 mpg highway if I stay between 1900 & 2000 rpm. That is 65 mph. Over 2000 rpm causes a 3 mpg hit. Is there a comprable sweet spot with the diesel Touraeg and if so, where?

Question;
Is the floor flat when the back seat is folded? This is nice when sleeping there.

Question;
Have any of you taken a hit that made you wish they had skid plates? Did it cause any damage?

Question;
How do they handle if you dump the chicken dirt "all season" tires and put on some real mudders?

Thats' enough. I hope this hasn't been such a long message that you all tuned out. If you can help, I am in your debt.
Stand in line to get the debt paid

Ol Rep

[Mike's Panzer]

Lots of questions. Here we go with a few answers. I run my v-10 all over Kansas no over heating problems, floor folds flat, the air susp. really works, over 12" of ground clearence. No hits on bottom, but have thought about adding skid plate. Mountain Lord on this forum sells it. 22 - 25 on the hiway, hold it to 75. Uses a bit more when run fast. It will run fast, I hit 125 on a two lane. Very smooth at speed. I keep a set of Nitto Terra Graplers on it for hunting season. Deep mud, no worrys.

[reprobate]

Thanks Mike

[TX06V10]

Do it... it would be the perfect application. They are amazing and very comfortable... have you test drove one?
My only concern would be costs to repair and maintain a V10 out of factory warranty for 50-90k miles, that I believe can only be extended to 100K miles.
Mine is not at all bothered by the Texas heat... even towing

[V10 FUN]

I am on trauma call often and places to sleep in a hospital can be difficult to find. Therefore, I will sleep in the Touareg with it running winter or summer up to 4 hours at a time (if I'm lucky) and I have not had any engine cooling issues.

My V10 is an 07, and I am about to hit 50k. I am not sure that will purchase the extended warranty as it is over $2k. I may just take my chances because 100k will be here soon.

I highy recommend this truck. Just make certain that you establish an agreement with your dealer of purchase to only provide you with Touareg's as service loners. I have this from the GM in writing.

Good luck!

[Bails]

I live in Australia, tougher than Texas ? Tourareg uses 1.4 litres/hr at idle with air on, petrol will not do this, actually I don't think the V10 does, but it says so on the MFI.
The driving you described would make the V10 best choice, it will also ruin you ever wanting a Cheap "Grand Cherokee" again. In Australia we consider the Jeep the worst option as fair dinkum SUV. Diesel is the way to go , V10 is the best in it's class as company " corporate " drive/play vehicle, and will do all of your required acts.

[jwestpro]

First, the VW is a TDI not CDI - maybe you are also considering the MB GL320 CDI but the engine design is different. The MB is way bigger and may be better for hauling adult clients around - the VW is a bit tight in the back seats and there is of course only room for 4 adults. The GL also has some "off road" capability but not quite what the VW has however for rutted track roads and the like, the GL would be perfectly fine. The GL floor folds flat and it's over 8 feet long whereas the VW does NOT fold flat, not sure what some people think it flat but the bottom half of the rear seats folds UP and into you way, using up in this case, the "flat" portion of the floor, barely 5'-4" and the ceiling height is rather low as well - think large sport wagon, not suv in these cargo area dimensions.

We have a V10 and do dig it for what it IS, but many things it is NOT. Most suv's on the market have much more cargo area especially in terms of length as well as height.

Hell, I just forgot, you could consider the Land Rover line which come designed for slow hot off roading with no engine or cooling issues.

Don;t be upset anyone but for this guys purpose, I don't see the VW being the most ideal solution - it is the coolest thing on the road for a tight, fast, good mpg with lots of punch vehicle but it is otherwise too small and with almost no aftermarket off road kits available. No one makes full on skid plates or bumpers or differential covers and you have to put your tire on the roof if you want a spare that does not not interfere with access to the inside.

Conversely, rovers come off the lot pretty much ready to go and have a plethora of off road parts available. I can't even step on the rear bumper to get onto the roof rack as a platform because it's plastic that bends and is only about 3" inches sloping down. These things are annoying if you are trying to use it as anything other than a "car".

[Mike's Panzer]

You didn't mention that we see the Land Rovers on the back of flat beds more often than in the outback. They seem to be about as reliable as my old Triumph. The Discovery line was scary to drive, one test drive and I went staight to the Jeep dealer. The Treg is not a bus, we use a Suburban when we hunt four guys and four dogs. Two or three and two dogs works great in the Treg. We don't get stuck and the ride is fantastic. Do a complete test drive, put the seats down, learn all you can before buying. Then you won't be whining about what it won't do.

[jwestpro]

Um, no need to make unfounded silly comments like that - I've owned rovers for 7 years and have put in nearly 300,000 miles, never had a flatbed near me, never "stuck" as you say and they are far superior off road. The Treg is very small inside for it's size outside - not even as much cargo area as a Passat! If it weren't for the V10 thrill, I wouldn't have one at all.

As for the "outback" - land rovers and land cruisers made the roads to those places so lesser capable cars could come along later

Seriously, lots of people on here have talked about all their Touareg issues over the years, it's not like they're perfect and rovers suck. I don't know how cozy you and those people and 2 dogs like to be but the cute family of 4 (2 adult, 2 kids) down the street is finding themselves squeezed in their Touareg so please don't try to defend it as being even close to large inside. I said it like it is, about as big as a sport wagon inside, not an suv.

The lr3 is not as large as a suburban nor is it a bus. The bumper to bumper length is nearly equal to the Touareg however the lr3 uses the space much more efficiently.

We take the Touareg when would otherwise take a wagon (touring) and the lr3 when we go camping and the like.

[Bails]

Originally Posted by jwestpro

I don't know how cozy you and those people and 2 dogs like to be but the cute family of 4 (2 adult, 2 kids) down the street is finding themselves squeezed in their Touareg so please don't try to defend it as being even close to large inside. I said it like it is, about as big as a sport wagon inside, not an suv.
The lr3 is not as large as a suburban nor is it a bus. The bumper to bumper length is nearly equal to the Touareg however the lr3 uses the space much more efficiently.

I took 3 kids in the back around Australia, well actually 23 yr 16 yrs and 13 yr son. They said the ride was more comfy than the previous turbo diesel LC in 2nd row. This aside, I could also carry more luggage than I could in the LC , with the rear seats still in but folded up. The rear of the Treg fitted 49 ltre fridge, some cooking gear clothes and spares.
The LR3 is sold at the same dealer as the TReg in my town, and I started looking at the LR3, also joined bulletin Board etc. I wouldn't consider the LR3 better than the Treg in reliability based on the B.B, but that could be said for Treg B.B as most board posters are here to get issues sorted. I discounted the LR3 for :-
Performance, small Turbo diesel for heavy vehicle !
Ergonomics , felt more squashed in the fron to me, smaller seats .
Not a Business car as well as a off road vehicle.

I like the looks of the LR3, I've also owned range rovers and landrovers in the past, did consider the RR sport but again lack of power in the diesel did it for me.

I think the test drive option will pretty much sort the issue, for me the Benz is an American built piece of crap, a bit better than the last model CDI.