I'm new here

kev11e · May 8, 2008

G'day
Please be gentle. I didn't see a newbie-specific area, so I thought to appear here in Oz.
I've just ordered an R50, so I'm looking for reassurance, and have a couple of questions...
Tyres will be the biggest problem. What alternative rim and tyre sizes in say an allterrain pattern are available in Oz?
Has anyone here crossed the Simpson in a Touareg?
Anything in particular I should look out for?
About me? We live in Glenbrook, NSW, Oz. Like touring by 4WD or motorcycle. Have a Toyota 80 series with a few mods (which now will be for sale).
Regards
Kevin

dmm_au · May 9, 2008

kev11e said:
G'day
Please be gentle. I didn't see a newbie-specific area, so I thought to appear here in Oz.
I've just ordered an R50, so I'm looking for reassurance, and have a couple of questions...
Tyres will be the biggest problem. What alternative rim and tyre sizes in say an allterrain pattern are available in Oz?
Has anyone here crossed the Simpson in a Touareg?
Anything in particular I should look out for?
About me? We live in Glenbrook, NSW, Oz. Like touring by 4WD or motorcycle. Have a Toyota 80 series with a few mods (which now will be for sale).
Regards
Kevin

There is a thread here on tyres. On the 17 inch rims, I just bought 235/65/17 Pirelli Scorpion ATs which I'm pleased with. One of the V10 owners said when he gets a new vehicle, he'd get 17" rims so as to have more choice of tyres. I suspect you've already made your choice. What did you order?

There is no snorkel or roo bar available. Which may annoy you, and I don't think you'll be getting a winch.

I hope you ordered a external spare tyre. If not you'll probably need to start hunting for a spare rim so you can have a full sized spare. That may get you thinking about a roof rack, so you can keep it up there.

If your going to tow a van or trailer, check out the recent discussions about protecting the rear window from stones.

If you do break the glass, make sure you get the door re hung by a VW dealer as special equipment is required.

So you ordered a new R50? I think you'll have made quite a few of the list members envious

kev11e · May 9, 2008

G'day
Only comes with one size rim - huge. So very low profile tyres (with soft sidewalls I guess)
Does not have the option of external spare.
I'm thinking roof racks to carry a spare, and a set of matching alternate rims for offroad use.
I've driven an R50 and I am looking forward to owning one

Regards
Kevin

TREGinginCO · May 9, 2008

Doesn't the R50 have all kinds of ground effects kits on it? If so, off-roading would be severely limited.

kev11e · May 9, 2008

G'day
Skirts and stuff, but none hang lower than standard bodywork
Regards
Kevin

dmm_au · May 9, 2008

And I guess it has the Air Suspension that gives it potentially more ground clearance than my steel sprung TDv6.

Sounds as though tyres are going to be the achillies heel.
Have a look in the running gear section and see what V10 owners use.

Also there are some good websites that show all the retailed tyres for a certain size. Haven't got a link right now, but have a look on google.

bobzed57 · May 9, 2008

Hi Kevin

Welcome. You've landed at a good site and you'll learn plenty here. I suspect you'll enjoy the R50 very much.

If you're serious about doing the Simpson, you'll need to consider a few things with regard the Treg.

The Treg is smaller than most regular 4WDs, and I don't know if you're thinking of dragging a trailer across the desert, but if not, you'll need to be a good packer.

Tyres - there's plenty of discussion here, but I'd be looking at getting two spare wheels and tyres. Your idea of an alternate set is a good one. I'd look at getting 6 wheels made for your Treg purely for off roading, in a size that you can get tyres for easily. Even tyre size is important (17s would be best if you can fit them around the brakes). I trashed a tyre a few weeks ago while I was in the Flinders Ranges, and I had to go to Pt Augusta where one was over-nighted up from Adelaide. And my size isn't too uncommon. It might be easier to get a couple of spare tyres and hone up on your tyre changing skills.

When you're in the desert or outback in a Treg, it's a very lonely feeling and if things turn to custard, you're a long way from a VW man, which means a truck home. That said though, I'd give it a go.

I'm a member of a local 4WD club that recently ran a trip across the Simpson and a few reports suggested that the trip was hard on tyres, although a few of the seasoned 4WDers said it was getting easier all the time.

When doing the crossing, you'll need to keep an eye on the spinifex, cos there's plenty of spots it can get under the car and cook off.

Don't expect to get the off road options that you were used to with your 80 series, there's very little about. Also, be prepared to shed the odd tear when you scratch your Treg, or it suffers from a few stone chips. Although I bet you new that already.

I note that you're from Glenbrook. One of our more active members (moonan) is from up Newcastle way, and he's been OS for a bit, but I believe he's back now, and he'll be champing at the bit to get a get together happening. So, when you get the beast, we might all hook up and get it dirty.

Cheers and again, welcome.

Bob Z

kev11e · May 12, 2008

G'day
Thanks for all the responses.
As I said to SWMBO, people camp and travel in jeeps and suzukis - we might have to rethink our gear, but it must be possible.
Tyres - the size of the rotors and calipers might limit options re wheel sizes - I'll have to lookansee.
I've certainly caused a few raised eyebrows in my 4WD club (All Wheel Drive Club, Sydney)
Where does everyone mount UHF radios and aerials usually?
Has anyone fitted a 12v compressor or an underbonnet shower to one of these yet?
Regards
Kevin
soon to be R50

dmm_au · May 12, 2008

kev11e said:
Has anyone fitted a 12v compressor or an underbonnet shower to one of these yet?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that if you have air suspension, you already have an air compressor on board. I seem to remeber something about it being under the front seat (although I think that's where the battery is, so perhaps it isn't).

kev11e · May 12, 2008

G'day
Yes, there must be one somewhere, but I don't know whether I can or should tap into it.
And it looks like a battery where everyone else has a spare under the load space

so easy to get 12v power there...
Regards
Kevin

spockcat · May 12, 2008

You won't be able to put 17" wheels on an R50 due to the brake size. I suspect 18" will be the smallest wheel that will fit.

Bails · May 12, 2008

G'Day Kev11e, I wonder why you would want 17" Rims. There are quite a few good off road tyres in the 20 " range now, since Range rover and LR3 have been using 20" rims. As sprock says you won't get the 17" on with the big front disks. Air compressor comes with the car and you have an air hose as well, I have the V10 and the connection is under the seat. I also drove around Australia, not a lot of really off road stuff, but if I had 20" rims I would carry 2 spares on the roof or trailer, probally trailer keep C of G down, and not worry. My major worry was sucking animals into the inter coolers , Hitting wide life worried me more than tyres.

kev11e · May 12, 2008

G'day gentlemen,
Thank you again...looking better and better.
Regards
Kevin

Treggie · May 13, 2008

Welcome Kevin. I for one am truely envious. I've got 6 months left on my lease and then I too am lining up an R50, providing of course they are still available.

Check out some of the posts by v10-downunder. He also has a V10 and has done a few mods, including Tyres/Wheels, as well as some other 4x4 stuff. He also has a few trips under his belt, so there may be something informative in some of them.

Good luck and enjoy, we do!

Bails · May 27, 2008

Just for interest sakes what is the rough cost of the R50 on road, I'm up for end of lease soon.

Hoodie · May 27, 2008

Bails said:
Just for interest sakes what is the rough cost of the R50 on road, I'm up for end of lease soon.

Hello Bails

I don't know the on road cost but the RRP is $129,990 - will be cheaper if you order and have it delivered before 30 June with the LCT going from 25% to 33%.

Carson

Bails · May 27, 2008

Well I reckon that will place in the $160,000 plus bracket, as VW prices exclude Govt taxes, so we have GST, NSW stamp duty, and so on. Also I think you find that the Options such as Metal paint etc give it a bit more to ga as well.

evaddirb · May 27, 2008

HiKev

Firstly envious that you are getting a R50...............

From what I understand the R50 does not come with a spare at all, and the suspension compressor gear is mounted in the spare wheel well.
This could be used as a 4WD compressor also.

kev11e · May 27, 2008

G'day
Answers as best as I can:
RRP V10 about $130k, RRP R50 about $150k, but VW do offer fleet discounts...
No spare at all. No runflat. No repair kit.
Salesman told me when I enquired that the vehicle monitored and maintained tyre pressure. It does the former, not the latter.
There is what looks like a second battery in the wheel well, and a big air receiver adjacent. Haven't yet found an air hose or a connection I can plug a hose into.
Regards
Kevin

Bails · May 27, 2008

kev11e said:
G'day
Answers as best as I can:
RRP V10 about $130k, RRP R50 about $150k, but VW do offer fleet discounts...
No spare at all. No runflat. No repair kit.
Kevin

I think you'll find the dual battery setup is the same as the V10, also a space saver spare is under the rear cargo area. The air hose connector is in front of the driver or passenger seat depending on drive side. One thing I considered is putting Porsche Bars on with an ecu upgrade, this gets the same performance characteristics , the other things I really like though are the Seats and body work, they look great.

I'm new here

kev11e

dmm_au

kev11e

TREGinginCO

kev11e

dmm_au

bobzed57

kev11e

dmm_au

kev11e

spockcat

Bails

kev11e

Treggie

Bails

Hoodie

Bails

evaddirb

kev11e

Bails

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