I currently own a 2016 SEL Golf mk7 sportwagen TDI ( mexico holdback model) which is great and I plan to keep forever. I'm considering getting a Touareg as a second vehicle which will be used for excursions including going off-road.
I'm trying to decide which Treg to choose ( if at all). The TDI gets great mpg's but doesn't have air suspension or a rear locker, both of which are very desirable to me however the HPFP time bomb is something that is obviously of great concern. I'm ok with having things break which can reasonably be repaired but the HPFP detonation is not something I want to risk.
1) for the TDI, is there a replacement pump which has updated internals can be installed which reduces the risk substantially ? If so I would consider getting a TDI Treg and proactively replace the pump. What is the consensus mileage at which the timing chains typically need to be serviced ( worn guides ) ?
2) the early V8 model has a timing belt (good), but has chains which drive the camshafts and the tensioner guides are plastic ( horrible design ) . If I find a V8 model which sounds ands runs great, then I plan to replace the tensioners proactively before they wear down to the point of damaging the valves
3) later v8's have timing chains, I'm probably going to shy away from these models because of the complexity of changing them out, unless there is a consensus that these motors go 200k without any issues with the chains.
Alternate vehicles I'm looking at are FJ Cruiser ( very capable but over double the price and only slightly better mpg than the v8 Treg), Landcruiser 100 series ( same mpg as a Treg but over twice the price and no rear locker )
What other gotcha design flaws are there with the gen1 Tregs to look for ?
BTW, my previous 4x4 was a T3 syncro with front,center and rear lockers
Thanks for any guidance
I'm trying to decide which Treg to choose ( if at all). The TDI gets great mpg's but doesn't have air suspension or a rear locker, both of which are very desirable to me however the HPFP time bomb is something that is obviously of great concern. I'm ok with having things break which can reasonably be repaired but the HPFP detonation is not something I want to risk.
1) for the TDI, is there a replacement pump which has updated internals can be installed which reduces the risk substantially ? If so I would consider getting a TDI Treg and proactively replace the pump. What is the consensus mileage at which the timing chains typically need to be serviced ( worn guides ) ?
2) the early V8 model has a timing belt (good), but has chains which drive the camshafts and the tensioner guides are plastic ( horrible design ) . If I find a V8 model which sounds ands runs great, then I plan to replace the tensioners proactively before they wear down to the point of damaging the valves
3) later v8's have timing chains, I'm probably going to shy away from these models because of the complexity of changing them out, unless there is a consensus that these motors go 200k without any issues with the chains.
Alternate vehicles I'm looking at are FJ Cruiser ( very capable but over double the price and only slightly better mpg than the v8 Treg), Landcruiser 100 series ( same mpg as a Treg but over twice the price and no rear locker )
What other gotcha design flaws are there with the gen1 Tregs to look for ?
BTW, my previous 4x4 was a T3 syncro with front,center and rear lockers
Thanks for any guidance
I'm only driving it 10k miles per year anyway so fuel isn't the deal breaker.
