That's baaaaaaaaaad.

 

Sorry to hear that. I'd definitely add a diminution in value to that claim.

 

Oh, and should I mention the ESP light went on and off when I was limping it to the dealer. Any idea what all they could have broken with the steering without looking?

The wheel was like 20 degrees off , and when you turn it a bit, it would jostle the steering back in place but them like go back to being offset again...

 

Oh, and should I mention the ESP light went on and off when I was limping it to the dealer. Any idea what all they could have broken with the steering without looking?

The wheel was like 20 degrees off , and when you turn it a bit, it would jostle the steering back in place but them like go back to being offset again...

The esp light would have come on from the steering wheel angle sensor being so far off. It should go off once the wheel is straight again going straight ahead.

regards
Drag

 

Not certain but doesn't the ABS take info from the steering wheel? If there are problems there, duff info going to ABS would upset the ESP?

 

Yes, steeringwheel angle is one of the parameters taken into consideration for the ESP 'formula'.

 

Thanks guys... patiently waiting my estimate on paper and the insurance claim # from these idiots.... WHAT A MORNING

When all is well, I'll be a very active participant on this forum again.

 

I wonder what happened to it? Did they drop it or something? I hope their insurances quickly pays for everything, including the lowered resale value.

 

yes most unfortunate. Sounds like someone took it for a joy ride. I've heard (first hand) of guys who work on the docks transporting vehicles off ships having "Fun" with yet to be purchases vehicles. One even mentioned to me how "Impressed" he was with the Touareg.

 

Well I finally got a call from their insurance company after going back and forth all day. I decided to call their insurance myself because I couldn't understand a word these guys said. Apparently they rear ended another truck and the cars shifted. They didn't have too many more details, but I saw a caddy on the truck that was heavily damaged, probably totaled... So this all could have been worse.

My guess is the straps broke and it fell off the ramps, both rocker panels are dented in and the fender broken off, the tie rods might have either gotten struck by the ramps or they tied it down to those and just bent them when it shifted.

Luckily it's in good hands at the VW dealer right now, and I'm not going to settle for anyone less fixing it on their dime.

I'm ready for a drink or five.

 

Wow- that SUCKS!! I'm very sorry to hear that.
Every vehicle I buy is somewhat of a specialty vehicle, (B5S4, V10 Touareg, etc) and I always take a few days off, fly to the location of the vehicle, inspect it first hand & drive it home from there. (The S4 was in Seattle, & I drove it home to FL!)

G/L with it, and keep us posted on your progress.

 

I agree, I drove my last one up from NC. But this one being in TX and myself in PA I decided to ship it. First and last time, ha. Although as long as she's fixed up I plan to keep this unicorn until she won't drive anymore. I have a 3yr36k warranty on it and once that expires, I'm planning on having 10k put aside for repairs. This Vehicle has had an interesting history from its previous owner. The entire wiring harness was replaced after a leak in the fuel or power steering (not sure yet) had gotten into the wiring, causing s bunch of electrical issues. Fidelity paid over $12k to fix it back in 2013

 

i had a VW jetta that I was traveling around 40MPH and I hit a curb. The steering was in the same situation and the engine sub frame was bent etc.... it was in the VW shop for about 2 months. It never did feel the same even after the repair. You should really have them make sure the frame and everything is straight as an arrow or tell them to total it. You don't know what really happened or how hard it was hit, The touareg has lots of sensors that could have been damaged.... maybe not know but who knows how they will be in 2-3 years.

 

I agree totally, I am having it fixed at a trusted VW shop for that reason. I want to make absolute sure there is no problems down the road, and that they fix everything that could possibly have been damaged, like the steering rack especially. I believe the vehicle's front tires went off the ramps when the carrier struck another vehicle, and the underbody hit the ramps, taking all 5200 lbs of weight on the rocker panels/fender, either the straps were tied to the tie rods, or the tie rods hit the trailer too, but either way something bad happened to them.

 

Honestly I wouldn't want that car anymore. It'll never be the same, especially if there is frame damage. I'd push for a total loss.

 

It all depends on the body shop. A great body shop will return a car to you better then it was before. However, it is extremely hard to find a great body shop. Fix it cheap is the way most places operate.

I would buy this vehicle as is and happily drive it after a great body shop worked on it. The T1 frame is extremely strong. As long as it is put on a frame machine and everything is checked/corrected, there is nothing to fear.

Laser Frame Straightening | Auto Body Concepts

FrameFacts.com - FAQs

 

I doubt there is frame damage... it is mostly cosmetic I believe with the exception of the tie rods or steering... it didn't call off the car carrier completely, just onto the ramps from being on the wheels. The body shop manager has been in the business for 45 years and will not fix it cheaply, he knows the insurance will be paying for it, and I'm a longtime customer of theirs, so they aren't going to cut any corners.

 

Good news and bad news guys...

It's all fixed up and there was no major damage. Just some body damage that was fixed as noted originally, and the tie rod was bent from being tied down incorrectly.

Here's the bad news... I just took it in for inspection and they found the following:

Rubber is split on all 4 control arms, all need replaced

Rubber is split on drive shaft and falling apart, needs relaxed

All 4 rotors and pads are shot, need replaced

My price: $5400.00

Ouch!!!
I mean I knew the breaks might need replaced, but all this other stuff came a s a surprise. It seems the old owner knew all of this and decided to offload it instead. They also said the toms and traction control lights are on. I think the traction control just needs reset like we discussed above from the misalignment, well let's hope.

Did I buy a lemon or is this stuff to be expected? I mean I got the car way under priced, so even putting 5400 into it I'm still at about what an 08 would bring if posted for sale now (paid 21995)

Needless to say I was a bit sick to my stomach after that call from the dealer

 

Did I buy a lemon or is this stuff to be expected? I mean I got the car way under priced, so even putting 5400 into it I'm still at about what an 08 would bring if posted for sale now (paid 21995)

The drive shaft rubber is to be expected. Known problem.

Tie rods sometimes go bad so "it happens" applies to those.

You didn't get the great deal "aka steal" but... even with the dealer fixing it, you have not overpaid.

Drive it and enjoy it. If the repair money is bothering you, you can get an indie to do the work.

 

and if you take it to an indy shop you'll pay half in not less. I personally would never use a dealer after warranty is out.

 

shop around for your brake job ...lots of good info on here for brakes... and this info will save YOU money.

 

Yeah I feel bad just taking it somewhere else because I've been going to this shop and using the same service advisor since 05 but I really feel like I should $5400 is a huge chunk of change! Thanks guys

 

Ok guys, I got it back today... it's still in need of some maintenance items (new drive shaft and new front control arms)

The car doesn't act completely odd steering wise, but it still pulls to the left occasionally, and then the wheel goes that direction.... sometimes it tracks straight... could this just be the control arms worn out? or should I be taking it back to the body shop thinking there is damage?

This whole process has been a nightmare really, I'm thinking about just selling the darn thing.

Oh , and I have a suspension leak in my front left... could that also be causing odd steering issues?

sigh

 

T-Reguan, I will never again go to my local dealer. My local independant shop, Roberts Automotive called me back this morning after looking at my treg and said "Nothing NEEDS replaced to pass inspection, however the drive shaft, lower control arms and brakes should be replaced because they are worn to the minimum allowed to pass. The upper control arms are just fine. The left air shock has a leak.

New front brakes + rotors, drive shaft, lower control arms including labor: $1900!!

I almost fell out of my seat, $5400 vs $1900. Amazing how much the dealer was trying to rip me off.

I bought 2 new air shocks on ebay (reman) for $300 ea, I figured I should replace both at the same time.

 

Good pricing only issue is that the reman air shocks have not had the actual gas shock absorber part O/Hauled. How do I know that you ask ?
I contacted all the people I could find that were offering the units and none of them were rebuilding the shock (the most important part) only clean and paint. Did your units come from a supplier in Canada, Europe or other?

regards
Drag

 

I noticed that, however the shop told me only the top part needed replaced because it had a leak... I think the rest of it was fine. I bought 2, but probably only needed the one I suppose since I didn't get the gas shock replaced... but oh well, better to replace both I suppose.

These came from ebay, made in germany by miessler automotive:

Air Springs Air Suspension of Air Strut Front Left VW Touareg Q7 Cayenne | eBay

 

Seems they have the shock rebuilt also on this ebay item:

Q7 Cayenne Touareg Air Suspension Strut Shock Absorber FL 2 Years Warranty | eBay