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wanna buy a Toaureg, but all the bugs scare me away

6.9K views 26 replies 19 participants last post by  JKUCSMA  
#1 ·
Hi guys,

I want to buy a R5 tiptronic, with air suspension and xenon package, but there sems to be a lot of problems with this car.

Overall considering the pluses and the minuses of the car, would you recommend it ?

I tend to alternate this choice with a Pajero or a Patrol, but Touareg has many options that there are not available on competitors. But if they are installed on a car that just doesn't work I am not any happier, right ?

I don't have a big trust in the service, and spending too much time with the car in there is not really what I am dreaming of.

So, put your recommendations below and let's see the overall result :)
 
#3 ·
Hi, just saw your post!
I faced the same dilemma!. I have driven Nissan Patrols (2 of them, both diesel) for 6 years and 450,000km where the only visits to service dept were for scheduled maintenance. But they drove like the trucks they were!
I bought the Treg with some fear of unreliability, but it's been fine, and now after 1 1/2 years and 65000km, I still drive with a smile on my face every day.
The R5 is the simplest of all of them and you could buy one with confidence.
Don't buy the Pajero - find a someone from South Amreica who speaks spanish and see what the word really means :)
 
#4 ·
I'm at 22,000 miles after a year and a half. Mine needed an alignment right off the bat, and a couple niggling things that were taken care of under warranty, no big issue. It needs brakes now, which are expensive compared to other domestic vehicles in the US, but, this vehicle is in an entirely different league than the more basic, trucky-driving boxes the domestics put out. It drives down the highway like an Audi, and will embaress many 4WD's when the going gets rough.

Overall, the '04 'eggs were hit or miss, at least in the US, with regards to quality. My '05, and many others from what it seems like on here, are much, much better, without the major, leave-you-stranded headaches some '04s were plagued with. It seems the '06's are better still.

Overall, I'm very happy with my Touareg. It has been comfortable, reliable, and fun. It has some character to it, something many other vehicles don't have. Also, everyone that has ever ridden in or driven my 'egg has been impressed with its' interior styling, comfort, and ride-and-handling. I've never had someone say, "yeah, it's alright." Usually, it's more like "Wow, this is NICE!"

One thing to remember: you can get a bad vehicle from any manufacturer, in any line. Not one company has a perfect track record. While there was a large occurance with the early Touaregs, the newer ones seem much better, and less risky of a choice than they may have been in 2003/2004.

Good luck with your choice.
Matt
 
#6 ·
I'll be brutally honest with you. My experience is not as carefree as some here have had, I've had body panel come loose, faulty transmission cable and air-bag cable come loose.

All of which are quality control stuff and easily fixed under warranty.

The engineering of the car on the other hand is AAA+++, it is a solid, and fantastic handling car, you won't break anything on it (unless you're being silly). And the best part is you won't look like a bmw/merc driving soccer mum in it.
cheers
 
#7 ·
Go for it

I only have 30000 km on my R5 and am yet to experience any major probklems. Mine have been small, niggling things which have all been fixed under warranty.

As barefoot said, well-engineered and solid car. I also agree with moonan that just driving it brings a smile to your face.

Bob
 
#8 ·
I have to agree with Vegas matt, when I have someone in the car, they all are amazed at the "VIP"ness of the interior, looks, feel sound, etc...The release year for the Touareg was what I call the final verification phase of the whole design process. There are some things that the engineers and design teams just can't anticipate. They will only happen when the vehicle is driven for a while by normal people doing everyday things and unfortunately they are the ones who find most of the real-life bugs. It's normally not until this phase is successful in weeding out the remaining undiscovered problems, awards are given by various auto publications, and the public still shows a growing interest in the vehicle that the an auto maker will continue on with the vehicle line. Most new models (ones that are virtually complete new designs) go through this process and many fail to get past the "public verification" phase. Nevertheless, I researched the Touareg extensively and compared it to many other models, (couldn't really find a comparison) but since buying the egg, the most important thing to me, the part I enjoy most, and the thing I find most rewarding is the smile that I get on my face just taking a normal drive to the local market. That's further amplified when I look in the seat next to me and my passenger is on the same wavelength. Good luck
 
#9 ·
If you want an all around exceptional 4x4 or SUV with solid engineering, the best off-roading current technology has to offer in vehicles in this class, performance and luxury on top of it all, and as if all of this weren't enough, at a price that's cheaper than its competitors (Cayenne, G-Wagon, Range Rover) then the Touareg is your choice.

If you want quality, maintenance and reliability issues, go with the Range Rover.
 
#10 ·
Rover Quality

V10 SUVW said:
If you want quality, maintenance and reliability issues, go with the Range Rover.
LMAO... A coworked bought a rover about the same time I bought the egg. Yeah, I've had a coulpe of small issues... but she just had her engine replaced, toppled off with a gazillion other issues.

I don't recall what model hers is, it's a lower end, maybe discovery. Do the higher end ones have such problems too?
 
#11 ·
Surprisingly, yes! For example when the production run of BMW sourced engines ended a few years after Ford's acquisition of Range Rover from BMW and they began phasing in Ford sourced engines they neglected to update the electrical system and electrical interfaces & parameters to work with the new engines! Now that's a better idea from Ford. You can imagine the electrical gremlins. The air suspension continues to suffer from glitches & quirks that can't seem to be resolved, requiring frequent trips back to the dealer in hope of a fix. And the newest model, the Sport, experienced several production issues including a mis-machined rear tailgate, requiring rework to open & close properly.

It's ironic and a shame that the Range Rover continues to suffer from reliability and quality issues. It's a legendary vehicle, one that started the idea of a luxury SUV, and a good looking one, too. But there are certain aspects of its British heritage that it just can't seem to escape.
 
#12 ·
Surprisingly, yes! For example when the production run of BMW sourced engines ended a few years after Ford's acquisition of Range Rover from BMW and they began phasing in Ford sourced engines they neglected to update the electrical system and electrical interfaces & parameters to work with the new engines! Now that's a better idea from Ford. You can imagine the electrical gremlins. The air suspension continues to suffer from glitches & quirks that can't seem to be resolved, requiring frequent trips back to the dealer in hope of a fix. And the newest model, the Sport, experienced several production issues including a mis-machined rear tailgate, requiring rework to open & close properly.

It's ironic and a shame that the Range Rover continues to suffer from reliability and quality issues. It's a legendary vehicle, one that started the idea of a luxury SUV, and a good looking one, too. But there are certain aspects of its British heritage that it just can't seem to escape.
 
#13 ·
I would like to know the model Land Rover. My Freelander had transmission replaced at 45000. Cold engine noise was ignored by dealer. Engine valve train disintegrated at 55000 (LR would not replace engine). I have found several US examples of total engine
failure. Also my problems were never reported to Carfax by dealer.
 
#14 ·
The person I was refering to owns a 2005 Freelander. After her engine replacement, she still has a small oil link ( I think). She hasn't really complained about it lately. When she first got it, it was problem after problem after problem.....

When my GF gets out of bed, I'll ask her what else... My GF helped draft the letter to the atty general....
 
#15 ·
chopzilla said:
Hi guys,

I want to buy a R5 tiptronic, with air suspension and xenon package, but there sems to be a lot of problems with this car.

Overall considering the pluses and the minuses of the car, would you recommend it ?

I tend to alternate this choice with a Pajero or a Patrol, but Touareg has many options that there are not available on competitors. But if they are installed on a car that just doesn't work I am not any happier, right ?

I don't have a big trust in the service, and spending too much time with the car in there is not really what I am dreaming of.

So, put your recommendations below and let's see the overall result :)


The Touareg has a lot of bugs indeed. But either you like it or you dont. ANd me,Im loving it!!! :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
 
#16 ·
I have to ditto what Vegas Matt said. My 05 although with only 17,000 miles on it has had a couple of real minor issues other than that it has been a real pleasure to drive.

What an exhilarating experience to drive a Treg. I can do a long road trip and not experience any body fatigue. The Treg may be a little pricier to maintain but to me is well worth it. \:D/
 
#17 ·
Love the car, the driving and handling are great. BUT I don't think that VW should be selling cars over 10,000USD since their service stinks. I 'll start a post soon with all the expenses that we have occured over the past 2.5 yrs. I could have driven a nice range rover instead.
 
#18 ·
Touareg 2006 v6 and dealer service

Hi,

The Touareg has a sexy seductive look and lots of leg room if you are tall. IT's the BEST handeling and riding car I have ever driven. Problem is here in CT, the dealer service is well below par. Honda and Toyota treat you like a customer, The VW dealer where I bought the car thinks that they are doing me a favor!

Dealer service is IMPORTANT in today's market with lot's of diiferent brands to choose from. I hope the VW headquarters reads these messages and whips their non-conforming dealers into shape.

Good Luck!
 
#19 ·
If you consider 8 air bag faults, 2 heated seat faults and never fixed correctly (1 nearly burnt the car to the ground), cracking laminates, faulty cup holders, park brake alarm continuously going off, driveline howl, brake alarm going off about 1/2 way through the pads, throttle craziness when cold, Hill descent control never worked, shocking tyre wear (until the Kuhmo's go figure), reversing sensors hit and miss, faulty ESP switch and after sales service to rival mobile phone companies to be a good thing then buy a Touareg

Ironically my wife loves the car... doh!
 
#21 ·
So, is it safe to say you are unhappy with the Touareg?

Just a little news for ya....SELL IT AND GET OUT OF YOUR SO CALLED MISERY.

Cya
 
#25 ·
just bought one 3days ago. i can emphatically say you will be elated .there is nothing like it out there .german cars are made for highways and the treg is a beast of a machine.

its offroad capabilities are also none to match.
you feel like you in a real machine