The forum to me provides some great owner insight into the Treg and it's uses and particularly its shortcomings (as we all know with nice bits we want to add on). But, this is what I still don't get. VAG spruik on about the Dakar Treg. Ok, it gets the winners spot on the podium and wins Dakar a few times. So what? Where is the value of that in the production builds to the masses? Why is there no special edition variant called the "Dakar"? All VAG need do is build a proper 'off-road' spec Treg. It should be a V6 TDI with uprated springs, shocks and a snorkel and some well placed body plating. How hard is it? Too hard I suspect for their marketing boffins to conclude. Anyone want one???? Duh, yes! Put a $10K premium on the sticker and they'd sell everyone they built! VAG should listen to their Touareg customers - everyone who agrees, just add their 20c worth and maybe get VAG to have a think about it. For everyone else, there's Prado, Hilux. Bland crusier et al.
We want better than this!
OILSLURPER
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Look at the third pic in that article and you see a Touareg parked along the street the Jeep is driving up. Means nothing, just thought it was interesting.
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Rickanns - Right on fella! Yep, Treg is a forby, probably more so than VAG expected over being a luxury SUV. It's we, the owners who push the capability of the Treg, find it's limitations (being tyres, clearance, winch mounts etc). Total 'doh" that there is no 'hero' variant of the Treg - it being an off-roader version with off road bits fitted to it from the OEM list. For the life of me, Porsche did it with the T/syberia.....how does that work from a purist sports car manufacturer? VAG should have some of their marketing plebs reading through this forum stuff....they might get smart enough to implement some owner feedback. The Treg is up there with the top end Jeep, it's more than an X5, certainly can equal the Disco and will spin mud on a ML. T4 will be a softer SUV from what I read. Guess I will keep my Treg and look for bits to add to get it to be for capable. The bit that p1sses me off is VW's massive investment in Dakar and then.............nothing trickles into production models!
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VW marketing - Why only the recent release of the V6 TDI to North America? Is it because fuel is cheaper up there and no one really cares about consumption in the land of "greed is good"? Yet, we get the same donk here way earlier 'cause we hate being ripped off with fuel and 4x4 diesels rule. What this thread needs to do is get VW off their butts and start sampling owners on more than "did you have a good sales experience?", or "was your last service satisfactory?". I will now really take notice of the Amarok release here - odds on VGA lose the plot within the 1st year of release! the competition will ridicule it if it does not get after market offerings that match the likes of the Lux, Navara, Ranger and D-Max.
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There IS a hero variant. It's called the R50, has 20" wheels (21" optional) and rides 20mm lower. Shows you the market they want to cater for...
I've always said that the only thing I'd replace my R5 with is a later model V6TDI, but when you look at the relatively small difference in price here between the V6TDI Treg and a V6TDI Cayenne, I'd seriously consider the Pepper, just because I can buy Transsyberia goodies for it.
And I'm pretty sure the dealer experience would be better too.
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R50 - yes, it's a 'hero', but only as an SUV. It's got too much plastic front end to have a decent approach angle and the wheels are another story off the tar. So, the V6 and R5 TDI's have it I suspect, in sales volume here since 2007. I'm leaving out the V10 only on a cost basis and lower sales numbers. So then, how about a forum sample? How many members in each country? How many use off road capability? Probably the later is <10%; and that's only likley 'cause many are not game to go off road due to 'limitations', be they perceived or real. Those going off road already push the limitation by overcoming the limits. If you buy a LC or Patrol you already know it's going to go off road, even if you never use it.There IS a hero variant. It's called the R50, has 20" wheels (21" optional) and rides 20mm lower. Shows you the market they want to cater for...
I've always said that the only thing I'd replace my R5 with is a later model V6TDI, but when you look at the relatively small difference in price here between the V6TDI Treg and a V6TDI Cayenne, I'd seriously consider the Pepper, just because I can buy Transsyberia goodies for it.
And I'm pretty sure the dealer experience would be better too.
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153 Posts
The new Pepper looks like a over sized Lexus, also has the same off road ability = none. I would suspect that the T/syberia option is dead. Yes lads the next car will be a very tough decision. I want/need a car that can go off road, tow 3.5t and is easy for the wife to drive to the shops. What we got left ?
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If it's a VW, then Treg mk1 or mk2! Maybe T3 will be alright, but will it stack up against the toughness of it's predecessors? That's the mark of a pedigree. Will be interesting to revisit this thread in 2 years hence and look at who moved up to T3. I'm guessing that unlike the VW Golf, which does have pedigree, the T3 may just end up being a Lexus. And besides, my buying rules are NEVER buy the 1st series of a new model; I always wait for the de-bugged upgrade.
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If I can afford it, I'd buy a T3, but ONLY the one with the Terrain Tech pack. Else it'll be a late model T2 V6TDI or a (T2 based) Cayenne diesel.
I'm not big on the Cayenne's looks either, but all things considered, I think it's actually better value for money here in SA than the T2 Treg. The T2 Treg is ZAR600k and the Pepper ZAR650k new, both with the V6TDI. And anyway, when you drive it, you don't see the outside...
I'm not big on the Cayenne's looks either, but all things considered, I think it's actually better value for money here in SA than the T2 Treg. The T2 Treg is ZAR600k and the Pepper ZAR650k new, both with the V6TDI. And anyway, when you drive it, you don't see the outside...
The Terrain Tech pack pretty much brings it up to the T2 spec in terms of off-road capability with the minor drop in ground clearance. I concur, T3 or late model T2 V6 TDI for me, though I think, the R5 is a smoother engine (compared against the V6 TDI), in fact I'd say it feels like a V6 petrol. Pity it's a goner.
Re' Cayenne, it's a $35k premium in Aus, doesn't really stack up, in fact for $35k less, you'd get 4XMotion (active PTM is Porsche's lingo) on a V6 TDI T2, AND have an extra year of factory warranty. In Aus, a Porsche is just an overpriced VAG car with a few 'options' added to make it appears plush.
What I do find interesting with the next gen treg/cayenne comparison are:
Re' Cayenne, it's a $35k premium in Aus, doesn't really stack up, in fact for $35k less, you'd get 4XMotion (active PTM is Porsche's lingo) on a V6 TDI T2, AND have an extra year of factory warranty. In Aus, a Porsche is just an overpriced VAG car with a few 'options' added to make it appears plush.
What I do find interesting with the next gen treg/cayenne comparison are:
- Ground clearance (steel sprung) - Porsche about 13mm higher at 215mm (with TTP, it's comparable);
- Traction management - ALL peppers comes with Active PTM (4XMotion) except the diesel (very strange, I would have thought the diesel is the pick of the off-road choice). Obviously, Porsche thinks it's a great traction aid on road as well, else they wouldn't have put it on the Turbo. On the other hand ALL tregs comes with Torsen centre diff (4Motion), except the TTP V6 TDI. Call me suspicious, but I reckon VW has laid down the rules to the Porsche marketing team, 'don't go near our turf' or else.
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514 Posts
Great thread, and in my view VW certainly missed the boat with regard to optioning the Treg for greater off-road capability. Everything I did to my R5 I did myself (dual battery, finding a way through the firewall for UHF and spotties etc) and it would have been nice to stroll into VW or ARB/TJM... and buy stuff off the shelf (expecially a snorkel ;-)).
The pleasing thing about owning an LR D3 is that there are aftermarket options to make it more capable (bars, snorkels, dual battery controllers, winches etc). I would have loved to have this for the R5.
Maybe with the Amorak. I understand that ARB has put in an advanced order for one, so maybe it will give the Luxes etc a run for their money.
Cheers
Bob
The pleasing thing about owning an LR D3 is that there are aftermarket options to make it more capable (bars, snorkels, dual battery controllers, winches etc). I would have loved to have this for the R5.
Maybe with the Amorak. I understand that ARB has put in an advanced order for one, so maybe it will give the Luxes etc a run for their money.
Cheers
Bob
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135 Posts
Good thread. But is VW to blame? Most off road cars in Oz do not come with a snorkel, good springs, bash plates, winch, bull bar etc. These are after market parts, designed and built by the after market companies. Just not enough sales potential here in Oz for ARB etc to spend the money developing bits for the Treg that maintain the Aust Design Rules. However I’m sure thay would for a price! And I bet that even if a vehicle came with all the add ons, some would replace them with up-rated items any way. I notice the Dakar version Treg or the Grand Cherokee doesn’t have a winch, side bars, bull bar.
I’m sure VW get valuable information out of the Dakar. It may not show up as add ons, but I’m sure it shows up in the design phase. And don’t under estimate the Treg. It’s a bloody good off road car.
I would prefer that VAG had a customer’s complaints department easily accesable to deal with real issues current customers have. I knew if I wanted add ons for my Treg I would have to get a fabricator make them for me. I didn’t realise warranty issues would take months and months to try and resolve, without success.
I’m sure VW get valuable information out of the Dakar. It may not show up as add ons, but I’m sure it shows up in the design phase. And don’t under estimate the Treg. It’s a bloody good off road car.
I would prefer that VAG had a customer’s complaints department easily accesable to deal with real issues current customers have. I knew if I wanted add ons for my Treg I would have to get a fabricator make them for me. I didn’t realise warranty issues would take months and months to try and resolve, without success.
I agree with you re' accessories, I think there are far too many legal issues to resolve before VW would be able to develop and sell things like snorkel or bull bars, e.g. is the whole car fit for driving through deep water after snorkel is fitted? I know there's alot of electronics like the transmission control sender switch which sits quite low, then there's breather pipes etc....the list is endless. Toyota had to re test their cars when bull bars are fitted, and re-calibrate airbags deployment accordingly, now what happens if the buyer takes off the bullbar or add more accessories to it ....
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153 Posts
Amarok market report
This one is a little off topic see attached market report for the Amrock from South Africa can't track down any Australian info wonder why???, no mention at all of after-market bits and the VW extras are worse than the Treg????
Anyone have access to the original VW marketing report for the introduction of the Treg to Australia????? Now that would be telling
This one is a little off topic see attached market report for the Amrock from South Africa can't track down any Australian info wonder why???, no mention at all of after-market bits and the VW extras are worse than the Treg????
Anyone have access to the original VW marketing report for the introduction of the Treg to Australia????? Now that would be telling
There's some info on VWWatercooled about ARB developing accessories for the Amarok, including snorkel, bullbar and raised suspension. Info is posted by an ARB employee who is a VW enthusiast. He dishes out some serious complaints about the amount of large warranty issues they've had with their company Hiluxes, things that will continue after warranty runs out.
The market for Touareg accessories is too small for ARB to recover development costs.
They sell their stuff all around the world, so there can't be very many Treg enthusists asking for off-road mod parts. Pity.
The market for Touareg accessories is too small for ARB to recover development costs.
They sell their stuff all around the world, so there can't be very many Treg enthusists asking for off-road mod parts. Pity.
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All foregoing comment is valid. I guess the Treg is probably perceived as an SUV within the global market place, not a 4x4
. Whereas, the Amarok MAY be given the nod here by buyers as a "real" forby ute. So, VAG need get that market hit right first time up with a vehicle the likes of the Lux as 'the' model to emulate. We Aussies may differ from other Treg owners o/s to the degree we have a large 4x4 market here and a country with difficult geography. Meaning, that many of us want to exploit the Tregs off-road traits if we want the 4x4 experience. I concede, this thread draws only one conclusion. If VW don't make it as an option, nor can you get it after market off the shelf, then you get someone to do it for you, as many of you have. Sucks, but that's about the black and white of it as I see it. I've seen some innovative stuff here, and that's all good if we share it. I know with A/T tyres, it look me a lot of time to get it right, but I got it right thanks to some forum feedback, esp from the US. I'll go back in my corner now and suck my thumb.
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There's a US post on the forums about VW skid plates. A bit of interest here as I dragged this one up from a Google search.
www.davesport.com/cgi-bin/davesport/touareg.html
This to me is perfect. Anyone else sussed this out? How about getting enough interest in Oz to get some fabricated using this layout? I'm in.
www.davesport.com/cgi-bin/davesport/touareg.html
This to me is perfect. Anyone else sussed this out? How about getting enough interest in Oz to get some fabricated using this layout? I'm in.
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81 Posts
I am in Longreach at the moment which is a long way from Perth - The Treg is a magnificent long distance driver, but as good as it is I would not consider buying another one unless I can buy bullbars,snorkels etc. This is something which is not going to happen. I lay the blame 100% on VW which doesnt care about selling Touaregs in Australia - in Perth you would be lucky to walk into a showroom and find one for sale, let alone a choice of colours,engines etc. If VW offered ARB,TJM etc a reasonable subsidy I am sure they would manufacture accessories despite the lack of volume. How come you can buy accessories for SSanyong vehicles - they dont have large volume sales. I am sure they give ARB etc a helping hand.
totally understand the requirement many of us have re offroad accessories, inc myself. However, i have taken the standard Touareg offroad many many times over the last six years around Australia, inc tracks where most treg owners wouldnt dream of going, and the Touareg performs brilliantly. Pick the correct line and drive with care and it will go a very long way!
Put some decent offroad tyres and get air suspension and your Touareg will go pretty much anywhere. the standard lights, offroad mechanism is pretty good so unlike the prado or nissan owner you really dont need to add more lights. Plus out of how many winch bearing 4wders actually use the winch. Snorkel seems to be a good safety measure but how many of the owners will actually take their Touareg swimming.
plus you can always put a water bra at the front to provide further safety, if you ever come across deeper waters in your offroad touring.
However, if bush bashing is your thing then perhaps touareg is not the right vehicle of choice.
Put some decent offroad tyres and get air suspension and your Touareg will go pretty much anywhere. the standard lights, offroad mechanism is pretty good so unlike the prado or nissan owner you really dont need to add more lights. Plus out of how many winch bearing 4wders actually use the winch. Snorkel seems to be a good safety measure but how many of the owners will actually take their Touareg swimming.
plus you can always put a water bra at the front to provide further safety, if you ever come across deeper waters in your offroad touring.
However, if bush bashing is your thing then perhaps touareg is not the right vehicle of choice.
I alos think that VW doesn't bother with off road stuff. Those 15 people in Australia who want to go that extreme off road will need custom made stuff.
When I asked once who was interested in Skid Plates to import from Germany there were 2 people saying they possibly are...just not enough.
I even considered to import some Touareg parts from the US for the Touareg and sell them by myself, but again, it wouldn't be worth it, especially as a lot of Touareg owners in Australia wouldn't care anyway to save some money on aftermarket stuff...so even for niche supply the market is not viable enough...at least not if you try to set it up only for the Touareg.
My 2 cents...
Tim
When I asked once who was interested in Skid Plates to import from Germany there were 2 people saying they possibly are...just not enough.
I even considered to import some Touareg parts from the US for the Touareg and sell them by myself, but again, it wouldn't be worth it, especially as a lot of Touareg owners in Australia wouldn't care anyway to save some money on aftermarket stuff...so even for niche supply the market is not viable enough...at least not if you try to set it up only for the Touareg.
My 2 cents...
Tim
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