G’day,
I do not (yet?) own a Tiguan, but plan to replace our Honda CRV Sport with a new similar SUV. We like some of the features of the VW Tiguan, which is on top of the shopping list.
However, the VW dealer in Australia quoted a shocking $ 1600 for a simple tow bar. ( Not the fancy ones, which recess. All other competitors, including Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and others ask between $ 700 and $ 850. Does anybody have a comment about the high price for the VW?
If I should overcome this high hurdle, should I buy the petrol or diesel version? With 12000km driving per year I cannot save money by the reduced consumption of the diesel, but the diesel engine might have some other benefits:
We live on a steep hill, with 22% slope. The automatic Honda CRV has some difficulties to climb this hill, which probably caused the burn-out of a valve some time ago.
Does the automatic TDI have an advantage with its of better torque?
How does the acceleration compare between the TDI and TSI to pass a car in front of you, crawling with a speed of 90km/h ?
Does anybody have comparative data between the TDI and TSI of the cabin noise at 100km/h?
Many thanks for your comments
Tiggie

This forum is predominately North American, and we don't get a diesel Tiguan, so you might not get the answers you are looking for.

Thanks for this. Sorry for you guys, that you don't get diesels, not even the fabulous Golf TDI ?
Cheers,
Tiggie

Hi Ausi

Suggest you have a look for the VWWatercooled Ausi site which has a good tiguan forum that will answer all your questions. For what it's worth though (as a starter for 10 points) I have the diesel and LOVE it, the low down torque is fantastic on the hills. The reason for the high cost of the tow bar is NOT the tow bar itself but the electronic package that connects it into the Tiguan's brain and provides anti-sway and anti-jacknife systems in conjunction with ABS and ESP systems. Personally I think it's well worth the bucks for a premium system on a premium vehicle.

Cheers

Thanks Derek,
I see there is besides of Kakapo’s also Tiguans in Kiwiland. Thanks for your comment. Fanny, by the end of November we are visiting your island. We booked a trip and a rental car to drive from Christchurch to Franz Joseph and Dunedin, where we will take the ship “Spirit of Enderby” to visit Macquarie Island. The boat will return to Invercargill. We will then visit the Fjords and return back home to the Whitsundays, Queensland I do not know, of how my post landed in the US section of the forum. I have the impression, whenever I look for the Tiguan forum, that I end there.
Did you test the TSI and the TDI ? Is the TDI as a diesel more noisy?
Cheers,
Tiggie

Hi Tiggie

In NZ we can ONLY get the diesel, which is fine by me as it's what I'd have anyway. It's "slightly" noisier at idle than the petrol but unnoticeable when driving. I don't think most people would know they were in a diesel under normal circumstances and its extra torque on the hills and low-down for off-road and farm track type work is FANTASTIC. If you're driving from Franz to Dunedin you'll go through our little town of Alexandra, click on the www link in my signature below. Sounds as if you have a great trip planned, enjoy !!

Cheers

Hi Derek,
Ok, I will order a Diesel. Yes, you are on the map! We will spend a night in Wanaka. If we should cross a Tiguan in Alexandra I will flick the head lights three times.
Please arrange nice weather for us. So far, I am not very impressed of what you had in recent weeks.
Cheers,
Tiggie

Used to live in Wanaka (for 21 years) before moving here (originally from Dunedin). We've had over 25ºC and clear skies for the last three days, can't see anything wrong with that !!

Cheers

Hi Derek,
I hope the AC works well in the tropical heat of NZ. The world is in order, outside of the rugby game on Saturday. It looks like we will have nice weather during our trip and when we return home our Tiguan is ready to be picked up from the VW dealer. (Pepper grey diesel)
Cheers,
Tiggie

Used to live in Wanaka (for 21 years) before moving here (originally from Dunedin). We've had over 25ºC and clear skies for the last three days, can't see anything wrong with that !!

Cheers

Hi Derek,
We had a great trip to the South Island and the Southern Ocean Islands. On the scenic way from Wanaka to Dunedin we crossed Alexandra. In fact we refuelled at the BP service station. The nice lady was not aware of a Tiguan in town. May be they are focused on Nissan.
Back home, our pepper grey Tiguan was waiting for us. In the meantime the 103TDI, became the car of the year in Australia (cat. small SUV.) Volkswagen did extremely well with 3 winners. If you add Audi and Skoda the Germans really own the competition.


Best SUV under $40,000
1st - Volkswagen Tiguan 103 TDI
2nd - Mitsubishi ASX 4WD
3rd - Kia Sportage AWD Platinum

Criteria - Out of 10 - Volkswagen Tiguan 103 TDI
Value for Money
Rating
Design & Function
Rating
On the Road
Rating
Pricing
1
Safety
10
Performance
8
Depreciation
3
Environment
7
Ride
9
Running Costs
8
Comfort
9
Handling
9
Fuel Consumption
8
Space
5
Braking
8
Warranty
5
Practicality
7
Smoothness/Quietness
8
Standard Features
7
Ergonomics
9
OffRoad Ability
7
Insurance
5
Build & Finish
9




The Tiguan is better then I was dreaming of. Unfortunately, it will be misused somewhat, because of mainly short trips for shopping down the hill and back, with a cold engine. I noticed that the oil temperature is displayed, which is great. At which oil temperature is the engine considered as warm or too hot?
With the Sport function the car becomes a pocket rocket. How does it work? What is actually happening, when selecting the Sport gears?
Cheers, Tiggie

Hi Tiggie

Mine's too old to have the oil temp display but I do have the "S" mode (mine's 6 speed though and I suspect yours will be 7 x DSG ??). Anyway, as I understand it the "S" mode is simply a different program for the transmission so it holds gears longer and is more aggressive in its change downs etc. Certainly makes a marked difference particularly on windy or hilly roads !!

There's actually 3 Tiguans in Alex now and we ALWAYS refuel at BP BUT the woman there would be lucky if she knew what "Brand" a car was !!! Glad you enjoyed your trip here and I'm CERTAIN you'll enjoy your Tig.

Cheers