VW Touareg Vs BMW X5 - or estate
Discussion
Unfortunately my wifes perfectly good VW Tiguan R Line 2.0TSI (petrol 250bhp) was written off last week by a careless driver that drifted across onto her side of the road..
So its time to find a replacement. We need something a bit bigger (should have got the Touareg size to start with) and are starting to look at 2011-2014 Touaregs in Altitude or R Line trim with the 3.0d 245bhp. 2 children (3yo and 7yo) and associated 'stuff' for holidays meant we had to rent a roof box when we went on Holiday. It would be the family car and wifes car for work and commuting.
Also looking at E70 X5 in varying guises 3.0d, 35d, 40d etc M Sport options. Don't really need 7 seats.
Budget £10k so they are likely to have around 100k miles on clock.
I'm doing my research as I know nothing about either of these, would be interested to learn others experiences, positive and negative, reliability, must haves or things to avoid. Don't need to tow.
Touareg has 8sp gearbox but its not dsg (who cares) but not sure who makes it and service intervals. Bm's is ZF 8sp which is pretty reliable.
Touareg has ad-blue - need to look into how that works.
Car will do about 12k miles a year. Tiguan at best managed 30mpg on a run (26mpg around town) so anything better than that is a bonus!
Also considering German petrol / diesel estate but with AWD. Needs to have a bit of poke otherwise i'll get bored driving it
So its time to find a replacement. We need something a bit bigger (should have got the Touareg size to start with) and are starting to look at 2011-2014 Touaregs in Altitude or R Line trim with the 3.0d 245bhp. 2 children (3yo and 7yo) and associated 'stuff' for holidays meant we had to rent a roof box when we went on Holiday. It would be the family car and wifes car for work and commuting.
Also looking at E70 X5 in varying guises 3.0d, 35d, 40d etc M Sport options. Don't really need 7 seats.
Budget £10k so they are likely to have around 100k miles on clock.
I'm doing my research as I know nothing about either of these, would be interested to learn others experiences, positive and negative, reliability, must haves or things to avoid. Don't need to tow.
Touareg has 8sp gearbox but its not dsg (who cares) but not sure who makes it and service intervals. Bm's is ZF 8sp which is pretty reliable.
Touareg has ad-blue - need to look into how that works.
Car will do about 12k miles a year. Tiguan at best managed 30mpg on a run (26mpg around town) so anything better than that is a bonus!
Also considering German petrol / diesel estate but with AWD. Needs to have a bit of poke otherwise i'll get bored driving it
Apart from the unlucky build-up to this point, I’ve been thinking about similar.
Also have tabs on the T6 V60 and seems to be high mileage S4 choices.
Lexus Rx450h would do perfectly but the canbus theft/insurance seems to hit them hard.
I’d say 75% of our mileage is on holidays and trips to family >50 miles so ulez compliant diesel would be ok (I think)
Also have tabs on the T6 V60 and seems to be high mileage S4 choices.
Lexus Rx450h would do perfectly but the canbus theft/insurance seems to hit them hard.
I’d say 75% of our mileage is on holidays and trips to family >50 miles so ulez compliant diesel would be ok (I think)
I'm likely a bit biased, but I'd have the Touareg over an X5 (I do own one, and it is my second now). X5 is definitely a much nicer place to be inside.
At the 10k price point, as most of the X5's all seemed to be mostly shagged when I was searching.
Touareg has an Aisin 8 speed box and are very reliable. The service intervals much like the ZF are actually life, but owners will refresh the fluids around the 80-1ook mark.
Adblue was only fitted to the Touareg for 2015 onwards (I think the same goes the X5 actually).
If you're only getting 30mpg on a run from the Tiguan, it would be foolish to suggest that you'll get any improvement for whatever you pick.
At the 10k price point, as most of the X5's all seemed to be mostly shagged when I was searching.
Touareg has an Aisin 8 speed box and are very reliable. The service intervals much like the ZF are actually life, but owners will refresh the fluids around the 80-1ook mark.
Adblue was only fitted to the Touareg for 2015 onwards (I think the same goes the X5 actually).
If you're only getting 30mpg on a run from the Tiguan, it would be foolish to suggest that you'll get any improvement for whatever you pick.
I averaged around 28 mpg when I had my Touareg (2017 model)..... It was a great car though, lovely engine, felt really solid and despite not being excessively large it had great boot capacity as well. The Sat Nav, etc was a bit last gen even then, so I expect it will be feeling several generations old by now (although perfectly liveable). Pan roof is a good option if you can find one with one specced as it lightens up the interior a treat. Ad Blu was a bit of a faff having to access via the rear hatch. i think there was a drive shaft weakness on some circa 80,000 miles plus but can't remember if it was this or the previous model.
I've had an E70 and E71 and would go with the VW or may be even consider a Volvo.
E70 are great to drive but at that price point, 2010+ is the better one in respect to having it a ZF 8 speed gearbox but they are known for the bottom end going and timing chains snapping.
I'd factor one a timing chain replacement or get one thats had one done.
E70 are great to drive but at that price point, 2010+ is the better one in respect to having it a ZF 8 speed gearbox but they are known for the bottom end going and timing chains snapping.
I'd factor one a timing chain replacement or get one thats had one done.
Interesting responses so far. An A6 Allroad might fit the bill, in stereotypical fashion my wife prefers a higher up driving position and loading children in is easier in an SUV, plus where we live in the sticks the roads often flood, so having a bit of extra ground clearance is not a bad thing.
I'll throw it into the mix.
i was getting confused with VW Blue Motion and ad-blue which are very different so encouraging the earlier Touaregs don't need this. We have no need to be ULEZ compliant - for the occasional trips to Heathrow etc i'd just pay the charge.
The newer XC60 and XC90s are much improved in terms of design but not keen on the ones in our price point. Also unlikely to offer any more space than what we are coming from.
I'll throw it into the mix.
i was getting confused with VW Blue Motion and ad-blue which are very different so encouraging the earlier Touaregs don't need this. We have no need to be ULEZ compliant - for the occasional trips to Heathrow etc i'd just pay the charge.
The newer XC60 and XC90s are much improved in terms of design but not keen on the ones in our price point. Also unlikely to offer any more space than what we are coming from.
RS Grant said:
If you're considering a Touareg then might be worth looking into a Cayenne as well, I was under the impression they're very similar under the skin.. although I assume that you'd likely get a newer/lower mileage VW compared to an equivalently priced Porsche.
Yeah exactly this, they are similar cars but at this price point i think i'd get a better Touareg.Whilst the X5 is arguably better inside the cabin, more punchy engines and a better steer, i'm keen to avoid a money pit with big ticket items like timing chains. Also hearing the rear air suspension bags and compressors are a weak point.
Need to go and see a few in the flesh.
I think the only other thing to be wary of is PCP specials where someone has essentially ticked no options when purchasing from new.
The absolute must have for any Touareg of that age is the xenon headlights.
When I was on the hunt for my first, I wanted one with Xenons, Air suspension, and Factory towbar. I did find one eventually, and it also came with Dynoaudio (which is the factory audio upgrade). This is definitely worth looking out for!
The absolute must have for any Touareg of that age is the xenon headlights.
When I was on the hunt for my first, I wanted one with Xenons, Air suspension, and Factory towbar. I did find one eventually, and it also came with Dynoaudio (which is the factory audio upgrade). This is definitely worth looking out for!
Rowe said:
I think the only other thing to be wary of is PCP specials where someone has essentially ticked no options when purchasing from new.
The absolute must have for any Touareg of that age is the xenon headlights.
When I was on the hunt for my first, I wanted one with Xenons, Air suspension, and Factory towbar. I did find one eventually, and it also came with Dynoaudio (which is the factory audio upgrade). This is definitely worth looking out for!
We have a Touareg at work. I love it. I'd pick it over the Volvo V90s we have (but not before the BMW 530D or 330D). The headlights are shocking though. The absolute must have for any Touareg of that age is the xenon headlights.
When I was on the hunt for my first, I wanted one with Xenons, Air suspension, and Factory towbar. I did find one eventually, and it also came with Dynoaudio (which is the factory audio upgrade). This is definitely worth looking out for!
Mouse Rat said:
Go Touareg. They look better and you probably have a greater chance of finding a nicer one.
Engine and gbox are fine. Make sure it has a good service history and look at the general upkeep. Propshaft bearings will need changing every 70K.
Incorrect - the prop shaft bearing issues was resolved for the Mk 2.Engine and gbox are fine. Make sure it has a good service history and look at the general upkeep. Propshaft bearings will need changing every 70K.
I've done lots more research and decided to go for a Touareg. Found a nice 2011 3.0tdi Altitude for sale privately and pick up in a few days once the owners private plate is removed. No dynoaudio sadly but really well equiped as standard and has fancy dynamic headlights, and more importantly no tow bar or leaky sunroof. On the test drive it felt really comfortable, probably helped by fact it rides on 19s rather than the larger 20/21 inch that come on some.
Its done 98k and will need a service and MOT in January, and a new V Belt, and probably discs/pads, but factored that in to the price. Can't wait to pick it up!
Its done 98k and will need a service and MOT in January, and a new V Belt, and probably discs/pads, but factored that in to the price. Can't wait to pick it up!
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