2023 Tiguan R Line - dirty diesel
Discussion
"16 month wait for a VW diesel, you must be mad"
I work for one of the largest privately owned companies in the world and we still insist on company cars, I used to think it was a real burden but actually, I like the policy.
Back in 2021, my 2019 Arteon was coming towards the end of the contract and I was given access to our online portal to order. Back then, the choice was pretty good
3/5 series
High spec Audi A3/A4
Most VWs
Put my order in for a standard R Line Diesel and was told 4-6 months, time went on, the order kept getting pushed back. First it was semi conductors, then the war in Ukraine.
After a 15 month wait, enough was enough - I managed to speak with someone higher up at the dealership and they arranged a conference call involving my fleet manager, VW, the dealer and the leasing company and below is what I was 'allocated'
Standard 2023 spec, no options but they come fairly well specc'd as standard. Silly big wheels (which don't look that big but are 20").
Nice to be back in a diesel after 4 years and 60k in a gutless 1.5Tsi. I've done just short of 400 miles this week and it's a really nice place to spend the time.
Not the most PH of cars, but considering people at my work can only order a Golf or 2 series BMW now due to price escalation, I've done really well. The BIK is alot, but obviously don't have to pay for any lease costs, insurance, maintenance or repairs.
I work for one of the largest privately owned companies in the world and we still insist on company cars, I used to think it was a real burden but actually, I like the policy.
Back in 2021, my 2019 Arteon was coming towards the end of the contract and I was given access to our online portal to order. Back then, the choice was pretty good
3/5 series
High spec Audi A3/A4
Most VWs
Put my order in for a standard R Line Diesel and was told 4-6 months, time went on, the order kept getting pushed back. First it was semi conductors, then the war in Ukraine.
After a 15 month wait, enough was enough - I managed to speak with someone higher up at the dealership and they arranged a conference call involving my fleet manager, VW, the dealer and the leasing company and below is what I was 'allocated'
Standard 2023 spec, no options but they come fairly well specc'd as standard. Silly big wheels (which don't look that big but are 20").
Nice to be back in a diesel after 4 years and 60k in a gutless 1.5Tsi. I've done just short of 400 miles this week and it's a really nice place to spend the time.
Not the most PH of cars, but considering people at my work can only order a Golf or 2 series BMW now due to price escalation, I've done really well. The BIK is alot, but obviously don't have to pay for any lease costs, insurance, maintenance or repairs.
MR2 Steve said:
With lease costs increasing, company cars are looking more cost effective. £450 a month BIK on that doesn’t seem “too bad”. Assuming no fuel benefit and higher rate taxpayer.
Assumptions correct and yes, they are relatively good value now. You could always run a snotter for less money, but £450 all in is a good deal for me and my circumstances. Don Roque said:
What made you choose this over the more obvious choice of the BMW 3 or 5 Series? Or even a high spec A4? Or perhaps a Skoda Superb etc?
Good question. I've had a Superb before and didn't fancy another one. In terms of 3 and 5 series, it was the lack of adaptive cruise control. I do alot of motorway driving and use it pretty much all the time..Interesting. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head re costs. On our company car scheme we have a benchmark ‘allowance’ each month to put towards the monthly lease cost. This has not kept pace with increasing costs and the sort of car that is covered without having to contribute more to the lease cost each month has reduced in size and is less ‘premium’.
In simple terms, lower monthly lease costs apply to petrol and diesel cars, with PHEVs slightly more and most EVs considerably higher. The inverse applies to the BIK tax burden, so trying to find a sensible middle ground is challenging.
I ended up with a petrol PHEV which met my current needs pretty well and didn’t break the bank.
My employer is in the throes of overhauling the scheme, with a view to reducing the cost burden on the employee (ie we don’t have to contribute so much to the monthly lease cost), whilst being cost neutral to them as the employer. Sounds impossible to me in the current climate and with some bonkers monthly lease costs for EVs.
In simple terms, lower monthly lease costs apply to petrol and diesel cars, with PHEVs slightly more and most EVs considerably higher. The inverse applies to the BIK tax burden, so trying to find a sensible middle ground is challenging.
I ended up with a petrol PHEV which met my current needs pretty well and didn’t break the bank.
My employer is in the throes of overhauling the scheme, with a view to reducing the cost burden on the employee (ie we don’t have to contribute so much to the monthly lease cost), whilst being cost neutral to them as the employer. Sounds impossible to me in the current climate and with some bonkers monthly lease costs for EVs.
Bobupndown said:
Colleague has just ordered a 1.5tsi Tiguan R line. I expect the performance will be disappointing. I'd much prefer the diesel option still.
I had an Arteon with the 1.5tsi and your assumptions will be correct. The 2.0tdi is a good engine, I've had it before in a previous car and really like it.Bobupndown said:
Colleague has just ordered a 1.5tsi Tiguan R line. I expect the performance will be disappointing. I'd much prefer the diesel option still.
Good luck to him getting it any time soon. I ordered the exact same car in August 2021 and it was scheduled for build last week! Mark V GTD said:
Bobupndown said:
Colleague has just ordered a 1.5tsi Tiguan R line. I expect the performance will be disappointing. I'd much prefer the diesel option still.
Good luck to him getting it any time soon. I ordered the exact same car in August 2021 and it was scheduled for build last week! Bobupndown said:
Ordered in February I believe, he was expecting to receive in July, maybe not a realistic date quoted by dealer?
If it was February last year then maybe. My car will have taken 22 month from order (19 August 2021) to delivery while it finally gets handed over - not sure how they suddenly reduce that to six months. RayDonovan said:
Bobupndown said:
Colleague has just ordered a 1.5tsi Tiguan R line. I expect the performance will be disappointing. I'd much prefer the diesel option still.
I had an Arteon with the 1.5tsi and your assumptions will be correct. The 2.0tdi is a good engine, I've had it before in a previous car and really like it.Wife has a diesel DSG Tiguan. I took it for service and was given a 1.5TSI DSG Tiguan and it drove absolutely fine on the trip home - main road with lots of traffic lights, then motorway, then fast A road.
Overall I’d say it was ‘nicer’ than her diesel in NVH terms and I like the torquey feel of turbo diesels. I’d be happy with either of them.
Sheepshanks said:
I didn’t find that at all - and you’re getting better MPG than ours does so you can’t be driving harder, but they’re not exactly ‘ear holing’ cars anyway. Ours has 4Motion which might take the very edge off. The petrol I drove was FWD.
The DSG in the Tiguan petrol may be a revised version compared to the Arteon which was a 2019 model. Ours was so bad that my Wife refused to drive it. Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff