Touareg

[airjammer]

Here we have a rugged 2007 Touareg V6/gas w/ Steel Suspension, Locking center Diff, AWD, 4HI, and 4LO. Front and rear recovery points and factory tow package 6K lbs. Color is aptly named "Off Road Gray"I purposely bought this config to avoid eventual problems with air suspension, and the V8-V10 maintenance costs. No regrets.

Don't be fooled, these were designed and built from the ground up as trucks, not a modified sedan platform with SUV shell.

Curious? click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Touareg#Development

It has been airborne, water half-way up the doors. Daily driver and regularly travels to remote rig sites for work. Done 130mph between GJ and Delta. (before the AT tires were installed) Normally, 17 MPG aver. on road trips. Adequate power for highway and ample for offroad.

Climbed mountains, did metal masher (with spotter), lions back, extended trips to Moab, San Rafeal Swell, lockhart Basin...stuff around Grand Junction.....It's small but I've been able to haul my KTM and gear for a week for two people.

To the unknowing, it is deceptive of what these are capable of and has amazed me to this day how much traction, weight distribution, and clearance it has. The approach and departure angles are superior.

105K miles/ It is as tight and straight as when I bought it and cleans up like new and I will drive it into the ground.

Future mods...
Seikel Suspension (adds 2.5 inches to stock suspension) $$$$
Seikel skid plate package...$$$$

Maybe a Moby1 Trailer....

 

[Quest4ADV]

Always liked the looks of them, and I'm a big VW fan. It's good to see them out in the field!

 

[Herbie]

You know, you might have got me to take a second look at these. My WRX wagon is getting a bit long in the tooth, and I've been thinking about replacements. Wish there was a manual in the gassers... Thoughts on the v6 diesel?

Any pointers on how to tell which examples will have the rear diff lock? Is there a VIN decoder I can use, or can I look for a button someplace? That would be a must-get on my shopping list.

 

[airjammer]

You know, you might have got me to take a second look at these. My WRX wagon is getting a bit long in the tooth, and I've been thinking about replacements. Wish there was a manual in the gassers... Thoughts on the v6 diesel?

Any pointers on how to tell which examples will have the rear diff lock? Is there a VIN decoder I can use, or can I look for a button someplace? That would be a must-get on my shopping list.

No manual in USA. Diesels continue to evolve. IMO could be more expensive in the long run. Button behind shifter on center console drivers side is locker. button opposite shifter on passenger side is air suspension. Compressors are known to go out. very $$$/ Overall these things rock. After 2009 they lost the offroad ability and focused more on pavement and dirt roads stuff. check out clubtouareg.com this forum is a great way to learn the ins and outs and pros and cons if you are considering a purchase.

 

[Theprofessional]

The v6 diesel is torquey as hell and bulletproof all the same. The only downside is common fuel delivery problems in the early years of those.
The thing about the Taureg is that it's solid as a rock. You'd be hard-pressed to break it. It's half Porsche and half VW German dopplebock. I''m personally a fan of them.

 

[Bretthn]

We had a V8 Taureg for several years and loved it. They are beasts. The only issue I had was the timing belt service is a pain in the *****. If buying one again I too would go with the 3.2 which is a great engine.
I look forward to seeing where you take it and any modifications you have done or are going to do.

Brett

 

[WagoneerSX4]

It's strange that this is another vehicle where the lesser model is the more sought after. There's been a few cases like this lately. I also find it strange how the people that bought these new are the complete opposite of the people that are buying them used. It's almost exactly like the grand cherokee crowd.

 

[airjammer]

Brett, The 3.2 was phased out after 2006. Late 2006 -07 was 3.6. It has been a great little motor with ample power. lots of torque. not the acceration of the 4.2 but it does the job.

We had a V8 Taureg for several years and loved it. They are beasts. The only issue I had was the timing belt service is a pain in the *****. If buying one again I too would go with the 3.2 which is a great engine.
I look forward to seeing where you take it and any modifications you have done or are going to do.

Brett

 

[Theprofessional]

VR6, all the goodness of a strong V6, constructed to be a diesel, and only as big as a 4-cyl. You can't break those either. Turbo it for more torque, it can take the pressure.

It IS worth noting that a Tuareg will maintain traction on ice under full throttle. I was always impressed test driving them in winter.

 

[libarata]

I would have never known...

 

[ColoradoMax]

I have 2004 that is very similar to AirJammer's rig, it's even the same color. With 265/70/R17 BFGs, the Treg has been through some thick stuff and performs very well. The 3.2 VR6 has to work a bit (especially when towing 5-6k trailers), but with the 6-speed auto there is very little drama. Similar to Clarkson's Bolivian Range Rover, the 'unreliable' SUV has been pretty solid through 100,XXX miles. It feels rock solid when driving, and there are almost to squeaks or rattles. It's an underrated rig, IMHO.

 

[mep1811]

What are you doing about any rear suspension sag with the bike on back or towing a trailer?

 

[ColoradoMax]

Believe it or not, I've never experienced any significant rear suspension sag when fully loaded. There was *a slight bit* when towing a 6k trailer, but none when loaded for off road travel. The steel suspension on mine puts up with a good amount of weight, way different than my old FJ60 did. Tregs with air suspension will just auto level.

I haven't seen a heavy duty kit similar to an OME setup available for a reasonable amount, however.

 

[meanjoegreene]

Mine is great. The air ride suspension is actually the most bullet-proof part of the vehicle. A lot of people with 04's are still on their first set of bags, believe it or not.

The face-lifted version, aka T2 has the much more reliable chain driven v8. The T2 also has almost none of the electrical gremlins the original version was plagued with.



I want to find someone to fab me some sliders and underbody protection.

 

[mep1811]

I have 2004 that is very similar to AirJammer's rig, it's even the same color. With 265/70/R17 BFGs, the Treg has been through some thick stuff and performs very well. The 3.2 VR6 has to work a bit (especially when towing 5-6k trailers), but with the 6-speed auto there is very little drama. Similar to Clarkson's Bolivian Range Rover, the 'unreliable' SUV has been pretty solid through 100,XXX miles. It feels rock solid when driving, and there are almost to squeaks or rattles. It's an underrated rig, IMHO.

Have you done any speedo correction with those tires ?