[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by Sutripta

How many KM have you racked up so far in the Touareg?

Not enough to satisfy me!

Originally Posted by Harbir

the Touareg, for all its excellent off road capabilities, has not succeeded in carving out a niche with people looking for capable off road vehicles because the reliability they value so much is not there.

Harbir, how many of those Monteros that you (or I) test drove, have been off road? Zero. How many Prados and Lexus and LCs are taken off-road? Practically zero. How many Merc M/G class, Touaregs are taken off-road? Again, zero. The same applies to Cayennes and Rangies. A big zero. You need to understand that practically none of these cars are bought to be taken off road, unlike your wish to ride the Mughal Road. Here's one more proof of expensive SUVs never off-roading, until mad me induced the owner to!

So who cares about reliability when you are pottering about in the city, not exceeding the speed limit, have a chauffeur do your steering twirling for you, and a mad guy like me to take care of glitches? As for me, I don't subscribe to a car repair / recovery helpline because I suspect I can do a better job of getting a car back home from a breakdown than they can - and I'll take my chances with any vehicle, on road or off it, with the right degree of homework.

Originally Posted by Harbir

I would not even have commented but for the my skepticism about the celebration of german engineering, which I consider undeserved.

German engineering & technology is to be ALWAYS celebrated (though we are not exactly celebrating it here, just reviewing a well-engineered vehicle that is rather underrated in this country), even if after-sales support is poor / expensive. You are free to be sceptical about German engineering, since you perhaps trust American and Japanese engineering more. Hummers, anyone?

[MileCruncher]

Congrats Doc on the acquiring the awesome vehicle!

As about various talks about reliability, all I can say is if the vehicle wasn't reliable, it cannot complete The Dakar Rally let alone go onto win it 3 years in a row taking over the mantle from the legendary Pajero.

I rest my argument with a simple drool worthy picture of the Touareg in action

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

what does so great about 500 mm fording depth. I think many sedans can manage 1.6 feet of water

Actually 500mm is about average for 4x4. Pajero is 600mm and Fortuner is 700mm, most of the others are below 500mm.

Remember that the "Wading Depth" is calculated as the least of the following
1. Ait Intake level
2. Exhaust Outlet level
3. Electricals and Electronics not protected agains water submersion

All these are modified/enhanced in hard core 4x4 to give more wading depth.


Toureg in South Africa have been regularly busting their engines for wading too deep. Touaregclub.co.za :: View topic - Water crossing with V 10
This is most probably due to lack of understanding of wading depth limitations. To increase the wading depth you have to
1. Raise the air inlet point
2. Raise the exhaust outlet point
3. Protect all the electrical/electronics against water submersion

[FlyingSpur]

Congratulations and thanks for a detailed review with pictures I must say, I found some of the stuff very interesting, especially the facility to inflate the tyres from under the drivers seat.

Since someone brought up the topic of ludicrous engines and their presence in India, I have myself seen a black Touareg V10 TDI in Mumbai. Have a picture too, but unfortunately for some reason I cannot share it here. Always wondered what it must be like to drive a V10 TDI !!

[allana13]

Is the Toureg V10 TDI being sold in India at all and if so what is the price ?

Thanks

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by allana13

Is the Toureg V10 TDI being sold in India at all and if so what is the price ?

Thanks

Not sold now, not even in production worldwide. Some exist in India but don't know if they were direct individual imports or not.

[allana13]

Yea stopped productions for some strange reason.

They are selling the V8 but it aint going to be the same as the V10

I have driven the V10 and it was a pleasure.

A beast indeed

[SS-Traveller]

For the information of all who may be interested, this vehicle is now for sale on Team-BHP Classifeds.

[somubj]

How has the ownership experience been so far? What is the annual maintenance budget that needs to be kept aside?

[AirWind]

Hi All - Is buying a pre-owned facelifted Tourareg a good option still?