Teach me TDI Touareg please

Hi!

I’ve owned various TDI VW cars many years back, and currently in the position to possibly own another TDI.

I need something that can comfortably tow a car, but isn’t a pickup truck. I feel a TDI Touareg will fit the bill.

Now, Here comes the area I need some input with. Should I only be looking at the 2011+ due to the transmission change, or are the older years still solid?

I’ve found a 2010 with lower miles, solid service history, for a really good price. Learning towards that, but unsure of any major gotchas these might have.

I know the gas versions tend to get the “unrealiable” title, but having owned a VR6 Cayenne. It really wasn’t too bad..


Also, do the 2010s carry any sort of warranty? If so, for how long and what’s covered?

Check also at Club Touareg - another related source. They have a couple of posts there telling newbies all the stuff you need to know.

2010 6-speed transmission (Q7 in my case) is very good though the 8-speed from 2011+ should give better fuel economy. Has towed a Chrysler Concorde on a car dolly without effort if that's any recommendation. If you plan to "tune" it, the 2010-2012 needs the ECU removed for bench flash whereas 2013+ can be done through OBD2 port


2004 6-speed has some quirky programming though no reliability issues so far. Has towed a 50's Dodge one ton pickup on the same dolly

da.hs said:

2010 6-speed transmission (Q7 in my case) is very good though the 8-speed from 2011+ should give better fuel economy. Has towed a Chrysler Concorde on a car dolly without effort if that's any recommendation. If you plan to "tune" it, the 2010-2012 needs the ECU removed for bench flash whereas 2013+ can be done through OBD2 port


2004 6-speed has some quirky programming though no reliability issues so far. Has towed a 50's Dodge one ton pickup on the same dolly

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my 2012 never had to have the ecu removed

Sorry, you are correct: that restriction was 2009 and 2010 only

Been towing a 4800+ pound camping trailer with a 2016 TDI Touareg. Works well, stable, decent, though not stellar/ fuel usage. AdBlue usage is pretty high while towing.

My 2015 is matched to about that same size load, 4500 lbs. Has pretty good performance unhitched, but it is a 5000+ lb vehicle, and feels like it. Does not drive like a truck though, having driven them exclusively for lots of work related towing.

The other recommendations in thread are good, checkout other site too for lots of Touareg specific info.

Thanks guys!