New car (SUV) advice

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Problem is that Audi is equally crappy when it comes to reliability.

Not if you pick your model correctly. But really, German stuff as a whole isn't known for staying out of the shop like Japanese is.

I wouldn't put Nissan above German though. They are far behind Toyota/Honda, just cheaper to fix when something does go wrong compared to MB/Audi/BMW.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by lucky1

the 4Motion AWD system in the Toureg/Tiguan/Passat vehicles are basically the Audi Quattro system......

This is not true at all. Now it's pretty muddy because even Quattro varies completely from vehicle to vehicle, but up until a few years ago 4Motion was an electronic HALDEX centre diff and Quattro was a mechanical Torsen setup.

[3 Justin 3]

Range Rover, don't think about it and just go out and buy one.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Range Rover, don't think about it and just go out and buy one.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

[Table 5]

Spending 80k should always be an impulse buy. It's like buying a pack of gum at the check-out really.

[TylerSVT]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Not if you pick your model correctly. But really, German stuff as a whole isn't known for staying out of the shop like Japanese is.

I wouldn't put Nissan above German though. They are far behind Toyota/Honda, just cheaper to fix when something does go wrong compared to MB/Audi/BMW.

Fact of the matter is, Toyota is crap... they have been running off their name for years and with all the problems they have had over the past couple years i would NOT trust Toyota. Plus all their cars are ugly, boo.

[lucky1]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

This is not true at all. Now it's pretty muddy because even Quattro varies completely from vehicle to vehicle, but up until a few years ago 4Motion was an electronic HALDEX centre diff and Quattro was a mechanical Torsen setup.

Im not talking about a few years ago, I am talking present day.....yes, there are different ways to split the torque in the centre section, but both systems are used in both platforms (audi/VW)

I quote "
The Volkswagen 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is a key technology in sporty, but above all safe driving. At the core of this method of power transmission to all four wheels is the Haldex coupling. The Haldex coupling is mounted in front of the rear axle differential and actually becomes part of the rear differential case. Yet, it functions as a center differential. Its hydraulic and electronic systems automatically detect wheel slippage (for example, due to road conditions or high power requirements) and distribute the tractive force to the two axles accordingly.

And because it‘s so fast in slip detection, in the absence of wheel slippage, this system defaults to front-wheel drive for better fuel economy and less wear on the drive train. When driving the Golf R32, you hardly notice the work of the 4MOTION Haldex system. You only feel the absence of under- and oversteering. Even on wet roads or when accelerating quickly out of tight curves, there is no noticeable wheel slip, and extreme spurts do not cause the steering to jerk. In addition you do not feel any wind-up in the drive train when maneuvering into tight parking spaces.
The development of the Haldex differential is a giant step forward in modern all-wheel-drive technology. It is controlled based on the inputs the Haldex control module receives from the vehicle. Slip is no longer the only decisive factor in the distribution of drive forces; the car‘s dynamic state is also a factor. The processor accesses the ABS wheel speed sensors and the engine control module for data that provides the processor with all the information it needs. This information includes road speed, cornering, and coasting or traction mode — all of which allow the Haldex system to respond optimally to any driving situation.
The Haldex system is also used on the European Golf and Bora 4MOTION, Audi A3 and TT Quattro, and other vehicles."


I was incorrect about the toureg, it has more of a traditional transfer case type set up like in a true 4X4....

[lucky1]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Problem is that Audi is equally crappy when it comes to reliability.

low end entry vehicles from any manufacturer could be considered 'crappy'...the higher end vehicles have a great reputation, they are just $$$ expensive to fix when they do end up in the shop....but I wouldnt say that they are in the shop more often.....

Anyways, in a north american world where most of the diesel powerplants are in 3/4 tons and up, it is nice to see diesels in passenger vehicles like the Toureg

[amorak]

Buy a 2008 Toureg TDI (Diesel). 2008 is the last year that the VW warranty transfers on US bought trucks.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by lucky1

Anyways, in a north american world where most of the diesel powerplants are in 3/4 tons and up, it is nice to see diesels in passenger vehicles like the Toureg

This annoys me to no end. Overseas you can buy a diesel 4 cylinder Jeep Wrangler, the "best" we get is the 3.5l minivan motor.

The Chysler Mercedes merger gave us a taste with the 3.0l diesel in the Jeep Cherokees. There was some hope that would change, but the recession killed most of the smaller diesel powerplants on the drawings board from GM and Ford.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by lucky1

Im not talking about a few years ago, I am talking present day.....yes, there are different ways to split the torque in the centre section, but both systems are used in both platforms (audi/VW)

I quote "
The Volkswagen 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is a key technology in sporty, but above all safe driving. At the core of this method of power transmission to all four wheels is the Haldex coupling. The Haldex coupling is mounted in front of the rear axle differential and actually becomes part of the rear differential case. Yet, it functions as a center differential. Its hydraulic and electronic systems automatically detect wheel slippage (for example, due to road conditions or high power requirements) and distribute the tractive force to the two axles accordingly.

And because it‘s so fast in slip detection, in the absence of wheel slippage, this system defaults to front-wheel drive for better fuel economy and less wear on the drive train. When driving the Golf R32, you hardly notice the work of the 4MOTION Haldex system. You only feel the absence of under- and oversteering. Even on wet roads or when accelerating quickly out of tight curves, there is no noticeable wheel slip, and extreme spurts do not cause the steering to jerk. In addition you do not feel any wind-up in the drive train when maneuvering into tight parking spaces.
The development of the Haldex differential is a giant step forward in modern all-wheel-drive technology. It is controlled based on the inputs the Haldex control module receives from the vehicle. Slip is no longer the only decisive factor in the distribution of drive forces; the car‘s dynamic state is also a factor. The processor accesses the ABS wheel speed sensors and the engine control module for data that provides the processor with all the information it needs. This information includes road speed, cornering, and coasting or traction mode — all of which allow the Haldex system to respond optimally to any driving situation.
The Haldex system is also used on the European Golf and Bora 4MOTION, Audi A3 and TT Quattro, and other vehicles."


I was incorrect about the toureg, it has more of a traditional transfer case type set up like in a true 4X4....

The A3 is a GTI. The TT is a girls car. Those are the only ones using the 4Motion Haldex system.

The A4, S4, A5, S5, A6, S6, RS6 and R8 all still use a Torsen centre diff AWD setup.

[Tron_fdc]

So what's the difference between the Audi Q7 TDI and the Touareg? Other than the price, they look pretty similar.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

The more I look into it, the more I like Touareg. Almost 8000lbs capacity, 8 speed tranny, almost 30mpg when not towing, and it's small enough to be a city driver.

It's listed at 406 ft/lbs of tourque @ 1800rpm, anyone know what that's comparable to? I see 3/4 ton diesel trucks rated around 400ft/lbs@3500rpm, but I don't know what that means.

This pic kinda scares me, but it's amazing what guys are pulling with these things.

The VW is a great truck...you will NOT be disappointed. TONs of power and fairly decent on mpg's.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

So what's the difference between the Audi Q7 TDI and the Touareg? Other than the price, they look pretty similar.

Just Price.

[lucky1]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

So what's the difference between the Audi Q7 TDI and the Touareg? Other than the price, they look pretty similar.

same platform I believe, different badging

[lucky1]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

The A3 is a GTI. The TT is a girls car. Those are the only ones using the 4Motion Haldex system.

The A4, S4, A5, S5, A6, S6, RS6 and R8 all still use a Torsen centre diff AWD setup.

the vw passat uses the torsen set up.....

[zamler]

VW and Audi have been saying they have "improved reliability" for the last 25 years. They are still one of the most expensive cars to own long term, and are not reliable.

[Tron_fdc]

Just drove a Range Rover (supercharged V8) and an Audi Q7. The Rover is definitely nicer looking, but the maintenance stories are not very reassuring. Everyone I talk to thinks they are junk, which is weird because I've always thought Land Rovers to be be pretty highly regarded in 4WD circles.

Q7 is pretty close to the Touareg, except a little bigger and has 3rd row seating. 6600lb towing vs the VW's 7800 (probably due to the weight of the vehicle).

The kicker here is availability. 3-4 months for a Touareg, vs next week for a Q7. The guy at South center VW said they're sold out all over Canada.....?

I don't mind paying a little more for the Audi, but I'm going to do a lot more research on them, as the only Audi I've ever had was a complete LEMON.

[TorqueDog]

CTS-V is a death trap in the winter? Pff. Get better tires. Either that, or you need the 'driver mod', my friend.

I drive an M5 (6 speed) in the winter, so I know what you mean.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

So what's the difference between the Audi Q7 TDI and the Touareg? Other than the price, they look pretty similar.

Well the Q7 is the size of Canada and Toetag isn't.

Range Rover's quality may not be as great as VW or Audi (which aren't the greatest anyway, still better than RR), but a Range Rover is better in every way outside that.