ML versus Touraeg

[helgi33]

I have a friend about to buy a 2005 V10 Diesel VW Touareg with 70K miles.. I have been kind of warning him that they have bad reputation for reliability and advised him to rather go for a good ML.

His budget is bit low or max Gbp 9000 and the Touareg would be around 8200.

I have been looking around for a nice ML and then with big engine.. like 500 or bigger...

Please contact me if you have or know off a nice ML not older than 2005 with miles less than 100K and big engine...

and would also help if you can give me some negative feedback on the Touareg

 

[trapperjohn]

Check the American websites/forums for VW Touaregs, some right horror stories on there for the VW.

Diesel pump gasket goes and its an engine out job.

 

[noy91]

A lot of the bigger jobs on the V10 are engine out or slightly raised to afford access, and I know the workshop manager of my local VW franchise silently curses when they get them in as they struggle to complete the work within the official time frames.

Having said that I was taken greenlaning in one once (the V6 TDI) with the air suspension and it was a sublime ride and waded three or four foot of water without letting a drop in through the door seals, and the interior is the best of any big 4x4 in my view.

 

[helgi33]

yes have been at one forum Scared to buy v10 tdi - Page 2 - Club Touareg Forums and it does looks rather nasty and risky....

 

[gunning]

Always fancied a v10 towrag but never have due to the issues. I reckon I might take the plunge sooner or later for a short period

 

[camerafodder]

You'll always find scarey stories about any model if you look hard enough as its mainly the problems that get written about. The V10 Touareg is good as long as it has been well looked after (and looking after a v10 is not cheap), personally I think they are a bit of a lottery as you can rarely guarantee the history of any car beyond 3 years old. I have a 3L TDi Touareg which I really like and its the model I consider to be the best balance of performance serviceability and reasonable running costs. I dont like the ML. The Touareg/Q7/Cayenne is actually a very capable off road vehicle that drives like a car but looks like an SUV.

 

[camerafodder]

Check the American websites/forums for VW Touaregs, some right horror stories on there for the VW.

Diesel pump gasket goes and its an engine out job.

This is quite right (as TJ's buddy knows only too well!) The V10 is physically big and fills the engine bay to such a degree that many repairs do indeed require engine removal. I have a piccy somewhere of a Touareg V10 and gearbox out of the vehicle it it looks like it belongs in Supermarine Spitfire!

EDIT: Here it is! http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g108/Russ_16v/2012-01-18140945.jpg

 

[stevehg]

and the interior is the best of any big 4x4 in my view.

mmmmmmmmmm!

 

[Teflonso]

.............. I have a piccy somewhere of a Touareg V10 and gearbox out of the vehicle it it looks like it belongs in Supermarine Spitfire!

EDIT: Here it is! http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g108/Russ_16v/2012-01-18140945.jpg

Please tell me someone wasn't planning to fit that in the manky, old, green Polo.


.

 

[camerafodder]

Please tell me someone wasn't planning to fit that in the manky, old, green Polo.


.

Haha, let's hope not! I should mention that the picture is not mine its just one I found on t'internet.

 

[dan-mb]

i wouldnt go any where near the Touraeg. Probably one of the worst handling 4x4's from a german manufacturer. There is a video review kicking around where they test the V10 tdi against the ML 420cdi and Q7 4.2tdi and im sure the Touraeg was about 4 seconds down a lap around castle comb. I had a friend who had a Touraeg and he got rid of it after a year as it was so poor allround im sure he lost over £18k of its value in that time.

 

[bob6600]

i wouldnt go any where near the Touraeg. Probably one of the worst handling 4x4's from a german manufacturer. There is a video review kicking around where they test the V10 tdi against the ML 420cdi and Q7 4.2tdi and im sure the Touraeg was about 4 seconds down a lap around castle comb. I had a friend who had a Touraeg and he got rid of it after a year as it was so poor allround im sure he lost over £18k of its value in that time.

That maybe true. but I would say they are not designed for that are they?

 

[dan-mb]

That maybe true. but I would say they are not designed for that are they?

not designed for it..but neither is the ML or Q7. I would imagine for £9k you would not want to be driving a poor handling car when there are rivals that tick that box.

 

[camerafodder]

i wouldnt go any where near the Touraeg. Probably one of the worst handling 4x4's from a german manufacturer. There is a video review kicking around where they test the V10 tdi against the ML 420cdi and Q7 4.2tdi and im sure the Touraeg was about 4 seconds down a lap around castle comb. I had a friend who had a Touraeg and he got rid of it after a year as it was so poor allround im sure he lost over £18k of its value in that time.

Apples and oranges, remember the Touareg is the same vehicle as the q7 and Cayenne, same drivetrain and platform just different trim, engine choices and suspension hardness/height options. The V10 is not a very well balanced car, its such a big lump of an engine. My 3L Tdi handles quite well for what it is so I don't think you should throw the baby out with the bathwater.

 

[dan-mb]

Apples and oranges, remember the Touareg is the same vehicle as the q7 and Cayenne, same drivetrain and platform just different trim, engine choices and suspension hardness/height options. The V10 is not a very well balanced car, its such a big lump of an engine. My 3L Tdi handles quite well for what it is so I don't think you should throw the baby out with the bathwater.

i get your point about the VW V6 being a more rounded and better option than the V10, does anyone know the weight difference between the two? I think if it were my money i would go for a ML320cdi, i like the sport spec cars and looks but i prefer leather interiors and most ML sports seem to have half leather...unless it has a designo leather interior.

 

[Mr Kripling]

On the Phaeton the V10 weighs about 200kg more than the equivalent V6 TDI.

 

[camerafodder]

i get your point about the VW V6 being a more rounded and better option than the V10, does anyone know the weight difference between the two? I think if it were my money i would go for a ML320cdi, i like the sport spec cars and looks but i prefer leather interiors and most ML sports seem to have half leather...unless it has a designo leather interior.

The v10 Touareg is 344Kg heavier than the V6 TDi so you can see where the problem arises!

 

[gIzzE]

not designed for it..but neither is the ML or Q7. I would imagine for £9k you would not want to be driving a poor handling car when there are rivals that tick that box.

I prefer the Touregs ride to the ML, but then my experience is a 2010 ML Sport with 20" wheels. If the ML was on 18" wheels I may feel differently.
As it stands I prefer the ride and comfort, as well as interior materials of my older ML270, if it had a nice modern 260bhp engine that did 35mpg I would keep it forever.

Not everyone wants something that can be thrown round at silly speeds, on this type of car I want comfort.

 

[dan-mb]

I prefer the Touregs ride to the ML, but then my experience is a 2010 ML Sport with 20" wheels. If the ML was on 18" wheels I may feel differently.
As it stands I prefer the ride and comfort, as well as interior materials of my older ML270, if it had a nice modern 260bhp engine that did 35mpg I would keep it forever.

Not everyone wants something that can be thrown round at silly speeds, on this type of car I want comfort.

im not saying a car to throw around at silly speeds but one that offers feedback and is enjoyable along with comfort....plus the Vw touraegs interior looks really dated.

 

[gIzzE]

im not saying a car to throw around at silly speeds but one that offers feedback and is enjoyable along with comfort....plus the Vw touraegs interior looks really dated.

But the ML you said about, is not comfortable compared with others out there.
It is over damped to try and make it feel more car like and suffers because of it.


I have a 2013 X3 and that does comfort while retaining handling, in fact it does both far better than the ML, so I don't disagree with what you are saying, but your example is not a good one.