Cat amoungst the pigeons

[Arctra]

Now, from the outset, I am a VW fan, so please don't flame me (too much) for this post.

The Tiguan TDI is currently my first pic of vehicle, but my girlfriend got me to test drive the Renault Koleos as it seemed to fit our requirements. I was reluctant because it was Renault, but humored her only to be very surprised. Have any of you looked at it?

It seems the standard TDI 4x4 version roughly equates to a Tiguan TDI with comfort pack, media device interface, and offroad pack. It also has the option of a panoramic sunroof, but unfortunately lacks Park Assist. I've been quoted about $37000 for the Koleos, and a similar spec Tig is $41000 (after taking into account reduced dealer delivery charges and fleet discount) from Chatswood classic cars.

Now what I'm struggling with my girlfriend is justifying the price premium of the Tig over the Renault.

My arguments of build quality are somewhat squashed by the fact that the Koleos is effectively an X-Trail with improved shell and interior, and the Japanese technology is very good.

Servicing costs are about the same for both, except the Tig can go a further 5000km/6months between services which is an extra point for it.

The Tig had better handling and performance, but not a whole lot better.

Options like towbar and parking sensors are cheaper on the Renault, but the Tig's park assist option is in a class of its own.

The cloth trim in the Tig were superior to the Renault's IMO, but the Renault's had a lighter spacier feeling interior with nice little things like back window shades, back seat rear-view mirror, back seat trays (which are only available with leather in the Tig).

Luggage capacity wise the back seats folded down flatter in the Renault and gave much better space in the back than the Tig, in spite of having a full sized spare. The Koleos also has a tailgate arrangement which from experience is useful as a table when out and about.

So I guess my question to you VW enthusiasts is, can you help me justify the extra cost? PLEASE!

[High-Fidelity]

Will the fact that it's dog ugly help persuade her?

[Arctra]

Will the fact that it's dog ugly help persuade her?

*LOL* Actually, I kind of disagree with you there. I don't think it looks bad at all. But even if it did, I'm not sure that'd be enough on its own to justify it.

[Golf Houso]

Also keep in mind the resale value of the Renault will be nowhere near that of a Tig, and the fact that the tig is a VW. I think that should be more than enough reason to bridge the 4k gap...

[Transporter]

Availability of the spare parts incl. panels just incase...
Peugeot and Renault are known that you wait up to 3months for some parts to arrive from Europe. VW keeps more stock. You find more mechanics for VW than Renault.
I'm in the same situation like you except I'm making the decision between Tig and Forester. Talking about Japanese reliability: in long term for me I would be happy to go for Forester and I still didn't look at the Koleos. My first car was Renault12, so I like Renaults too. When It come to choosing one it is a hard decision at the moment I'm more keen on TIG awaiting Forester diesel to arrive late this year. I will take for test drive Koleos as well. But it seems to me that TIG Forester and Koleos could be close in many things but when it comes to parts and service availability Forester has the edge. Handling performance could be a bit of let down on Forester since it is tall and light but hey it is a small SUV and not a racing car.
I agree with that the Koleos is ugly but one can get used to it.
Go for TIG it is probably better build out of all 3.
Did you notice that nobody any fault or problem on TIG, yet, which is a good sign.

[varsur]

Also keep in mind the resale value of the Renault will be nowhere near that of a Tig, and the fact that the tig is a VW. I think that should be more than enough reason to bridge the 4k gap...

I cant agree more.

[Arctra]

Availability of the spare parts incl. panels just incase...
Peugeot and Renault are known that you wait up to 3months for some parts to arrive from Europe. VW keeps more stock. You find more mechanics for VW than Renault.
<snip>
Did you notice that nobody any fault or problem on TIG, yet, which is a good sign.

Now that's something I hadn't considered! And although you never plan to have a smash, they happen, so that's a good argument. As for the parts, because the chassis and drive train are essentially X-Trail, I am lead to believe a lot of the parts are interchangeable. That's unsubstantiated, but sounds plausible.

As for faults, it's something there is very little info available on the Koleos for, so it is a concern.

I'm in the same situation like you except I'm making the decision between Tig and Forester.
<snip>
I will take for test drive Koleos as well. But it seems to me that TIG Forester and Koleos could be close in many things but when it comes to parts and service availability Forester has the edge. Handling performance could be a bit of let down on Forester since it is tall and light but hey it is a small SUV and not a racing car.

Although I liked the get-up-and-go of the Subaru, and the Jap aspect of it, we were put off by the ride quality and cabin noise. Have fun test driving it though.

I cant agree more.

I have been using that argument too, and it's a solid argument. I'm not sure if the argument is diluted at all by the fact that I intend keeping it 7 odd years, so the values of both will have fallen significantly, but my gut feel is the Tig will still hold its value better.

[Spook]

Does it matter that the Koleos is made in Korea and the Tiguan is from Germany?

[Arctra]

Does it matter that the Koleos is made in Korea and the Tiguan is from Germany?

Yes, it does. Thanks, another point to the Tig. Keep it coming!

[Transporter]

As for the parts, because the chassis and drive train are essentially X-Trail, I am lead to believe a lot of the parts are interchangeable. That's unsubstantiated, but sounds plausible.

As for faults, it's something there is very little info available on the Koleos for, so it is a concern.

Not the body parts.

Probably any good VW mechanic will have VCDS (Vag-com). Renault diagnostic software?... most likely dealers only.

Did you go on Renault forum to check what people who bought the Koleos had to say about it? You can check also Australian XTrail forum.