How I Met My Tiguan

[bakeryhill]

My story about how we found the Tiguan.

We'd been in the market for a new car for a few months as the Mazda was approaching 3 years old which is when we look at changing. My wife had seen a few Tiguans on the road and always said she liked them. I felt they were too small and 'stodgy'.

Not giving it much more thought, we starting looking at the Mazda CX-7, Subaru Forester and WRX, Hyundai ix35 and even a Volvo S40 (yes I know - what were we thinking that day!).

After all the above failed to interest us and the trade-in we were after wasn't even close, we stopped by the VW dealer in Kedron. I'd read the stats on the Tiguan and thought that 125KW was a little low - after all, it was the same as the Mazda. If we were spending $40K odd, I wanted something fun and with wow factor.

I'm glad I took one for a drive as it surprised the pants off me - it was at that stage that I realised that 125KW isn't an accurate way of comparing performance. The turbo gives it so much more and the DSG really is a treat to drive, though the quick change into 2nd takes some getting used to.

A drive up Mt Tamborine showcased how good this thing performs - where the Mazda would be hunting between 3rd and 4th gear on the climb, the Tig went up comfortably in 5th using the turbo boost to give power when needed. Overall fuel for that trip was 8.3l\100kms

A squirt on the pedal around home on a road with a concrete wall next to it provided music to the ears and put a Cheshire grin across the dial - the DSG changes like a F1 when under load and the turbo has that unique sound only a turbo can produce.

Overall, very impressed with our little Tig - not to mention the price we paid drive-away.

[Prodigy]

Story sounds very familiar, just been down this path myself with a very similar outcome, congrats on your new Tig.

[clip]

I'm glad I took one for a drive as it surprised the pants off me - it was at that stage that I realised that 125KW isn't an accurate way of comparing performance.

Interesting you mention this, and you're dead right. You tell people it's 125kW and they imediately think underpowered. But I've driven many 120 - 140kW cars and the Tig goes better than many of them. Just goes to show what a bit extra torque over a wide rpm range can make to a car. It's all in the turbo of course. Look at the new little Alfa Giulietta Q: 1750cc engine 175kW & 340Nm of torque.

[team_v]

Adding to Clip's words of wisdom, there is also the option of an ECU upgrade.

Stage 1 upgrade (electronic software only) will generally raise the power levels to 189kw and 400NM of torque.
Defnitely worthy of doing if you want more bang for your buck.

[bakeryhill]

Yes something I'll have to look into and read more about. Certainly seems like an easy way to boost power. Only concern would be the effect on warranty. I've only got 300kms on the clock...hate to lose the balance if it was ever discovered.

[team_v]

You can always wait until the warranty period is up.
I got mine at 500km and it has been flawless since.

From memory it doesn't void the warranty as a whole, it only means that the dealer can choose to not allow a warranty repair on a part that is directly attributable to the modification (i.e. if your power windows stop working then they will have to repair them as it isn't linked to the engine map.)

[tigtsi]

Doesn't APR mention that the ECU flash tune is not detectable to the dealer?
I would've thought that if you use a lock out code then the Dealer would automatically know that you have a tune.

[Vince_S]

In all it'll come down to how clever the dealer is. If they know what they are looking for, they'll work it out. if not, you'll be right.

Just luck of the draw really. In most cases I don't think they would even consider looking for it on a Tig. Especially if that is the only mod you have and its turned off before you take it in.

Once you start making very obvious changes, it'll probably raise their curiosity / suspicion

[Sharkie]

If you have the lock out enabled there is no way for the dealer to tell that it has been chipped ...... A tell tale for APR chipped cars normally is the switching technology used in combination with the check engine light. The dealers know this and it is very easy to check. However if you have the lock out, the engine check light does not work in the "normal" APR way unless you successfully unlock it first and there is thus absolutely no way to check for the dealer. Even a diagnostic scan by the dealer will not reveal it.

The only way to tell is by driving the car ..... so obviously .... set it back to standard before locking it before going to the dealer ....

BTW, I chipped at 1000km and have enjoyed 13000+km since with my 190+kw Tiguan ....

[bakeryhill]

All good comments above - thanks for that.

I understand that installing something like this 'may' affect warranty in some respects (if discovered) but there are ways to make it invisible. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the APR system has a way of putting the original VW 'mapping' back for times such as servicing? I think this was referenced above.

Also, is APR recognised as the best? It's the only one I've seen referenced here so I'm assuming it is. Got approval from the other half so there's 90% of the battle won...

I'd like to drive a Tig with APR just to see (feel) the difference myself - figures on paper are only one aspect. Feeling the difference would be great.