My Tiguan Needs Tuning!! Need Suggestions and Ideas!!

[Tigar_CC]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and have been reading lots of info everyone posted here.

Yeah I just trade in my Lexus IS-200 (2005 Model - travelled 84k) for a demo 09 Tiguan 147 TSI. There was nothing wrong with the Lexus. In fact, beside the regular services nothing ever go wrong with the car. If not for the baby seat sling shot around the back of the sport bucket seat and the acrobatic effort we need to put our son into the seat. I probably would never change my car for another 5 years. Then one day my wife annouced "We need a bigger car!" So after much search and look around I pretty much have my eyes on the Tiguan.

I was very skeptical about the handling of the SUV. In fact, I never like any SUVs. I am a sedan guy dammit!! We tested drive the ASX, Outlander, Liberity, Outback and Forester. All with noticible body roll. My wife even almost fall in love with the Nissan Murano which the dealer compares it to as a Lexus grade car which almost made me puke. As it looks like a fat lady, drive like a steam boat. I simply refuse to pay 61k for a Nissan no matter how great it is. Also I am refuse to trade in a Lexus for a Nissan or Toyota. haha

Anyhow, to make a long story short. We ended up buying a VW Tiguan 147 TSI (12k travelled) for $31K (with Lexus trade-in) with nearly all the options except for the Adapative Chassis Control and Off-Road pack. I think it was very good value, as when I was about to sign the paper my wife reminded me to have a test drive.

Okay, I can drag on forever about my Tiguan purchase experience. But so far everyone is very happy with the car. It's so easy to put the kid in, my wife loves the ride height as well as the power of the Tiguan. Not to mention the park assist which freaks her parents out when we first did it. As for me I enjoy driving it and loving the quality of the car, especially when Commodore and WRX failed to out drag my Tiguan at the light the shame I can see on their faces is simply priceless. (I guess they just think it's another soccrer mum SUV and wanna drag it then leave it at its wake)

Now that I wanted to pimp my car out a bit.
1) APR Stage 1 ECU - is it worth doing? I am in WA, so where can I get it done? Any place that is decent to install it? and how much?
2) I am considering to maybe get a 18 or even a 19 inch wheels. Anything I need to look out for? and what tyres are good for Tiguan?
3) OEM and generic body kits?

PS: even I enjoy the power on Tiguan, I noticed my wife probably enjoyed it more than I do. When I checked the Ave fuel consumption, it seems to jump a bit each time after my wife is driving it.

PSS: oh yeah, we tried IX35 too. But as we were looking inside the IX35, the car sales lady came out and told us "This is the top range of the IX35". We looked at each other, asked her where is the VW dealer and walked away. IX35 is not a bad car at its exterior, however interior there is still lots of catching up to do...!

[team_v]

1) The Stage 1 tune from any tuner is worth the upgrade, more power and torque with no discenable difference in fuel economy when driven as per usual.
There are customcode, DNAtuning, APR, superchips and a whole lot of other ones available.

2) I have Kumho KU31's and they have performed flawlessly for me.
I am also running 19" wheels but they weigh a bit as i didn't go for ultralight (read: ultraexpensive) wheels.

3) Bodykits aren't woth it.
There are no local suppliers and the charactere/ABT kits are going to cost around 4k landed and then you need to paint and fit them.
Better to spend the cash on the power upgrades and suspension/swaybars.

[Tigar_CC]

Yes, I have seen your 19" wheels and thought it is pretty awesome. Can you tell me where and how much you got it from? I like the slight matted grey look on the wheels. I think its better than shiny chrome or smooth reflective finishes cause of the break pads dusts it will eventually gather.

[QUOTE=team_v;638078]1)
2) I have Kumho KU31's and they have performed flawlessly for me.
I am also running 19" wheels but they weigh a bit as i didn't go for ultralight (read: ultraexpensive) wheels.
QUOTE]

[Captain Bungers]

I totally agree with the APR stage I. The only problem is that I am looking at the stage II now. I think I do a bit of different driving from team_v - I drive 80ks a day on country/suburban roads and I reckon it is more efficient (even when I give it a bootful). It used to hover around the 8-8.5 l/100km and is now around the 7.5-8 l/100km.

I have Goodyear Eagle F1's on 18" New York rims and I am really happy with them.

I'm going to put some H&R springs in soon, however I understand that they are a brilliant addition.

Enjoy

[team_v]

I picked mine up from Tempetyres as they made the 19" versions and i couldn't find them anywhere else.
They are "shadow-chrome" as i wanted something a bit shiny but gunmetal looking.


Stage 1 tune is more than enough unless you want to push the car most of the time.
A recent highway trip (100km) returned 7l/100km in my stage 2.

[Tigar_CC]

Yeah gunmetal is pretty cool. Almost a titanium polished colour look I think.

After so many people loving the Stage-1 I am now seriousily consider of saving up and getting it also.

I picked mine up from Tempetyres as they made the 19" versions and i couldn't find them anywhere else.
They are "shadow-chrome" as i wanted something a bit shiny but gunmetal looking.


Stage 1 tune is more than enough unless you want to push the car most of the time.
A recent highway trip (100km) returned 7l/100km in my stage 2.

[Sharkie]

Have a look here for the info you need re Stg 1. http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f97/...ing-56616.html

[Tigar_CC]

Hey Sharkie, Yes I saw that topic and read it. Well done on the good post. Looks like I will be saving up for Stage 1 soon. Maybe would go as far as stage 2 for my Tiguan. Was mainly worrying about the fuel consumption. But it seems to use less if drive in "normal" manner but again why would you if you have it done? haha

Have a look here for the info you need re Stg 1. http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f97/...ing-56616.html