nudge bar for Tiguan

[jimbomort]

I really like the bash plate on the lower bar...really, really like it...

yeh looks interesting, I wonder if it is a true bash plate (ie goes right under the front of the car and protects the sump) or more limited in the protection it offers. Do you know?

[Captain Bungers]

yeh looks interesting, I wonder if it is a true bash plate (ie goes right under the front of the car and protects the sump) or more limited in the protection it offers. Do you know?

I shall investigate. All I can say is that the bash plate costs nearly $100 more, so I would hope that it actually serves some purpose.

[MGV]

Was actually curious to know if it goes over the OEM plastic 'guard' that ya have to take off in order to change the oil... ? ie, do you have to take off the nudge/bash in order to take off the plastic in order to get to the sump plug? Or does the bash replace the plastic?
Cheers for your investigating, Captain Bungers!

[Captain Bungers]

Cheers for your investigating, Captain Bungers!

Hey all,

I called the ECB chaps today, I got some info regarding the sensors, sump and fly-by-wire parking from a very helpful chap called Steve. I called a bit late and had screaming toddlers wrapped around my legs so I missed a few details. Sorry.

ie, do you have to take off the nudge/bash in order to take off the plastic in order to get to the sump plug? Or does the bash replace the plastic?

The chap at ECB said that you don't have to take the entire bar off, just the bash plate. Sorry, didn't find out if it replaces the plastic. I will let you know soon (when I get mine sent over).

yeh looks interesting, I wonder if it is a true bash plate (ie goes right under the front of the car and protects the sump) or more limited in the protection it offers. Do you know?

It sounds that it is a true bash plate as it covers the sump, however I am happy to post some pics when I get it.

has anyone thought about the front parking sensors and how they will work with a nudge bar on the front?

ECB have apparently been very careful to make sure that the sensors still work, their test car had sensors and were tested.

Good point, a nudge bar would probably make the whole park-assist (auto parking) system unusable too.

They couldn't confirm regarding the drive-by-wire (trust me, I am jealous of that bit of kit). The car they used for the guinea pig didn't have it, however if it uses the same tech as the sensors then maybe it is ok?

I recommend giving them a call as they are very helpful: 1800 069 145

Steve mentioned that there was a lot of demand etc, but now that they are ready things are slow. They have a few of each type (low and high profile nudges and the type-8 (full) bar) so it takes about 4 days to get the bar finished and sent.

Apparently it takes someone that is experienced in installing bars about 1.5 hours to install, however it comes with a full set of instructions for the mechanically competent.

I am going to help them out tomorrow by getting the low-profile, seriously-shiny, polished nudge. I am happy to say that they make quality products, the full type-8 bar on my wife's Forester is seriously solid.

[jimbomort]

thanks Cap, be great to post pics once you have it done, including of the underside (bash plate)

[crash12]

Hi philsan, I do own a Tiguan TDI and my article is still the number 1 of VW Watercooled about Nudge Bars for these cars. Well i can tell you that East Coast Bullbars (ECB Website) in Brisbane now have Nudge bars available for the Tiguan. They have 2 types a Low Rise bar with plate 76mm dia. and a High Bar 63mm dia.I have sent them an email as to the cost of them so i cant tell you any more than that.

[Captain Bungers]

thanks Cap, be great to post pics once you have it done, including of the underside (bash plate)

I got a bit of information regarding the plate - when I ordered the bar from the local supplier he said that it wasn't the full plate that protects the sump.

I will wait and see...

[Tiguan4us]

Hi I live in Brisbane and a company AMA Towbars in Slacks Creek has them and custom makes them for a variety of 4wd shops etc....Hope this helps, they have a website ama4wd.com.au

[Captain Bungers]

Righto,

The nicely packed package arrived from ECB today and I picked it up from Pride Auto Accessories during lunch. I just had my teeth drilled and filled in three places so I was in the mood for a reward.

I eagerly unwrapped it when I got home, and while the kids were making cubby houses out of the kid-unfriendly bubble-wrap I read the instructions:


It all looks good until Figure 6. I have to cut the Tig!

And then I looked at figures 7, 9 and 10 - I have to cut the Tig again and again!!!



This isn't what I was hoping for, but pretty much what I expected. Dammit!

I considered (briefly) the option of getting someone to install it for around $myleftarm and then I thought 'no, toughen up big fella, do it yourself and take all weekend if you have to!'

So yes, I will be putting it on this weekend, and referring to myself in the third person frequently...

The instructions themselves seem pretty good and clear, essentially I have to take off the front bumper, take out the front grille (lower) and cut things (sob).

Here are some teaser photos for you - sorry about the inside-at-night-flash-crap quality. I have left the wrap on the nudge so I don't get it scratched when I am installing it.

jimbomort, here is the bash plate, as you can see it is quite small - more of a fash(ion) plate than anything. It is made from some sort of alloy:



...and here are some pics of the shinyness (if you are lucky you can make out one Igglepiggle and one Captain Bungers...)






I will be posting some pics after the weekend of me: fitting the nudgebar, crying with cutting tool in hand, fitting the nudgebar, swearing, crying because my wife is yelling at me, me yelling at something, and hopefully, me standing proudly next to the Tig with shiny nudge in place...

[MGV]

Looking forward to the ongoing saga with bated breath!!
I know well & good how you feel about cutting things, too, after intall of a set of Sparco pedals & a shiny alloy dipstick handle from gruvenparts...
On ya, CB!!