Newbie secondhand Tiguan advice please

[fish1984]

Hi all.
Been reading the forum and really impressed with the content.

My partner has had her car written-off and so we are looking to buy a second hand compact SUV (time for a family car). A friend had a 2011 tiguan and loved it so we are looking at getting one. Our budget is pretty tight as it's an unexpected purchase but was wondering what the gotchas are with second hand tiguans?

We are most likely to get something between 2010 -13 and was wonder whether there was any variant or year that people would recommend or alternatively avoid?

The car is going to predominantly do short trips so im thinking petrol over diesel and tossing up between low kms or age.

Another thing im considering and have tried to research is updating the entertainment system and adding reversing camera etc. Is it simple enough to go after market or should I be looking at a tiguan with this already in it?

Sorry for the long post but i want to make sure I'm an informed buyer!

[Lucas_R]

Definitely get petrol over diesel if you are doing mainly short trips.

The 2.0TSI will be the engine to get in the Tiguan (avoid the 1.4 twincharge engine at ALL costs), but the earlier engines were prone to timing chain tensioner issues, and these parts were revised/updated in later models. So with that in mind, buy the 2013 one even if it has higher km's as its much more likely to be the better car in the end.

[tigger73]

Agree with Lucas’ comments above.

Petrol is better for short trips. 7 Speed DSG in the 2.0TSI Tiguan is good as well as the auto is pretty bulletproof as there will be a mix of these in the age cars you’re looking at.

Steer clear of the 118TSI with FWD and 6 speed DSG. There’s more problems with both of these engines/drivetrains.

Having said that I’d budget on upgrading the timing chain tensioner and guides in an older TSI engine as these are know to cause premature engine failure.

Also all direct injection petrol engines suffer from carbon buildup so a clean may be in order on higher mileage cars ~120,000+.

Don’t let these put you off they’re a great well built car. Like all cars that age you’ll be in the higher maintenance life of ownership so you’ll need to consider brakes, shocks, tyres, water pumps along with all the standard regular maintenance.


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