Hey Josh, thanks for all your Touareg content! I finally made the decision to buy a 2012 TDI Executive with 100k miles. It's a beautiful vehicle! I went through a few months convinced that I wanted a T2 with air, or even willing to buy a 2005 V8 with air and locking rear diff, but when I had the opportunity for each of those, I hesitated. I realized that I didn't really want the added concerns that accompany an aging vehicle with rare and expensive mechanisms. The Second gen Touareg gives me everything I love about the Touareg - towing capacity, diesel torque and economy, off-road capabilities, luxury interior, beautiful design - without the headache of options I know I can live without. Thanks for sharing your experiences and for playing a big role in my process!
The air suspension is nice. Loved it on my 2005. Wish they would have continued the option on the newer Touaregs. Good buy on the 2012! A lot nicer of a car than the T1 or T2s.
keep up the good work! I own the EU Facelift Touareg with the 3.0 TDI engine and i really like to watch your videos! I feel like there aren't enough vid's on youtube about these touaregs so thank you for this work!
VW designed these in pre recession times, to be the best 4x4 on the market. The build quality is immense an that is why it weighs almost 2.5 tons. The Mk3 and 4 were cut down versions lighter more economical 2010 onwards. I love the eagle eye style headlights (Euro Mk1 facelift)and of course the nearly 90% Porsche technology. The Touareg is the substitute.
I think a Gen I vs Gen II Touareg side by side comparison video would be very interesting. You have both cars and you have driven them both for a longer period.
How can i get a Hold of you to talk to you about my 2005 in perfect condition VW 4door Tou V-8 Runs great Interiors fabulous no accidents paints good no rust excellent condition just the front shocks are down they need air So I'm going to try the air compressor🤞
Exact same car, black too. Tdi 3.0 v6 altitude, filters, egr valves replaced and brake pads. That’s it bought from new 2008 over 100,000 miles. Most people don’t realise that this car is almost 90% Porsche. Rear brakes and engine block vw, some body parts. But the rest is Porsche Cayenne. I love mine too.
I love my '12 lux, it is the best vehicle out of the 25+ cars I've owned. I will drive it until it dies, and buy another one. Simply the best vehicle for my lifestyle.
Nice video. Going to look for a Touareg TDI buyback. Have a '14 JSW TDI. Love it! Funny thing... The JSW gas has a 2000lb towing limit. The TDI version has a 1000lb towing limit... After some digging I found out why. The diesel with its cast iron block and head needs additional cooling. This is why they limited the towing capacity. Not sure if it's the same condition with the gas/diesel versions of the Touareg.
I had been thinking about buying a touareg for a while, however the comments usually are very divided, people that love them and people that tell their nightmare's stories.
Just got a 2010 Touareg with the TDi. I have the low trim level with the dash with the red lights. Wonder if I could put in the higher trim one like the one you have?
@@spottedeuros1529 I talked with a specialist about this and he said there aren't any aftermarket 7P instrument clusters. He said I could pull one out of a wrecked vehicle and swap it. They would flash it and it would work. So I just have to wait until I can find one in a junkyard.
Hey Josh, I’ve been looking at a 2009 touareg TDI with 163k on it. Online it looks to be really nice and taken care of. I’m just hesitant to purchase a 11 year old vehicle with so many miles. It being a diesel and volkswagen, I’m sure the repair costs are quite high. Would this be a bad purchase when looking for a reliable vehicle to drive for many years to come? Thanks
Joey Eggenberger I may be a little bias. I bought this Touareg with 168k miles. It now has 185k miles. Runs great and has only cost me oil changes. No signs of anything wrong. These Touaregs as solid and the Diesel engine is more reliable compared to the V10, V8 and V6 gas engines offer for this year. At 163k miles I would say it comes down to how well it was taken care of. If maintenance has been neglected then you may run into issues or simply have to pay to do the maintenance yourself. I wouldn’t rule it out until you drive it and see it in person. It may be a good idea to take it to a VW mechanic shop. Look for a shop that has worked on Touaregs. Good luck! I’ve done plenty of videos on my Tdi.
Spotted Euros thanks for the reply. I have watched many of your videos. Thanks for making them. These touaregs keep pulling me back. I don’t tow much, but the tow capacity and that torque number keeps sucking me in. I’ve also looked at the Grand Cherokee eco diesel and the Mercedes-Benz GL 350. I don’t need a diesel but these things make me want one. My current vehicle is a 2009 with 183k so I’m wondering if I’m crazy for wanting another old high mileage vehicle. I can’t help but like them though. Again, thanks for the videos. They are super helpful.
Honorable mention to the off-road prowess? Yes, the newer TDI is not as capable as the V8 with air suspension and rear locker, but still better than most of the unibody SUVs out there.
That is true. Probably should have made it on the list. I don't ever take this Touareg off-road so I didn't really think about it. I will say that it is probably the best vehicle for driving in the snow.
Wouldn't you like to see him trick out the V8 and take it off-road a bit? The TFL guys have one with the air and locking diffs and have taken it off-road once or twice, but I'd like to see what one could be with a few mods. There's a cattle-pusher that holds a winch I've seen, I've also seen winches installed behind the lower grill, both look really cool. There's a skid plate kit it's desperate for, and add some serious off-road tires, and it would keep up with a cherokee, easily. Oh, poor baby, you got your Ford F-150 4x4 stuck, let me pull you out with my luxury SUV, mu ha ha. :)
wait till you have to fix the power hatch then it will go into your most hated category. for the backup camera, I would reseat all the connectors, and update the radio to the latest firmware. Just a guess, but easy to do.
Marek Lánský True! That said it is the most sought after, as the second and third generation are too boxy. Kind of like the 3 series BMW E46 with eagle eye headlights(M3 gorgeous)
Wrong, I used to think that, until I got a Gen 2 Touareg w a V8. Way better seats, FSI motor went from 310 hp to 350, same for the torque !! Better xenon lighting, better audio, better nav, awesome leather, mine is 14 years old, seats look new! Everything is better, it is a beast !! Mine has air suspension, great driving dynamics, I am impressed every time I drive it.
You keep saying “first generation” and “second generation”. Both your Touaregs (the TDI and V8) are first generation vehicles. Your V8 is the pre-facelift and your TDI is the facelifted version of the first generation.
VW Touareg is a good Tow Machine. It has a good amount of torque and I would take it over any gasoline Truck. Here in Europe they are rated up to legally 3.5 tons. Many are used for car hauling, even with Duo-trailers for carrying 2 cars.
Hey Josh, thanks for all your Touareg content! I finally made the decision to buy a 2012 TDI Executive with 100k miles. It's a beautiful vehicle! I went through a few months convinced that I wanted a T2 with air, or even willing to buy a 2005 V8 with air and locking rear diff, but when I had the opportunity for each of those, I hesitated. I realized that I didn't really want the added concerns that accompany an aging vehicle with rare and expensive mechanisms. The Second gen Touareg gives me everything I love about the Touareg - towing capacity, diesel torque and economy, off-road capabilities, luxury interior, beautiful design - without the headache of options I know I can live without.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and for playing a big role in my process!
The air suspension is nice. Loved it on my 2005. Wish they would have continued the option on the newer Touaregs. Good buy on the 2012! A lot nicer of a car than the T1 or T2s.
keep up the good work! I own the EU Facelift Touareg with the 3.0 TDI engine and i really like to watch your videos!
I feel like there aren't enough vid's on youtube about these touaregs so thank you for this work!
That is the main reason I started making videos. There aren't any videos out there!
Yes, spot on Spotted Euro’s, there’s not many Touareg’s out there and I love videos you do Josh!
Peter Crisp thanks for the support!
Belmin I have the 3.0 tdi also, very reliable. The economy is good if you go easy on the accelerator.
Hi guys great info on this vehicle as I can work on my own touareg 2.5 tdi, and enjoy it as it proves others SUVs wrong...keep it up..
VW designed these in pre recession times, to be the best 4x4 on the market. The build quality is immense an that is why it weighs almost 2.5 tons. The Mk3 and 4 were cut down versions lighter more economical 2010 onwards. I love the eagle eye style headlights (Euro Mk1 facelift)and of course the nearly 90% Porsche technology. The Touareg is the substitute.
I think a Gen I vs Gen II Touareg side by side comparison video would be very interesting.
You have both cars and you have driven them both for a longer period.
Good idea. I might just do that.
How can i get a Hold of you to talk to you about my 2005 in perfect condition VW 4door Tou V-8 Runs great Interiors fabulous no accidents paints good no rust excellent condition just the front shocks are down they need air So I'm going to try the air compressor🤞
Exact same car, black too. Tdi 3.0 v6 altitude, filters, egr valves replaced and brake pads. That’s it bought from new 2008 over 100,000 miles. Most people don’t realise that this car is almost 90% Porsche. Rear brakes and engine block vw, some body parts. But the rest is Porsche Cayenne. I love mine too.
I love my '12 lux, it is the best vehicle out of the 25+ cars I've owned. I will drive it until it dies, and buy another one. Simply the best vehicle for my lifestyle.
Nice video. Going to look for a Touareg TDI buyback. Have a '14 JSW TDI. Love it! Funny thing... The JSW gas has a 2000lb towing limit. The TDI version has a 1000lb towing limit... After some digging I found out why. The diesel with its cast iron block and head needs additional cooling. This is why they limited the towing capacity. Not sure if it's the same condition with the gas/diesel versions of the Touareg.
Paul O interesting. Thanks for watching! The Touareg towing capacity has always been the same. 7,700 lbs. V6, V8, V10 Tdi or V6 Tdi.
I had been thinking about buying a touareg for a while, however the comments usually are very divided, people that love them and people that tell their nightmare's stories.
You still looking to buy a Toureg??
mpg 23.3 not bad, but don't forget that diesel is about 1$ more per gallon than gas
Great video, I'd probably say my top like is also the effortless open road cruising.
Anton Van Graan Thanks for the support!
Just got a 2010 Touareg with the TDi. I have the low trim level with the dash with the red lights. Wonder if I could put in the higher trim one like the one you have?
You can probably switch out the head unit pretty easily but the dash display would be more challenging. Center console wouldn't be too bad.
@@spottedeuros1529 I talked with a specialist about this and he said there aren't any aftermarket 7P instrument clusters. He said I could pull one out of a wrecked vehicle and swap it. They would flash it and it would work. So I just have to wait until I can find one in a junkyard.
How to get that car?..
Love your videos
tyron thomas thanks man! I appreciate the support!
Hey Josh, I’ve been looking at a 2009 touareg TDI with 163k on it. Online it looks to be really nice and taken care of. I’m just hesitant to purchase a 11 year old vehicle with so many miles. It being a diesel and volkswagen, I’m sure the repair costs are quite high. Would this be a bad purchase when looking for a reliable vehicle to drive for many years to come? Thanks
Joey Eggenberger I may be a little bias. I bought this Touareg with 168k miles. It now has 185k miles. Runs great and has only cost me oil changes. No signs of anything wrong. These Touaregs as solid and the Diesel engine is more reliable compared to the V10, V8 and V6 gas engines offer for this year.
At 163k miles I would say it comes down to how well it was taken care of. If maintenance has been neglected then you may run into issues or simply have to pay to do the maintenance yourself.
I wouldn’t rule it out until you drive it and see it in person. It may be a good idea to take it to a VW mechanic shop. Look for a shop that has worked on Touaregs. Good luck! I’ve done plenty of videos on my Tdi.
Spotted Euros thanks for the reply. I have watched many of your videos. Thanks for making them. These touaregs keep pulling me back. I don’t tow much, but the tow capacity and that torque number keeps sucking me in. I’ve also looked at the Grand Cherokee eco diesel and the Mercedes-Benz GL 350. I don’t need a diesel but these things make me want one. My current vehicle is a 2009 with 183k so I’m wondering if I’m crazy for wanting another old high mileage vehicle. I can’t help but like them though. Again, thanks for the videos. They are super helpful.
Joey Eggenberger Take a mechanic or auto diagnostic to check it over.
Honorable mention to the off-road prowess? Yes, the newer TDI is not as capable as the V8 with air suspension and rear locker, but still better than most of the unibody SUVs out there.
That is true. Probably should have made it on the list. I don't ever take this Touareg off-road so I didn't really think about it. I will say that it is probably the best vehicle for driving in the snow.
Wouldn't you like to see him trick out the V8 and take it off-road a bit? The TFL guys have one with the air and locking diffs and have taken it off-road once or twice, but I'd like to see what one could be with a few mods. There's a cattle-pusher that holds a winch I've seen, I've also seen winches installed behind the lower grill, both look really cool. There's a skid plate kit it's desperate for, and add some serious off-road tires, and it would keep up with a cherokee, easily. Oh, poor baby, you got your Ford F-150 4x4 stuck, let me pull you out with my luxury SUV, mu ha ha. :)
I would love to do that. We will see what happens with the $1,800 Touareg.
wait till you have to fix the power hatch then it will go into your most hated category. for the backup camera, I would reseat all the connectors, and update the radio to the latest firmware. Just a guess, but easy to do.
Is the def fuel a pain in the butt?
It's not bad. Only thing I don't like is the fill location. It is in the trunk under the spare tire. Newer vws have the fill next to the gas cap.
Spotted Euros okay. How often do you have to fill it?
About every 5k miles
How can you get 28Mpg, I can hardly get 24 25mpg. Its the only downside of the car IMHO. Here in Europe the diesel costs about double than in the US.
Small note - you do have the first generation of Touareg, not the second one. Your Touareg is just face lifted :)
Marek Lánský True! That said it is the most sought after, as the second and third generation are too boxy. Kind of like the 3 series BMW E46 with eagle eye headlights(M3 gorgeous)
Wrong, I used to think that, until I got a Gen 2 Touareg w a V8. Way better seats, FSI motor went from 310 hp to 350, same for the torque !! Better xenon lighting, better audio, better nav, awesome leather, mine is 14 years old, seats look new! Everything is better, it is a beast !! Mine has air suspension, great driving dynamics, I am impressed every time I drive it.
You keep saying “first generation” and “second generation”. Both your Touaregs (the TDI and V8) are first generation vehicles. Your V8 is the pre-facelift and your TDI is the facelifted version of the first generation.
weird tower prep episode
5 more subs. Come on you slackers!!!
Nice comments, I like this car brother, sell me your 1 GN
VW Touareg is a good Tow Machine. It has a good amount of torque and I would take it over any gasoline Truck.
Here in Europe they are rated up to legally 3.5 tons.
Many are used for car hauling, even with Duo-trailers for carrying 2 cars.