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VW Touareg 4xmotion - any good for sand?

Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 11:26 pm
by Kris_K
Hi all,

I am considering a vehicle which will do the job of both giving a comfort of daily work travel, and serving as a toy for the weekend off roading.
I have in mind a few cars but I am inclined towards VW Touareg, the 4xmotion, off-road model with stock air lifted suspension (additional 40mm), central and rear lock, stock skid plate and excelent 3.5 V6 audi engine.
I have gone through different reviews and although the Touareg gets very good feedback from off-roaders around the world as an extremely robust and coping workhorse, there is not much info on how well does it cope with the sand at all.
Also there is not many Touaregs around here in the UAE in desert, or is there?

[IMG]http://www.almost4x4.com/vb/images/icons/icon5.png[/IMG]

Please give me your kind feedback.

[IMG]http://www.almost4x4.com/vb/images/icons/icon13.png[/IMG] or [IMG]http://www.almost4x4.com/vb/images/icons/icon14.png[/IMG] and why?

cheers
Kris

Posted: Tue May 20, 2014 11:49 pm
by Defragmantor
[quote=Kris_K;35994]Hi all,

I am considering a vehicle which will do the job of both giving a comfort of daily work travel, and serving as a toy for the weekend off roading.
I have in mind a few cars but I am inclined towards VW Touareg, the 4xmotion, off-road model with stock air lifted suspension (additional 40mm), central and rear lock, stock skid plate and excelent 3.5 V6 audi engine.
I have gone through different reviews and although the Touareg gets very good feedback from off-roaders around the world as an extremely robust and coping workhorse, there is not much info on how well does it cope with the sand at all.
Also there is not many Touaregs around here in the UAE in desert, or is there?

[IMG]http://www.almost4x4.com/vb/images/icons/icon5.png[/IMG]

Please give me your kind feedback.

[IMG]http://www.almost4x4.com/vb/images/icons/icon13.png[/IMG] or [IMG]http://www.almost4x4.com/vb/images/icons/icon14.png[/IMG] and why?

cheers
Kris[/quote]
German cars in the sand is a big NO NO ! . First of all the servicing costs are gonna kill you . The stock tires of the touareg or only good on tarmac (not to mention the low ground clearance due to the front bumper ) .You will be killing the car by getting it in the desert. Plus as far as i know touaregs aren't cheap.
Safety
No roll cage so god forbid you have an accident it will be a really big problem !
Air lifted suspensions will be no good as the amount of beating a car goes through in the desert i doubt that it will be able to take it .

Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 12:40 am
by margarita
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Dear Kris touareg is a beautiful car no question about that
but i will show you how my way to the desert was psychologically and fisically cut
this is my touareg love story, he is still my high way mate, no worry
whatch the end of the deal here done
if you are still willinng come to my showroom to buy one :)))
R

Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 8:20 am
by Kris_K
Hi there,

thanks for the first feedback and photos.
I have attached some photos (see below links) showing the ground clearance at its lowest and highest.

http://performancedrive.com.au/2013-vol ... on-lowest/

http://performancedrive.com.au/wp-conte ... ghest-.jpg

@ Margerita,

Great photos!
I guess the orange matt beauty on your photos is the R sport model and not the off road one (low suspension and without the locks) , isn't it? Niceeeee

BR
Kris.

Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 8:38 am
by margarita
You mean "terrain tech" touareg option as i see so far
Such one was my desert trip mate and went home by recovery car....
Mine is SE standard originally gray
But turned orange to support me in good will ventures
One beautiful day

Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 10:32 am
by Eric Hummer
Hi Kris K....this is my point of view on looking for luxury and comfort while driving in the dessert... personally i want the same and i guess we all want that but we can't always have all what we want....Specially driving in the dessert you have to consider a lot of things such as front and back bumpers are all plastic this is very vulnerable every time you drive in the desert wrong approach and crossing a crest will cost you your front bumper easily... Crossovers are built with long engine bay but most area are just fitted with a lot of plastic to make it look cramp especially on the bottom and in the front area....

I felt what you feel really.. i have hummer H3 and for the same reason i bought it but after you have driven many times in the desert with almost4x4 Family i have learn many things... sacrificing proper driving with luxury and comfort is not really worth if you really want to learn the desert driving... Don't get me wrong i love my Hummer but i'll be a jeepers soon :Psmiley:...

My point is you cannot achieve the real reason why a lot of us love the desert driving if you don't have the right vehicle to enjoy it with... passion also is the big key "Many came to try but only few stayed"

Hope to see you in the sand soon...

Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 10:57 am
by Abu Jimmy
Dear Kris ,

In general , All unibody SUVs are meant to be On-Road vehicles with a very limited ability to overcome simple obstacles . If its not a " Body on Frame " vehicle with low range transfer case ( Cherokee XJ & Mitsubishi Pajero are an exception ) its going to be a useless Off-Road machine that will not be able to survive a lite & simple desert dune bashing trip without severe damage . Bringing such vehicle into the desert will cost you a fortune ( after first trip you will need to repair at least both front and rear bumpers ) .

If you are searching for a car that is good enough as a daily commuter and a weekend Off-Road toy accommodating 4 or more adults and doesn't need modification , you can consider the following ,

1- Toyota ( Land cruiser , Prado , FJ Cruiser )
2- Nissan ( Patrol Y61 , Xterra )
3- Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited

Hope this will help , Good luck with your journey .

Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 11:30 am
by momo
Hello Kris_K,

A lot of useful advises were written previously, I would add an important remark about tires and rims. The tire specification of the Touareg seems to have some limits for desert drive, as it is recommended to have a high aspect ratio of at least 60% and above to have comfortable drive on sand. As for desert drive you have to deflate your tires to increase its surface on sand in the aim of increasing your grip, but also you need to keep inside your tire a good amount of air volume. If you have small aspect ratio, after deflating you will not remain with a lot of air volume inside your rim so, you will increase the chance that at any car bounce your rim could reach the ground with your tire in between, so you will deteriorate your tire... Low aspect ratio also increase the chance to have pop-outs..

Please have a look on this page to understand what is aspect ratio : http://www.vintagewheelworks.com/tech-wheel-height.php

And here is interesting thread to enhance your knowledge about tires: http://www.almost4x4.com/vb/showthread. ... 1#post2077

I hope it helps,

Good luck and hope to see you soon with a beautiful car.

Regards,

Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 12:30 pm
by Kris_K
Thanks all for your input. Interesting stuff!

I can see that a compromise between comfort and off-road capability will be a must and the on-road comfort will have to give way.
On the other hand, I do a lot of miles on the road every day and driving a truck is what I would want to avoid.
A two-car option is not an option.

@ Abu Jimmy,
would you add a Sequoia to your list?

Thanks
Kris.

Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 1:10 pm
by Abu Jimmy
[quote=Kris_K;36010]



@ Abu Jimmy,
would you add a Sequoia to your list?

Thanks
Kris.[/quote]

Sequoia , Armada , Yukon, Tahoe & Avalanche are powerful and capable vehicles , the only disadvantage is size & weight ( too big , too heavy ) . Can do lighte to moderate Off-Roading but need to be driven in different style ( Truck style ).