LR3 vs. Touareg

[richpike]

Great point. A great vehicle is not so great when the dealer experience is not good.
I am not that concerned about problems that pop up...but I am more concerned about how the dealer handles the. I have heard more horror stories about VW. I have read on some VW forums about some peeling trim (door panels, steering wheel, buttons, etc) and the dealer told people it was wear and tear and not covered.
I have read in this forum about the peeling steering wheel....this difference is it seems the dealer replaced the steering wheels without a hassle.

We had the peeling buttons in our Touareg. The dealer replaced them without hassle. Of course, when we traded it in the buttons were starting to peel again - I wasn't very happy about that. Like I mentioned before, I totally expect there to be issues with European cars, but I also expect them to learn from their issues and fix them over time. Having the same issue multiple times peeves me greatly. Outside of the peeling buttons, we also had wood trim that cracked constantly - we'd get one replaced, and another would crack Maybe I should take back my previous comment about the TReg's interior holding up better It just didn't seem to get as dirty - probably a function of our black interior on the Rover.

BTW - I saw your thread on vortex. I think you'll get some good feedback over there.

-Rich

 

[axg1040]

Did some more research and it seems that the LR3 gets the nod when compared to the Touareg from various reviews/tests. Also spoke to my Wife's cousin who owns roveraccesories.com and I am leaning much more towards the LR3 now.

 

[richpike]

Did some more research and it seems that the LR3 gets the nod when compared to the Touareg from various reviews/tests. Also spoke to my Wife's cousin who owns roveraccesories.com and I am leaning much more towards the LR3 now.

Whoa - if your wife's cousin owns www.roveraccessories.com that seems like a no brainer. Do you get a family discount? How about nice people online who write long reviews for you - do they get discounts? J/K

-Rich

 

[axg1040]

Whoa - if your wife's cousin owns www.roveraccessories.com that seems like a no brainer. Do you get a family discount? How about nice people online who write long reviews for you - do they get discounts? J/K

-Rich

No talk of a discount yet...I will approach that when I get the LR3

 

[dropper]

Also spoke to my Wife's cousin who owns roveraccesories.com...

Can I be your friend?

 

[axg1040]

One other question about the LR3 vs. Touareg.
Which one has the lower "step-in height"? I looks like the LR3 does with the air susp set to access settting.
Thanks

 

[richpike]

One other question about the LR3 vs. Touareg.
Which one has the lower "step-in height"? I looks like the LR3 does with the air susp set to access settting.
Thanks

I'm not sure I can fully answer this one - our Touareg didn't have the air suspension, so I'm not sure if it lowers significantly or not. I will say, the LR3's access height is awesome, especially since my wife mainly drives it and she is currently 6 months pregnant. I'm sure it will be really nice when we are putting a baby seat in it too.

I only have three wishes for the LR3's air suspension:

1. I wish we could program it to automatically lower when you turn the car off.
2. I wish it allowed you to go in to super extended mode via the toggle switch (versus having to get high centered)
3. I wish it had the dynamic suspension control where it would stiffen the suspension to keep the car level while turning (ala the RRS).

Having said that, I love the air suspension on the LR3 - it is one of my favorite features

-Rich

 

[axg1040]

Thanks again.
I thought there was a setting on the LR3 to have it go to access height? I take it that it is a manual thing and not automatic. You would need to lower it when you are ready to get out. Is that right?

 

[richpike]

Thanks again.
I thought there was a setting on the LR3 to have it go to access height? I take it that it is a manual thing and not automatic. You would need to lower it when you are ready to get out. Is that right?

The only way I know to do it on a 2005 is using the switch. On later model years you might be able to set it to lower automatically - maybe someone with an 06 or later can answer.

-Rich

 

[dropper]

I'm pretty sure you can program suspension lowering to the key fob on the 2005, but there are some practical hurdles that limit casual usage.

For me it's easy to just knock down the switch as you slow to a stop - becomes a matter of habit.