[s-cars] Non Audi, but VAG question.... VW Touareg V10 TDI vs. V8 opinions?

[Chris Semple]

Hi Jim, I'll throw in my two cents as a guy who spends a lot of time towing trailers, occasionally even way out west. I'm towing for business reasons also, and I run domestic 1ton pull trucks. I'm a ford guy mainly, as I used to work for Ford ages ago. I like the fact that I'm always close to either a Ford dealer or a decent independent that can figure out why a van/pickup doesn't start. Parts are reasonable, and if I needed something expensive it might be easily available from a recycler yard close by. I wouldn't have issue with a Tundra(and I have a buddy in Chicago that loves his Landcruiser). But I can foresee a Touareg needing a part that's three days away from a depot, or nobody nearby that's familiar with working on one, or even if you're DIY enough to try it, just not enough room to get a wrench in there roadside, as the packaging on those trucks is tight. If you're just itching for an excuse to buy one, then go for it and enjoy :)  Just my opinion, try and get an extended warranty. Those hills on I70 west of Denver can be brutal.

 -Cheers
-Chris Semple
Concord, NH
'08 E350 Club w/20ft trailer
    '04 F350 DRW w/53ft trailer
         '03 Rs6, scared of trailers




-----Original Message-----
From: S-CAR-List [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Jim Fleischer
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2017 4:23 PM
To: s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: [s-cars] Non Audi, but VAG question.... VW Touareg V10 TDI vs. V8 opinions?

Hey all,

Sorry for the non-Audi topic, but this list is what I feel to be the best knowledge base of most things automotive, so hence my reaching out to you for this topic.
I’m looking for a tow vehicle to tow a 23’-25’ Airstream (Sub 4,000 lb. Dry weight) throughout the western US, and mostly throughout the Rocky Mountains on a regular basis as I travel for business and avoid hotels/AirBnB etc.  I’d like to stay away from the typical Ford/Chevy/Dodge pickups, have been looking at some Toyota Tundra/Land Cruiser options and some others, but have always been an Audi fan and have a soft spot for the Touareg V10 TDI since it came out in 2004.  I know the V10’s are few and far between but they are out there, but I come across so many more V8’s for much less money that they are a perceived option at the moment.  Tow capacity is listed as the same.  Wondering about things like drivetrain durability, air suspension and such.  As a long time Audi owner, I feel I can deal with the small stuff like switches, etc. and am familiar with the large oil capacity of the TDI and the expense that comes with it.  Gas mileage is a plus with the V10 over the V8, but the difference in initial cost to buy would cancel that out I’m assuming.  I’m looking at MY 2004-2007’s for pretty much everything.

So, any thoughts and BTDT opinion from the List?  I have done a fair amount of research on the Airstream and Travel Trailer forums and have ruled out my first couple of options due to what I found there (Land Rover Discovery 2 and Range Rover) and have come back to VAG as expected.  Thanks for the info, and feel free to email me directly if this post is not of interest to the masses.  

Best regards,

Jim Fleischer
’95 urS6 avant, 210K
’04 Allroad 6-speed manual, 179K
’89 4Runner SR5 V6 5 Speed, 324K!
23’-25’ Airstream TBD…..

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