Sport SUV Struggle

Neuk_ said:
I have the same sentiment, my father the last 20 - 25 years has always bought new with maintenance plan, which in some ways is a good insurance policy against expensive repairs. One issue he has had is when he has a major issue while on a trip, like when a power steering line ruptured on his 18 month old Mitsubishi Pajero in the middle of the Kruger National Park and he had to be towed to Nelspruit, wait for parts to be delivered, wait for the repair, get overnight accommodation and only then make his way back in to Kruger national Park.
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Indeed.

At 100,000km give or take, those teething issues would have been ironed out. And at 100,000km & 5 years, the most would have been claimed from the maintenance plan possible, hence why I believe it to be the sweet spot.
 
capd said:
Indeed.

At 100,000km give or take, those teething issues would have been ironed out. And at 100,000km & 5 years, the most would have been claimed from the maintenance plan possible, hence why I believe it to be the sweet spot.
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I bought my Q7 in 2011 with 88000km on.
I extended the warrantee twice.
In 2015 after reading the cost on replacement items (engine wise), max claimable amount was R35 000 if I recall.
A new engine is R100 000 easily.

Since then I stopped insuring in, taking the risk on my own. I am now on 165 000km, and no major issues.

My primary car for day to day use is standing on 535 000km (lol)!
 
capd said:
Indeed.

At 100,000km give or take, those teething issues would have been ironed out. And at 100,000km & 5 years, the most would have been claimed from the maintenance plan possible, hence why I believe it to be the sweet spot.
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You would still have wear and tear and general maintenance to contend with but at 100k km's a lot more is known about these and they can be somewhat planned for and much done by a good private mechanic.
 
Neuk_ said:
You would still have wear and tear and general maintenance to contend with but at 100k km's a lot more is known about these and they can be somewhat planned for and much done by a good private mechanic.
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Here’s my list and in the order they were done.

V8 (105,000km - 135,000km) – carbon clean, intake manifold de-flap, rear brakes, front brakes, disc skim, servicing. Original clutch.

2.0T (90,000km - 170,000km) – control arms, discs, brakes, engine mounts, can follower, carbon clean, PCV valve, front brakes, cam belt, water pump, engine mounts, servicing. Original clutch.

1.8T (130,000km - 165,000km) – boot lock, servicing. Clutch replaced before purchase.
 
capd said:
Here’s my list and in the order they were done.

V8 (105,000km - 135,000km) – carbon clean, intake manifold de-flap, rear brakes, front brakes, disc skim, servicing. Original clutch.

2.0T (90,000km - 170,000km) – control arms, discs, brakes, engine mounts, can follower, carbon clean, PCV valve, front brakes, cam belt, water pump, engine mounts, servicing. Original clutch.

1.8T (130,000km - 165,000km) – boot lock, servicing. Clutch replaced before purchase.
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And the bulk of that is maintenance or preventative maintenance. All VAG cars?
 
Neuk_ said:
And the bulk of that is maintenance or preventative maintenance. All VAG cars?
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Yip, which would not have been covered by a warranty, which would have resulted in wasting money, as mentioned.

Oh yes, only VAG. I like the guarantee that there will always be parts (and specialist mechanics).

The 2.0T is very rare, and despite being 8 years old at the time of a minor front-on with a bakkie that skipped a stop street, Uitenhage had stock of the front custom bumper. I was impressed and it reaffirmed my preference for VAGs.
 
capd said:
Yip, which would not have been covered by a warranty, which would have resulted in wasting money, as mentioned.

Oh yes, only VAG. I like the guarantee that there will always be parts (and specialist mechanics).

The 2.0T is very rare, and despite being 8 years old at the time of a minor front-on with a bakkie that skipped a stop street, Uitenhage had stock of the front custom bumper. I was impressed and it reaffirmed my preference for VAGs.
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I am a fan of VAG for similar reasons, I have friends who work as private mechanics with a wealth of knowledge and friends that own Goldwagens with almost everything I need in terms of parts.

What makes the 2.0T rare?
 
Neuk_ said:
I am a fan of VAG for similar reasons, I have friends who work as private mechanics with a wealth of knowledge and friends that own Goldwagens with almost everything I need in terms of parts.

What makes the 2.0T rare?
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Only +-200 sold in SA.
 
Neuk_ said:
I am a fan of VAG for similar reasons, I have friends who work as private mechanics with a wealth of knowledge and friends that own Goldwagens with almost everything I need in terms of parts.
What makes the 2.0T rare?
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the direct-injection VAGs are notorious for carbon build-up in the intake ports - so around the 100,000km mark, you would need to fork out +-R8k for a carbon clean
 
Naks said:
the direct-injection VAGs are notorious for carbon build-up in the intake ports - so around the 100,000km mark, you would need to fork out +-R8k for a carbon clean
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Yes, this is well known and not exclusive to VAG but I am not sure what relevance it has to my post?
 
FFS, still don't have her. Hopefully next week or the week after. Needed new glass from Germany. :crying:
 
capd said:
So after searching aggressively for 1.5 years, I finally found and bought my 'the one' SUV!

Granted it's not a sport SUV, I'm still really happy that it ticks all the boxes I needed. The SQ5 BiTDI is an amazing vehicle, but it's just impractical as an off-roader, and lacks 7 seats/the space I wanted. My V8 sedan covers my needs of a very fast vehicle. I also have another little guy on the way, so extra space became more important. The Q7 V8 was top of my list, but they are just way too rare, particularly in the year model I wanted.

She's a 2015 Q7 3.0 V6 TDI (Q7 '4L', last year model), with just about every extra I know of, other than air suspension:

100,000km
S line
7-seater
Bose sound
21" wheels
Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres
Sunroof
Heated/cooled seats
Aluminium/silver inlays
MMI 3G+
Rear camera
Latest steering wheel with improved controls
Rear climate control
Electric tow bar
Unsure if it has an electric tailgate or not.

Should receive her on Friday.
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wishing you many happy miles and smiles
 
Question, stock tyres are 275/40R21, which are crazy expensive. Currently has 275/45R21 on, which are cheaper and which would also provide extra comfort over bumps and off-road.

Should I look into going up another profile to 275/50R21, for even more extra comfort? I see the 275/50R21 Michelin PS4 SUV's aren't too badly priced, and not far off the 275/45R21 Goodyear Eagle F1 SUV's.
 
capd said:
Question, stock tyres are 275/40R21, which are crazy expensive. Currently has 275/45R21 on, which are cheaper and which would also provide extra comfort over bumps and off-road.

Should I look into going up another profile to 275/50R21, for even more extra comfort? I see the 275/50R21 Michelin PS4 SUV's aren't too badly priced, and not far off the 275/45R21 Goodyear Eagle F1 SUV's.
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Going up in profile will make for a more comfortable ride but will change the rolling circumference of the tyre which will have an affect on your odometer, tripmeter, speedometer, etc. which you need to take in to account. As an example, going from the 40 to 50 profile on the same width tyre (275) and size wheel (21") will have a 7.1% increase in rolling circumference.
 
Neuk_ said:
Going up in profile will make for a more comfortable ride but will change the rolling circumference of the tyre which will have an affect on your odometer, tripmeter, speedometer, etc. which you need to take in to account. As an example, going from the 40 to 50 profile on the same width tyre (275) and size wheel (21") will have a 7.1% increase in rolling circumference.
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Thanks very much!
 
Picked up a set of used 21" Continentals with 80% tread for R5k. Stoked, was not too keen forking out R20k for Goodyears!

Thoroughly enjoying the Q7. :)
 
capd said:
Picked up a set of used 21" Continentals with 80% tread for R5k. Stoked, was not too keen forking out R20k for Goodyears!

Thoroughly enjoying the Q7. :)
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I never understand people buying luxurious german saloons but then buying second hand tyres or el cheapo ling longs.

Thats like drinking expensive wine out of a plastic cup.
 
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