VW Touareg - Air Suspension or not?

Ken Long
Ken Long Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited September 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi,

Still trying to decide on a replacement for my XC60 (towing a Sterling Continental 580) and have now narrowed it down to a VW Touareg. Most comments I have found suggest that air suspension is well worth it - this will be something like a 2015 model.

For the Touareg owners on here, what do you think please?

My only gripe with the XC60 is the rather harsh, thumpy towing, despite various tyre presures and nose weights (albeit I am limited to 90kg)

Comments

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #2

    different manufacturer .... but I love the air suspension (Airmatic) on my Merc, always level no matter what's in or on the back nad have the option of soft/normal/'sports'. Just expensive if any of it lets you down (ha ha)

  • Tirril
    Tirril Forum Participant Posts: 439
    100 Comments
    edited September 2016 #3

    Same as MM but I have a Discovery with air suspension. The car always travels completely level and mine has now done 80,000 miles so vastly different to older cars having sagging suspension. Air suspension is definitely worth having.

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #4

    I had air suspension on my Audi A6 and miss not having it on the Passat. I would go for it.

  • Harris550
    Harris550 Forum Participant Posts: 31
    edited September 2016 #5

    Never had the pleasure of a car with air suspension, but have always read excellent feedback, the Land Rover discovery is a good example.

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,683 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #6

    I currently tow with a 2015 Touareg Escape without air suspension, which I have had from new and have also owned a Disco with air suspension, so have experience of both options. I used to do serious off-roading with the Disco and the air suspension was good for both raising the clearance and soaking up the bumps.  However, the Treg, in my opinion, is just as good, giving a very smooth and firm ride when towing.  I tow a TA Barcelona and aim at a noseweight of 95kg which hardly compresses the back suspension and it tows beautifully with loads of power and low-down torque and although I would have preferred the air suspension option, didn't think it justified the extra £2500.  I think it was the right decision. What I have found more useful is the low ratio box and diff locks which are only available on the Escape. Correct tyre pressures are also important since there is a big difference between 'part load' and 'full load' - 33 to 44 psi in the case of the Treg. The Escape also has self-levelling headlights which is another useful feature. Hope this helps with your decision.