Matthew's VW Tiguan

[Matthew]

Right, need some advice here chaps...

Seriously thinking about handing the car back after the summer (September time).

Its due to go back in April, however it will need a set of front tyres before then (currently on aprox 3.5mm) and a 'full' service, which will probably be in the £200 region.

So thats about £4/500 right there (plus the £210 per month payments). If I give it back in September, that would be 7 payments of £210 (1470) /2 - 20% = £588 roughly and walk away.

I have the C1 to potter about in, which to be honest I use 70% of the time to go to work in down the road as its awesome fun and costs nothing to run.

This would leave me free to see how I got on with the C1 and being in a 1 car household, and also free to jump on any amazing deals that pop up towards the end of 2015.

In all honestly, its a great car, but I've not really 'loved' it if that makes sense...?

Thoughts welcome.

 

[JonC219]

I can't remember if you said the rattles and aftercare put you off ford?

So many people with these now it could've been anyone!

Otherwise I'd say have a look at the RS when it comes out.

 

[Matthew]

Yeah the rattles were shocking, although I seemed to have fixed 90% of them now, by pulling the interior trim off!!

Not sure its put me off Ford totally, I'd still consider the Focus ST, as Im sure it will be better put together than the Fiesta.

 

[Jaff.]

Yeah the rattles were shocking, although I seemed to have fixed 90% of them now, by pulling the interior trim off!!

Not sure its put me off Ford totally, I'd still consider the Focus ST, as Im sure it will be better put together than the Fiesta.

it is

 

[Matthew]

Although I dont need, or really want a diesel, the deal on the ST3 Navigation is really good at the moment.

 

[Jaff.]

yeah i dont need a fast ford but i have one lol

got to go soon i think

 

[Matthew]

You getting rid of the Focus mate?

 

[Jaff.]

yeah. im barely using it. does 9 miles a day back and fore to work.
thinking of getting a bike, get my misses a decent car, and i have the megane for weekends

difficult to get rid of it though, its such an epic car

 

[JonC219]

Ask yourself, do you want something you can use every day (which it sounds like you don't)
Or something for a weekend blast and to enjoy driving

Sounds like the latter?

 

[Jaff.]

Both. But I begrudge paying for the 9 miles a day lol

 

[sbridgey]

I know you've had a few issues with your car, have you had this one with the one touch windows?

 

[makavelli]

I know you've had a few issues with your car, have you had this one with the one touch windows?

My FN2 Type R did that

 

[MarkCup]

Can't you simply reset that by following the safety closure reset procedure in the manual?

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

Mine does that and my previous Astra VXR and old Corsa 'C' did it.

 

[sbridgey]

Can't you simply reset that by following the safety closure reset procedure in the manual?

Didn't know there was one, I'll check it out. Cheers

 

[Matthew]

@sbridgey Aright mate, no mines not done that (yet)! Hope Mark's suggestion sorts it for you.

 

[Ben]

Mine does that with the windows i thought was my wind deflectors causing it so I chucked them in the bin.

 

[sbridgey]

I used the car again yesterday and the one touch system was working fine so I have no idea what was wrong with it

 

[Inequality Street]

@sbridgey mine did that a lot when new. I took it back to Ford who said its very common and nothing they can do about it. Their reasoning was 'its just a bit tight at the top'. Nice.

Its stopped doing it now, must have loosened lol.

 

[sbridgey]

Oh right well maybe mines loosened now but I rarely open the passenger window

 

[Matthew]

Just updating with a few up to date pictures...

 

[Matthew]

So I took the car to Blyton Park for the Cliosport Saturday 2015 track day at the weekend. This was the first time either myself, or the ST had been on a proper track, and it was an ace day. Met some really nice people, and managed to put some names to faces.

Overall the car did about 75 miles on-track, and averaged approximately 15mpg.

This was also the first time Sarah had been on a track day, and after some gentle persuasion, I even got her behind the wheel. She absolutely loved it and now wants a Clio track car (despite saying no to my requests for several years). :astonished:

The ST performed brilliantly, and the only factor holding it back were the Bridgestone road tyres. They really are woeful on track and now have about 1.8mm tread left so need replacing. As I thought, the ST was on par in a straight line with stripped Clios, and slightly pulled against standard-ish ones. Although @Knuckles 's 197 was on par with the Fiesta down the back straight, so the nonsense about 197s being slow in a straight line is rubbish...

Didn't get a single sign of any brake fade all morning, despite some very heavy braking. The car was very playful at the rear, and I managed to get some drifting in at a few points on the track. Anyway, courtesy of @AJFisher and @Feirny here are a few pictures. Thanks boys.

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IMG_0740 (3)

 

[leeds_182]

Best colour!

 

[Knuckles]

Lol I didn't even notice you chasing me, I was too busy shitting myself lol.

Did you find the fiesta pulled slightly on my car? As I was always of the impression that they were s**t in a straight line... It was s**t compared to the modified 1*2s lol.

It looked very well and kudos for getting the missus into it!

 

[Knuckles]

And regarding the oversteer, were you getting it to slide too on the corner before the back straight? I was having brilliant fun with that at first

 

[Matthew]

I'd say it was pretty much on par with yours mate, but I could reel in standard-ish (not stripped etc) 172/182s in down the back straight.

Every corner I was sliding it round, just for the sheer crack. Because rental.

 

[Knuckles]

I'd say it was pretty much on par with yours mate, but I could reel in standard-ish (not stripped etc) 172/182s in down the back straight.

Every corner I was sliding it round, just for the sheer crack. Because rental.

Ah, good to know!

Although absolutely everything out braked me lol. I can't wait to get my new ones fitted so I can stop properly lol.

Lol good effort. It was only in the afternoon that I realised I had forgotten to turn off the esp lol

That may have been why I could only slide it in a couple of areas

 

[Matthew]

Mine stayed on all morning!!! Only dawned on me on the drive home. Was still great fun though with it on. Not sure I'd have been brave enough on my first outing..

 

[leeds_182]

I think Craig wishes he had that option on the Rallye..

 

[MarkCup]

Nice work! Looks good, especially the wheels.

I find the complete opposite on track with the OEM Bridgestone tyres. Love them so much that I had my third set fitted on Saturday in advance of Goodwood this coming weekend. can't wait...will have some comedy moments as it wobbles about on the big tall treadblocks.

 

[Matthew]

Strange that I thought the total opposite Mark. You could feel them sliding across the track surface through the corners.

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

Look's good on track, sounded like a lot off fun! I'am debating booking Blyton for the 29th of this month to see what the ST is like.

The few spirited drives I've had with 197 & 200's and even 1*2's have always been about the same, pace wise. Internet 'myth' them being slow.

 

[Matthew]

The ST is every bit as fast as any standard Clio, if not a little bit faster.

 

[Scrooge]

Strange that I thought the total opposite Mark. You could feel them sliding across the track surface through the corners.

It's amazing how these tyres split opinions. I have Pirelli P Zero Nero things on the back of mine now and I have to try a little bit harder than I used to for the back end to play.

 

[MarkCup]

Strange that I thought the total opposite Mark. You could feel them sliding across the track surface through the corners.

How much pressure did you let out of them when on track?

 

[DrR]

Was about to say are they correct pressure, as loads of people over inflate.

 

[MarkCup]

Was about to say are they correct pressure, as loads of people over inflate.

Yep...I let out between 8-10 psi to have them running at the standard pressures when hot. That works for me.

 

[ForceIndia]

What are the standard fit tyres?

 

[MarkCup]

What are the standard fit tyres?

Bridgestone RE050.

 

[Matthew]

Hmmm yes might have been the wrong pressures. Had them at the standard pressure and everytime I came in, reduced them back down to standard.

Sounds like I was reacting rather than being proactive.