Search the Community

I finally realized that fatherhood had taken over my life. It’s the cycle of life that I thought I’ll never be in. Happy being a Bachelor for more then 40 years till I met my wife. I thought , sure, we can still survive with a Coupé . Then came baby 1 and we changed to a five door hatchback ( Have your tried putting a baby in the back seat of a Coupé, I’ll spent more $ after to see the chiropractor for my back). But when baby 2 came along, suddenly with two child seats at the back , there is no room left to put anyone else, the maid can’t even fit in between. There are days when we have to go out with the elders. (luckily we only have two of them in singapore). Don’t know where to fit if there are all 4 and 2 kids and my wife and me. I need a V class Mercedes or a Toyota HiAce van for that. I know many people will say “Hey, we can manage to squeeze up to 8 in a SUV or MPV”. They can sit on laps and the adults can sit “one in one out” seating positions. First it’s so uncomfortable, after even a 30mins drive . As an adult, I can’t seem to feel my legs if I’m in the middle or 3rd row after the squeeze. Good luck trying to ask two 80 year olds to do that, you will never hear the end of it. Secondly, legally you are only supposed to have the right amount of people per seat belt. So our quest was simple, or so we thought… My wife and my needs were simple. 1) Safety first for the kids. (Who cares about looks😂 that is when Parenthood hits) 2) Comfort for everyone in the car. 3) Have enough booth space at the back to at least put 1 stroller with all rows of seats up. 4) Reasonable size and height that can go into most car parks and easy to drive. ( if it’s huge, I’m sure someone will ding the car on the first day of driving it) 5) As cheap as possible with all those needs. well, this is abit of an option point. Good to have , but with COE at this price, it’s a tall order. Our little adventure started one sunny Monday morning. We have mondays off (lucky us)😝. We visited, I can’t remember how and dealership and Parallel importers, second hand car dealers too. To make it short, We did not see the Rolls-Royce , Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley , Porsche,Aston Martin ,etc… So after seeing a lot of brands. I can tell you we learned a lot. As our priority was safety first for the kids. They are at 7 months and 2.5 years old of me writing this . They both need a properly child care seats . The youngest one needs a back facing type as he has not fully developed his core and neck muscles to fit front facing child seats. So we needed seats that have Isofix features, ( I’m not going back to the dark ages especially when it comes to the safety of our kids) if you know, most 7-8 seats have 3 rows of seats. And there are two types of configurations. The ones with the opening in the middle of the 2nd row ( eg: Toyota Alphard) and the ones without the opening. And if you decide to choose the ones which have middle opening to walk to the 3rd row. The easy part is that you don’t really need to move anything or seats, You just open the doors and the walk into the car and go to the back from the middle aisle. It’s not very wide, but an adult can squeeze through. Here comes the question. Generally , the most comfortable and expensive seats are the 2nds rows, with the leg and arm rest and some even comes with massage options. Good points to score points with the elderly on the massage options. But no, most car makers don’t think this way, they don’t have isofix at the 3rd rows and they want you to put your kids in the 2nd row after you spend buckets loads of $ on those prized seats. How is my child going to enjoy the massage or leg rest when the child seat is a buffer between them. And I rather score points with my mother in law then make her climb into the 3rd row back seats😅. If you chose the other configuration without the middle opening at the 2nd row seats. You won’t be an able to get to the 3rd rows with two child seats fixed into the 2nd row seats. Maybe some cars can , but the gap is so small when you can’t fold the seats down to access the 3rd row seats. Only a few cars made it to our list because of the isofix at the 3rd row seats. Sad to say the popular Toyota Alphard didn’t made it , they don’t Isofix at the 3rd row, even the Volvo XC90 ( known for its safety features) doesn’t come with it at the 3rd rows, all Japanese brands don’t have it at all. and some other continental brands too, like Mercedes MLB20, BMW 218GT, Citroen, Peugeot, Alfa, Fiat, Skoda and Korean brand Hyundai and Chinese BYD M3e both didn’t have IsoFix at the 3rd row too. Audi and Renault didn’t have anything in their show room at Leng Kee as of now. If you are still with me after my long rant, here is our list of cars that made it. 😂. Kia Carnival Opel Zafira E Life Seat Alhambra Volkswagen Sharan (The VW Touran didn’t make it as it has no booth space for my stroller after all 7 seats are up) With every list there can finally only be one left. How we came to the one was pretty easy. Kia carnival is huge at 5115mm long. Parking it is going to be a challenge at older carparks and I’m sure one of us will ding it. Also the engine is a diesel 2.2L and our government tax on diesel is not something we want to consider. Next off the list was the Opel Zafira E Life. With a range of only 230 km range after a electric charge, going up north for a family holiday is going to be a challenge. The two horse ( Alhambra and Sharan) race to the last comes built from the same factory in Portugal, and they are under the umbrella of Volkswagen Group. Volkswagen “The people’s car “ in the English and kudos to them for designing this for the normal people in mind, it is the perfect made for the family like mine, two or more young kids with elder parents. They have integrated child seats for those with kids from 3-12. Saves you spending more money for buying boaster seats for the older kids or when your young kids gets older. Have enough space to put the stroller at the back with all 7 seats up. Not as easy to get to the 3rd row back seats as the ones with middle aisle configuration. But it’s not hard either to get to the back with its sliding door and reasonable gap ( I’m 1.78m and I could climb in with easy). Yea I have two kids, and “IF” (please note on the word “IF”) I decide placed both the kids in the 2nd middle row, just to take the piss out of my in-laws…😅 I can put one in the middle and one to the side of the 2nd row (because they are all 3 individual seats in the 2nd row and they all have Isofix on them), while the rest of the adults can still go to the back from the other side. If when my wife is willing to give us another bundle of joy or the agent of Chaos depending on the kids mood. But she said, her factory is close. it really spacious in the middle row, I can have three adults sitting side by side without feeling squeezed not like my BMW 216AT back row seats. But I would like my elders to be comfortable, so putting the youngest in the middle seat on the 2nd row and having two elderly flanking that child and have my helper at the back with the older child works best for us. But there can only one car “to rule them all”. we went with the Sharan based on the badge the power of the engine. Well first it’s a VW, and I was told that the whole singapore market for Seat’s last years new car sales was less then 100 units, somehow no one’s wants a Seat, I’m not sure if this report is true, but yes I don’t see a lot of Seats on the road compared to VW. So resale for the Seat is not ideal. The Engine for the Seat Alhambra is a 1.4 and the VW Sharan a 2.0, they are both turbocharged and power is more then 110kw and hence they fall into category “B” for the COE. The Sharan has all the extras and nicer interior, like the sun roof, yes it’s nice to have but not a need. The difference with its current discount on both cars in $ was not significant large. (Out goes point 5 on our list) But in return was neutralized by the better resale value and VW brand, but the one that closed the deal for me was being able to have the same engine (EA888) as the Golf GTI with a 7.8 seconds to 100km, making my dreams of me going back to being the young bachelor I was at heart. 😎 Even though my wife thinks I’m already an old uncle in my late 40’s 😆. I still want to put the windows down , have the sun roof opened and blast my music from Gold 90.5 (boomer station) and feel the wind in my face while I hand surf with my arms hanging out the door ledge. Hey , you are never to old to still be an young Ah Beng at heart. Your sincerely, Ctaiwee

Can Anyone VW car owners, advise if u had such experience code? The code came out but it goes away after some distance. But this had been coming back a few time already. As no error code when I drive to workshop. They can’t check for me!!! Don’t feel comfortable. Thanks

Hi bros, anyone any comments on this car? Quite a good proposition (at least for my needs)... Worry about FC and maintenance. OMV= $25-26k Selling= $95.8k or $96.6k http://www.vwasia.com/publish/vwasia/singa...els/touran.html

In the past, family focused MPVs have gained a poor reputation for being boring and unexciting. Nowadays, that's hardly the case. In this day and age of SUVs, it's easy to forget that less than 10 years ago, MPVs were all the rage, at least among buyers who needed a vehicle that was highly practical and functional, serving the needs of a family. Over the years, though, MPVs have gained something of a bad reputation. With their traditionally boxy design, hardy interiors and generally unexciting personality, MPVs tend to be thought of as somewhat 'boring'. However, that's not quite true anymore. 1. Sporty design These days, automotive design is definitely much more interesting and expressive than before. Even for MPVs, you nowadays find more sporty exterior designs that draw from hatchbacks and SUVs. The sleeker designs have generallty moved away from the boxy designs of the past. Additionally, chic detailing is also available, such as the new R-Line package available on the Volkswagen Touran. The bespoke R-Line body kit, 18-inch Marseille alloy wheels and black radiator grille creates a look that definitely echoes the Volkswagen Golf. 2. Family friendly Of course, all MPVs have to be family friendly. MPVs standout out for their overall functionality and adaptability to all situations, with seven seats for passengers, a large, configurable cabin with plenty of space, as well as a certain level of ruggedness to make the car 'kid-proof'. The Touran has plenty of family friendly features. The cabin can fit seven, or can be maximised for storage by folding both rear rows of seats down to create 1,857 litres of cargo space. The easy open tailgate function also allows handsfree access to the boot. The Touran also features foldable tables with an integrated cupholders on the backrest of the front seats, rear air-con controls, as well as individually adjustable second row seats, with a total travel of 200mm. 3. Safety first Safety is also paramount. As you'd expect from a modern car, any MPV today will come packed with safety features. In the Touran, you will find Front Assist with City Emergency Brake, Side Assist and Rear Traffic Alert. In addition, you will find an integrated child seat in the Touran R-Line. The outer seats have a seat cushion that folds upwards, which reveals a non-slip step for the child's feet. Fold-out side bolsters and side head restraints also provide additional side support for the child. As a result, you don't have to spend additional money on a slew of kid-friendly accessories for your car (and add to the clutter) - safety comes built in! As the new Volkswagen Touran R-Line proves, MPVs don't have to be dull, people carriers. Loaded with modern amenities and equipment, sporting a fresh and sharp design, while still delivering ample the practicality and functionality, the Touran easily dispels the myth that all MPVs are boring.

[FB Live] Get Exclusive Prices Across The Entire Volkswagen Range On Our Facebook LIVE featuring Julian and Idris! Get FREE Udders ice cream when you RSVP your interest here! We are back by popular demand! And this time, we have partnered up with Volkswagen to bring you exclusive prices with instant discounts when you catch our e-MarkDown Facebook Live, and don’t miss the virtual tour around Volkswagen’s newly revamped Showroom! Highlights of the event! Free 100ml of udders ice cream (Limited to first 100 paxs) 3 x $100 Petrol Vouchers to be won During Lucky Draw $20 shopping voucher to be won when you like and share during our Facebook Live event! Make sure you look out for attractive prizes during our Facebook LIVE For all the potential car buyers out there, we will be giving away an instant discount off selected car Volkswagen models during our Facebook Live! #noworriesonCOErises! Get FREE Udders ice cream when you RSVP your interest here! Okay, Sold. What am I suppose to do next? Step 1: Click on to this link and register yourself to this event! Get FREE Udders ice cream when you RSVP your interest here! Step 2: Get reminded Step 3: Stand by at your desktop or mobile during 15 Oct, 8pm! Step 4: Like and Share and participate in our fun activities during the FB Live and win attractive prizes! Bonus step: You can also secure your next car with an instant discount! Get FREE Udders ice cream when you RSVP your interest here!

Well, some of my insider sources suggest that the pricing of the Toyota Avanza 1.5 which they will be bringing in within this year is benchmarked against the VW Touran 1.4 TSI. Considering that the likelihood of the Avanza's OMV to be less than $20k is very high, it is quite laughable that Borneo Motors' & Toyota's head are still up in the clouds to conceptualize such a pricing, especially in today's COE climate. Its seriously a no-brainer to choose the Touran over the Avanza. The Avanza has the virtues for being a very simple vehicle, armed with a primitive 4-speeder auto-box with an equally anemic 1.5 litre engine. The Touran on the other hand is much more well-built with up-to-date drivetrain (7 DSG), engine (1.4 twincharged) and safety equipment. Even the curb weight difference is telling (1410 kg vs 1095kg)... The question is will you buy a $100k+++ mini-MPV meant for developing markets such as Indonesia and Philippines? For sure i won't...

guys, saw front page of new paper this morning, VW diesel 28K repair bill.. wonder what is wrong

I read this morning's papers about the new VW Touran. I'm utterly impressed with VW! priced below 100k with such ridiculous COE price, i have to say that VW is doing the best job currently in the market. not only the price, consider the features packed in the touran. 7 speed DSG. 1.4 TURBO. 0-100 under 10sec. 7 seater audio controls on steering wheels blah blah This is a winner. road tax cheap. FC friendly. 7 seater Continental cheap price high COE, HIGH paper value. to be frank, if i had not purchased my odyssey last year at 96k (low COE)..... this is the one i'm definitely getting.

Shortlisted a few compact MPVs and narrowed down to these 2. Appreciate any constructive input.

I am currently driving an 07 honday odyssey. Seems like the new touran is a good proposition to replace my 3 year old odyssey. Any one having the same thoughts can share some insights?

any good reputable shops that can tune the above car engine to its original high performannce ??

Following on from the launch of the CrossPolo and CrossGolf earlier this year, Volkswagen is now completing its family of soft-roaders with the presentation of the new CrossTouran. In essence, the car is a plastic body kitted version of the standard Touran minivan blessed with an extra road clearance and a more rugged, off-road look. Styling enhancements include the cladded lower parts of the front and rear bumpers, black grained protective strips on the doors, chunky wheel arch extensions and new side sills. The 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215 tires up front and 235s at the back plus matt aluminium roof rails complete the exterior package. The longer suspension springs add 20mm of ground clearance over the standard model. On the inside, VW added colorful seat cover patterns, decorative trim in stainless steel look, leather steering wheel and leather trim on gearlever knob and handbrake lever. The lifted Touran will be available with the same TDI diesel, TSI turbocharged gasoline and natural gas engine options as the standard model ranging in power from 105HP to 170HP.

For the second time since its introduction in 2003 and four years after the presentation of the revised model in 2006, the Volkswagen Touran 7-seater MPV has been facelifted again. Due to make its world premiere at this month's Auto Mobil International (AMI) motor show, which runs from 10 to 18 April in Leipzig, Germany, the 2011 Touran features a refreshed styling inspired by the new Polo, Golf and Touareg models. At the front, the Touran gets VW's latest corporate grille along with new headlamp and bumper designs. The rear section of the Touran is also restyled, featuring two-piece tail lamps that extend from the wing into the tailgate. Completing the revisions are a set of new alloy wheels and chrome-edged rubbing strips running down the side of the vehicle as well as new exterior mirrors. On the inside, we get to see the familiar three-spoke steering wheel and a new set of dials featuring white backlighting, which are shared with the 2010 Jetta. A revised centre console with chrome highlights houses the new controls for the ventilation system. For the drivetrains, the new entry-level 1.2-liter TSI gasoline unit with 105HP is joined by a 1.4-liter TSI offered in 140HP and 170HP configurations. These engines are mated to the seven-speed Direct Shift Gearbox.

http://www.sgcarmart.com/news/review.php?AID=50 One MPV with a hell lots of torque...hahaha

Bros, pls may I request that bros keep me posted if they come across anyone whom they know wants to let go of their Touran 1.4TSI. Thanks

The next Volkswagen Touran has been spied testing on the streets with a trailer in tow. Though the mule uses the current Touran facelift for its body, underneath there lies the next-generation model. The Touran will take on the brand's new face which can already be seen on the Scirocco, the Golf VI and the new Polo. VW's versatile vehicle has been in the market since 2003 and it received a facelift in 2007. Speculation is that because the current car, which is based on the expensive to build Golf V platform, VW is moving the next one's release date up in order to take advantage of the cheaper Golf VI platform. Engines expected include the 1.4-litre TSI and the 1.6-litre. Turbo diesels are also popular in this segment so the 1.9 TDI as well as the 2.0 TDI will form the lineup. Mated to these engines are two gearboxes, the familiar 6-speed manual and the new 7-speed DSG. Gadgets on the menu would be things like the self-park function, touch screen satellite navigation and lane assist. It would not be a surprise to see the Touran at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. Spy shots.

Am looking at my option to upgrade to a 7 seater in the next 6 months or so... Test drove and like the Stream RSZ and Touran... Cannot decide... Car will occasionally travel into Msia for trips from 400~1400+km road trip (4~5times per year) Most of the time will be me, wife and 2 kids. Weekend will see 2~3 more adults. The OMV is almost similar at 25~26k and pricing is 77~81k. Expect pricing to drop further down the road... FC is also similiar at 10~12km/l. Will like to hear some opinions...

Dear all i am lost between VW Touran Sport and Subaru Exiga Both about same price, 95K one is continental super and turbo charge 1.4TSI. 0-100, abt 8.3Sec Test drove it, have great performance but look square. Subara Exiga GT cannot test drive but can look sporty and have great BPH an Torque Anyone who have the exiga GT can advise on the performance. Please help advice which one shall i choose.

Anyone following this contest? Starting from today till 15th~ Only a 'Q' in today's papers right?

AT A GLANCE The heart of the Touran TSI is its supercharged, turbocharged direct-injection engine. This unit is so advanced that it meets every emission standard in the world. It

Saw one white example at Simei today. Looks cool Too bad I was driving, could not take a pix to post here. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vehicle Registration Number: SH36xxU Intended Date of Transfer of Ownership: 30/03/2006 Make: VOLKSWAGEN Model: TOURAN TDI Number of Transfers: 0 Open Market Value (OMV): $21,583.00 Road Tax Expiry Date: 22/06/2006 Non-user/Lay Up Expiry Date: Not Applicable PARF Status: Yes PARF Status Expiry Date: 22/12/2013 COE Expiry Date: 22/12/2013 Life Span Expiry Date: 22/12/2013 Special Remark: Lifespan expires on 22/12/2013. No further COE renewal is allowed.

so they've launched their touran. anyone been to the showroom? care to share with us the experience? how much is the car cost?

Volkswagen has released the first official photo of their Golf V based MPV due to be released next spring. The press release doesn't reveal a lot about the Golf V platform, but it does show a few important things: four-link fully independent rear suspension, electromechanical power steering, six-speed manual standard and a new six-speed automatic/double-clutch sequential transmission in the near future, and new levels of fit and finish (look at those shut lines). The Touran is an addition to the Sharan lineup of people movers and is not part of the actual Golf V lineup, so don't look to the Touran as any indication of Golf V styling. The Touran is designed to compete with the Renault Scenic and other mini-minivans in the very popular small people-mover segment in Europe. The Touran is almost 8 inches longer, 2.2 inches wider and 7.5 inches taller than the current Golf IV. The second multipurpose vehicle (MPV) from Volkswagen following the larger Sharan is a strong, individual design. Notable features of the Touran, which is 4.39 m (172.8 in.) long, 1.79 m (70.5 in.) wide and 1.63 m (64.2 in.) high, include a highly versatile interior layout and ample space, equivalent to many a vehicle with significantly larger overall dimensions. The interior, which can be equipped with up to seven separate seats, has the versatility in use and extensive safety features expected by customers with high mobility needs. Combined with a choice of powerful engines and a rigid bodyshell, the suspension makes the Touran a dynamic performer on the road. Touran is a name formed from the term 'Tour' and the name 'Sharan'. 'Tour' symbolizes travel in comfort over long distances, and the ending '-an' is used to indicate Volkswagen's multipurpose vehicles. The complete name is representative of the leisure-oriented target group with its multitude of activities to whom this new compact midsize-class Volkswagen MPV will appeal. The Touran will be available in three equipment and trim versions, and sales will start with a choice of three FSI and TDI engines, as dynamic as they are economical, developing between 74 kW (100 bhp) and 100 kW (136 bhp). During the year, further engine options will be offered. A unique feature in this market segment so far: all FSI-and TDI-engined models will have a standard six-speed gearbox. As an optional extra, a new, innovative six-speed automatic transmission will be available, and will combine the advantages of a manual gearbox with those of an automatic transmission in an entirely new way. The Touran has five seats as standard equipment, and a well-planned, versatile interior layout. The three individual seats in the second row can be easily repositioned, folded or removed entirely. The two full-size seats in the third row can be folded down into the floor, so that the Touran can carry seven people; this feature is an optional extra. The Volkswagen Touran's seat concept permits more than 500 different positions and layouts, and is therefore unsurpassed in its versatility. With five seats in use, the load area has a capacity of more than 600 liters (21.2 cu/ft.); the maximum payload limit is above 650 kilograms (1,433 lbs.).