VW Phaeton

[Antony]

Good afternoon all. Just a question about thoughts regarding the VW Phaeton. While fiendishly complicated, the basic platform seems great in terms of comfort and technical goodies. I'm looking for a daily driver for about 10,000 miles a year. A 50K mile example can be had at around $15-$18K.
Do any of our members own one?
Have any of our members fixed one?
Looking forward to any useful information this great forum can provide.
Thanks all,
-Tony

[davidmash]

There is someone who had or has one but I cannot for the life of me remember who. Perhaps someone else knows.

As I recall, the owner really liked his example.

[tbomachines]

Everyone I've talked to who owned one raved about the amount of engineering involved, and just the super high standard in which it was designed. They also immediately gripe about the ridiculously high maintenance costs of said engineering and design. That said, I've really drooled over these but could never pull the trigger.

[compu_85]

I'd think the running costs wouldn't be much worse than a modern S-Class. I'd go for the V8, the W engines are much harder to work on.

A friend had one and he loved it, but had to sell it when his commute got long. IIRC he was having to put $1200 in tires on it ever 35,000 miles. 17s are the smallest wheels that will fit too I was really nice taking that car for a spin. I'd love to have one someday. It's too bad they didn't sell the TDI here

Also, unlike with a Mercedes, you can get a proper scan tool (VCDS) to work on them for cheap. So it might be full of computers, but you can at least diagnose and repair them yourself.

-J

[Jorn]

I worked on the introduction campaign when they were introduced in the States. Was absolutely blown away by the build quality and the luxury the Phaeton provided, especially the W12 with all the options. I still think it's a stunning looking car, Bentley luxury for pennies. You don't see that many on the road here in LA, I believe they did better on the east coast.

[compu_85]

Ya. If you think the attention to detail on a W140 is good...

-J

[The Swede]

Yes, do it. Get the W12. Gotta pay to play, expect to a few grand/yr for proper upkeep.

[Mölyapina]

Originally Posted by davidmash

As I recall, the owner really liked his example.

Yeah, but then he committed suicide.

[iwrock]

PCDave had one. Ranted and raved about it in his posts.

I had the opportunity to pilot one from San Francisco to Los-Angeles. Fantastic car, but very understated. Excellent road manners, excellent comfort, and very quiet - car was absolutely sublime.

Would I own one - maybe, would have to be cheap. They are expensive cars - and only certain VW techs are really trained to work on them.

FWIW - VW used it to offset the costs to develop the new frames and technologies for the Continental GT, Audi, Lamborghini, Bugatti, etc.

[cgryphon]

Top Gear, 2003, Episode 10. Starts around minute 16.



Seems like they like it and there is a very nice young lady involved as well....

[Antony]

Thanks for the replies.
The hope is to buy one, and as stated, at least try to diagnose problems with a scan tool. If unable, there is a great VW dealer about 15 miles away.
Please keep your input coming, and thanks again.

[cmac2012]

Originally Posted by compu_85

I'd think the running costs wouldn't be much worse than a modern S-Class. I'd go for the V8, the W engines are much harder to work on.

A friend had one and he loved it, but had to sell it when his commute got long. IIRC he was having to put $1200 in tires on it ever 35,000 miles. 17s are the smallest wheels that will fit too I was really nice taking that car for a spin. I'd love to have one someday. It's too bad they didn't sell the TDI here

Also, unlike with a Mercedes, you can get a proper scan tool (VCDS) to work on them for cheap. So it might be full of computers, but you can at least diagnose and repair them yourself.

I've been curious about these, was just now reading the Wikipedia page. Where did the 5.0 liter V10 TDI come from? One would think engineering costs on such an engine would be substantial.

The numbers are impressive: 313 PS (230 kW; 309 bhp)@3750, 750 N·m (553 lbf·ft)@2000

Whoops, that might be a rare rig. This site says the engine had a short lifespan:

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/27/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-volkswagen-touareg-v10-tdi/

[Jim B.]

Nice as they look and feel, the "VW" logo on them turned out to be the kiss of death for USA sales, and while they continue to sell well in Europe, they have been discontinued in the USA for many years.

The best reason NOT to ever buy one is simply that - for years now - even the VW dealer service department mechanics don't know how to fix them - goes double or triple for the independent shops.

They are simply too rare and so fiendishly complex.

I'd avoid the Phaeton at *all* costs (sadly).

[compu_85]

Ya, the V10s have all the normal PD issues, plus some extras that are V10 specific. They have two ECUs for example.... one for each bank.

The V10 has enough torque off the line to completely relax the front suspension on a T-Reg

-J

[Jorn]

I have seen a Touareg V10 TDI with California plates, wonder how that's possible.

That V10 TDI is no joke.