Tow car ideas please...
Discussion
Interesting read this.....I see the Op mentioned that the Disco 3 was too big.
We've worked our way over the years through Disco 1 and 2 but when the time came for a 3, my wife too decided it was too big. Jumped in a Range Rover Sport though and all was well, the same underpinnings it may be but it's a much 'smaller' driving experience and if you don't need 7 seats, a good option.
Our early 2.7 has been ragged all over Europe, is now just over 100k and is without doubt the best tow car I've ever used (and I've tried a lot). It gets used for everything from hauling rally cars and boats, hooning down to the Alps to ski or just bimbling to the supermarket.
It's never let us down, is maintained on the button and I see them coming into the classifieds now at sub £15k.
Just a thought....it might be worth a test drive in one. The 2.7 is nothing like as nice a motor as the 3.0 but a £275 re-map makes a huge difference.
We've worked our way over the years through Disco 1 and 2 but when the time came for a 3, my wife too decided it was too big. Jumped in a Range Rover Sport though and all was well, the same underpinnings it may be but it's a much 'smaller' driving experience and if you don't need 7 seats, a good option.
Our early 2.7 has been ragged all over Europe, is now just over 100k and is without doubt the best tow car I've ever used (and I've tried a lot). It gets used for everything from hauling rally cars and boats, hooning down to the Alps to ski or just bimbling to the supermarket.
It's never let us down, is maintained on the button and I see them coming into the classifieds now at sub £15k.
Just a thought....it might be worth a test drive in one. The 2.7 is nothing like as nice a motor as the 3.0 but a £275 re-map makes a huge difference.
Watchman said:
I loved my 3-litre Legacy but it cost more to own overall than the ML does.
I don't think the maintenance argument holds water. The big trucks are designed to "be big".
On some aspects it's unquestionable:I don't think the maintenance argument holds water. The big trucks are designed to "be big".
Watchman said:
a decent set of proper winters would work their magic. Sort of glad I never wasted £1400 on them now (although it would have been nice if the car hadn't been stolen too)
Cost me £400 for decent (Sottozero 3's, same price as the TS850's everyone loves) for my E61. £1000 is a fair chunk. (That's tyres only mind, is your price including wheels? Either way, bigger wheels, bigger profile, bigger costs.)I just use that as an illustrative figure, I appreciate that certain aspects - wear and tear - aren't likely to be that different, but ultimately bigger cars have more bulk to lug around so there are some areas where they're going to be more expensive to run, and few where (comparing like for like - X5 to 5'er etc) they'll be cheaper.
I'm sort of with you on the tax front, on it's own it wouldn't put me off if all the other running costs were the same. It could be the straw that broke the camels back though if it's one of several upward costs.
Watchman said:
The X5 had daft wheels. The rear winter tyres alone were over £400 each. That was either Vreds or Nokians.
You're still looking £170 a corner on a W164 ML 320CDI vs. around £100 a corner for a the equivalent C-Class estate (for premiums, I'm sure Vreds will be a bit less - but it's the difference like for like that applies.) There's no way around it - on tyres at least, you're going to pay more significantly more. Financially I can't personally see how it's going to be cheaper to run a 4x4 than the equivalent estate, but money is only one part of the equation in this case.FWIW, I would never pop winter tyres on what are effectively, summer rims.
A decent set of Conti winters (brand new) in 18" variety are "only" c. 180 a tyre.
As previously mentioned, you can get a set of Conti's on second hand 18" rims for an X5 for around 1.2k. Plus by not continually stripping summer and winter tyes off the same rim, you're not endangering the bead. Additionally, winter tyres should be as narrow as you can get away with; although the extra tread on winters will help to some degree, you either still stand a high chance of aquaplaning on 10.5J wheels or having them be pointless in snow.
A decent set of Conti winters (brand new) in 18" variety are "only" c. 180 a tyre.
As previously mentioned, you can get a set of Conti's on second hand 18" rims for an X5 for around 1.2k. Plus by not continually stripping summer and winter tyes off the same rim, you're not endangering the bead. Additionally, winter tyres should be as narrow as you can get away with; although the extra tread on winters will help to some degree, you either still stand a high chance of aquaplaning on 10.5J wheels or having them be pointless in snow.
It's funny how you start to justify the added costs. I remember thinking I wouldn't own a car that required tyres over £100, and over the years that has crept up.
So now I'm in a car with tyres at ~£150 per corner but I am looking at a cheaper commuter than the ML. It's a stupid car for one person to drive to work and back in. I'd like to keep the ML for holidays, general towing and such, and as it's not worth a lot, I might just do that. But at £135 to fill up, 23mpg, and ~£600 of tyres a year, it'd be easy to justify buying and commuting in something cheap to run.
In fact, I'm looking at an electric-assist bicycle at the mo. I rather fancy something where I'm forced to pedal but where the electric-assist kicks-in up hills, and to help me maintain a decent speed. My current commute would allow for me to ride largely away from the main traffic, and in fact about 50% can be achieved on cycle paths. I'm still working to improve my fitness before committing to a £3K bicycle by cycling 12-14 miles every evening, after work. I'm getting to the point where I can seriously consider this now.
[/thread divergence]
So now I'm in a car with tyres at ~£150 per corner but I am looking at a cheaper commuter than the ML. It's a stupid car for one person to drive to work and back in. I'd like to keep the ML for holidays, general towing and such, and as it's not worth a lot, I might just do that. But at £135 to fill up, 23mpg, and ~£600 of tyres a year, it'd be easy to justify buying and commuting in something cheap to run.
In fact, I'm looking at an electric-assist bicycle at the mo. I rather fancy something where I'm forced to pedal but where the electric-assist kicks-in up hills, and to help me maintain a decent speed. My current commute would allow for me to ride largely away from the main traffic, and in fact about 50% can be achieved on cycle paths. I'm still working to improve my fitness before committing to a £3K bicycle by cycling 12-14 miles every evening, after work. I'm getting to the point where I can seriously consider this now.
[/thread divergence]
I have a Bailey Pageant which is 1410kg max weight and have towed with various vehicles.
V70 (S1) 2.5 10v excellent, bit wallowy but great engine, great seats, reget selling
Alhambra Tdi 130 was a superb towcar. Stable, short overhang and torquey engine
XC90 D5 again superb but couldn't justify the high running costs when it wasn't towing.
Present, Avensis Estate 2.0 diesel, thought it would struggle but pulls well, 32mpg, feels very solid, sensible tax, sensilble car....
Wife now wanting another Volvo so we will probably go for an XC60. Friend has one and tows with it. Very impressed. Its the 2.0 163bhp auto.
V70 (S1) 2.5 10v excellent, bit wallowy but great engine, great seats, reget selling
Alhambra Tdi 130 was a superb towcar. Stable, short overhang and torquey engine
XC90 D5 again superb but couldn't justify the high running costs when it wasn't towing.
Present, Avensis Estate 2.0 diesel, thought it would struggle but pulls well, 32mpg, feels very solid, sensible tax, sensilble car....
Wife now wanting another Volvo so we will probably go for an XC60. Friend has one and tows with it. Very impressed. Its the 2.0 163bhp auto.
Rosscow said:
This is obviously more money but would be an excellent choice, and well under budget:
https://www.vcars.co.uk/used-cars/cardetails.php?t...
I still think for the money this is a hard towcar to beat.https://www.vcars.co.uk/used-cars/cardetails.php?t...
Mine is now on 81k miles and is 2 years older than this, the mileage wouldn't overly phase me.
Also came 2nd to the Discovery in the heavyweight 2008 towcar awards.
http://www.thetowcarawards.com/tow-car/audi-a6-all...
Edited by Rosscow on Friday 8th August 10:09
Rosscow said:
I still think for the money this is a hard towcar to beat.
Mine is now on 81k miles and is 2 years older than this, the mileage wouldn't overly phase me.
Also came 2nd to the Discovery in the heavyweight 2008 towcar awards.
http://www.thetowcarawards.com/tow-car/audi-a6-all...
Just seems overkill to me for towing less than 1000 miles per year.Mine is now on 81k miles and is 2 years older than this, the mileage wouldn't overly phase me.
Also came 2nd to the Discovery in the heavyweight 2008 towcar awards.
http://www.thetowcarawards.com/tow-car/audi-a6-all...
Edited by Rosscow on Friday 8th August 10:09
90% of the use will be solo where it will be relatively expensive to run.
Its not a huge van.
Most large ish estates or MPVs will tow it fine.
He's only traveling an 1-1.5hrs from home
GreatGranny said:
Rosscow said:
I still think for the money this is a hard towcar to beat.
Mine is now on 81k miles and is 2 years older than this, the mileage wouldn't overly phase me.
Also came 2nd to the Discovery in the heavyweight 2008 towcar awards.
http://www.thetowcarawards.com/tow-car/audi-a6-all...
Just seems overkill to me for towing less than 1000 miles per year.Mine is now on 81k miles and is 2 years older than this, the mileage wouldn't overly phase me.
Also came 2nd to the Discovery in the heavyweight 2008 towcar awards.
http://www.thetowcarawards.com/tow-car/audi-a6-all...
Edited by Rosscow on Friday 8th August 10:09
90% of the use will be solo where it will be relatively expensive to run.
Its not a huge van.
Most large ish estates or MPVs will tow it fine.
He's only traveling an 1-1.5hrs from home
I own an '08 plate CRV and it tows our 4 berth Bailey ok. I also own a Vauxhal Vivaro van on a '57 plate and that tows brilliantly, you don't even know you're towing. I don't know what Golf you have but if its value at the moment is £10K, then that leaves you £5K. With that you could buy a decent crew cab Vivaro.
So if those figures are good, my suggestion would be keep the Golf and buy a Vivaro. The crew cabs are very comfortable and easy to drive with a great view of the road and the storage space is huge so you can take away everything you want without making your caravan too heavy.
Just an idea and not everyone's cup of tea but worth a thought.
Dave
So if those figures are good, my suggestion would be keep the Golf and buy a Vivaro. The crew cabs are very comfortable and easy to drive with a great view of the road and the storage space is huge so you can take away everything you want without making your caravan too heavy.
Just an idea and not everyone's cup of tea but worth a thought.
Dave
GreatGranny said:
Just seems overkill to me for towing less than 1000 miles per year.
90% of the use will be solo where it will be relatively expensive to run.
Its not a huge van.
Most large ish estates or MPVs will tow it fine.
He's only traveling an 1-1.5hrs from home
So the final decision was made by taking the caravan purchase out of the equation and choosing a daily driver that she liked. 90% of the use will be solo where it will be relatively expensive to run.
Its not a huge van.
Most large ish estates or MPVs will tow it fine.
He's only traveling an 1-1.5hrs from home
The CRV ticked all the right boxes, incredibly well built and engineered which doesn't seem to be the case for much of the German stuff (I know, we've had 2 VW's and 3 Audis, of which I've still got one).
She liked the drive, we had a really pleasant experience at the Honda dealership negotiating the deal (first time I've ever bought a car from a dealer, always bought privately) and I've sold her GTi within 48 hrs of advertising it.
The Bailey 456 has a deposit on it and we're collecting it the weekend of the 23rd once we're back from Italy.
It's around 82% towing ratio, so should do the job we require of it.
For sure the Honda isn't exciting but it does offer practicality and reliability.
I've got my S3 and MX5 for the things that the Honda might be lacking.
I actually found the crv to be quite a decent drive. The I-dtec unit is in budget here in the range topping ex trim.
Drive one before you discount it :-)
We ended up buying a v8 disco 3, and I have learnt with a wife and child, your car can never be too big. 7 seats is a huge plus also.
Drive one before you discount it :-)
We ended up buying a v8 disco 3, and I have learnt with a wife and child, your car can never be too big. 7 seats is a huge plus also.
Just flicking back through old posts and saw this....
Latest update.....wife liked driving the CRV but never really jelled with it, however, I really enjoyed the slightly slower pace but better view of the road in the CRV.
I sold the CRV to a friend who had just written his off, my wife got a VW Tiguan , which she loves, to coin a marketing phrase, its just like a Golf...
I sold my S3 and bought a Discovery 4 3.0 XS.
It's a completely different drive to what I'm used to, but has practicality and comfort in spades.
Latest update.....wife liked driving the CRV but never really jelled with it, however, I really enjoyed the slightly slower pace but better view of the road in the CRV.
I sold the CRV to a friend who had just written his off, my wife got a VW Tiguan , which she loves, to coin a marketing phrase, its just like a Golf...
I sold my S3 and bought a Discovery 4 3.0 XS.
It's a completely different drive to what I'm used to, but has practicality and comfort in spades.
Thats what wives do :-)
So now you have 2 towcars!
The Disco will be superb at towing.
used to love towing with my wifes XC90 but because of her change of job = longer commute it was too expensive to use as an everyday car
Big diesel, 4x4 and auto makes a great combination.
Any trips out planned?
We have weekends on the east coast, Clumber park and chatsworth booked and a week in Dorset so far.
Will add more weekends no doubt.
So now you have 2 towcars!
The Disco will be superb at towing.
used to love towing with my wifes XC90 but because of her change of job = longer commute it was too expensive to use as an everyday car
Big diesel, 4x4 and auto makes a great combination.
Any trips out planned?
We have weekends on the east coast, Clumber park and chatsworth booked and a week in Dorset so far.
Will add more weekends no doubt.
Edited by GreatGranny on Tuesday 24th March 16:02
GreatGranny said:
Thats what wives do :-)
So now you have 2 towcars!
The Disco will be superb at towing.
used to love towing with my wifes XC90 but because of her change of job = longer commute it was too expensive to use as an everyday car
Big diesel, 4x4 and auto makes a great combination.
Any trips out planned?
We have weekends on the east coast, Clumber park and chatsworth booked and a week in Dorset so far.
Will add more weekends no doubt.
You sound like you've got a few good trips sorted. Enjoy.So now you have 2 towcars!
The Disco will be superb at towing.
used to love towing with my wifes XC90 but because of her change of job = longer commute it was too expensive to use as an everyday car
Big diesel, 4x4 and auto makes a great combination.
Any trips out planned?
We have weekends on the east coast, Clumber park and chatsworth booked and a week in Dorset so far.
Will add more weekends no doubt.
Edited by GreatGranny on Tuesday 24th March 16:02
Not towed with it yet, but that's due to change next week. Off to Cambridge for a long weekend, then later in April we have another weekend away, but only just up the road on the coast in North Norfolk.
Then away on the first May bank holiday, somewhere down in Suffolk.
Despite saying we wouldn't tow far, I've decided we'll be having 2 weeks in France in August as well, (our trip to Australia has been put back to Xmas but don't want to miss out on a summer holiday) potentially in the Loire valley, but still discussing final destinations.
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff