Cheap tow car?!
Discussion
hornetrider said:
PurpleTurtle said:
I'm also in the market for a tow car circa £7k, as we have decided to plump for a caravan.
It will also serve as my wife's runabout (she is at home, looking after our 18 month old baby, so no commuting mileage), and will double up as our family car for doing longer trips in, with/without the caravan. We would rarely go more than 200 miles on a non-caravan trip.
Requirements:
Used estate with decent load capacity.
ISOFIX
3 Series size - I've touted a 5 Series/E Class size but she says too big for day to day driving
Reliable - I'd ideally like a BMW 330D Touring, but am very wary of N47 engine timing chain issues at my budget
Has enough torque to pull a 4 berth caravan comfortably without wheezing at the first sight of an incline
Reasonably economical when not towing
Doesn't make me feel pensionable when driving it (ETA: yeah, I know, caravans ....)
Doesn't have a costly DPF/DMF/Turbo/Fuel Pump/Injector issue about to drop in my lap
Annual mileage will be maximum 10k/pa including towing. We plan to do 5-6 trips away each year, which would include one long trip to, say, France.
I am conscious that anything diesel at my end of the market will be somewhat leggy in terms of mileage, so am erring towards petrol, as I'm worried that any saving made at the pump with a diesel could be blown apart with one big bill at the garage.
Thoughts?
I like autotrader these days as you can add in perfomance/drivetrain preferences quite easily and it throws up things you wouldn't have initially thought of.It will also serve as my wife's runabout (she is at home, looking after our 18 month old baby, so no commuting mileage), and will double up as our family car for doing longer trips in, with/without the caravan. We would rarely go more than 200 miles on a non-caravan trip.
Requirements:
Used estate with decent load capacity.
ISOFIX
3 Series size - I've touted a 5 Series/E Class size but she says too big for day to day driving
Reliable - I'd ideally like a BMW 330D Touring, but am very wary of N47 engine timing chain issues at my budget
Has enough torque to pull a 4 berth caravan comfortably without wheezing at the first sight of an incline
Reasonably economical when not towing
Doesn't make me feel pensionable when driving it (ETA: yeah, I know, caravans ....)
Doesn't have a costly DPF/DMF/Turbo/Fuel Pump/Injector issue about to drop in my lap
Annual mileage will be maximum 10k/pa including towing. We plan to do 5-6 trips away each year, which would include one long trip to, say, France.
I am conscious that anything diesel at my end of the market will be somewhat leggy in terms of mileage, so am erring towards petrol, as I'm worried that any saving made at the pump with a diesel could be blown apart with one big bill at the garage.
Thoughts?
How about a V50 D5?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Rosscow said:
I would be seriously looking at either a rear wheel drive or 4 wheel drive car if I were you.
That basically means a BMW 3 or 5 series, Mercedes C or E class, Audi A4 or A6, or a 4Motion Passat.
Now there's an idea I like. A couple of mates have had E91 3 Series which they love until we get our annual two weeks of snow, when they loathe them. 4 wheel drive would be a bonus for that and towing a van on anything slippy. Economy doesn't seem to suffer tooo badly on the diesel 4WD Passat too, that could be a serious proposition. I like the fact that they have a reputation as hewn from granite. That basically means a BMW 3 or 5 series, Mercedes C or E class, Audi A4 or A6, or a 4Motion Passat.
PurpleTurtle said:
Rosscow said:
or a 4Motion Passat.
Now there's an idea I like. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Trouble is at 08 it's only 140bhp. Which would do the job but... not amazing.
We tow with my wifes Freelander 2. It seems to tow our caravan which has a MIRO of 1360kg / MTPLM of 1565kg with no problems.
Land Rovers don't have the best reputation with regard to quality, but in the 5 years she has had it have only had problems with the rear door handle mechanism.
They have been around for 10 years so are available for a wide range of prices.
Land Rovers don't have the best reputation with regard to quality, but in the 5 years she has had it have only had problems with the rear door handle mechanism.
They have been around for 10 years so are available for a wide range of prices.
hornetrider said:
PurpleTurtle said:
Rosscow said:
or a 4Motion Passat.
Now there's an idea I like. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Trouble is at 08 it's only 140bhp. Which would do the job but... not amazing.
It seems that back in '07, this version was Tow Car Of The Year, for the weight of van I'm looking to tow:
http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/news/20...
Rosscow said:
I would be seriously looking at either a rear wheel drive or 4 wheel drive car if I were you.
Yes I think 4 wheel drive is a better option and would be looking for that. I sometimes think the Mercs BMWs, Passats etc look too sall for what they are towing. Best investigate more!Chrisgr31 said:
Rosscow said:
I would be seriously looking at either a rear wheel drive or 4 wheel drive car if I were you.
Yes I think 4 wheel drive is a better option and would be looking for that. I sometimes think the Mercs BMWs, Passats etc look too sall for what they are towing. Best investigate more!
Chicken Chaser said:
Why is that? Surely not everyone can be towing with 4x4s or RWD?
As in my post above, my i laws have had some real trouble in damp fields and steep hills with their Avensis due to lack of traction to the front wheels.I've been at the same campsite at the same time, and have had no problems at all despite a caravan that is bigger and weighs 300kg more.
Just personal experience and opinion, that's all!
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff