Towcar dilemma

Author
Discussion

hornetrider

Original Poster:

63,161 posts

204 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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Currently towing with my fabulous E61 550i. It's a bit juicy of course but nothing too severe, and solo I'm averaging 24mpg with it which is acceptible for my current average mileage of 12-15k pa.

However I'm going to be moving house shortly, increasing my daily commute from <20 miles each way to >40 miles each way. Alas I think this is a tipping point and I have to suck up switching to the devils fuel. Boooooo!

My plan is to get an R129 500SL for weekends and pottering about as we all need a V8 in our lives. The question is what to get as a replacement tow car, which will also be a daily driver.

Budget is 4-5k max. Want an estate, not a 4x4. Would like a combined avg mpg of 40+ closer to 50 if possible. Needs to weigh 1500kgs or more and be capable of towing my van with a lack of effort - which is 1500kgs MTPLM.

Current list:

W210 E320CDI Avantgarde - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

A4 PD130 Quattro with GMBH kit - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

E39 530D Sport - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

B5.5 Passat Highline PD130 - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

I'm ruling out the 2.5 VAG engines due to reliability issues. Looked at a Passat TDI and I wanted to like it, but it didn't really feel special enough. I know they are very worthy though. If I could find a 4mo I might remain interested but it may be ruled out.

Anything I'm missing?


Tunku

7,703 posts

227 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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You're missing the ubiquitous V70 and derivitives.

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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What is the unladen weight / MTPLM of the van?

hornetrider

Original Poster:

63,161 posts

204 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
As above - MTPLM is 1500kgs. Think the MIRO is 1350.

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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Doh, I read that twice and still didn't see it. paperbag

Passat - a friend towed with a 51 plate 1.9 130, similar to the highline that you linked to. It was only a light van (under 1100kg) but it towed well, he changed to the replacement model that towed horribly, I could feel it moving around etc from the passenger seat!

As above you're missing the volvo option.

Slight curveball : my Dad tows with a Zafira cdti, heavy enough, got a stack of torque. There were a couple of other reasons why it was a good car for him but consider the "bigger" 4 door cars too - S Max, Zafira, Sharan etc.

hornetrider

Original Poster:

63,161 posts

204 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
Crafty_ said:
Passat - a friend towed with a 51 plate 1.9 130, similar to the highline that you linked to. It was only a light van (under 1100kg) but it towed well, he changed to the replacement model that towed horribly, I could feel it moving around etc from the passenger seat!
Yes, the newer one has the 2 litre engine as well which I've found to be very linear and lacking in grunty feel to the older 1.9 PD unit.

Crafty_ said:
As above you're missing the volvo option.
I'm a bit reluctant to get a FWD car. Also - is the D5 that economical? I looked at possibly an XC90 but the economy figures weren't much better than my 550i hehe Plus, they fall under the 'not very special' category of personal misgivings I'm afraid.

Crafty_ said:
Slight curveball : my Dad tows with a Zafira cdti, heavy enough, got a stack of torque. There were a couple of other reasons why it was a good car for him but consider the "bigger" 4 door cars too - S Max, Zafira, Sharan etc.
Just... no hehe No MPVs, however worthy.

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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I very much doubt you'll get a combined MPG of 40+ out of either the E320 or the 530.


hornetrider

Original Poster:

63,161 posts

204 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
Gah! I know I've typed combined but in my head I was thinking on a run or extra urban.

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
On right, that helps biggrin

What about an A6 Avant?

I have the 3.0 TDI Quattro and it's a great tow car. We get mid 40's on a run (47.1 last weekend to Devon and back) and I get around 28mpg when towing the caravan (large twin axle, 1700 MTPLM).

A500leroy

5,085 posts

117 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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Ford c max tdci

surveyor

17,768 posts

183 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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My former car that my parents are now selling is still available...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-E320-CDI-Auto-e...

Done a few more miles, but they are good for them.... And cheaper as a result.

Rust is under control which is the best you can ever say about a 210 car. Anyone who says they have none are lying!

hornetrider

Original Poster:

63,161 posts

204 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
Rosscow said:
On right, that helps biggrin

What about an A6 Avant?

I have the 3.0 TDI Quattro and it's a great tow car. We get mid 40's on a run (47.1 last weekend to Devon and back) and I get around 28mpg when towing the caravan (large twin axle, 1700 MTPLM).
Cheers. A6 with the three litre lump is out of budget and I've read on here bad things about the 2.5.

jep

1,183 posts

208 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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What about the A4 3.0? That can tow 2t, and does mid 30's.

hornetrider

Original Poster:

63,161 posts

204 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
I think the 3 litre is out of budget. Happy to have the 1.9PD Quattro on the list though.

Qwert1e

545 posts

117 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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Sounds like you're going to spend a lot of ££££ on a new car to save a few £ of fuel.

Tunku

7,703 posts

227 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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OP needs one of these -



cruise control

64 posts

156 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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We tow with a 2011 Passat 2.0 TDI Bluemotion 140BHP. our van is a Swift Conqueror 645 weighing in at MIRO 1663Kg, with payload of 245kg. the Passat tows with ease and on our last weeks holiday to southern spain we averaged 36mpg towing and will cruise all day at 60mph. as long as you load the van evenly it is very stable outfit. breaking is also good and never in 3 years and 40k miles of towing have we had any problems. i also have a Range Rover 1974 with a 3.2 235bhp TDI engine which is a lot heavier and some say is a better match for the van also will attain mid 30'smpg but with the extra weight uphill stretches brings the speed down more than with the lighter Passat. and to be honest the Range Rover feels more twitchy with a side wind than the Passat.

our typical load is 2 adults twin 17 year old boys and a 14 year old girl with luggage carried in the car along with the awning. we buy all food when we arrive at our destination.

Bigger is not always best, cars with the same engine as my Passat include Audi A4, A6, Skoda Superb, and i think the Yeti?? (not sure about that one). but your van at 1500kg should not be a problem to anything VAG with the 2.0tdi 140 engine. and you get good economy without the van too we regularly return mid 60's MPG without the van.

hornetrider

Original Poster:

63,161 posts

204 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
Qwert1e said:
Sounds like you're going to spend a lot of ££££ on a new car to save a few £ of fuel.
Eh? Can you read? E61 is going and with the funds the plan is to buy a 500SL and a diesel.

hornetrider

Original Poster:

63,161 posts

204 months

Friday 18th July 2014
quotequote all
cc - very informative, thanks. Impressive towing mpg!

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Have you decided yet, OP?