What new towcar?
Discussion
On the lookout for a "new car". Current BMW 530GT we've had for 15 months and it's brilliant, but SWMBO says it's too big so won't drive it. Which means when we go anywhere, especially on holidays with our caravan, I have to do all the driving. Of course she doesn't see this as a problem, she gets a nice relaxing snooze in the car while muggins does all the work. So I've decided to change the car to a smaller one or one she'll drive. Previous car was a Jag S type and she was happy driving that though never towed with it, tbh I don't think she'll tow the van no matter what car I get, but it would be nice to be a passenger now and again once "we're there". She likes to look of the XF but I'm concerned that it's no smaller than the BMW. We've got a test drive booked in one on Friday so we'll see if she likes it. BTW, she chose the BMW. Tch, wimmin eh?
So what else should I consider?
Basic criteria is it should have enough weight/grunt to tow a 1750kg twin axle van. Four seats, definitely auto and cruise control. Probably diesel and ideally satnav and parking sensors. Budget £15k.
Any suggestions welcomed. Sensible one's even more welcome. And no I won't keep the car and trade SWMBO in, it's taken me 40 years to get her semi-trained and I'm not starting that malarkey again.
So what else should I consider?
Basic criteria is it should have enough weight/grunt to tow a 1750kg twin axle van. Four seats, definitely auto and cruise control. Probably diesel and ideally satnav and parking sensors. Budget £15k.
Any suggestions welcomed. Sensible one's even more welcome. And no I won't keep the car and trade SWMBO in, it's taken me 40 years to get her semi-trained and I'm not starting that malarkey again.
http://www.whattowcar.com/
have a play with this. I would imagin the size of a suitable tow car from the 5GT will not be any smaller. You have quite a sizable van to tow I presume unloaded weights as it is.
have a play with this. I would imagin the size of a suitable tow car from the 5GT will not be any smaller. You have quite a sizable van to tow I presume unloaded weights as it is.
ColinM50 said:
On the lookout for a "new car". Current BMW 530GT we've had for 15 months and it's brilliant, but SWMBO says it's too big so won't drive it. Which means when we go anywhere, especially on holidays with our caravan, I have to do all the driving. Of course she doesn't see this as a problem, she gets a nice relaxing snooze in the car while muggins does all the work. So I've decided to change the car to a smaller one or one she'll drive. Previous car was a Jag S type and she was happy driving that though never towed with it, tbh I don't think she'll tow the van no matter what car I get, but it would be nice to be a passenger now and again once "we're there". She likes to look of the XF but I'm concerned that it's no smaller than the BMW. We've got a test drive booked in one on Friday so we'll see if she likes it. BTW, she chose the BMW. Tch, wimmin eh?
So what else should I consider?
Basic criteria is it should have enough weight/grunt to tow a 1750kg twin axle van. Four seats, definitely auto and cruise control. Probably diesel and ideally satnav and parking sensors. Budget £15k.
Any suggestions welcomed. Sensible one's even more welcome. And no I won't keep the car and trade SWMBO in, it's taken me 40 years to get her semi-trained and I'm not starting that malarkey again.
Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro:So what else should I consider?
Basic criteria is it should have enough weight/grunt to tow a 1750kg twin axle van. Four seats, definitely auto and cruise control. Probably diesel and ideally satnav and parking sensors. Budget £15k.
Any suggestions welcomed. Sensible one's even more welcome. And no I won't keep the car and trade SWMBO in, it's taken me 40 years to get her semi-trained and I'm not starting that malarkey again.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
I have an A6 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro which is brilliant for towing, but it is probably a similar size to the 5GT.
Ideally you'd want an A6 Avant Allroad as they come with self levelling/adaptive air suspension as standard (I have it on mine but it was an extra).
Here's a nice one:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Edited by Rosscow on Wednesday 20th May 14:20
Andy Zarse said:
The interesting thing with nearly all Audis is how spectacularly well they manage to get so little interior room into any given body shell. It's like they designers are intent on anti-packaging. Is it humanly possible for any normal adult to get in the back of an A4 Avant?
Interesting - I've not noticed a problem with the A6 and have had many weekends away with 4 up. Next weekend it will be 5 up on a stag weekend to Amsterdam, so that will test it!
tr7v8 said:
The XF is about the same size as a 5 Series GT but looks a million times better, maybe that is what the issue is ![biggrin](/inc/images/biggrin.gif)
Why does she think it is too big? Does she struggle to see out of it, seat position, you need to ask. Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?
In all seriousness, this ![biggrin](/inc/images/biggrin.gif)
Why does she think it is too big? Does she struggle to see out of it, seat position, you need to ask. Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?
![smile](/inc/images/smile.gif)
AyBee said:
tr7v8 said:
The XF is about the same size as a 5 Series GT but looks a million times better, maybe that is what the issue is ![biggrin](/inc/images/biggrin.gif)
Why does she think it is too big? Does she struggle to see out of it, seat position, you need to ask. Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?
In all seriousness, this ![biggrin](/inc/images/biggrin.gif)
Why does she think it is too big? Does she struggle to see out of it, seat position, you need to ask. Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?
![smile](/inc/images/smile.gif)
The BMW 335 estate listed above will have a towing limit of 1800kg so isn't as good but will still pull a lot of twin axle caravans found in the UK.
Both of these cars are significantly smaller than a 5GT:
http://www.automobiledimension.com/index.html
Even the likes of: Audi A6 Avant, Volvo V70, BMW 5 Series Touring, VW Passat, Mercedes E Class estate etc. etc. are all physically smaller than the BMW 5GT.
Rosscow said:
AyBee said:
tr7v8 said:
The XF is about the same size as a 5 Series GT but looks a million times better, maybe that is what the issue is ![biggrin](/inc/images/biggrin.gif)
Why does she think it is too big? Does she struggle to see out of it, seat position, you need to ask. Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?
In all seriousness, this ![biggrin](/inc/images/biggrin.gif)
Why does she think it is too big? Does she struggle to see out of it, seat position, you need to ask. Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?
![smile](/inc/images/smile.gif)
The BMW 335 estate listed above will have a towing limit of 1800kg so isn't as good but will still pull a lot of twin axle caravans found in the UK.
Both of these cars are significantly smaller than a 5GT:
http://www.automobiledimension.com/index.html
Even the likes of: Audi A6 Avant, Volvo V70, BMW 5 Series Touring, VW Passat, Mercedes E Class estate etc. etc. are all physically smaller than the BMW 5GT.
AyBee said:
Rosscow said:
AyBee said:
tr7v8 said:
The XF is about the same size as a 5 Series GT but looks a million times better, maybe that is what the issue is ![biggrin](/inc/images/biggrin.gif)
Why does she think it is too big? Does she struggle to see out of it, seat position, you need to ask. Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?
In all seriousness, this ![biggrin](/inc/images/biggrin.gif)
Why does she think it is too big? Does she struggle to see out of it, seat position, you need to ask. Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?
![smile](/inc/images/smile.gif)
The BMW 335 estate listed above will have a towing limit of 1800kg so isn't as good but will still pull a lot of twin axle caravans found in the UK.
Both of these cars are significantly smaller than a 5GT:
http://www.automobiledimension.com/index.html
Even the likes of: Audi A6 Avant, Volvo V70, BMW 5 Series Touring, VW Passat, Mercedes E Class estate etc. etc. are all physically smaller than the BMW 5GT.
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