Performance auto with towbar - possible?

[MBBlat]

For various reasons I'm looking to change my current tintop.
Budget £13k (trade in + money in bank) to £26k (finance)
PH worthy performance is a must but I need an auto (or at least no clutch).
I also need it to be able to tow a sailing dingy <500kg on trailer.
Milage is low - so petrol rather than diesel.

Since I'm single mid 40's I don't want something that screams either dad or boy racer.
I also hate the feeling of having to settle for second best.
And I absolutely loath re-sale grey.

About all I can come up with new is the Nissan Juke Nismo, Peugeot RCZ or Focus (but not the ST)
Used would be BMW 1 series or Audi A1/A3

So open to PH collective for suggestions.

[okie592]

A t5 Volvo with a r design kit?

Golf gtd / s3? Anything vag can be had with a dsg gearbox

[crosseyedlion]

BMW 335i Coupe...you can get a towbar for those.

[zed4]

Performance Audi? RS6?

I used to tow a 1,400kg boat with my Audi S4

[Slow]

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

With a towbar though

Proberly can get a towbar fitted

[kambites]

I'd have thought some kind of compact exec would be your best bet - something like an A4/5, a 3-series, a C-class,...

[base]

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/attachments/digital-vi...

[rix]

Used to tow with a 535d, it was awesome as a tower and a pretty decent steer in its own right

[okie592]

Slow said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

With a towbar though

Proberly can get a towbar fitted

I take it back buy this and decat it

[MBBlat]

Slow said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

With a towbar though

Proberly can get a towbar fitted

Family load lugger in re-sale silver - no thanks

As a reminder I want to tow one of these - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dart_18

not one of these - http://youtu.be/lAfZ1N56qjY

[sawman]

I used to tow with a mk1 MR2, and was just about to have a hitch fitted to my morgan, but found one for the 190e for a tenner on ebay.

the problem with newer cars is that they now have to be type approved for a tow hitch, which limits your choices. Maybe look for something classic? even if there isnt an off the shelf hitch available a decent welder should be able to make one up, with no type approval to worry about.

could you get a '60s mustang with an autobox in budget?

Edited by sawman on Monday 8th April 21:07

[Watchman]

Legacy?

[clarkey540i]

Alpina B10 V8S has to be a pretty good choice at that price.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Alpina-B10-V8-S-4-8-...
You can get tow bars for them, same as the rest of the 5 series range. You might be looking for something newer with your budget though.

[aeropilot]

MBBlat said:

Used would be BMW 1 series

If petrol and performance, that really means 130i/remapped 125i or a 135i.

I know you can fit a twobar to a 130i no problems, and an auto 130i would have no problem with a 500kg dingy either.
Not sure about tow bar availablility for a 125i, BUT you can't fit a tow bar to a 135i for some reason....

[alangla]

I remember reading a review in an Aussie mag a few years ago where they were testing a load of Monaros and Maloo Utes in the Northern Territory with a dynamometer trailer on the back.
Something like that would pull a dinghy like it wasn't there....

Edit - how about this - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013... - LPG powered as well.

Edited by alangla on Tuesday 9th April 15:34

[rallycross]

BMW 335 tows very nicely and is a performance bargain at the moment compared to the diesel models.
£10k-£12k will get you a nice 335i 300 bhp 2006-2007 in coupe, saloon or estate variant.

[KaraK]

B8 S4? pretty sure you can fit a towbar to one of these?



EDIT: Apparently they can have one but fitting one to a car that didn't have the "towbar prep" option fitted is a nightmare!

Edited by KaraK on Tuesday 9th April 15:50

[big_boz]

It was my understanding (from my Caravaning in laws ) that recommended braked towing weight is 85% of the weight of the towing vehicle, or 100% if you are an "experienced" tower, no idea what legal ramifications there are attached to this, but if its true and your boat is <500kg and on a braked trailer then you can pretty much have anything you like, other criteria not with standing obviously.

There are very few cars that you cant have a towbar fitted to, if in doubt give this lot a ring, they stock lots of makes: http://www.eeco-uk-ltd.co.uk/

In which case any performance Auto Petrol will do on paper.

Very Quick search in the PH calssifieds....my pick.....Alfa Brera/Spider V6 Auto Q4...260BHP 4WD Great noise