Tow Car - £4k

[ciaranthemurph]

After the summer, I'm looking to get a larger tow car to replace my e30 325 touring - it's just not meant for towing!

I've got approximately £4k to spend must be an estate and diesel. Will need to be capable of towing a 3 series track car. Will also be a daily when not towing stuff about the place.

My initial thoughts are:

BMW e39 525/30D
Mercedes W210 E300D/320CDI
Volvo V70 D5

or

VW Transport 2.5 TDI

Any advice on the above would be appreciated, including approximate running costs.

Thanks in advance!

[bozmandb9]

I'd say 530d, just don't be put off by high mileage examples, people buy these cars to do lots of miles!

MPG with Auto will be around 35, however you drive it. If you want to really enjoy it get it chipped/ remapped/ tuning box, it can become a properly fast car!

Weak points are mainly fuel pumps so far as I am aware, that's all that really went wrong with mine, turbo's can go, but this doesn't seem common. Usual suspension wear points on a large heavy car, but not overly expensive to fix.

My 530d was probably the best all round car I ever had, and it had done 220k miles, and cost me £2k!

[EDLT]

Vauxhall Omega?

The estates have a massive boot, and I can't find one anywhere near your £4k budget.

This has the 2.5 BMW diesel engine and a tow-bar already fitted, its £800 too:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2669300.htm

If you can cope with the fuel economy, there are loads of petrol V6s about:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2596650.htm

[ciaranthemurph]

I do like the idea of the 530D, even in automatic form they seem to be a nice car, and that would be better consumption than I am currently getting with the 325i.

I thought about Passats and A4/A6s, but I think that the 1.9's would be a bit underpowered in a big car like that, especially fully-laden, and I've heard plenty of horror stories about the V6 TDIs and their soft cams.

Never even thought about the Omega if I'm honest, completely forgot about them using the BMW engine in the early ones, definitely a good call, and waaaaaaaay under budget!

[jbi]

if you are towing a 3 series with a trailer than I would advise against getting a car and go for something heavier with a full frame.

A land cruiser, patrol or a discovery would be a good bet.

[Stu R]

doogz said:

Passat? They tow pretty well.

I think he meant to tow with, rather than be towed in

[Fish981]

ciaranthemurph said:

After the summer, I'm looking to get a larger tow car to replace my e30 325 touring - it's just not meant for towing!

I've got approximately £4k to spend must be an estate and diesel. Will need to be capable of towing a 3 series track car. Will also be a daily when not towing stuff about the place.

My initial thoughts are:

BMW e39 525/30D
Mercedes W210 E300D/320CDI
Volvo V70 D5

or

VW Transport 2.5 TDI

Any advice on the above would be appreciated, including approximate running costs.

Thanks in advance!

I doubt any of those would be legal to tow a 3 series on a trailer.

[cptsideways]

My bet is your towed weight will be near 2200-2400kg if its a light trailer eg 450-500kg a shonky or tiltbelt etc will be 550-700kg. Which means almost all estate cars won't be legal.

Your really into 4x4 tow limits & beware of vans as they have really low tow limits on the whole.