Decent tow car
Discussion
It looks like my FFRR will be going this weekend and I'll need a suitable car for towing the caravan easily enough. It has an MRO of 1054kg so it's quite light in terms of caravans. Ideally, I'd like an auto and petrol that will hoover up everything thrown into it with preferably a removable towbar and 13 pin electrics. It'll also be used for load lugging, tip runs and blasts to the coasts and south Wales. I'm nr Basingstoke.
I did think of another ML or even Grand Cherokee, X5 but they seem a tad overkill for a small caravan, so maybe an estate car would work? Plus, I'm not a fan of the near £700 per year tax that will no doubt increase year on year. Part problem is that nearly most things under say £3/4k are dervs which maybe is a plus when towing for the torque.
I did go and view a 2011 BMW 530d SE tourer that's done 184k miles but not owning of the brand for so long, I'm unsure what to look for it to not be a potential wallet hoover. There's also a 2013 520dSE tourer local to but I've hear these like timing chains and eat turbos for fun. While these aren't £3/4k cars I would like some creature comforts, whereas an old Mondeo would likely be quite basic and I'm not keen on Fords autobox. Maybe Mercs or even something that hasn't hit my radar.
I did think of another ML or even Grand Cherokee, X5 but they seem a tad overkill for a small caravan, so maybe an estate car would work? Plus, I'm not a fan of the near £700 per year tax that will no doubt increase year on year. Part problem is that nearly most things under say £3/4k are dervs which maybe is a plus when towing for the torque.
I did go and view a 2011 BMW 530d SE tourer that's done 184k miles but not owning of the brand for so long, I'm unsure what to look for it to not be a potential wallet hoover. There's also a 2013 520dSE tourer local to but I've hear these like timing chains and eat turbos for fun. While these aren't £3/4k cars I would like some creature comforts, whereas an old Mondeo would likely be quite basic and I'm not keen on Fords autobox. Maybe Mercs or even something that hasn't hit my radar.
Nath911t said:
seiben said:
Guessing a budget by what you've looked at, I'd be checking out a Volvo V70 of some sort, either in D5 or T5 guise.
Can increase budget to £6/7k if needed. Aren't the auto boxes hit and miss on these with the manual box been the better one?Geartronics are fine PROVIDED they’ve had a fluid change semi-regularly (approx every 60k is recommended). They are sealed for life boxes so many first and second owners don’t bother as it’s not on the service schedule but it’s any thing but. A good indi will flush your box for a few hundred quid and you’ll have a reliable auto box. If it clonks between selecting P and R and D then your future has pain written into it.
D5 is an absolute stonker of an engine and supremely reliable if looked after and we’ll suited to something like a V70 or an XC70.
5 Series, A6 Avant, or E Class. All available with 6 cylinder diesel engine, decent autobox, and self-levelling rear air suspension.
Just pick the one you like the best.
Mk2 Skoda Superb is an alternative, but you'd want the 170tdi 4x4 and lose the 6 cylinder engine and self levelling.
Just pick the one you like the best.
Mk2 Skoda Superb is an alternative, but you'd want the 170tdi 4x4 and lose the 6 cylinder engine and self levelling.
Nath911t said:
Thanks for clearing that up guys. I know with my CLS about gearbox servicing. In fact I've just picked it up from having it done at 125k miles 
If you have a CLS why can't you use that?Another option worth a look is the last of the line Renault Laguna in 2.0T form:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303245...
Our van is slightly lighter but I tow with a 2.2 Mondeo auto, its the same box that goes in the Freelander and Volvo V70. I've changed the gearbox oil twice so far so hopefully its now had a complete refresh. It tows well, has plenty of toys and stacks of space we chuck everything in the car and leave the van almost empty.
However after having being stuck at Donington and needing to be towed on and off the pitch i'm considering a Freelander 2. However i do prefer an estate.
Or even an older X3
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295645499686?hash=item4...
However after having being stuck at Donington and needing to be towed on and off the pitch i'm considering a Freelander 2. However i do prefer an estate.
Or even an older X3
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295645499686?hash=item4...
Edited by stevemcs on Wednesday 26th April 21:31
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