Tow car duties; A4 or A6?
Discussion
We might be looking to sell the daily Subaru shortly and replace with a car capable of towing the track Subaru if and when required. I'm just interested in opinions on an A4 Avant vs an A6 Avant as a tow car. Both in Quattro flavour.
In my head I know the A6 is probably "better" for that purpose specifically but in my heart I would prefer the smaller car as it will be more "fun" to drive, relatively speaking. It's likely to be a 3.0 TDI either way, so fun will be limited
I actually would prefer the S4 V8 but I'm not sure I can talk the wife into it, despite her love of fast cars. She's got her sensible head on currently.....
Budget would probably be upto £8.5k and the other alternatives in mind are a 3.6 TD V8 Range Rover or a 335d touring, but they seem to be in short supply.
In my head I know the A6 is probably "better" for that purpose specifically but in my heart I would prefer the smaller car as it will be more "fun" to drive, relatively speaking. It's likely to be a 3.0 TDI either way, so fun will be limited
I actually would prefer the S4 V8 but I'm not sure I can talk the wife into it, despite her love of fast cars. She's got her sensible head on currently.....
Budget would probably be upto £8.5k and the other alternatives in mind are a 3.6 TD V8 Range Rover or a 335d touring, but they seem to be in short supply.
If you add the weight of the Scooby and trailer, this shouldn't (not can't, but shouldn't) be more than 85% of the weight of your towcar. That's a guideline to ensure stability, over the actual plated towing capacity.
You may find neither A4 nor A6 heavy enough.
(Apologies if that's teaching you to suck eggs!)
You may find neither A4 nor A6 heavy enough.
(Apologies if that's teaching you to suck eggs!)
donkmeister said:
If you add the weight of the Scooby and trailer, this shouldn't (not can't, but shouldn't) be more than 85% of the weight of your towcar. That's a guideline to ensure stability, over the actual plated towing capacity.
Following this thread as I had this exact problem and never really found a good solution. 
Fun cars are almost always lightweight and tow cars need to be heavy. I needed something to tow 1400kg, so the car would be 1700kg ideally, and that rules out most cars that are quick and chuckable.
In the end I admitted defeat and got a Honda CRV which is a solid car that tows really well, but it's pretty boring so I convinced the wife she needed a Swift Sport for me to steal and get some driving kicks.
Hi there, you defiantly have picked the right make of vehicle the Audi A6 but maybe not the right model.
I paid £5.000 for my Audi Allroad 2.5 TDI (2 years ago) then had it remapped, from 180 bhp up to 230 bhp, the torque was also increased up to 480Nm, so this will pull what ever you want up to and including 1,800 Kg with the greatest of ease.
My Audi pulls my 1,700Kg twin axle caravan plus my partner plus all the food for a fortnight and a large awning with ease.
Look on Ebay or Auto trader and you will find a small selection of the Allroads with the 2.5 engines, (probably the best one they ever made) also only buy if they have FSH.
On small tip, only ever use premium diesel, (Shell Nitro plus or BP Ultimate) that rubbish from the supermarkets will do you no favours, that's why it's cheap. hope this helps
I paid £5.000 for my Audi Allroad 2.5 TDI (2 years ago) then had it remapped, from 180 bhp up to 230 bhp, the torque was also increased up to 480Nm, so this will pull what ever you want up to and including 1,800 Kg with the greatest of ease.
My Audi pulls my 1,700Kg twin axle caravan plus my partner plus all the food for a fortnight and a large awning with ease.
Look on Ebay or Auto trader and you will find a small selection of the Allroads with the 2.5 engines, (probably the best one they ever made) also only buy if they have FSH.
On small tip, only ever use premium diesel, (Shell Nitro plus or BP Ultimate) that rubbish from the supermarkets will do you no favours, that's why it's cheap. hope this helps
Thanks for the advice so far guys. I wasn't aware of the 85% thing. Car is still road legal and only real weight saving has been removal of aircon and swapping front seats for buckets, so being generous it's probably 1400kg still at the moment and the trailer will likely be around 600kg looking at the Brian James site.
I didn't know about the 85% thing and the UKtow website lists the A6 and A4 as being below 2000kg towing capacity so it might mean they're now out.
As for the AllRoad, I have to say I honestly just don't fancy it in all honesty. The 2.5 TDI engine isn't one I'm a fan of.
I didn't know about the 85% thing and the UKtow website lists the A6 and A4 as being below 2000kg towing capacity so it might mean they're now out.
As for the AllRoad, I have to say I honestly just don't fancy it in all honesty. The 2.5 TDI engine isn't one I'm a fan of.
I'd say take a look at an E Class they make good power much less likely hood of gearbox issues unlike the Audi's.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Hi Troubledsoul, I thought that from your comment about not liking the 2.5 Audi engine somewhat strange, why I have no idea.
I was advised by probably, one of the top electrical/ mechanical engineers in this country, that the Audi Quattro is totally unstoppable in any weather, which is more than can be said for the lesser German marques, Merc's, Beemer's, and Volvo's, Subaru's and any other 4X4 you can think of, don't believe me, go onto You Tube and watch "Audi Quattro, V BMW X drive, V Mercedes 4 Matic, then watch Audi Quattro, BMW X drive what can't speak can't lie.
There are many that talk of problems with an Audi, might be that they have never owned one. I have owned all 3 German marques at one time or another, and Audi stand out by a country mile in front of the others.
There is an old saying "Never give advice, a wise man does't need it and a fool won't take it"
I was advised by probably, one of the top electrical/ mechanical engineers in this country, that the Audi Quattro is totally unstoppable in any weather, which is more than can be said for the lesser German marques, Merc's, Beemer's, and Volvo's, Subaru's and any other 4X4 you can think of, don't believe me, go onto You Tube and watch "Audi Quattro, V BMW X drive, V Mercedes 4 Matic, then watch Audi Quattro, BMW X drive what can't speak can't lie.
There are many that talk of problems with an Audi, might be that they have never owned one. I have owned all 3 German marques at one time or another, and Audi stand out by a country mile in front of the others.
There is an old saying "Never give advice, a wise man does't need it and a fool won't take it"
TroubledSoul said:
Thanks for the advice so far guys. I wasn't aware of the 85% thing. Car is still road legal and only real weight saving has been removal of aircon and swapping front seats for buckets, so being generous it's probably 1400kg still at the moment and the trailer will likely be around 600kg looking at the Brian James site.
I didn't know about the 85% thing and the UKtow website lists the A6 and A4 as being below 2000kg towing capacity so it might mean they're now out.
As for the AllRoad, I have to say I honestly just don't fancy it in all honesty. The 2.5 TDI engine isn't one I'm a fan of.
The 85% thing is a guide.I didn't know about the 85% thing and the UKtow website lists the A6 and A4 as being below 2000kg towing capacity so it might mean they're now out.
As for the AllRoad, I have to say I honestly just don't fancy it in all honesty. The 2.5 TDI engine isn't one I'm a fan of.
It's recommended especially for caravans where the large area makes it more susceptible to cross winds and drafts from trucks etc.. than a car on a trailer for example.
It's still legal to tow up to the cars maximum towing limit, you just need to be careful with weight distribution and nose weight.
I've towed my 1420kg caravan with a variety of vehicles and the estates (Avensis, Mondeo & V70) were not as good to tow as the XC90 (strong engine, short overhang, auto, very stable) and Alhambra (short overhang, good engine (PD130), stable).
Audi Allroad 2.5 Turbo said:
Hi Troubledsoul, I thought that from your comment about not liking the 2.5 Audi engine somewhat strange, why I have no idea.
I was advised by probably, one of the top electrical/ mechanical engineers in this country, that the Audi Quattro is totally unstoppable in any weather, which is more than can be said for the lesser German marques, Merc's, Beemer's, and Volvo's, Subaru's and any other 4X4 you can think of, don't believe me, go onto You Tube and watch "Audi Quattro, V BMW X drive, V Mercedes 4 Matic, then watch Audi Quattro, BMW X drive what can't speak can't lie.
There are many that talk of problems with an Audi, might be that they have never owned one. I have owned all 3 German marques at one time or another, and Audi stand out by a country mile in front of the others.
There is an old saying "Never give advice, a wise man does't need it and a fool won't take it"
I like the Audi Quattro system, that's not what I meant. I have owned two, one being a V8 A6 with exactly that system. It's not that the 2.5 is a bad engine in itself, it's more that when there's a 3.0 TDI with more power etc. available in the rest of the range, I'd be annoyed at having to settle for the 2.5 in the AllRoad. I also quite like the 4.2 TDI they do in the bigger stuff. I appreciate that won't make sense to some, but it is my way. Again, I'm grateful for the advice and not out to offend. I was advised by probably, one of the top electrical/ mechanical engineers in this country, that the Audi Quattro is totally unstoppable in any weather, which is more than can be said for the lesser German marques, Merc's, Beemer's, and Volvo's, Subaru's and any other 4X4 you can think of, don't believe me, go onto You Tube and watch "Audi Quattro, V BMW X drive, V Mercedes 4 Matic, then watch Audi Quattro, BMW X drive what can't speak can't lie.
There are many that talk of problems with an Audi, might be that they have never owned one. I have owned all 3 German marques at one time or another, and Audi stand out by a country mile in front of the others.
There is an old saying "Never give advice, a wise man does't need it and a fool won't take it"
GreatGranny said:
The 85% thing is a guide.
It's recommended especially for caravans where the large area makes it more susceptible to cross winds and drafts from trucks etc.. than a car on a trailer for example.
It's still legal to tow up to the cars maximum towing limit, you just need to be careful with weight distribution and nose weight.
I've towed my 1420kg caravan with a variety of vehicles and the estates (Avensis, Mondeo & V70) were not as good to tow as the XC90 (strong engine, short overhang, auto, very stable) and Alhambra (short overhang, good engine (PD130), stable).
Cheers, that's really good to know. I will have another look through the towing weights today. I did once tow an MR2 on a trailer with an Impreza wagon and that went alright. I'd also be buying a twin axle trailer when the time comes so that should have enhanced stability over a single axle. I do actually quite fancy a Range Rover but I'm worried I won't enjoy driving it as much as I would a car, hence my considering an Audi estate. I'll have another look at the E classes etc. today. I do favour 4WD though.It's recommended especially for caravans where the large area makes it more susceptible to cross winds and drafts from trucks etc.. than a car on a trailer for example.
It's still legal to tow up to the cars maximum towing limit, you just need to be careful with weight distribution and nose weight.
I've towed my 1420kg caravan with a variety of vehicles and the estates (Avensis, Mondeo & V70) were not as good to tow as the XC90 (strong engine, short overhang, auto, very stable) and Alhambra (short overhang, good engine (PD130), stable).
I normally use Parkers for towing weights.
Seems to have every model produced for most manufacturers.
http://www.parkers.co.uk/car-specs/
Seems to have every model produced for most manufacturers.
http://www.parkers.co.uk/car-specs/
GreatGranny said:
I normally use Parkers for towing weights.
Seems to have every model produced for most manufacturers.
http://www.parkers.co.uk/car-specs/
Just had a look for an S4 and they don't have weights listed. Typical Seems to have every model produced for most manufacturers.
http://www.parkers.co.uk/car-specs/
Looks like according to Parkers most of the B7 cars are 2000kgs braked. That should include the S4 I'd think. The later B8 seems to be capable of 2100kgs but the equivalent A6 is also 2100. If the B8 can do that I might go for one of those. Either in S4 form or 3.0 TDI depending on what we decide.
Interestingly, the Passat R36 estate says 2200kg.....
But they are DSG. Is that a bad idea? Someone earlier mentioned it was.
Interestingly, the Passat R36 estate says 2200kg.....
But they are DSG. Is that a bad idea? Someone earlier mentioned it was.
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