Reliable daily that can tow for £2.5K

[Slipperywang]

Looking for a reliable bomb proof daily driver that can also tow, looked at a 1.9 tdi pd octavia estate or a volvo v70 D5 apparently these aren't that reliable. Would prefer a diesel as i do 17-20k miles a year. Anything I have missed ?

[bristolracer]

Honda CRV

[david mcc]

The Octavia 1.9 and the volvo D5 are both pretty reliable daily drivers. Not sure who has been giving you the advice but both those engines are well used as taxis and commuters.

Ive got an XC90 D5 with the same engine and its just turned over 136k with no major mechanical issues. That includes several years use towing car transporters and caravans up and down the country.

What are you towing (weight wise) and how often? Do you need any 4wd? that will all influence what to recommend.

[Slipperywang]

david mcc said:

The Octavia 1.9 and the volvo D5 are both pretty reliable daily drivers. Not sure who has been giving you the advice but both those engines are well used as taxis and commuters.

Ive got an XC90 D5 with the same engine and its just turned over 136k with no major mechanical issues. That includes several years use towing car transporters and caravans up and down the country.

What are you towing (weight wise) and how often? Do you need any 4wd? that will all influence what to recommend.

Towing a bike(s) and trailer for track days and racing, probably 1-2 times a month. I had a look on the volvo forums and had people complaining of injector failure and gearbox issues. Don't need 4 wheel drive and don't want an suv shape car.

[david mcc]

If you are only towing a motorbike trailer then any of the bigger diesel estates will be fine. You will want the estate for the extra space especially if doing track days etc, great for all the kit you'll end up bringing along. Id recommend at least a 1.8 sized engine for the power (the wee 1.6 diesels wont cut it) and my personal preference is to always get an auto. Makes towing much easier especially when manouvering or when caught in slow moving traffic.

At this price point though you'll also want to try and find one with a towbar and electrics already fitted otherwise you'll be a few hundred to get that added.

Id just be looking through usual places and trying to find something well looked after with decent history.

[Slipperywang]

david mcc said:

If you are only towing a motorbike trailer then any of the bigger diesel estates will be fine. You will want the estate for the extra space especially if doing track days etc, great for all the kit you'll end up bringing along. Id recommend at least a 1.8 sized engine for the power (the wee 1.6 diesels wont cut it) and my personal preference is to always get an auto. Makes towing much easier especially when manouvering or when caught in slow moving traffic.

At this price point though you'll also want to try and find one with a towbar and electrics already fitted otherwise you'll be a few hundred to get that added.

Id just be looking through usual places and trying to find something well looked after with decent history.

I would like an auto but though the towing might kill it or are they okay with towing ?

[ZX10R NIN]

CLK270 they are literally bulletproof but make sure the gearbox fluid & filters have been changed if it's not been done budget around £250 to get it done.

Also you an fold down the seats which means you can carry your wets kit bag & spare fairings.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

220

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

E270

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

3.2 E320

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

407SW SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Slipperywang]

ZX10R NIN said:

CLK270 they are literally bulletproof but make sure the gearbox fluid & filters have been changed if it's not been done budget around £250 to get it done.

Also you an fold down the seats which means you can carry your wets kit bag & spare fairings.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

220

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

E270

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

3.2 E320

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

407SW SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Will do my research on these, it never even crossed my mind to get a merc and would make a better daily than just about any car if reliable! cheers

[ZX10R NIN]

Slipperywang said:

Will do my research on these, it never even crossed my mind to get a merc and would make a better daily than just about any car if reliable! cheers

They're reliable & will just keep running as long as you look after them I sold my CLK270 with 170k on the clock & apart from a pair of suspension refreshes/an alternator & an injector (in 120k) it was regular servicing.

[JWH]

Pretty much anything sold in the last 20 years in this country will manage to tow a 350kg unbaked trailer. Don't worry about towing, buy the car you want at a price you're happy with and check it's possible to fit a towbar to it. Towing that kind of weight doesn't need anything remotely heavy/powerful/4wd etc etc blah blah blah

[stevemcs]

Nothing wrong with the 1.9 vag engine, it all went wrong from the 2.0 inwards. Would a van make more sense as the bikes would be hidden from view.

[dhutch]

JWH said:

Pretty much anything sold in the last 20 years in this country will manage to tow a 350kg unbaked trailer. Don't worry about towing, buy the car you want at a price you're happy with and check it's possible to fit a towbar to it. Towing that kind of weight doesn't need anything remotely heavy/powerful/4wd etc etc blah blah blah

This, a 1,6l nat asp petrol would be fine.

[Dadoc2001]

Source a nice SAAB 9-5 Estate. Can pick up a lower mile diesel or petrol for your budget. Cavernous boot and, in Aero guise, very quick.