Cheap to tow 3.5t

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What are the best options for something that will tow 3,500kg for up to about £4k? Almost certainly auto.

Maintenance isn't too much of an issue as long as parts are reasonably easy to get and not insanely expensive.

Fuel consumption not really a concern.

Cosmetic condition definitely not a concern.
Brand, image, impressing the neighbours etc definitely not a concern.

My current search includes:
Audi Q7 (usually quite broken at this price)
VW Touareg (preferably 3.0 diesel, some look OK at this price)
JEEP Grand Cherokee (again some look half decent)
Porsche Cayenne (some ropy ones then some half decent looking ones)

Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports look a bit rough.


Have I missed anything?

Seems like some Ssangyong Rextons can tow 3.5t but hard to work out exactly which models.

[Lefty]

Disco 3 or 4 makes a superb tow vehicle. Lots of issues but great parts availability and expertise out there. 3.0d probably better than 2.7d, a v8 D3 even better (but obviously thirsty).

[Krikkit]

For L322s the petrol 4.4 Jag engine would be pretty easy to find and the best compromise of reliability and performance, they're significantly better than the BMW-engined earlier cars. 2006-2009.

[ZX10R NIN]

At this price point the Grand Cherokee with the 3.0d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407252...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405029...

[fogbank]

I’ve had two l322s, the 3.6 TDV8 was (when it worked) the best tow car I’ve ever had. It towed our three horse trailer with ease, it was a pleasure to drive.

However, it also broke a lot. I think it cost at least £200 a month in just ‘Land Rover’ it also rusted like nothing else.

I really regretted not going for the 3.0 tdi Touareg after having a shot in my chums one.

The Range Rover is still better, but the Touareg is the better option if you’re not 100% set on having a Range Rover

[bearman68]

ZX10R NIN said:

At this price point the Grand Cherokee with the 3.0d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407252...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405029...

I have one of these. And I tow with it. It's OK for towing. But towing makes worse the terrible steering, and in all honesty, I hate it.
The box and engine are pretty OK, and the 4WD system is excellent. The seats are great. Off road, it's pretty decent. Anything over 40 mph though, and it's really dire.
I'd have a 2.5 Touareg. In fact I've had 2, a V8 one, and a 2.5 diesel one. The V8 of course is lovely, torquey and fast and very nice to drive. But I think the 2.5 is better, because the engine is a straight 5, and there is more room in the engine bay to do things. So that's what my recommendation would be. An early 2.5 for low tax, and no DPF.

[Nickp82]

Shoguns do 3.5t don’t they?

[Terzo123]

I had a jeep Grande Cherokee and loved it. Maybe didn't have the road manners of an X5, but for the money it was brilliant.

[eth2190]

Mercedes ML?

[hidetheelephants]

Ssangyong Rexton; mercedes oily bits and about as attractive to thieves and the average carbuyer as a dose of the clap. Good runners can be got for half your budget.

[fogbank]

hidetheelephants said:

Ssangyong Rexton; mercedes oily bits and about as attractive to thieves and the average carbuyer as a dose of the clap. Good runners can be got for half your budget.

My wife’s work mate has the new one, it’s hopless, underpowered and breaks more than my Range Rover… also it’s not Mercedes bits that are the problem it’s the other bits. It’s been off the road for the last month as they couldn’t get certain sensors.

[CubanPete]

eth2190 said:

Mercedes ML?

That is what immediately sprung to my mind.

Don't think you would get a nice enough D4 for that money, but the people several people I know love them to bits and accept they have to pay to maintain them.

[bigmowley]

eth2190 said:

Mercedes ML?

This all day long. Excellent tow trucks.

[LayZ]

Also Merc GL, just sold a 420 CDI and they are proper.

[ZX10R NIN]

ML420cdi:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411256...

[georgeyboy12345]

What about a BMW X5 3.0 sd?

The sd is the higher powered variant with 290 bhp that can tow 3.5 t.

Pre-2009 they had the older and more reliable M57 diesel engines and fell into the lower tax bracket of £415 a year

Here's a nice one, relatively low mileage for age and nothing alarming on the MOT history
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412197...

Someone mentioned Mitsubishi Shoguns, but they are £735 a year tax, they are not very powerful and they rust.

[WhiskyDisco]

My mate uses a RRS to tow his race car. I know you think they look rough, but surely not all of them?

This one looks decent in my opinion.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024112667...

[bearman68]

In my observation, it's rarely power that's the big problem for towing. It's usually stability. That's why I don't much like the jeep - it's not very good without towing, and worse with. But it's weight saves it, and keep it slow, and it will tow most things.
My driver really rated a L322 Rangie - reckoned it was the best the best towing car he had ever used. But the Touareg was a very decent 2nd, and a fair way in front of anything else.
But the Touareg seems to be easier to maintain. I wouldn't have the courage (or the cash) needed to maintain and repair a Rangie.

[dxg]

Transit.

[bearman68]

dxg said:

Transit.

LOL, not a bad shout at all.