Automatic boxes good for towing?

[Scooby_snax]

Considering either a new/2007 325d se saloon or 525d se saloon and just wondering if anyone has had over heating problems with their automatic boxes. My preference is a manual box but seems that autos are the 'boxes of choice' Will be towing a boat 1200kgs

[Methane Bloke]

Not with a BMW but a previous car used to get the torque converter so hot that the brake fluid would boil in the pipes that ran close to it with interesting results. A small oil cooler cured the problem instantly.

Regards

Chris

[Scooby_snax]

Having just spent further time online and at a dealers am thinking now of the 325dM Sport with manual box
Would welcome any views both as a tow car and having this model with manual box in terms of residuals
Cheers

[Catherine197]

We towed with a 330D last year and the car and 3.0D engine were perfect for towing. I suspect a 325D would be just as good.

[JeffC]

Ive towed with a few auto bmws and would much personally rather use a manual if I was towing a lot, mpg is shocking when towing current 335d drops to 300 miles on a tank (22mpg) and Ive found I have to drive it in manual mode (two x5"s were the same) as they dont like holding 6th gear and they keep dropping down.

[Scooby_snax]

Appreciate your comments useful for the decision making process

[pgilc1]

Not sure what happens on a 3 series, but when i specified a tow bar on my new x5, they upgrade the radiator and some other things i think, as part of that.

[phelix]

JeffC said:

Ive towed with a few auto bmws and would much personally rather use a manual if I was towing a lot, mpg is shocking when towing current 335d drops to 300 miles on a tank (22mpg) and Ive found I have to drive it in manual mode (two x5"s were the same) as they dont like holding 6th gear and they keep dropping down.

What sort of trailer and what sort of target cruising speed?

I think turbo cars get thirsty when towing as you're normally well into the boost and the added fuel that goes with that.

[Pork_n_Beem]

check the towing weight for the car because a 1200kg boat plus a trailer may put you over on the three series, i use a 530D manual for towing a 1200kg car, its really very good.

cheers

[JeffC]

phelix said:

JeffC said:

Ive towed with a few auto bmws and would much personally rather use a manual if I was towing a lot, mpg is shocking when towing current 335d drops to 300 miles on a tank (22mpg) and Ive found I have to drive it in manual mode (two x5"s were the same) as they dont like holding 6th gear and they keep dropping down.

What sort of trailer and what sort of target cruising speed?

I think turbo cars get thirsty when towing as you're normally well into the boost and the added fuel that goes with that.

E60 530d manual bj amax with 500kg car would do 32mpg sat at 70mph. best tow car and prob all round car Ive ever owned.
2005 x5 3.0d towing bj amax with 500kg car sitting at 65mph would do 25mpg
2003 x5 3.0d (184 engine) towing bj sprint shuttle 500kg car 65mph 25mpg
335d/ bj shuttle 500kg car gets 22 sitting at 70 will do 25 if I sit at 55mph and will drop to 20 at 80mph.

[Scooby_snax]

Pork_n_Beem said:

check the towing weight for the car because a 1200kg boat plus a trailer may put you over on the three series, i use a 530D manual for towing a 1200kg car, its really very good.

cheers

Sorry just to clarify boat(RIB)+outboard+trailer+ancilliary bits and bobs including fuel 1200kgs so the 325d is ok for up to 1800kgs so that gives enough leeway

[juliann]

I tow 1700kgs regularly with my 535d Auto - normally long distances. Never had a problem. Car has now done 103k. Returns 28mpg ave at a comfortable motorway towing speed vs 31mpg without towing at a slightly different average. The only time anything has overheated was the PAS when I got partially blocked into a London NCP (not towing !) and had to do a 26 point turn to get out unscathed

[StuB]

I towed a laden twin axle (West Mersea) boat trailer across to Italy a couple of weeks back in my auto 530d, but it was fairly low ambient temperature. No issues at all. Cruised at about 80mph and averaged 30mpg over the 2600 miles.

[stockhatcher]

i've towed with various BMW's over the last 4 years or so.

They are all good, 530d auto is best, auto is fine , you can stick the cruise on at 70 mph and it'll tow all day . gives around 32/33 mpg ( i tow a trailer and race car approx 1450 kgs.)

I have in the past used an X3, 2.0 and 3.0 and 3.0sd all of which are fine, and return , 32, 30 and 28 mpg when towing, i've used a 330d, 34mpg, 320d, 37.8 mpg, 318d 39 mpg when towing. 318 is maybe a little underpowered. The great thing about the 6 cylinder diesels is that you can leave them with the cruise on in 6th, and they 'll carry on up even the steepest motorway hills without you needing to change down.

the twin turbo sd X3 is a bit of an animal, that thing will accelerates uphill towing, faster than most cars do which aren't towing.