What new towcar?

[ColinM50]

On the lookout for a "new car". Current BMW 530GT we've had for 15 months and it's brilliant, but SWMBO says it's too big so won't drive it. Which means when we go anywhere, especially on holidays with our caravan, I have to do all the driving. Of course she doesn't see this as a problem, she gets a nice relaxing snooze in the car while muggins does all the work. So I've decided to change the car to a smaller one or one she'll drive. Previous car was a Jag S type and she was happy driving that though never towed with it, tbh I don't think she'll tow the van no matter what car I get, but it would be nice to be a passenger now and again once "we're there". She likes to look of the XF but I'm concerned that it's no smaller than the BMW. We've got a test drive booked in one on Friday so we'll see if she likes it. BTW, she chose the BMW. Tch, wimmin eh?

So what else should I consider?

Basic criteria is it should have enough weight/grunt to tow a 1750kg twin axle van. Four seats, definitely auto and cruise control. Probably diesel and ideally satnav and parking sensors. Budget £15k.

Any suggestions welcomed. Sensible one's even more welcome. And no I won't keep the car and trade SWMBO in, it's taken me 40 years to get her semi-trained and I'm not starting that malarkey again.

[crankedup]

I was going to suggest the Skoda Superb, but you may be happier with a VW with the same engine floor pan.

[Andy Zarse]

Hi Colin, have you thought of buying her a birthday gift of a towing course, such as run by the Caravan and Camping Club? She would love it.










Sorry, couldn't resist...

[superlightr]

http://www.whattowcar.com/

have a play with this. I would imagin the size of a suitable tow car from the 5GT will not be any smaller. You have quite a sizable van to tow I presume unloaded weights as it is.

[Rosscow]

ColinM50 said:

On the lookout for a "new car". Current BMW 530GT we've had for 15 months and it's brilliant, but SWMBO says it's too big so won't drive it. Which means when we go anywhere, especially on holidays with our caravan, I have to do all the driving. Of course she doesn't see this as a problem, she gets a nice relaxing snooze in the car while muggins does all the work. So I've decided to change the car to a smaller one or one she'll drive. Previous car was a Jag S type and she was happy driving that though never towed with it, tbh I don't think she'll tow the van no matter what car I get, but it would be nice to be a passenger now and again once "we're there". She likes to look of the XF but I'm concerned that it's no smaller than the BMW. We've got a test drive booked in one on Friday so we'll see if she likes it. BTW, she chose the BMW. Tch, wimmin eh?

So what else should I consider?

Basic criteria is it should have enough weight/grunt to tow a 1750kg twin axle van. Four seats, definitely auto and cruise control. Probably diesel and ideally satnav and parking sensors. Budget £15k.

Any suggestions welcomed. Sensible one's even more welcome. And no I won't keep the car and trade SWMBO in, it's taken me 40 years to get her semi-trained and I'm not starting that malarkey again.

Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

I have an A6 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro which is brilliant for towing, but it is probably a similar size to the 5GT.

Ideally you'd want an A6 Avant Allroad as they come with self levelling/adaptive air suspension as standard (I have it on mine but it was an extra).

Here's a nice one:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Edited by Rosscow on Wednesday 20th May 14:20

[hornetrider]

A6 is nearly as big as the GT.

Problem is you're lugging a big old wagon so need something quite large. 3 series?

[tr7v8]

The XF is about the same size as a 5 Series GT but looks a million times better, maybe that is what the issue is
Why does she think it is too big? Does she struggle to see out of it, seat position, you need to ask. Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?

[Rosscow]

hornetrider said:

A6 is nearly as big as the GT.

Problem is you're lugging a big old wagon so need something quite large. 3 series?

That's why I said the A4!

That 3.0 Quattro one I linked to will pull 1750kg no problem.

[hornetrider]

Saloon

Estate

[hornetrider]

Rosscow said:

That's why I said the A4!

You said A6 and as I was responding to that you edited your post.

[Rosscow]

hornetrider said:

Rosscow said:

That's why I said the A4!

You said A6 and as I was responding to that you edited your post.

Yes, unfortunately I had linked to an A4 but had typed A6!

[hornetrider]

That A4 looks good value.

[Andy Zarse]

The interesting thing with nearly all Audis is how spectacularly well they manage to get so little interior room into any given body shell. It's like they designers are intent on anti-packaging. Is it humanly possible for any normal adult to get in the back of an A4 Avant?

[Rosscow]

Andy Zarse said:

The interesting thing with nearly all Audis is how spectacularly well they manage to get so little interior room into any given body shell. It's like they designers are intent on anti-packaging. Is it humanly possible for any normal adult to get in the back of an A4 Avant?

Interesting - I've not noticed a problem with the A6 and have had many weekends away with 4 up.

Next weekend it will be 5 up on a stag weekend to Amsterdam, so that will test it!

[AyBee]

tr7v8 said:

The XF is about the same size as a 5 Series GT but looks a million times better, maybe that is what the issue is
Why does she think it is too big? Does she struggle to see out of it, seat position, you need to ask. Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?

In all seriousness, this You won't get anything much smaller that will still tow your caravan.

[Rosscow]

AyBee said:

tr7v8 said:

The XF is about the same size as a 5 Series GT but looks a million times better, maybe that is what the issue is
Why does she think it is too big? Does she struggle to see out of it, seat position, you need to ask. Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?

In all seriousness, this You won't get anything much smaller that will still tow your caravan.

Yes you will - a 2010 A4 has a towing limit of 1900kg and the 3.0 TDI Quattro will pull like a train!

The BMW 335 estate listed above will have a towing limit of 1800kg so isn't as good but will still pull a lot of twin axle caravans found in the UK.

Both of these cars are significantly smaller than a 5GT:

http://www.automobiledimension.com/index.html

Even the likes of: Audi A6 Avant, Volvo V70, BMW 5 Series Touring, VW Passat, Mercedes E Class estate etc. etc. are all physically smaller than the BMW 5GT.

[AyBee]

Rosscow said:

AyBee said:

tr7v8 said:

The XF is about the same size as a 5 Series GT but looks a million times better, maybe that is what the issue is
Why does she think it is too big? Does she struggle to see out of it, seat position, you need to ask. Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?

In all seriousness, this You won't get anything much smaller that will still tow your caravan.

Yes you will - a 2010 A4 has a towing limit of 1900kg and the 3.0 TDI Quattro will pull like a train!

The BMW 335 estate listed above will have a towing limit of 1800kg so isn't as good but will still pull a lot of twin axle caravans found in the UK.

Both of these cars are significantly smaller than a 5GT:

http://www.automobiledimension.com/index.html

Even the likes of: Audi A6 Avant, Volvo V70, BMW 5 Series Touring, VW Passat, Mercedes E Class estate etc. etc. are all physically smaller than the BMW 5GT.

Emphasis on "much smaller" - I wouldn't consider 75mm in width and 300mm in length (Audi A4) to be "much smaller". And an A6 is about 25mm thinner and 55mm shorter. When you combine that with towing a twin-axle caravan, it's not going to make much difference. The OP is much better off finding out what it is she doesn't like about the 5GT before he considers changing it, otherwise he'll spend a chunk of money changing to a slightly smaller car and quite possibly find himself in exactly the same position. Does she drive anything else day-to-day OP?

[ColinM50]

Andy Zarse said:

Hi Colin, have you thought of buying her a birthday gift of a towing course, such as run by the Caravan and Camping Club? She would love it.



Sorry, couldn't resist...

Git. We've never met Andy, but I hate you already

[ColinM50]

tr7v8 said:

Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?

You lot are REALLY starting to get right on my t*ts

[Rosscow]

AyBee said:

Rosscow said:

AyBee said:

tr7v8 said:

The XF is about the same size as a 5 Series GT but looks a million times better, maybe that is what the issue is
Why does she think it is too big? Does she struggle to see out of it, seat position, you need to ask. Would sending her on a towing course with the Caravan Club help?

In all seriousness, this You won't get anything much smaller that will still tow your caravan.

Yes you will - a 2010 A4 has a towing limit of 1900kg and the 3.0 TDI Quattro will pull like a train!

The BMW 335 estate listed above will have a towing limit of 1800kg so isn't as good but will still pull a lot of twin axle caravans found in the UK.

Both of these cars are significantly smaller than a 5GT:

http://www.automobiledimension.com/index.html

Even the likes of: Audi A6 Avant, Volvo V70, BMW 5 Series Touring, VW Passat, Mercedes E Class estate etc. etc. are all physically smaller than the BMW 5GT.

Emphasis on "much smaller" - I wouldn't consider 75mm in width and 300mm in length (Audi A4) to be "much smaller". And an A6 is about 25mm thinner and 55mm shorter. When you combine that with towing a twin-axle caravan, it's not going to make much difference. The OP is much better off finding out what it is she doesn't like about the 5GT before he considers changing it, otherwise he'll spend a chunk of money changing to a slightly smaller car and quite possibly find himself in exactly the same position. Does she drive anything else day-to-day OP?

On paper it never looks much, but a foot shorter is quite a difference! For example a Ford Focus is only another foot shorter than the A4!