Towcar dilemma
Discussion
Currently towing with my fabulous E61 550i. It's a bit juicy of course but nothing too severe, and solo I'm averaging 24mpg with it which is acceptible for my current average mileage of 12-15k pa.
However I'm going to be moving house shortly, increasing my daily commute from <20 miles each way to >40 miles each way. Alas I think this is a tipping point and I have to suck up switching to the devils fuel. Boooooo!
My plan is to get an R129 500SL for weekends and pottering about as we all need a V8 in our lives. The question is what to get as a replacement tow car, which will also be a daily driver.
Budget is 4-5k max. Want an estate, not a 4x4. Would like a combined avg mpg of 40+ closer to 50 if possible. Needs to weigh 1500kgs or more and be capable of towing my van with a lack of effort - which is 1500kgs MTPLM.
Current list:
W210 E320CDI Avantgarde - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
A4 PD130 Quattro with GMBH kit - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
E39 530D Sport - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
B5.5 Passat Highline PD130 - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
I'm ruling out the 2.5 VAG engines due to reliability issues. Looked at a Passat TDI and I wanted to like it, but it didn't really feel special enough. I know they are very worthy though. If I could find a 4mo I might remain interested but it may be ruled out.
Anything I'm missing?
However I'm going to be moving house shortly, increasing my daily commute from <20 miles each way to >40 miles each way. Alas I think this is a tipping point and I have to suck up switching to the devils fuel. Boooooo!
My plan is to get an R129 500SL for weekends and pottering about as we all need a V8 in our lives. The question is what to get as a replacement tow car, which will also be a daily driver.
Budget is 4-5k max. Want an estate, not a 4x4. Would like a combined avg mpg of 40+ closer to 50 if possible. Needs to weigh 1500kgs or more and be capable of towing my van with a lack of effort - which is 1500kgs MTPLM.
Current list:
W210 E320CDI Avantgarde - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
A4 PD130 Quattro with GMBH kit - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
E39 530D Sport - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
B5.5 Passat Highline PD130 - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
I'm ruling out the 2.5 VAG engines due to reliability issues. Looked at a Passat TDI and I wanted to like it, but it didn't really feel special enough. I know they are very worthy though. If I could find a 4mo I might remain interested but it may be ruled out.
Anything I'm missing?
Doh, I read that twice and still didn't see it. 
Passat - a friend towed with a 51 plate 1.9 130, similar to the highline that you linked to. It was only a light van (under 1100kg) but it towed well, he changed to the replacement model that towed horribly, I could feel it moving around etc from the passenger seat!
As above you're missing the volvo option.
Slight curveball : my Dad tows with a Zafira cdti, heavy enough, got a stack of torque. There were a couple of other reasons why it was a good car for him but consider the "bigger" 4 door cars too - S Max, Zafira, Sharan etc.
Passat - a friend towed with a 51 plate 1.9 130, similar to the highline that you linked to. It was only a light van (under 1100kg) but it towed well, he changed to the replacement model that towed horribly, I could feel it moving around etc from the passenger seat!
As above you're missing the volvo option.
Slight curveball : my Dad tows with a Zafira cdti, heavy enough, got a stack of torque. There were a couple of other reasons why it was a good car for him but consider the "bigger" 4 door cars too - S Max, Zafira, Sharan etc.
Crafty_ said:
Passat - a friend towed with a 51 plate 1.9 130, similar to the highline that you linked to. It was only a light van (under 1100kg) but it towed well, he changed to the replacement model that towed horribly, I could feel it moving around etc from the passenger seat!
Yes, the newer one has the 2 litre engine as well which I've found to be very linear and lacking in grunty feel to the older 1.9 PD unit.Crafty_ said:
As above you're missing the volvo option.
I'm a bit reluctant to get a FWD car. Also - is the D5 that economical? I looked at possibly an XC90 but the economy figures weren't much better than my 550i 
Plus, they fall under the 'not very special' category of personal misgivings I'm afraid.Crafty_ said:
Slight curveball : my Dad tows with a Zafira cdti, heavy enough, got a stack of torque. There were a couple of other reasons why it was a good car for him but consider the "bigger" 4 door cars too - S Max, Zafira, Sharan etc.
Just... no No MPVs, however worthy.My former car that my parents are now selling is still available...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-E320-CDI-Auto-e...
Done a few more miles, but they are good for them.... And cheaper as a result.
Rust is under control which is the best you can ever say about a 210 car. Anyone who says they have none are lying!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-E320-CDI-Auto-e...
Done a few more miles, but they are good for them.... And cheaper as a result.
Rust is under control which is the best you can ever say about a 210 car. Anyone who says they have none are lying!
Rosscow said:
On right, that helps 
What about an A6 Avant?
I have the 3.0 TDI Quattro and it's a great tow car. We get mid 40's on a run (47.1 last weekend to Devon and back) and I get around 28mpg when towing the caravan (large twin axle, 1700 MTPLM).
Cheers. A6 with the three litre lump is out of budget and I've read on here bad things about the 2.5. What about an A6 Avant?
I have the 3.0 TDI Quattro and it's a great tow car. We get mid 40's on a run (47.1 last weekend to Devon and back) and I get around 28mpg when towing the caravan (large twin axle, 1700 MTPLM).
We tow with a 2011 Passat 2.0 TDI Bluemotion 140BHP. our van is a Swift Conqueror 645 weighing in at MIRO 1663Kg, with payload of 245kg. the Passat tows with ease and on our last weeks holiday to southern spain we averaged 36mpg towing and will cruise all day at 60mph. as long as you load the van evenly it is very stable outfit. breaking is also good and never in 3 years and 40k miles of towing have we had any problems. i also have a Range Rover 1974 with a 3.2 235bhp TDI engine which is a lot heavier and some say is a better match for the van also will attain mid 30'smpg but with the extra weight uphill stretches brings the speed down more than with the lighter Passat. and to be honest the Range Rover feels more twitchy with a side wind than the Passat.
our typical load is 2 adults twin 17 year old boys and a 14 year old girl with luggage carried in the car along with the awning. we buy all food when we arrive at our destination.
Bigger is not always best, cars with the same engine as my Passat include Audi A4, A6, Skoda Superb, and i think the Yeti?? (not sure about that one). but your van at 1500kg should not be a problem to anything VAG with the 2.0tdi 140 engine. and you get good economy without the van too we regularly return mid 60's MPG without the van.
our typical load is 2 adults twin 17 year old boys and a 14 year old girl with luggage carried in the car along with the awning. we buy all food when we arrive at our destination.
Bigger is not always best, cars with the same engine as my Passat include Audi A4, A6, Skoda Superb, and i think the Yeti?? (not sure about that one). but your van at 1500kg should not be a problem to anything VAG with the 2.0tdi 140 engine. and you get good economy without the van too we regularly return mid 60's MPG without the van.
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