Discussion
Our Discovery tow vehicle imploded recently. Sounds like big end bearing or crankshaft failure.
Having replaced the manifolds, gearbox and various other parts recently, I'm now at the point of throwing in the towel and scrapping it/selling it for spares or repairs. I do love the Disco but boy it can test resolve like no other.
So, we need a replacement. No longer need 7 seats, ideally under £12k, great towing ability, 4x4, can double up as a nice family car when required. Nothing from Land Rover. Been there and done it and got all of the scars.
The Disco was a superb tow vehicle and my wife was very confident in it. Looking for a similar experience if possible.
Won't do mega miles (5k to 7k a year), so mileage not too much of a concern. Reliability is key......wallet is empty and mentally scarred.
Please help.
Having replaced the manifolds, gearbox and various other parts recently, I'm now at the point of throwing in the towel and scrapping it/selling it for spares or repairs. I do love the Disco but boy it can test resolve like no other.
So, we need a replacement. No longer need 7 seats, ideally under £12k, great towing ability, 4x4, can double up as a nice family car when required. Nothing from Land Rover. Been there and done it and got all of the scars.
The Disco was a superb tow vehicle and my wife was very confident in it. Looking for a similar experience if possible.
Won't do mega miles (5k to 7k a year), so mileage not too much of a concern. Reliability is key......wallet is empty and mentally scarred.
Please help.
Merc ML / GL. I love the looks of the Disco 4 but I'm just not brave enough. Instead I went for a Merc GL. 13 years old now, I've had it 5 years only none consumable items needed have been 2 abs sensors and a rear diff locking motor. Just the road tax that's painful but then it is on any large 4x4.
jfdi said:
Merc ML / GL. I love the looks of the Disco 4 but I'm just not brave enough. Instead I went for a Merc GL. 13 years old now, I've had it 5 years only none consumable items needed have been 2 abs sensors and a rear diff locking motor. Just the road tax that's painful but then it is on any large 4x4.
I'll take a look. Thanks. I loved our Disco and it was an amazing vehicle, apart from the massive bork factor...Deerfoot said:
Without knowing the weight you need to tow it's difficult to know what to suggest but I have a friend who tows with a Touareg and he loves it.
I used to tow a moderately heavy caravan with a Volvo XC70 D5 and that too was effortless.
We tow a double horse box, plus horses, so about 2000kg. As a stop gap we are using the Skoda Octavia Scout, which is fine in my opinion, but my wife is used to the Disco, which towed it like it wasn't there. I used to tow a moderately heavy caravan with a Volvo XC70 D5 and that too was effortless.
Anyone have any experience of a Grand Cherokee as a family and tow vehicle?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...
alfabeat said:
Anyone have any experience of a Grand Cherokee as a family and tow vehicle?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...
We’re running a 2014 GC out here in Alberta, Canada. Of course ours is the 5.0 V8 Hemi, but from what I read, the 3.0 CRD suits best and is the one to buy.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...
Can’t speak to towing abilities but should be a decent tow car given its weight and torque. Has been reliable in our ownership, only problem has been ICe screen resetting itself every now and then. Coming from an m140 and a mini in the UK we actually find it a pretty good steer. It’s allegedly based on same platform as contemporary merc ML.
It’s extremely comfortable with ample space for four adults on long journeys and has a great sound system as a bonus!
Merc GL here. Rated to tow 3500Kg. Not many SUVs can tow that much. Had mine for 8 years and 100k miles (so far). Not cheap to run in terms of either diesel or annual maintenance if you are religious about keeping it in tip top condition like I am but it has never let me down. Had an ML previously for about 5 years. Basically the same car but a bit shorter. GL has air suspension which can be raised to clear some of the floods we've had of late. Also has diff lockers and low range. Very capable off road and in slippery condition (on winters).
DRE7 said:
alfabeat said:
Anyone have any experience of a Grand Cherokee as a family and tow vehicle?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...
We’re running a 2014 GC out here in Alberta, Canada. Of course ours is the 5.0 V8 Hemi, but from what I read, the 3.0 CRD suits best and is the one to buy.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...
Can’t speak to towing abilities but should be a decent tow car given its weight and torque. Has been reliable in our ownership, only problem has been ICe screen resetting itself every now and then. Coming from an m140 and a mini in the UK we actually find it a pretty good steer. It’s allegedly based on same platform as contemporary merc ML.
It’s extremely comfortable with ample space for four adults on long journeys and has a great sound system as a bonus!
alfabeat said:
Thank you all. I wish my budget was a bit healthier, as looking at cars with nigh on 100k on the clock is a bit depressing.
May have to up it a bit.
Still can't quite believe I have a pretty much worthless pile of Land Rover sat on the drive, when it looks so good!
I’d up the budget and look at cars such as a 2019 Audi A6 Quattro Avant or BMW 5 Series X Drive. With such vehicles you are still getting 4WD and a great tow car but also reliability, style reasonable running costs, good resale and great fuel economy. The estate versions of such vehicles are practical and they both drive superbly unlike big heavy 4x4’s as mentioned in other posts. May have to up it a bit.
Still can't quite believe I have a pretty much worthless pile of Land Rover sat on the drive, when it looks so good!
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