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Hi Guys, Having bought myself an e30 325i race/track car and trailer i'm after a more sensible vehicle to tow it around with. I just about managed to get it home with an Audi A3 1.8 Turbo (150bhp) which pulls fine, but on the two occasions I had to do a hill start, it really doesn't like it and is on the max towing capacity, weight wise. I really don't want to be pulled over / changing clutches everytime! Looking for something that has performance (170+ bhp), is preferably not much older than 10 years old, less than 100,000 miles and is quite comfortable in towing at least 1800kg, which would be the BMW and trailer + spares, tyres etc... Looking at £3k max! Are automatics more capable / less wearing when it comes to towing? No big 4x4 suggestions please , land rovers, chelsea tractors etc, don't do anything for me. Open to more retro / unusual cars too if reliable and cheap to fix. Let the suggestions roll in......... Thanks, Marcus.  |
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retrolegends
Club Retro Rides Member
Winging it.....Since 1971.
Posts: 3,719
Club RR Member Number: 94
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Volvo 240  Ok not quite 170bhp and a bit older than ten years. |
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1974 Hillman Avenger 1500DL1992 Volvo 240SE1975 Datsun Cherry 100a flying custard1965 Hillman SuperMinx Rock N Roller1974 Austin Allegrat Mk1 1.3SDL1980 Austin Allegro Mk3 1.3L1982 Austin Allegro Mk3 on banded steels2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible 220bhp TurboNutter1966 Morris Minor 1000 (Doris) 2019 Abarth 595C Turismo (not retro but awesome fun) www.facebook.com/DatsunCherry100a |
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oakesy
Part of things
Posts: 305 
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A BMW E39 would be pretty much perfect
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'66 Scimitar Coupe Straight Six in no Paint
'74 Scimitar GTE in Yellow
'71 Jaguar XJ6 in Blue
'76 Scimitar GTE
'87 Scimitar Turbo
Previous- '87 Scimitar SS1 Turbo, '75 Triumph Toledo, '86 VW Scirocco, '93 Scimitar Sabre, '85 Scimitar SS1, '76 Scimitar GTE, '71 Scimitar GTE
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adi
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,426
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E36 325tds would be my choice, if you can find one! Straight 6 diesel goodness
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adi
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,426
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In fact you'd get a 330d within that budget. Twin turbo straight 6 diesel FTW
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scimjim
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,503
Club RR Member Number: 8
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dunc
Part of things
Posts: 17
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E39 530d touring would be my recommendation. The touring versions have self leveling air suspension at the back so sit straight as an arrow regardless of the load.
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Volvo 240 get my vote as well. When bonnet came up on my 240 GL at speed it did so much damage I scrapped it and replaced it with a 740 SE. Both had the 2.0 CIS engine. IMO the 240 was a far better tow car. As retrolegends says older than 10 years and under 170 bhp though. BTW for towing you want torque more than bhp. For example Land Rovers have quite low power but will tow anything !
Mate had a Vectra 2.6 and plenty of power for towing his big caravan but bad weight balance between car and caravan (yet still just within manufacturers / the recommended 85% ratio) so he ended up having to buy a 4x4 to get something to make a safe towing combo.
This is possibly where you will also have a problem as you need a vehicle around 2000kg (min) and that will limit choice.
I've towed cars on trailers with spares and even with a Land Rover if you get the loading wrong they can be frightening to drive. Tow 1800kg with a car of similar or only slightly heavier and you risk spending a fortune on spare underwear.
What about looking at caravan tow vehicle test results to see what people recommend as a good hauler ?
Paul H
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compass
Posted a lot
www.compasstrading.co.uk
Posts: 1,644
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I'd personally go the 4x4 route, or buy a van. IMHO, the best tow vehicles have a LWB and weigh a decent amount. Trooper 3.0 diesels are great towing vehicles. A bit agricultural, but cheap and far more powerful than Landys. Injectors can be troublesome, but even now are replaced FOC by Isuzu if they fail.
If you're dead set against 4x4's though, the best car I've towed with has been a 3.0 Omega. Plenty of power, and very stable. Retro wise, a W124 Merc estate would be great, especially if you could get the E300 or 320. Self levelling suspension, bullet proof engine and very comfy.
Auto or manual is personally. Auto for ease, although many cars will need additional oil coolers. Manuals give more control when tackling hills, where autos can sometime hunt for gears.
Hope this helps.
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Last Edit: Jan 6, 2014 16:59:27 GMT by compass
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lilbob
Part of things
Posts: 419
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a ford galaxy TDI gets my vote loads of room high towing weight and comfy to drive
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smurf
Part of things
Posts: 829
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Shame you don't want a 4x4
Mine will pull a house down
3.0 hilux surf manual ( no overheating like the autos)
Plenty of space and its got a winch so you can recover almost anything as well
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Last Edit: Jan 6, 2014 20:07:52 GMT by smurf
Laser cutting and cnc punching (up to 3mm stainless and ali, up to 6mm mild steel)
Mail me a dxf file and i'll get you a price
Metal folding and custom fabrication service also available
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Ford ranger diesel pickup?
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muttley racing ftmfwmf
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rallye
Part of things
Posts: 118
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This maybe doesn't tick all the boxes but i'd recommend a VW T4 2.5 Tdi of sorts, i towed my 106 all over the country in 2012, Aberdeen - Prescott hillclimb on 1 tank of fuel! (460 odd miles)  My Caravelle had bigger injectors & remap and made 150bhp/240lb ft torque, add cruise control and some XR2i 16v seats for added comfort, the velle even has a/c fitted. You also have lots of storage space, you can even kip in it if you want. |
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Last Edit: Jan 6, 2014 20:20:36 GMT by rallye
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keithrg
Posted a lot
Dame they destroyed 6 mk1 escorts making Fast and furious 6 :(
Posts: 1,253
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Thats a tall order. YOU say under 10 years old but then say retro. Bmw E36 323i 328i 330d (old 2.9) E39 528i would be my choice and manual. Old volco 850 940 most modern cars don't have towing capacity
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what about an audi allroad or ex traffic cop Volvo xc estate plenty around and fairly cheap,.? hope this is of help also old Mercedes w123 pretty retro and pretty bomb proof I have had 1 with 400,000 miles on it and it was a manual diesel estate . have you tried carandclassic.co.uk very good website like this forum. hope this is of help to you. if you can handle a left hand drive, try autoscout24 and a wee euro trip. / mobile.de europes autotrader. |
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Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys, very useful. Keep them rolling in! I will be trying to use a works transit if at all possible but if that's a no go, the kermit A3 i've got will have to make way for something more suitable for the job.
Cheers, Marcus.
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Jan 10, 2014 17:33:06 GMT
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How about a Subaru Forester? Not quite 4x4 territory, good towing capabilities (all those farming/horsey people cant be wrong!)
If thats too big then what about a Legacy estate? With or without turbo they are reliable (if looked after. Running gear same as Impreza so loads of spares around) and you wont see too many on the road.
Both have big boots (Legacy is slightly longer / Forester is taller) '03 onwards Foresters (and possibly others) have non-permanent 4wd so can be reasonably economical.
I admit I am a little biased. I sold my Legacy estate last year after 8+ years 90k miles and replaced it with a Forester!!
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Sittin' here in a hired tuxedo. Wanna see my bacon torpedo?
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smurf
Part of things
Posts: 829
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Jan 12, 2014 12:57:08 GMT
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You know you want it  |
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Laser cutting and cnc punching (up to 3mm stainless and ali, up to 6mm mild steel)
Mail me a dxf file and i'll get you a price
Metal folding and custom fabrication service also available
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Jan 14, 2014 19:28:27 GMT
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Not my cup of tea i'm afraid! Think a BMW E39, seems to be the best suggestion from a very limited choice of cars that are upto a towing capacity of 2000kg and within budget. Hard to find something sporting, attractive with a good towing ability. Fancied a 156/159 sw but the towing capacity isn't upto the job  |
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