compass
Posted a lot
www.compasstrading.co.uk
Posts: 1,644
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Jan 14, 2014 20:14:50 GMT
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I'd second the Audi Allroad shout too.
I used to tow a 1850kg caravan with one, and it was great. It was the 2.7 twin turbo, and did 20-22 mpg when towing, which i was happy with.
Just watch out for Autos, and check the air suspension works if you look at one. Plenty about for sub £3k.
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Jan 14, 2014 20:17:27 GMT
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Lexus LS400? 2000kg towing capacity and a beefy V8.
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Jan 25, 2014 11:33:05 GMT
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From the suggestions so far I think the 5 series bmw seems to be personally the best, 2000kg towing capacity and might even stretch to a 2004-2005 example soon for the budget. I'd love to get an older model with low mileage but the misses wouldn't be too impressed, the newest car i've had up until last year was 1989! Surprising how limited choices are really, would have thought a lot of the bigger saloon/estates would be designed with towing capacity in mind, for those who tow these houses on wheels around the country.
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Donald
East of England
Posts: 114
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Jan 25, 2014 12:07:35 GMT
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As it happens, I bought a manual E39 528 Touring with approx 96K on it a few months ago to do some work around the garden. Now sitting in the garage unused as I work overseas. Out of tax but still has some test on it, 6 months plus if I remember correctly. Planning on taxing it at the end of January when I get home anyway.
Tidy old bus - think it may be posted on here. I will check and add the link if there is a thread.
Quite a long way from you but you don't see many manuals
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Last Edit: Jan 25, 2014 12:16:15 GMT by Donald: Spelling
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Donald
East of England
Posts: 114
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Jan 25, 2014 12:09:45 GMT
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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Jan 25, 2014 15:15:54 GMT
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I'm looking to swap my E36 328i touring for a smaller car for my wife. Doesn't have a tow bar fitted, but has plenty of power/torque and a lovely auto box which I'm sure has an additional cooler factory fitted. I think the towing capacity might be too low for you though, I'm sure it's 1600kg? 5-series may be better with your intended use in mind. Details here: E36I'm also selling my old VW T4 camper van as I've bought a newer one. That'll tow 2200kg if I remember correctly, and has a tow bar fitted. It's a 2.4D (non turbo) and goes fine as it is, but I expect it'd be a bit slow on hills with a trailer full of car. Apparently very easy to turbo though, loads of people on the T4 forum have done it DIY with a few hundred quids worth of bits. Room in it for spares, brewing, sleeping, anything really. I like vans Details here: T4
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Last Edit: Jan 25, 2014 15:21:45 GMT by Stu
'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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Think a 3 series won't be upto the job / legal for what weight i'll be pulling unfortunately, which is a shame because I probably prefer them over the 5! Not really considered a transporter tbh but a bit pricey and higher mileage than would persuade me to go the van route. Do rate them though, used to have one at work and much nicer to drive than the fords.
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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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owning a 323i Id rather have the 528i
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AB car pix
Posted a lot
Car mag' snapper
Posts: 1,337
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I towed all over the country a couple of years back with this 850 T5. It was chipped to 250bhp, 300lb/ft. So good when on the motorway, but terrible for pulling away from junctions.... one wheel drive and a load of boost made for some entertaining burnouts from junctions, (and a good few broken bits like engine mounts too!). I replaced it with this 960 3.0 auto, which is way more competent. RWD and auto is just so much better suited to towing. I did get an autobox oil cooler fitted just as a precaution, and checking/topping up the fluid is always wise regularly as dragging a couple of tonnes is hard work. This is probably still a bit under the weight restrictions, but it doesn't look wrong, and drives well. The Volvo hasn't had that much use towing though as I also bought this not long after. 4.6 V8, and tows effortlessly. You'd hardly know there was anything behind you! (perfectly demonstrated by the wrong way round Horizon on a stupidly heavy plat trailer here!).
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1979 Chrysler Horizon 1.3 GL 1980 Ford Granada 2.8 Ghia 1985 Ford Sierra 3dr 1985 Ford Escort Mk3 1988 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 1989 Ford Escort 1.3 Popular 1995 Volvo 960 1996 BMW 525i 1998 BMW 323i 1999 BMW 530d 2003 BMW 530i . www.facebook.com/ABCARPIX
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lpgmotors
Part of things
Consciousness, that annoying time between naps!!
Posts: 76
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The best tow vehicle is always going to be a 4x4, I can't see by a 300Tdi or Td5 manual Discovery, they do 25 mpg, can haul two tonnes easily and have a cheap parts supply thru Paddock and others, try taking away from a T junction with a steepish gradient in a two wheel drive and it may be new clutch time. Another plus bonus is the police don't look near you as they know that Discos have a 3.5 tonne towing limit.
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Ratty Jaguar XJ-S........MGB Roadster........MX5 CC
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I just can't see myself in a 4x4 :/ although I do agree there best for the job. I'll probably only need to tow a max of 6-8 times a year so was hoping for something reliable, legal and suitable for the job. But also, something I can enjoy driving the rest of the year.
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AB car pix
Posted a lot
Car mag' snapper
Posts: 1,337
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I just can't see myself in a 4x4 :/ although I do agree there best for the job. I'll probably only need to tow a max of 6-8 times a year so was hoping for something reliable, legal and suitable for the job. But also, something I can enjoy driving the rest of the year. Volvo 960 then.... and mine will be for sale very soon! Complete with its uprated autobox oil cooler conversion still fitted PS, nice Delta. Got a thread about it on here?
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1979 Chrysler Horizon 1.3 GL 1980 Ford Granada 2.8 Ghia 1985 Ford Sierra 3dr 1985 Ford Escort Mk3 1988 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 1989 Ford Escort 1.3 Popular 1995 Volvo 960 1996 BMW 525i 1998 BMW 323i 1999 BMW 530d 2003 BMW 530i . www.facebook.com/ABCARPIX
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AB car pix
Posted a lot
Car mag' snapper
Posts: 1,337
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Just to add to that, here's the 960 in action.....
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1979 Chrysler Horizon 1.3 GL 1980 Ford Granada 2.8 Ghia 1985 Ford Sierra 3dr 1985 Ford Escort Mk3 1988 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 1989 Ford Escort 1.3 Popular 1995 Volvo 960 1996 BMW 525i 1998 BMW 323i 1999 BMW 530d 2003 BMW 530i . www.facebook.com/ABCARPIX
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eternaloptimist
Posted a lot
Too many projects, not enough time or space...
Posts: 2,578
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Another vote here for the 960/V90. Or a G-Wagen, but you've said you don't see yourself in a 4x4.
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XC70, VW split screen crew cab, Standard Ten
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I have to agree with the 'need for sweede' Volvo's seem to be a great tow car, but on the Swedish front I loved my saab 9-5 Aero and in estate form they would make a good tow car too!! Aero have 230-250bhp (depends on year) with around 420nm torques and cheap to buy!!
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74' Escort mk1 Zetec power
09' Seat Exeo Tdi
98' Honda Civic Vti Areodeck
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eternaloptimist
Posted a lot
Too many projects, not enough time or space...
Posts: 2,578
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There's a one owner V90 for sale I saw today - well maintained (eg on Michelins) and up for £650 - PW cars near Slough. Been around for ages, used to specialise in Volvo estates. They're closing down, went over there to buy a press I bought off eBay and saw the V90 there. 220k miles. Very tidy.
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XC70, VW split screen crew cab, Standard Ten
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AB car pix
Posted a lot
Car mag' snapper
Posts: 1,337
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There's a one owner V90 for sale I saw today - well maintained (eg on Michelins) and up for £650 - PW cars near Slough. Been around for ages, used to specialise in Volvo estates. They're closing down, went over there to buy a press I bought off eBay and saw the V90 there. 220k miles. Very tidy. Not as nice as mine though retrorides.proboards.com/thread/162530/volvo-auto-estate-1000-glasgow
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1979 Chrysler Horizon 1.3 GL 1980 Ford Granada 2.8 Ghia 1985 Ford Sierra 3dr 1985 Ford Escort Mk3 1988 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 1989 Ford Escort 1.3 Popular 1995 Volvo 960 1996 BMW 525i 1998 BMW 323i 1999 BMW 530d 2003 BMW 530i . www.facebook.com/ABCARPIX
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Volvo for sale:- www.pwcars.co.uk/volvo-used-carsI think they weigh about 1800kg so the recommended safe towing limit 85% is around 1550kg If your trailer weighs 450kg then an 1100kg cars its limit.
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Last Edit: Feb 8, 2014 16:59:59 GMT by CFmania
"Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT'S relativity." Albert Einstien
Jensen Healey Supercharged MX-5 drive train
Ford Transit V8 Gone to new pastures
Buick 1949 Restomod
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peddyp
Part of things
Posts: 710
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I'd say go for the Volvo too... Specifically a big blue 1988 240DL 4speed manual with all the towing kit all ready for you at the back and 6months tax and full mot with a new exhaust and new rad...
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Mark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,097
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Another vote for the e39, they're just fantastic cars. Don't bother going for an e60, inferior in a lot of ways. Try and get a facelift 530i auto if you can and LPG it if you do lots of miles.
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