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Quote: Originally posted by Brian T on 15/9/2007

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I have a 1 year old 2.0 130 ltr TDCI and think its just the bees knees as for towing and general use . As well as the economy its only £140 per year road tax !

One good idea is to hire one for a day if you can and convince the wife.

 

Go For IT !!!! 

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I wanted to replace my Astra Cdti for something a little heavier but couldn't decide between a small 4x4 or a mondeo type towcar.

Finally came up with the compromise of a C Max 1.8 Tdci. We still get to sit higher for comfort (what is it about age and bad backs) but unfortunatly no 4x4 which after asking around on this forum I ascertained I would probably not use enough to warrant buying or running one.

I have yet to tow with it but driving it solo it seems very good. I would never go back to a petrol car now after having various diesels for a few few years. The mpg itself is a nobrainer unless you want a tiny little petrol toy like a Nissan micra or the like.

Hi, We always used to tow with petrol engined cars, Toyota Camry, Vauxhall Carltons etc,  but have been leaning heavily towards Diesel 4x4s for total peace of mind. Would find it difficult to change back to petrol now for towing caravans anyway! It looks like Landcruiser Amazons  for us now......

Hi -As for diesel v petrol its diesel everytime!! I had a Citreon 2.0 Hdi 110 bhp brill for every day use 44 mpg, but it struggled on the towing front, we have a 1990 Elddis Shamal and I think it weighs about a ton ladened up, the Citreon was 1220 kg so it was inside the 85% rule.

We have now bought a Jeep Cherokee 2.5td 150 bhp, and this does not know the van is on the back, it is a towing dream, however we are now down to 25-28 mpg. I have certainly noticed the difference on the pennies front. But I wouldnt swap back now even though the jeep is more expensive. Plenty of power. The citreon used to feel as though you were driving with the handbrake on, and the temperature went up considerably when towing.

No one has mentioned servicing. Diesels are far cheaper to service due to the lack of ignition components, also, less moving parts to go wrong.

We have a disco, but that is purely for where we live. Winters can be very harsh up here!

Just looked over some of these posts, since my last one.

Ignition servicing? You're out of date. Modern petrol engines have effectively service-free ignition systems. Spark plugs are typically changed every 36K-48K miles.     And don't forget the noise thing- petrol engines are very quiet. Diesels sound like farm tractors. And then there's the smoke...

I was interested to see contributors admitting their diesel 4x4s towing consumption down in the 20s mpg. Same as my petrol ... By the way, few motor engineers would say it's ok to put vegetable oil in your modern diesel engine... there's no lubricity additive, no anti-gumming agent, etc. etc. and injector pumps are highly sophisticated and therefore VERY expensive to replace. You might be avoiding the fuel duty, but your not avoiding the mechanical consequences.

Incidentally, Amazons, and the like, are TRUCKs, not cars! One of my daughters has a Discovery 300tdi. It feels like a lorry to drive.

Seriously, I repeat what I said before. People should buy and keep the vehicle they like best that suits all their needs as broadly as possible. It's just that sometimes I think people are kidding themselves with their choices.

TTC.

I drive 3.7 v6 petrol Mercedes 4x4 and I love it. It’s got loads of torque for towing and performance for when I’m solo. Combined with the auto gearbox I let the car itself sort the gears out when towing and the car performs beautifully.

I do only get 20 mpg when towing but ask most sports car drivers what they get and it'll not be far from 20 anyway. It still puts a smile on my face when driving solo.

My previous 5 cars were all diesel 3 cars and 2 4x4's

I love the reassurance of having 4 wheel drive when pitching and where I live we used to get lots of snow but not lately (global warming lol )

When it comes down to it its everyone’s personal choice lots of arguments each way.