Will be getting rid of the trusty frontera this weekend, Had narrowed it down to a Primera as a 1st choice with a Mondeo 2nd. Read a few posts saying the Primera is not very reliable and can go through turbo's (looking at getting a warranty). Would the Mondeo be a better bet?
I have no experience of the Primera other than my son had one and it wrote itself off when the handbrake released itself whilst it was standing on a hill. However, you would not be diappointed with a Mondeo as a towcar, mine is a 55 plate TDCi 115 and it is without a doubt the best towcar I have had over the last 17 years, it tows my 1450kg Hymer with no question about it's stability, it has more than enough power and it is very economical.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
HI, No experience of the primera but had an X-Trail. No problems at all as a good tow car, have also towed with a Mondeo as well. I would choose the Mondeo.
I have no experience of the Primera as a towcar but had the 2.2 diesel T Spec for 3 years.
In that time and some 80,000 miles it had 2 high pressure fuel pumps replaced and one turbo.
It was on contract hire with full maintenance etc so at no cost to me.
However I really loved the car and would have considered another if they hadnt stopped making it!
------------- I started out with nothing and I've still got most of it left - Seasick Steve 2008
Cheers, I like the toys on the Primera but need something that can do 20,000 miles a year so it needs to be reliable. I did consider a 115 Mondeo but felt the 130 would be the option to tow 1300kg. Very interested to janus tows a hymer with one. I can't afford a post 55 plate one though.
Quote: Originally posted by kerry ellis on 26/8/2009
Cheers, I like the toys on the Primera but need something that can do 20,000 miles a year so it needs to be reliable. I did consider a 115 Mondeo but felt the 130 would be the option to tow 1300kg. Very interested to janus tows a hymer with one. I can't afford a post 55 plate one though.
not much difference really .we towed 1400 kg with a 115bhp tddi no problems at all.we still have ours but its used for commuting etc, owned ours for 4 years and its done 126000 miles and no problems other than a clutch/flywheel after 4 months of ownership.if you get say a 53/04 plate make sure its got a checkable service record and look for injectors being replaced.flywheel etc.if its been done you should be ok.