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Well i was really surprissed at this. Just been away for the first time in my 'new' van.

I tow with a 2003 plate VW Passat with 162'000 miles on the clock, its the 130 PD engine.

I drove 2 hours 30 minutes to our destination in Dorset from Cornwall and the computer registered at 35 MPG average when I got to the site!! I was shocked but put it dowm to probably a tail wind assisting the car. Speeds on the dual carriagway sections were 55 mph ish i might add.

On the way back i thought it would would hit rock bottom MPG as I noticed a little more wind noise against the screen, I was convinced that the outward trip was wind assisted but it still returned 32 to 33 MPG.

My van is 1350KG MTPLM . My old van I had before this one was 1130KG MTPLM and i only achieved about 29 MPG towing that one.

Yes, the latter B6 after 2006 was a big let down, they messed it up with the 2 litre 16 valve version of the PD engine, failing oil pumps and injectors being the worst combination!

Thankfully  it seems things have improved as the 2 litre fitted after 2008 is a common rail unit and has a gear driven oil pump and the rather embarrasing injector problems have also now been addressed. Apparently it also no longer sounds like a tractor like the earlier B6.

Im now on the hunt for something newer but have yet to make up my mind on what to replace it with. Il be loathed to see it go if im honest but its getting on abit now.

Get the same with the Superb 1.9 tdi 130 have seen 37 mpg with the Bailey Ranger on, solo though on a tank there is the prospect of covering 1000 plus miles according to the on board comp from 70 litres, on long runs, 8 years ago we filled up in Lyon France and got back home to the Scottish Borders just as the fuel light came on 928 miles

Quote: Originally posted by Gary H on 13/7/2012

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Well i was really surprissed at this. Just been away for the first time in my 'new' van.

I tow with a 2003 plate VW Passat with 162'000 miles on the clock, its the 130 PD engine.

I drove 2 hours 30 minutes to our destination in Dorset from Cornwall and the computer registered at 35 MPG average when I got to the site!! I was shocked but put it dowm to probably a tail wind assisting the car. Speeds on the dual carriagway sections were 55 mph ish i might add.

On the way back i thought it would would hit rock bottom MPG as I noticed a little more wind noise against the screen, I was convinced that the outward trip was wind assisted but it still returned 32 to 33 MPG.

My van is 1350KG MTPLM . My old van I had before this one was 1130KG MTPLM and i only achieved about 29 MPG towing that one.

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Quote: Originally posted by audicab26 on 14/7/2012

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Quote: Originally posted by Gary H on 13/7/2012

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Well i was really surprissed at this. Just been away for the first time in my 'new' van.

I tow with a 2003 plate VW Passat with 162'000 miles on the clock, its the 130 PD engine.

I drove 2 hours 30 minutes to our destination in Dorset from Cornwall and the computer registered at 35 MPG average when I got to the site!! I was shocked but put it dowm to probably a tail wind assisting the car. Speeds on the dual carriagway sections were 55 mph ish i might add.

On the way back i thought it would would hit rock bottom MPG as I noticed a little more wind noise against the screen, I was convinced that the outward trip was wind assisted but it still returned 32 to 33 MPG.

My van is 1350KG MTPLM . My old van I had before this one was 1130KG MTPLM and i only achieved about 29 MPG towing that one.

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We have a very similar set up, 121k 2002 Passat 1.9 130ps estate and 2004 1325kg van. Had to weigh the car before we bought the van as the published figs bear no resemblance to the actual weight of the car.

Ours too seems to sit above 30mpg when towing any distance. Great cars!

It now sits nice and level now since we had MAD spring helpers fitted.

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I weighed mine at a weigh bridge a while back. With a half tank of fuel and myself in the drivers seat (80KG) it came out at 1650 KG.

Funny you mention the MAD helper springs, ive got those too!!! All loaded up and with the van on the back, its all absolutely level. Expensive for what they are but they do the job!

Quote: Originally posted by Skoda Bob on 14/7/2012

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Get the same with the Superb 1.9 tdi 130 have seen 37 mpg with the Bailey Ranger on, solo though on a tank there is the prospect of covering 1000 plus miles according to the on board comp from 70 litres, on long runs, 8 years ago we filled up in Lyon France and got back home to the Scottish Borders just as the fuel light came on 928 miles

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I see that the new Superb estate has just been awarded best estate car of 2012!

A very nice car but out of my price range for the moment.

Quote: Originally posted by Gary H on 16/7/2012

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Quote: Originally posted by Skoda Bob on 14/7/2012

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Get the same with the Superb 1.9 tdi 130 have seen 37 mpg with the Bailey Ranger on, solo though on a tank there is the prospect of covering 1000 plus miles according to the on board comp from 70 litres, on long runs, 8 years ago we filled up in Lyon France and got back home to the Scottish Borders just as the fuel light came on 928 miles

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I see that the new Superb estate has just been awarded best estate car of 2012!

A very nice car but out of my price range for the moment.

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Quote: Originally posted by audicab26 on 17/7/2012

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My MAD springs were about £120ish which I didn't think was too bad considering the massive difference they have made to our towing. One of the technicians where I work fitted them for me. Worth every penny. Best of all my insurer agreed with me that they make the car safer and chose not to increase my premium.

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Quote: Originally posted by audicab26 on 17/7/2012

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My MAD springs were about £120ish which I didn't think was too bad considering the massive difference they have made to our towing. One of the technicians where I work fitted them for me. Worth every penny. Best of all my insurer agreed with me that they make the car safer and chose not to increase my premium.

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What insurer was that out of interest??

I tried to tell mine over the phone the other day until 'Polski' on the other end of the phone got really confused, thinking that i wanted to make a claim!  I then got cut off after holding for 15 minutes   Im going to try again on Friday when im off work.

Quote: Originally posted by Gary H on 17/7/2012

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Quote: Originally posted by audicab26 on 17/7/2012

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My MAD springs were about £120ish which I didn't think was too bad considering the massive difference they have made to our towing. One of the technicians where I work fitted them for me. Worth every penny. Best of all my insurer agreed with me that they make the car safer and chose not to increase my premium.

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What insurer was that out of interest??

I tried to tell mine over the phone the other day until 'Polski' on the other end of the phone got really confused, thinking that i wanted to make a claim!  I then got cut off after holding for 15 minutes   Im going to try again on Friday when im off work.

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My insurer is Aviva. I didn't bother calling them for fear of not being able to make myself understood at the call centre. Instead I sent them a carefully worded letter pointing out the safety aspects etc etc enclosing a PDF print out of the brochure for the springs which I found on the MAD website. This, I hoped, meant it might be read by an underwriter. Sure enough they amended my policy and wrote back confirming that agreed that I was making the car safer for towing etc and that they would not be increasing my premium.

If it helps - this is what I sent:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Ref Policy Number:

I refer to the vehicle covered by the above policy with you. I use this car to tow a caravan. The car and caravan is a good, safe match as defined by the guidelines laid down by the Caravan Club. However I was anxious to make the car even safer and more stable whilst towing, by finding a way of making it sit more level. So I researched possible solutions.

I have now fitted some Progressive Rear Spring Helpers to the factory fitted springs which means that the car remains nice and level when towing without affecting the suspension when driving solo. These are a recognised safety feature fitted by many caravanners and were fitted by a qualified vehicle technician.

However I would like to stress that the above helpers have not lowered or raised the standard suspension, they have not improved the cars performance or handling, increased its load carrying capacity, changed its appearance or added to its appeal from a theft risk point of view.

I trust that as a reputable Insurance provider you will not view the above as an opportunity to increase my annual premium and that you will recognise that I am simply towing a caravan with a diesel Passat - just trying to make sure that it is nice and safe for me, my family and other road users.

For your reference I attach details of the Progressive Spring Helpers (see attached leaflet)

Please can you confirm receipt of this letter and acknowledge its content for my records.

Thank you in advance of your kind attention.

Hope this helps, full marks to Aviva for recognising what I was trying to acheive, thereby securing my business next for year no doubt!

Quote: Originally posted by Gary H on 17/7/2012

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Quote: Originally posted by audicab26 on 17/7/2012

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My MAD springs were about £120ish which I didn't think was too bad considering the massive difference they have made to our towing. One of the technicians where I work fitted them for me. Worth every penny. Best of all my insurer agreed with me that they make the car safer and chose not to increase my premium.

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What insurer was that out of interest??

I tried to tell mine over the phone the other day until 'Polski' on the other end of the phone got really confused, thinking that i wanted to make a claim!  I then got cut off after holding for 15 minutes   Im going to try again on Friday when im off work.

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Quote: Originally posted by audicab26 on 17/7/2012

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If it helps - this is what I sent:

Dear Sir or Madam,

 

Ref Policy Number:

 

I refer to the vehicle covered by the above policy with you. I use this car to tow a caravan. The car and caravan is a good, safe match as defined by the guidelines laid down by the Caravan Club. However I was anxious to make the car even safer and more stable whilst towing, by finding a way of making it sit more level. So I researched possible solutions.

 

I have now fitted some Progressive Rear Spring Helpers to the factory fitted springs which means that the car remains nice and level when towing without affecting the suspension when driving solo. These are a recognised safety feature fitted by many caravanners and were fitted by a qualified vehicle technician.

 

However I would like to stress that the above helpers have not lowered or raised the standard suspension, they have not improved the cars performance or handling, increased its load carrying capacity, changed its appearance or added to its appeal from a theft risk point of view.

 

I trust that as a reputable Insurance provider you will not view the above as an opportunity to increase my annual premium and that you will recognise that I am simply towing a caravan with a diesel Passat - just trying to make sure that it is nice and safe for me, my family and other road users.

 

For your reference I attach details of the Progressive Spring Helpers (see attached leaflet)

 

Please can you confirm receipt of this letter and acknowledge its content for my records.

 

Thank you in advance of your kind attention.

Hope this helps, full marks to Aviva for recognising what I was trying to acheive, thereby securing my business next for year no doubt!

Post last edited on 17/07/2012 17:31:09

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