'Why a massive 4x4' Once again Boaby, BECAUSE HE CAN
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Er, last time I checked, our van is 1300kgs all in the last time I checked the plate. It's bang on our Mondeos' towing limit.
It also gives me the option in future to get a bigger van WHEN the kids get bigger, and at the rate they're growing, they WILL be taller than both of us...!
I am also looking at one. Very little comes close to combination of price, performance, space and equipment within a 4x4 style it seems especially on the 240 bhp version.
My current car has a 3.0 diesel and once you have had a 6 cylinder one you won't want to go back to a 4 cylinder.
My other option is a 5 series GT which also comes with a 3.0 diesel is seems to be an inherently practical family vehicle and with self levelling suspension and a 100kg noseweight a great tow car.
As a driving machine they are not going to be bad, are they? I suggest you find out cost of likely repairs/maintinence costs, clutch/cambelt change/tyre life/cost etc & see if they are within your budget.
The cams and everything on the end of the engine is gear driven - no belts or chains to worry about.
Anyway, I agree about running cost etc, MPG is only around 30,and the road tax - I'm not sure about, I know of a 'cut off' when you then get stung for £490 a year, somewhere around 2006 isn't it?
A friend had one (not for towing) and was reasonably happy with it, except for the fuel economy.
He did have a driveshaft go on him and was quoted some stupid price by a dealer (£1000+ ) to get it replaced. Luckily, he had a friend in the business who worked out a way of repairing it for about £300 - he then sold it as he was worried something else might go wrong.
A colleague here at work has the 5 litre V10 and loves it - but he pays for an extra warranty because if the turbo goes (there are 2 of them), it costs about £5k to replace!
Generally, they're ok but thirstier than others and potentially expensive, especially if you stick with a dealer.
A more sensible alternative would be a Hyundai Santa Fe - I had 2 of them (the older Mk1 and the newer MkII) and were both very good cars, if somewhat dull. Very reliable, 7 seater is a good choice as it has self-levelling suspension which helps with the towing.
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Like some one said it eats tyres not only that when i was looking at one dealer said you cant change one tyre at a time because of its 4 wheel drive all 4 must be replaced at a cost of £500..i ordered the 4x4 tiguan match.
Strange, my 4x4 is constant AWD and I have never heard of having to change all tyres at the same time. Never have, never will.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.