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Subject Topic: 1.6 diesels Etc. Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonTom#n#Gill
05/4/2016 at 12:16pm
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Very popular nowadays are the 1.6, 1.5 diesels. What are they like to tow with, used to be in haulage and there used to no substitute for sheer cubic capacity. I know some of the 1.6 diesels can knock out a 100bhp plus but how does it translate in towing terms. Caravan club had a 1.6 diesel as a tow car winner after going around a course, but what are they like in the real world, dragging caravans up long inclines, into a headwind. Are you dancing on the clutch keeping it in a power band, up and down the box or do they slog along like the older yet bigger counterparts.
Our van can be towed by lots of smaller diesels but don't want to buy myself hard work towing, we do a fair bit of distance towing and at present tow car, a Renault Scenic (don,t ask!!!!) is not the best in the world and that is a 1.9 dci engine.
Inclined to replace Renault with a more powerful tow car just for ease of towing.
Your thoughts and experiences please.

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TomnGill


PersonRob and Tina
05/4/2016 at 1:31pm
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We've towed with a couple of 1.6 diesels. The first was a Grand C4 Picasso with the EGS gearbox, we only towed a folding camper and it was great. We then had a Focus Estate with the 115 bhp engine and manual gearbox and towed a Bailey Ranger 460/4, that was ok apart from on a couple of long inclines on French autoroutes where I could have done with a bit more oomph. I had to use the gearbox a lot but I had expected that and the car took us to the Dordogne and back without any trouble.

We now have a 1.6 diesel auto Mokka with 134 bhp to play with, we will be towing for the first time next week so we'll have to see how it performs.

Hope this helps with your research, I still feel that there's no substitute for large cubic capacity engines but the smaller ones are now almost as powerful. Our 2.0 diesel Galaxy was 140 bhp and was brilliant, the Mokka is almost as powerful and has a much better power to weight ratio so hopefully it should perform well.

Rob


Personfreeatlast
05/4/2016 at 1:53pm
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My first Mitsubishi ASX had a 148BHP 1.8 litre diesel variable valve engine, and it was a great tow car, quite happy towing in 6th gear at 55mph. it was also pretty good on fuel consumption.


PersonOpensauce
05/4/2016 at 2:06pm
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Look at the torque figures not the bhp figures, thats how you know how well it's going to tow. Today's 1.6 diesels are as good as yesterday's 2litre diesels.

Engine size becomes increasingly irrelevant as forced induction technology improves. "Ya can't beat cubes" is meaningless these days.

You should not 'slog' any modern car uphill when towing, it's bad for the dual mass flywheel, keep it revving in lower gear.

Post last edited on 05/04/2016 14:16:42


PersonRob and Tina
05/4/2016 at 2:30pm
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The torque is the best part of a diesel car. I've just checked the torque figures of our old Galaxy 2.0 and our Mokka 1.6 diesels, the torque figures are exactly the same proving Opensauce's comments.

Rob


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PersonJuanHuNose
05/4/2016 at 6:46pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Rob and Tina on 05/4/2016
The torque is the best part of a diesel car. I've just checked the torque figures of our old Galaxy 2.0 and our Mokka 1.6 diesels, the torque figures are exactly the same proving Opensauce's comments.

Rob


Unfortunately headline power and torque figures only tell part of the tale.

My daughter had a 1.9TDI Golf and wanted something newer so had a drive in the newer 1.6TDI Golf. Same BHP, same torque as the `old` 1.9 but chalk and cheese! "Dad, it`s flat! It won`t go!". The 1.6 was numb in comparison, as part of the chasing mpg and emission numbers they also alter the engine characteristics and (importantly) the gearing. You might get away with it in Norfolk, but up here where we have hills.......

Try before you buy has never been so relevant, numbers aren`t everything.


PersonOpensauce
05/4/2016 at 7:24pm
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If it has higher overall gear ratios then use a lower gear when towing as required. I'm betting the actual performance was just as good but it did not seem like it because of engine characteristics, probably over revving it with which a modern engine will which will get you nowhere faster. That's how they use less fuel for same performance.


PersonDerbian
05/4/2016 at 7:26pm
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Worth checking at what RPM the makers quote the maximum torque.

As previous poster has said just because the headline figures are the same it doesn't mean the car will drive/tow as well.

Present car (2l TDI) develops max torque around 1900 RPM and tows beautifully. Was given the newer model by the dealers as a courtesy car for a weekend and it was nothing like the same, constantly changing gear.   Checked the spec and the figures for the newer model are the same but quoted at 2500 RPM


Personnavver
05/4/2016 at 8:18pm
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There's more to it than simple max torque. there is a the width of the power band and how quickly it drops off above or below the maximum torque RPM.

I feel my 1.6 HDI 115bhp engine doesn't have a wide power band. There is also a lot less engine breaking with them meaning going down hill might need the brakes to keep speed down.


PersonGCMS2012
05/4/2016 at 8:49pm
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Me don't like these new 'eco' engines....

Tiny cubes, and the other power made up with a HUGE turbo...

Why??

Surely there's a balance / match needed between engine size and turbo size??

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Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!


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Personmattlad
05/4/2016 at 10:24pm
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There's no replacement for displacement, especially when it is combined with a turbo (or two!)

-------------
Love a lot. Trust a few. But ALWAYS paddle your own canoe!!
Minds are like parachutes:- They only function when they are open!!!
Those who talk don't know.
Those who know don't talk.


Personrichardandjo2010
05/4/2016 at 10:51pm
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We tow With Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.6 diesel it has 105 bhp and 320 nm torque. We have a folding camperso its obviously lighter than a caravan and lower so less drag, we towed for the first time at Easter with it and it was absoloutly fine plenty of power and comfortable with 4 people in it

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its our imperfections that makes us perfect


PersonTom#n#Gill
09/4/2016 at 10:20am
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Am not convinced about the smaller engines. As stated most of our towing is long distance (We are in Benidorm at the moment) and thing we shall go for a bigger engined car. Looking at a Sedona, complete over kill for our caravan but am willing to pay the extra costs just for the easy life. The car will spend most of it,s life with us towing and be parked up most of the time. Any views on the Sedona as a choice welcome or maybe you have a better idea!!!!

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TomnGill


Personbessie500
12/4/2016 at 2:56pm
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Unfortunately headline power and torque figures only tell part of the tale.

My daughter had a 1.9TDI Golf and wanted something newer so had a drive in the newer 1.6TDI Golf. Same BHP, same torque as the `old` 1.9 but chalk and cheese! "Dad, it`s flat! It won`t go!". The 1.6 was numb in comparison, as part of the chasing mpg and emission numbers they also alter the engine characteristics and (importantly) the gearing. You might get away with it in Norfolk, but up here where we have hills.......

Try before you buy has never been so relevant, numbers aren`t everything.

A few guys at my work replaced their 2 ltr company cars with the 1.6 passats, all of them regreted it and swapped out as soon as they could.

Bessie



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