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Subject Topic: Petrol tow cars - any choice at all?
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Personbaddon
16/3/2017 at 9:06pm
 Location: Near Belfast
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the original question asked about petrol I assume mostly due to the low annual millage done & a bit of bad press about what the government is going to do in future to punish the ills of diesels.

So he needs a decently heavy car with a high torque petrol engine. MPG if you don't do big millage is not the end of the world. The initial cost of the car will be substantially less as will the maintenance of the petrol version.

As such I would think most decent estate cars will do the job. BMW 3 series touring, Audi A4 estate, Passatt estate, Octavia estate or event the stock superb. If you want a smaller car then you do have very limited choice as the car will not be heavy enough to be safe and stable.

Let us know your FIL budget and age and what he has his eye on to get more directed advice please?

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if your not living life on the edge your taking up tooo much room


Personbobmel
16/3/2017 at 10:27pm
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Buy a pre-registered car or one that is 6 months old and the price difference between petrol and diesel has gone, IMHO. Petrol just has not got that mid range torque.

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Robert (BoB)


PersonPaul B
17/3/2017 at 10:24pm
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Thanks for all the responses - I'm yet to be convinced that to tow 1480kg there are many choices for a petrol engine...

Superb Est 2.0 TSI - Kerb weight 1420kg (it does have a rated tow weight of 2000kg, but I wouldn't like to try it!) - Octavia is even lighter, but again is rated to 2000kg for towing!

VW Passat Est is only available as a diesel

Mondeo Est 2.0 kerbweight 1584 (93% match so not ideal) but a possibility

Volvo V60 T4 kerbweight 1661 (89% match) definite possibility

(haven't been able to find figures on Audi/BMW website)

Conclusion is there are a few options out there, but they are few and far between!

Think he will sit it out for a bit and see what actually happens with regard taxation of diesel engines etc.


PersonGrampian91
18/3/2017 at 1:24am
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Not few when you look, the issue is they tend to push the smaller engined vehicles and often the larger engined petrol models get forgotten.

What are you actually looking to spend though?

Need to match a 1480 max laden weight caravan?

Most large family estate cars should have something in the range. My vote goes for the supercharged RangeRover. But you may not want to spend that much on the car or the fuel bills :)

I had a RR on LPG and that drank enough to empty most of its 80L tank between the M5 and Cornwall whilst towing.
11mpg ish?

all petrol.
Zafira
Insignia (4x4 option also)
Rav 4
Avensis
CR-V
Freelander
Passat
Tiguan
Sharan
Mondeo
S-Max
Q7.... And the list goes on and on and on. So many cars to choose from. All are 2L petrol or above and no hybrids even though some do have that option. Some with 4x4 option also.

I have not even started on all the other manufacturers.

Audi, BMW, Citroen, FIAT, Hyunda and KIA and plenty more.


PersonOpensauce
18/3/2017 at 7:14am
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So your Dad is funded to buy a new Volvo & he is bothered about any tax on diesel engines? The new road tax rates for new reg next month on are not going to change for years now. First year rate for diesel is cheaper than same car with petrol engine.

People are getting the wrong end of the stick here. Even with the new rates next month it will still be cheaper to tax a diesel. With the use of AdBlue in Euro6 engines there is no longer an issue with DPF clogging if car is used mainly for short runs.

Post last edited on 18/03/2017 07:19:08


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Persondaveyjp
18/3/2017 at 1:05pm
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The issue of low mileage and diesels start well before the DPF.

At 3,000 miles a year if the car has lots of short runs the turbo, EGR, inlet manifold and associated plumbing will become clogged.

VAG decided in their wisdom to fit the 1.6TDi EGR in a difficult place where it is subject to high temperatures which affect it. When it fails its a £1000+ dealer job.

One manufacturer not on the list is Subaru. Outback, Forester, Legacy all have bomb proof petrol engines and being permanent 4x4 are excellent for towing. A Forester XT has about 230bhp, mpg won't be kind, but for 3000 miles a year it will be cheaper than having to replace expensive parts on a diesel.


PersonGrampian91
18/3/2017 at 11:23pm
 Location: Midlands
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My diesel car does lots if short runs, the average mph between fillups is below 20mph.

The plumbing will only clog if the engine is running less efficient than intended.

A bit of hard acceleration when on a slip road etc helps to keep it clean also.

Not standing starts with the wheels spinning but foot down in 3rd gear from about 1500 - 1800rpm.

Not compulsory, more essential is keeping it running properly. Good servicing, not ive only done 3000 miles so it wont need servicing.

Change the oil and filters often.


PersonPaul B
19/3/2017 at 9:22am
 Location: Bradford West Yorkshire
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Many thanks for the comments - he's decided to sit it out for a bit and see how everything develops in terms of legisltion. Looks like there are more big-engined petrol cars out there then the Caravan Club matching service gives credit for. Thanks again for all your help.


Personoohmyback
19/3/2017 at 4:39pm
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Some of the older big petrols would be ok, but newer stuff, you really have to go diesel.


Personcx5man
28/3/2017 at 4:53pm
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I was towing 1333kg back in 2000 with a 180bhp turbo petrol, a 1.8T Audi A4 Quattro Avant, with 177 pound feet from 1950kg to 4500rpm.

It did have a 1500kg tow limit and only a 80kg nose weight limit, but it was a very quick towcar.

The newer versions are now more powerful with even more torque over a wider rev band.

I'm looking for a turbo petrol myself next, I've had enough of diesels, they are now too complicated with the emission systems being fitted.


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PersonRay Clayton
28/3/2017 at 7:03pm
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Am on another set of EGR valves with short running and only doing around 7000 a year instead of 15000 + a year.
Petrol would even cost me more to tow 1800kg so i am sticking with the diesel.
New bloody front arms track rods, and tie bars now.
Spanners out again, the joy of Land Rovers



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Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4







Personpetra8315
30/3/2017 at 8:58pm
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Iused to run a volvo 3 ltr 280hp auto on lpg , it was awsome towing, trouble wa that couldn't find enough lpg stations en route, so had to switch to petrol quite often

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you are only as old as the woman you feel.


Personcczmark
07/4/2017 at 12:59pm
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Doing 3000 miles a year you have to be bonkers to run a diesel. Really doesn't stack up economically and highly likely to result in £££ reliability issues with all the complicated emissions equipment. See Honest John website.

If you get a turbo petrol you can normally get them chipped for more power/torque without affecting insurance. Ford Ecoboost 1.6 has 2 versions 150 & 180bhp - the same engine with different software. You can get a Kuga with this motor. Same engine in Volvo V60.

Other possible petrol options. BMW 220i Gran Tourer, BMW X1, Audi Q5 TFSI. Dunno towing limits on any of these sorry.



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