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   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email
Subject Topic: new tow car?? Tiguan / BMW/ Passat?
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Personowens3116
31/5/2016 at 11:26am
 Location: South Yorkshire
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Hi all,

Were hoping to get a caravan, were trying to figure out if we should go for a new tow car or not.

I want to make sure the car has enough power, and feels heavy/stable enough. We only need a 4berth fixed bed, but finding it hard on weight.

But it will also be our main car as well, so not overly thirsty! (BMW is amazing on fuel! i know we will use more when towing)

we currently have:

BMW 318d touring
kerbweight 1571kg
85% 1335kg
148 bhp
Torque 236 lbs
Towball 75kg


Im worried that yes, although this car can tow on paper, its going to be underpowered?

We have been looking at a passat estate or tiguan, but im not sure if these will give us much more than we have?

I think the passat estate weighs a little bit less than the bmw, so towing weight will decrease but it has more power?

VW Passat 2.0
Kerbweight 1541kg
85% 1309kg
148 bhp
Torque 250.78 lbs
Towball 90kg

Or a Tiguan 2.0 tdi Rline
Kerbweight 1655kg
85% 1416kg
138 bhp
Torque 236lb
Towball 100kg


even though the Tiguan could tow heavier (higher kerb weight) will it be underpowered only been 140bh?


Personjaiash
31/5/2016 at 3:55pm
 Location: nr Derby
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Personally Wouldn't swap your Beemer for either of those cars. The extra nose weight of the alternatives would be the only attraction for me.

-------------
Grahame


PersonGCMS2012
31/5/2016 at 4:30pm
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Keep your BMW, or if you're going to change, I think you should go for the Tiguan....

For the sake of 10BHP difference between them all, I don't think that much will matter...

Also, with it having a slightly better tow ball limit, you don't have to 'perfect' with your loading...

-------------
Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!


PersonSkoda Bob
31/5/2016 at 8:39pm
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Get your chipped, 30% more power 40% torx nd better economy


Personcheckley1973
31/5/2016 at 9:20pm
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Your BMW will tow an average 4 birth no problem. Diesels have alot of torque and this helps when towing. The BMW engines are strong and economical, keep what you have and enjoy it


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Personowens3116
31/5/2016 at 10:08pm
 Location: South Yorkshire
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Hi

Thanks for all your help, the 318beemer just oooks so small to tow with! We have towed a few times before so not total beginners.

We love the sprite major 4sb but at 1415kg not sure if were pushing it?


Personowens3116
01/6/2016 at 9:47am
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Hi

Thank you for all your replies, we are going to have good think!

Just seem to like all the vans above 1400kg!

But it can soon become very very expensive :(


PersonSamandRose
02/6/2016 at 5:58pm
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The weight and performance figures between the 3 cars you mention are negligible in reality and if you're happy with your BMW it's probably not worth changing it for either of the others.

I tow a 1250kg 4 berth caravan with a Passat 2.0 estate and the power is fine. I went for the Passat over the Tiguan as it has more space inside, better fuel economy and lower company car tax, and I decided that mattered more than 4WD. But it's really down to personal preference, I don't think you can go wrong either way.


Personyrret
02/6/2016 at 10:26pm
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Bmw all the way mines a 318 petrol and its fine



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