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Topic: vw sharan 2005 130 or Seat Alhambra 130

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vwnutter

03/3/2017 at 10:49pm
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I need some advise which of these cars will give me the best fuel returns towing a 2006
6 berth
Single axle
Mass in Running Order (Kg) - 1078
Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass (Kg) - 1326kg

i have looked up both cars but there are differences when it comes to using the 6th gear but most that as posted reviews the caravans have weighted more i am torn between the vw which is newer and a seat on a 2003 or 2004 plate .any advise is anyone using any of these cars to tow thanks all .

malkeiron

03/3/2017 at 11:34pm
Location: Derbyshire
Outfit: Swift Challenger 570 Hyundai ix35

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They are both the same motor just different badges. You could even call them a ford galaxy.

vwnutter

03/3/2017 at 11:41pm
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they are both different but they do have the same motor
Seat & Bailey
Good
Car is relatively heavy compared to caravan
Higher speeds are safely possible
Usability highest gear
Bad
Higher revs uphill sometimes necessary
Verdict

The Seat Alhambra - 1.9 TDI and the Bailey Ranger 550 of a laden weight of 1328 kg is an excellent combination for all journeys on all kinds of roads.

Weight

The chance of snaking is small even at higher speeds.

Flat roads

The performances of the engine of this outfit are in general very good. Under all conditions on motorways it is possible to drive with 60 mph in the 6th gear. In that case the engine runs approximately 1900 rpm. Maybe the engine is not running smoothly at low revs so it is better to shiftdown to the 5th gear, the engine runs in that case 2200 rpm. In a headwind or for example on a crossover there is no need to downshift immediately.
Mountains

On most motorways inclines (1:20) driving is easily possible in the 4th gear with 50 mph and even full throttle with 56 mph. In the 3th gear the top speed is 60 mph (4030 rpm). Hill starts are possible even on steep slopes up to 17%, if the front wheels have sufficient traction. While driving the engine has enough power to drive on every normal road.

Results

The main details in a list. Ideal for comparing different combinations with one another, for example your present with a new one.

WeightTowing limit2000 kgWeight ratio61%(laden Caravan / laden Car)(1328 kg / 2166 kg)NoseweightTowball limit85 kgAdvise75 kgStabilityScore at optimal noseweight10.2Infuence pay load16%Flat roadsTop speed83 mph (4th gear)At headwind78 mphSpeed in practice78 mph (5th gear)Acceleration0 - 60 mph25.9 sec. - (max. 21.4 sec.)30 - 60 mph19.3 sec. - (max. 15.2 sec.)50 - 60 mph4th gear: 9.1 sec. (max. 6.9 sec.)Power at 60 mphHighest (6th) gearoften usefulGears in practice6th gear5th gearRevs at 60 mph18802244Percentage between accelerator71% - 81%57% - 65%Power needed at 60 mph 1521 Nover: 676 Nover: 1264 NMotorway inclines 1:20Speed (maximum)56 mph - (60 mph)In the4th gear - (3th gear)Revs2573 - (4030)Acceleration 30 - 50 mph29.9 sec. - (max. 16.3 sec.)Normaly at 50 mph in the4th gearBy revs2287Percentage accelerator92%By full throttleHill startsMaximum incline16.1% - 17.9%Minimum speed (whereby power)5 mph - (9 mph)Mountain roadsMaximum slope driving33.6%Maximum speed on 1:837 mph in the 2th gear

---------------------------------------------------------------The Volkswagen Sharan - 1.9 TDI and the Bailey Ranger 550 with a laden weight of 1328 kg is a good match.
Flat roadsMountains
60 %
Weight ratio laden car and caravan is 60%
1328 kg 2206 kg
75 kg

Stability scoreScore: 10.4

Maximamum gradient: 17%
17%

Weight
weight ratio
towball limit
stability
Flat roads
speed
acceleration
6th gear
Mountains
speed
hill starts
driving
Good
Car is relatively heavy compared to caravan
Higher speeds are safely possible
Usability highest gear
More flexibility in payload
Bad
Higher revs uphill sometimes necessary
Verdict

The Volkswagen Sharan - 1.9 TDI and the Bailey Ranger 550 of a laden weight of 1328 kg is an excellent combination for all journeys on all kinds of roads.

Weight

The chance of snaking is small even at higher speeds.

Flat roads

The performances of the engine of this outfit are in general good. Under all conditions on motorways it is possible to drive with 60 mph in the 6th gear. In that case the engine runs approximately 1900 rpm. Maybe the engine is not running smoothly at low revs so it is better to shiftdown to the 5th gear, the engine runs in that case 2300 rpm. In a headwind or for example on a crossover there is no need to downshift immediately.
Mountains

On most motorways inclines (1:20) driving is easily possible in the 4th gear with 50 mph and even full throttle with 55 mph. In the 3th gear the top speed is 60 mph (3988 rpm). Hill starts are possible even on steep slopes up to 17%, if the front wheels have sufficient traction. While driving the engine has enough power to drive on every normal road.

Results

The main details in a list. Ideal for comparing different combinations with one another, for example your present with a new one.

WeightTowing limit2000 kgWeight ratio60%(laden Caravan / laden Car)(1328 kg / 2206 kg)NoseweightTowball limitn.a.Advise75 kgStabilityScore at optimal noseweight10.4Infuence pay load14%Flat roadsTop speed83 mph (4th gear)At headwind78 mphSpeed in practice78 mph (5th gear)Acceleration0 - 60 mph26.2 sec. - (max. 21.7 sec.)30 - 60 mph19.5 sec. - (max. 15.4 sec.)50 - 60 mph4th gear: 9.2 sec. (max. 7 sec.)Power at 60 mphHighest (6th) gearoften usefulGears in practice6th gear5th gearRevs at 60 mph18732266Percentage between accelerator71% - 82%57% - 65%Power needed at 60 mph 1527 Nover: 663 Nover: 1284 NMotorway inclines 1:20Speed (maximum)55 mph - (60 mph)In the4th gear - (3th gear)Revs2549 - (3988)Acceleration 30 - 50 mph31.6 sec. - (max. 16.7 sec.)Normaly at 50 mph in the4th gearBy revs2291Percentage accelerator93%By full throttleHill startsMaximum incline16% - 17.7%Minimum speed (whereby power)5 mph - (9 mph)Mountain roadsMaximum slope driving33.3%Maximum speed on 1:837 mph in the 2th gear

Rob and Tina

04/3/2017 at 9:27am
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Motorhome

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We had a Galaxy with the 140 bhp engine. It was an automatic and towed just under 1200 kg effortlessly. I expect you will find that the cars you are considering will do the job extremely well but you will find it more economical to use 5th gear instead of 6th on long runs.

Another thing to consider is the gross train weight. Our Galaxy had a max vehicle weight of 2505 kg so I expect you will need a B+E licence for your outfit.

Rob

vwnutter

04/3/2017 at 10:36am
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hi my licence as the B+E on it so i am ok there ,its just when you compare these models on tow car info for some reason the vw and seat are different considering both have the same engine some say you can get 30 and some say 20s i just want to know what people are getting on tow .thanks for the replay

Rob and Tina

04/3/2017 at 11:03am
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Motorhome

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It doesn't seem to matter which car and caravan we use because we always get 25-30 mpg. We sometimes get more than 30, it depends on the weather and traffic conditions.

At the end of the day I would go for the car I liked as the amount of towing miles is likely to be only a small percentage of the annual mileage so the difference in fuel costs will not be great. I would also choose the car that is most suitable for my day to day use as that is more important to me than a few days of holiday use each year.

Rob

vwnutter

04/3/2017 at 12:18pm
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whats really putting me off is the price as well but the condition reflects this slightly to other vw sharan of the same year but also its a S standard not an Se which would give me more for my money but when you look at even traders selling this car its much cheaper that the private sale price ,the trader can offer a warranty the private sale is sold as seen which you hope you have not bought a dud that going cost as you have given good money for it thinking you don't have to spend to much on it ,the car might look mint but it could be hiding a fault that could cost a hundreds to put right ,with buying off a trader you do get some cover if a warranty as been given ,the mileages of the car in question as 133000 miles which for a vw is low as long as its been looked after.i know the vw sharan will tow may caravan but some are saying the seat alhambra 2003 2004 as more torque but some say the vw is the same car but on towcar info its states different on the seat its Towball limit 85 kg Advise 75 kg on the vw its stating 75kg and the star rating on both cars the vw as 4 the seat as 4 1/2 stars some reviews say they get 30 out of the seat and 20 out of the vw but technically speaking the vw is a lighter and should produce better fuel economy but this is not the case unless towcar infor got it wrong and doing a complete comparison labelling both cars the same

blueexpo97

04/3/2017 at 12:24pm
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And breathe.

-------------
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.

vwnutter

04/3/2017 at 12:55pm
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jim oldham

04/3/2017 at 1:13pm
Location: Wigan
Outfit: VWSharan. Sport 442.

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Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 04/3/2017
And breathe.

vwnutter

04/3/2017 at 1:19pm
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being dyslexic throws it problems when writing in forums

Opensauce

04/3/2017 at 1:43pm
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As pointed out. The 2 cars of that age are mechanically identical in every way built on the same production line. Only the trim & badges are different so any difference in performance & mpg will be down to mechanical condition of car.

Info on car/caravan matching sites should not be regarded as accurate & info should be verified elsewhere.

On 12yr old cars with corresponding high mileage any differences in fuel consumption will be down to condition of injectors & other mechanical parts in the fuel system.

So the op needs to consider only the respective conditions of the 2 cars. Mileage, service history & so on. They need to ensure that cambelt has been changed & hope that dual mass flywheel does not fail anytime soon.

bofs

04/3/2017 at 5:40pm
Location: Cumbria
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If the Brake horse power is different, even with the same engine you will find variations in mpg and pulling power - unfortunately as one goes up, the other tends to come down ☹️ Service history showing also what has been replaced on the car would be a decider for me, and even the condition of the tyres, especially the front ones. They tend to be heavy on the front tyres especially and they are quite expensive to replace.

Post last edited on 04/03/2017 17:45:16

vwnutter

06/3/2017 at 11:37pm
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hello bought the car drives great good torque as well like all used cars from private sellers you don't always escape with a perfect car but the clutch is ok for now considering its done 133000 miles gear box ok engine ok as for all these cars you got to watch for rust part from surface rust underneath but not on the body work its all good which as now been done.
on driving it home we was getting an average 52 to 59 to the gallon on the motorway with speeds of 60 to 70 and considering its an heavy car that is very good i was expecting way less , around town anything from 35 to 40ish they are a very nippy car but very big thou lol i am glad i picked the vw over the seat its looks better and and not as dated like the seat Alhambra which did 't look as nice if you can do your own servicing you can run these cars on a decent low budget as theirs plenty of used and new parts on ebay that are cheap you can get a full exhaust for £70 new battery £49 service kit around £23 if you look you can get parts very cheap if you take this car in for repair it can cost a lot to maintain i got receipts with the car which is ridiculous high of around a £1500 pound which in parts would cost a couple of hundred quid if you done it yourself ,i did't think i would like it but it grows on you the more you drive it ,i started having concerns seeing a lot of these cars in breakers yards but after emailing a few i found out its the automatic boxes that fail a lot on these cars this is why you see a lot in breakers yards that look like theirs nothing wrong with them.
over all i think it will serve its purpose to why it was bought towing my caravan ,if your looking for one i would get the manual 5 or 6 speed box and take a good look underneath for rust .

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