New tow car???

[lukewhiting]

I currently have a 07 Kia Sorento which tows my boat great!! Even with a broken transfer box so it's rwd only it still pulls the boat up a steep slipway in low range with ease.

Only issue is I do 350miles a week and the 26mpg is killing me in fuel costs!!

The boat and trailer weigh roughly 1400-1500kg and the slipway I use is fairly steep.

I have been looking Into Audi A6 3.0tdi Quattro avant or the BMW 5 series 535d estate as they have better fuel economy and are cheaper in price with around 100k miles.

Both have self levelling suspension, enough power and are autos.

However has anyone ever used one on a slipway?? I want something that will be man enough for the job

Thanks in advance!

[Rib Tickle]

Have a 520D, pulls my 4.0m Avon with a 50hp tohatsu all the skis and toys. Got me up Lamorna Cove slip ok, Thrice.
It's only done 216K and goes like a train, 48MPG not towing mind (36ish but don't let OH know. Have a mate who has a530D and gets better MPG than me, but drives like your gran. I would go manual, if you can find one.

[jonp]

Why not the same vehicle in diesel version or the Hyundai. I use mine on slipways several times a week and often drive huge distances between boat ramps, fuel economy is fantastic from the 440 nm of torque.

By the way there's already a thread going on this subject if you use the search tool.

[lukewhiting]

Originally Posted by jonp

Why not the same vehicle in diesel version or the Hyundai.

Mine is the diesel version, manual too!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Rib Tickle

Have a 520D, pulls my 4.0m Avon with a 50hp tohatsu all the skis and toys. Got me up Lamorna Cove slip ok, Thrice.
It's only done 216K and goes like a train, 48MPG not towing mind (36ish but don't let OH know. Have a mate who has a530D and gets better MPG than me, but drives like your gran. I would go manual, if you can find one.

Show it a photo of a snowflake & it'll cack its pants[emoji23]

[Rib Tickle]

Live in the midlands, don't get snow. But have got winter tyres in the garage just in case. :0
Never tried getting up a slipway in the stuff either!

[spartacus]

My last car was an B5 A4 2.5TDI V6 Quattro, and current tow car is B8.5 A4 Allroad 2.0TDI Quattro and both averaged 40-45mpg (not towing). A6 3.0 Quattro will do the job, absolutely no question, but don't know about fuel consumption.

I've only ever had manual transmissions. One thing to watch with autos regardless of mileage is transmission ATF gear oil needs changed ever 40k miles including filter. Bit of a specialised job as oil needs to be heated, etc.

I've also got full VCDS software. These cars are pretty much computer monitored, so whether you're handy with the spanners or not, chances are you'll need the software to clear fault codes, release rear calliper if it's an electric-mechanical handbrake to change pads, reset service interval after oil change, etc.

[jonp]

Originally Posted by lukewhiting

Mine is the diesel version, manual too!

How old, is it the twin turbo ? They can be dyno tuned to churn out around 550nm of torque.

[lukewhiting]

Originally Posted by jonp

How old, is it the twin turbo ? They can be dyno tuned to churn out around 550nm of torque.

It's an 07 plate. 2.5 diesel manual 170hp.

Had a look at remaps and an eco map will take it to 202hp and add 71nm of torque taking it to 360nm

[69cmw]

You sure all the Audi's have self levelling rear suspension?

Also check the emissions before you buy, you may end up paying over £500 to tax an old car ....

[Andy_Rs600]

I've got an A6 3.0 (2011). It pulls a Ribcraft 6.8 that comes in just under 2000kg. Last recovery was over a weed covered slip you couldn't really walk on without falling over, and it had no problem at all. You do, however, need the right tyres. A lot of them have 19 inch wheels, which are a pain. Change down to 18 or better 17 and the towing and general handling will improve a lot.

Fuel economy on the motorway normally 38-43mpg (not towing, obviously!). Down near 30mpg towing at 55-60.

Unknown the anything with air suspension will be self levelling, not sure about springs but should be. The air (on all allroads and some Avant's) is DEFINITELY worth having. Make sure you are looking at the 250ps models not the 218ps.

[lukewhiting]

Originally Posted by Andy_Rs600

I've got an A6 3.0 (2011). It pulls a Ribcraft 6.8 that comes in just under 2000kg. Last recovery was over a weed covered slip you couldn't really walk on without falling over, and it had no problem at all. You do, however, need the right tyres. A lot of them have 19 inch wheels, which are a pain. Change down to 18 or better 17 and the towing and general handling will improve a lot.

Fuel economy on the motorway normally 38-43mpg (not towing, obviously!). Down near 30mpg towing at 55-60.

Unknown the anything with air suspension will be self levelling, not sure about springs but should be. The air (on all allroads and some Avant's) is DEFINITELY worth having. Make sure you are looking at the 250ps models not the 218ps.

Is that a Quattro or just fwd? Manual or auto?

[jonp]

Originally Posted by lukewhiting

It's an 07 plate. 2.5 diesel manual 170hp.

Had a look at remaps and an eco map will take it to 202hp and add 71nm of torque taking it to 360nm

I can highly recomend the newer 2.2 Hyundai diesel, I tow a rig +5 people and all our gear and don't even notice the 1.5 tons on the back. My econamy non towing is 6.1lt per 100km and 9-10lt towing. I simply don't need to dyno tune mine but if I did this is what sort of figure to expect https://www.dieseltuningaustralia.co...147-kw/#report

It's torque that's most important towing, I have no problems putting my foot down to pass road trains that are doing 110.

[mal99]

I tow a RC585 - previously with a 535d estate and now with a 530d saloon (no self levelling on this afaik). Both are great and no problems on any number of slipways. Home is RMYC and the slip there is steep.

[lukewhiting]

Originally Posted by mal99

I tow a RC585 - previously with a 535d estate and now with a 530d saloon (no self levelling on this afaik). Both are great and no problems on any number of slipways. Home is RMYC and the slip there is steep.

How heavy is your rig?

[mal99]

RC585 + DF140 + single axle trailer + kit & fuel = 1200KG ?? (That's a guess). Not even close to starting to struggle. Just easy.

[lukewhiting]

Originally Posted by mal99

RC585 + DF140 + single axle trailer + kit & fuel = 1200KG ?? (That's a guess). Not even close to starting to struggle. Just easy.

I reckon either the Audi or BMW is the way to go then!

Cheers guys!

[jambo]

I have a RC 5.85 with 150hp and a steep home slip. My X5 handles it no problem but watch your back tyres are good for the job.

[Andy_Rs600]

Originally Posted by lukewhiting

Is that a Quattro or just fwd? Manual or auto?

It's an Allroad so Auto Quattro which is the only way it's available. The Allroad 4WD is the same as the avant 4WD system, expect air suspension comes as standard and it's an option (not a common one) on the Avant. Personally I think if you're planning on towing with an Audi diesel then get the auto box. BWM I'd go manual but I've never towed with one.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Andy_Rs600

It's an Allroad so Auto Quattro which is the only way it's available. The Allroad 4WD is the same as the avant 4WD system, expect air suspension comes as standard and it's an option (not a common one) on the Avant. Personally I think if you're planning on towing with an Audi diesel then get the auto box. BWM I'd go manual but I've never towed with one.

X5 and others you get the benefit of both manual and auto thru thru the dual box so you can come up the slip in first rest then move to auto. I've never had a problem.