Wanted Cheap Tow Car - £2500

Toad

Toad

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Toad Jnr is on the look out for something to tow a caravan with, but with a limited budget.

Just a single axle jobbie, nothing heavy.

Maybe a passat or akin??

Anything about with a tow bar?
 
Get a BMW, something with the M57 6 pot Diesel. You could get them in the 5 & 3 series as the 530/330 variants. Circa 230BHP (depending on which year), and about 500NM or torque. And you'll get 40mpg easily all day long.
 
Don’t buy anything until you know the plated weight of the caravan and the towing capacity of the car you’re going to pull it with.

Loads will say that it doesn’t matter. And it probably doesn’t until there’s an accident (even if not your fault). If the numbers don’t add up then, expect a book launching…
 
DJ123 said:
Get a BMW, something with the M57 6 pot Diesel. You could get them in the 5 & 3 series as the 530/330 variants. Circa 230BHP (depending on which year), and about 500NM or torque. And you'll get 40mpg easily all day long.
Click to expand...
For 2.5k? Good luck! Amazing engine though, I had a 330d before that I never should have sold 😭 strong money though even at moon miles.
 
Coppertop said:
For 2.5k? Good luck! Amazing engine though, I had a 330d before that I never should have sold 😭 strong money though even at moon miles.
Click to expand...

you can get them! need to look in local, or whatnot rather than the likes of Autotrader.
 
Greg Masters said:
Don’t buy anything until you know the plated weight of the caravan and the towing capacity of the car you’re going to pull it with.

Loads will say that it doesn’t matter. And it probably doesn’t until there’s an accident (even if not your fault). If the numbers don’t add up then, expect a book launching…
Click to expand...
Yeah. 100%
 
Greg Masters said:
Don’t buy anything until you know the plated weight of the caravan and the towing capacity of the car you’re going to pull it with.

Loads will say that it doesn’t matter. And it probably doesn’t until there’s an accident (even if not your fault). If the numbers don’t add up then, expect a book launching…
Click to expand...
Towing weights limits restrictions requirements are a minefield. A lot of people don’t even have a towing endorsement on their license. In Ireland you have to have a +e. I’m passed daily by towing combinations whilst driving a bus which is restricted to 100 kmh. The limit while towing in Ireland is 80 and they’re not allowed in the overtaking lane. As pointed out you will usually get away with it but when something goes wrong the book will be propelled your way with great force. Not knowing the actual weight of the caravan and the max gross weight is not the starting point for looking for a suitable car. JJH
 
DJ123 said:
Get a BMW, something with the M57 6 pot Diesel. You could get them in the 5 & 3 series as the 530/330 variants. Circa 230BHP (depending on which year), and about 500NM or torque. And you'll get 40mpg easily all day long.
Click to expand...
Can confirm. The 325/525 is basically a detuned version of the same engine, but less desirable, so easier to find around that budget. Plenty of pups out there but can also find good buys, especially if you can find another 500-1000.
 
While everyone's firing questions at you, has Toad Jnr. still got all that hair he had at Bill's Cocktail Baaa?
 
100% with everyone on the Bmw front. I’ve a 2005 E61 535d and it’s the best machine for towing. Air suspension that levels out nicely regardless of what you have on the towbar.

I would say, I bought mine in 2020 for £3k, probably spent another £2k sorting all the normal issues. Look for one that’s been in same family or owner, it’ll be well cared for and it will do over 300k without any problems. The earlier 2005 and before have a cast block and are said to be the best, no timing chain issues with these. Dont be put off even if it is tapping. The 6 pots are not too bad to do the chains, under a grand.

Bought mine with 103k miles, had to do the torque convertor and all the thermostats. Thermostats will fail and bmw in their wisdom don’t display the temps. You get a reader that shows or you can see in hidden menu. Get a small Bluetooth adapter and an app such as bimmercode bimmerlink and it will show temps. When you go check a car get it upto temp and see it’s getting upto 90deg or thereabouts. I use this one and have done for years https://amzn.eu/d/05r7W6WE

If temps sitting at 70 it means the thermostat is buggered. If it’s gone unnoticed then the TC can slip as car never getting to temp. Sussex autos can sort it out, great idea to do the gearbox service at same time.

That and you’ll be good for 100k no bother.

I’ve got Ista-D and it’s so useful, you can get a copy on the various forums.

Great comfy car that will tow all day long. Lots of toys even on the old ones. Mines got adaptive cruise, adaptive headlights and pan roof. Everything still works after 21yrs..

I’ve also got a newer saloon 2016 last of the F10 530d great cars..
 
There must be quite a few Volvo V70s diesel with a tow-bar out there, ideally 2005-2007 although earlier also good.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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