Best towing vehicle ?

[Quickflash]

Hi,

Any good suggestions which (luxury-family) car makes the best towing vehicle ? I need to be able to tow 3.5 tonnes long distances and this reduces the options considerably. Today I am considering the Mercedes M CDI 420, the Audi TDI4.0 Q7 or the RangeRover TDV8. They all cost more or less the same which makes the choice more difficult. Any experience with either cars, good or bad ?

[Stuart M]

Mercedes M Class (old model) - No problem - Sat Nav was rubbish and expensive to replace when faulty. In car phone kits (original) were a joke only worked with Nokia 6210 and where expensive. Car was nice though and fast (ML430 / ML500)

Toyota Landcruiser (current car) - Not as plush inside (although nice), all the toys work, tows my 8 mtr rib no problem. Will last till the end of the world. Toyota reliability is second to none. First Diesel I've owned and I like it, whilst not an M Class it's quick and superb off road.

Range Rover - Had old models and they were cr*p, IMHO from owning 2 and having family that have 3 wouldn't go near in a million years. Local garage owner likes the new ones but would never buy one 'cause he couldn't afford to keep it on the road if he was a millionaire !(His words)

Hope that helps

[Alan]

Wait a moment and our resident motoring guru (hell what am I saying, resident Guru of all things) Mr Cod Prawn will be along. He'll have a mate who has each of those cars or will have personally towed 3.5 tonnes, 100,000 miles a year across the Brecon Beacons and will be able to give you the benefit of his expertise. And then he'll tell you to buy the Range Rover.

[Nick Hearne]

Had a Discovery 3 for 2.5 years with out any real problems, love it to bits!
Just could not be seen in a bit of Jap cr*p
They do make such soul less cars!

[Carl]

[Seaharrier]

We have a BMW X5 which can tow 3500kg. Every year we tow our rib (2900kg) all the way up to Spain (1400km) without any problems. Cruising speed is between 120 km/h and 130 km/h. Fuell consumption at 110km is 13l/100km and at 130 it is 15l/100km (which is a lot less than what the audi Q7 drinks if I compare to friends).

hope this helps.

paul

[codprawn]

As Alan quite rightly pointed out I have had mates who have had all 3 - but not exactly those models.

A lot depends on what you want - one bloke I know has just changed from a RR HSE petrol(new type) to the Audi - he prefers the Audi as a normal car but go anywhere offroad - in the snow or towing and he prefers the Rangie. I drove the Rangie and it was stunning - I would love one - haven't driven the Audi yet but the M class Merc wasn't as nice to drive.

[genoa]

Didn't like the M class (had one for a week in Germany)
Thought about the Audi, but the 7 seats is not very good and i regularly need them so the Disco 3 won.
It is so versitile and does a great job on the motorways either as my rep car during the week or my fun car with the rig on. Can't go wrong if you dont know what you'll need tomorrow. Fits every occassion.

[Petrov]

Driving a Chevrolet Tahoe, great towing car, you dont even notice 3,5 tons behind.
Negative is the fueleconomy but there is a dieselversion also.

[Nasher]

At the cheap end - 80 series Landcruiser Amazon 4.2TD

In the middle - 3 year old Landcruiser Amazon 4.2TD
or discovery 3 TDV6

Or if you have the money, lucky sod, no contest for towing - Range Rover TDV8

Nasher.