BMW 530d a suitable tow-car?

[jlanng]

Hi guys,

Will soon be purchasing a 6 - 6.5m RIB, and I'm also about to change cars. I'm sure a BMW 530d would make a great tow car on the motorway, but are RWD cars any good on the slip?

[Nick Hearne]

They shore are, saves sitting on the bonit to get traction up the slip!
If you have limited slip diff all the better.
One thing to bear in mind is the turbo, My last car was a TD & was great for cruising up & down the motorway but on the slip it struggled as the turbo did not cut in till 3,000 revs! So a bit of slipping the clutch was in order to get the Reeves up.
Nick

[The Jackeens]

Audi quattro

[Richard B]

Friend of mine uses BMW 535 with no probs (6.5m RIB). He keeps to clean weed-free slipways though.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by jlanng

Hi guys,

Will soon be purchasing a 6 - 6.5m RIB, and I'm also about to change cars. I'm sure a BMW 530d would make a great tow car on the motorway, but are RWD cars any good on the slip?

Yes would be great - note the point about the turbo kicking in too high and needing to slip the clutch a little - clutches do NOT like that sort of thing!

Also have a look at the new Jag S class turbo d - it is great - most of the testers prefer it to the BMW - my mate runs both as part of his fleet and I have done quite a few miles in them - the BMW is a bit quicker but the Jag is more refined and rides and handles better.

[Daniel TD5]

i will put my bit in its got to be a 4x4 a 5 series or jag on a old slip way
not the best idear in the world may be the s type with 4x4 would be ok
you would still be limited to the best slips ways and no beach use
i would go for a soft roader ie xc90 or something like that

dan

[Alan]

RWD car better than FWD drive car for sure and Beemer 530 will be no probs as general tow car. I used to tow and launch 6.5m with Mundano V6 - OK on the flat and on good slips but you have to be careful where and when (i.e. low tide, lots of mud & slime) you launch. I got the Mundano stuck a few times and had to be towed out!

Mr TD5 is right tho' theres a lot to be said for going the softroader / 4x4 Estate car route. So Volvo V70 AWD / XC90 / Audi A6 Quattro all worth considering.

[Gazza]

If you are looking for a vehicle to do it all consider the Audi Allroad...

four wheel drive with traction control, 2.5 litre tdi diesel producing 180 bhp, self adjusting air suspension.

Can drive like a car and tow like a big 4X4.....

I have towed thousands of miles with one most of the time pulling a twin axle trailer with a rally car behind.

I have also tested an allroad on a steep wet field and it out preformed my discovery...


Only prob I have is that I still struggle when it comes to reversinng well into sea water when I use a local shallow slip way.......


Ask your local Audi centre for a 24 hour test drive and give it a go....

regards

Gary..


Ps. I have owned three landrover, one Range Rover and on third Discovery all of which have performed well in there own way.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Gazza

Ps. I have owned three landrover, one Range Rover and on third Discovery all of which have performed well in there own way.

Damned with faint praise?

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Gazza

If you are looking for a vehicle to do it all consider the Audi Allroad...

four wheel drive with traction control, 2.5 litre tdi diesel producing 180 bhp, self adjusting air suspension.

Can drive like a car and tow like a big 4X4.....


I have also tested an allroad on a steep wet field and it out preformed my discovery...

Yes but did your Disco have traction control like they do now????

On slippery surfaces traction control really scores but the most important things are TYRES.

A 2wd tractor is still pretty good - they often pull just as well as a 4wd because the front wheels will eventually rear up off the ground!

Just gace back a Discovery TD5 auto - lovelly car - one minute cruising at near a ton on long distance motorway hauls - then offroading to extremes - so much so my mates with their assorted jap/german stuff refused to follow me - having said that my old 110 V8CSW is even better!