Help!

tonymac · 16 June 2013, 15:26

The Shogun has died!

Towed the boat over to Donegal and next day tootled down towards the beach (not towing) when the engine died. She had to be loaded up on a transporter and brought back to Belfast. Now in getting stripped down and engine re-built. Timing chain seems to have broken.

Totally lost faith in her. She's only 2008 with 105K miles.

Looking to change it.

Thinking about an Audi A6 quattro. Anyone else got one? How do they behave on a slip? I'm sure it's big enough for the boat - but a slip? Any advice / help?

BTW boat still stuck in Donegal!

willk · 16 June 2013, 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonymac

The Shogun has died!

Towed the boat over to Donegal and next day tootled down towards the beach (not towing) when the engine died. She had to be loaded up on a transporter and brought back to Belfast. Now in getting stripped down and engine re-built. Timing chain seems to have broken.

Totally lost faith in her. She's only 2008 with 105K miles.

Looking to change it.

Thinking about an Audi A6 quattro. Anyone else got one? How do they behave on a slip? I'm sure it's big enough for the boat - but a slip? Any advice / help?

BTW boat still stuck in Donegal!

Hi Tony

I'm in Donegal too, AND I have no boat

I also have an 230hp Audi A6 Quattro, and a Landrover. Maybe you should call me before I take matters into my own hands!

AJ. · 16 June 2013, 15:40

Had an A6 2.0l non quattro which I had a few problems recovering my rib on a particular steep slip. Have a scan through tow vehicles on here and you will find it!

Got an A5 3.0l quattro auto now and it is an absolute pleasure to tow 23 mpg and has no problems recovering on steep or slippery slips so far.

tonymac · 16 June 2013, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Hi Tony

I'm in Donegal too, AND I have no boat

I also have an 230hp Audi A6 Quattro, and a Landrover. Maybe you should call me before I take matters into my own hands!

I KNEW you'd be along Willk!

Sure now you know where the shed is

Didn't know you had the A6, I've only ever seen the Landy. If I don't get something before the end of the month I'll be needing her towed to Dun Laoghaire

tonymac · 16 June 2013, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ.

Had an A6 2.0l non quattro which I had a few problems recovering my rib on a particular steep slip. Have a scan through tow vehicles on here and you will find it!

Got an A5 3.0l quattro auto now and it is an absolute pleasure to tow 23 mpg and has no problems recovering on steep or slippery slips so far.

Thanks AJ. yes there seems to be a lot of non-quattro out there. All very nice machines and I was tempted so thanks for that advice.
The slip I use in Donegal is quite steep and is at the bottom of a hill

Bucksribster · 16 June 2013, 16:07

I've got a 2005 A6 3.0 tdii quattro saloon. Great tow vehicle. 35-40 mpg normally or 26 mpg towing my 5.6m Avon. Never had problems on slips.

Cookee · 17 June 2013, 07:43

Funnily enough I have a Shogun for sale with Irish plates on it! I am involved with the car sales business next door, so if you want to replace it with something similar I have one. It's a 2009 Mitsubishi Shogun Diamond DI-D LWB 49,000 miles and it's on for £16,995 with the full nav package, leather and everything. It on the BLS Cars Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BLSCars - let me know if you're interested!

Tim M · 17 June 2013, 08:00

I had an A6 for a couple of years. Towed all sorts of stuff, biggest was a 7m Delta. That finally finished the clutch off. I'd look at an auto if using the slip quite a lot. Should be fine with a 5m Humber. Very economical, (mine was a 2l diesel) and good on a long run.

Cookee · 17 June 2013, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

I'd look at an auto if using the slip quite a lot.

And the Shogun is an Auto!

tonymac · 17 June 2013, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

And the Shogun is an Auto!

My own is an Elegance. All the toys, rear view camera, sunroof, climate control, privacy glass, traction control, etc etc etc etc
Timing chain still went!

I've had two of these now. Great cars but heavy on diesel. In a 2lt Astra hire car and was getting just short of 55mpg today!!

Don't even ask what I was getting on the Mitzy.

chris.moody · 17 June 2013, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonymac

My own is an Elegance. All the toys, rear view camera, sunroof, climate control, privacy glass, traction control, etc etc etc etc
Timing chain still went!

I've had two of these now. Great cars but heavy on diesel. In a 2lt Astra hire car and was getting just short of 55mpg today!!

Don't even ask what I was getting on the Mitzy.

But the Astra will not tow the same weight or have the same amount of traction on a slipway or beach.

Ian M · 17 June 2013, 20:08

Missed this thread earlier

Another vote for the A6 Quattro. Mine's an Avant, on the slip never gets anywhere near anything as disgusting as wheel spin

willk · 17 June 2013, 20:15

I have not got a towbar fitted to the A6 but I can confirm that the handling on slippy surfaces like ice and snow is stunning. She just holds on and goes. Braking is the usual disaster but she does recover a slide very well.

Bigmuz7 · 17 June 2013, 20:20

Well I had an S6 Quattro that was the dogz for towing

.. but totally pish in the snow ... so I wouldnt imagine that it would be great on a slip, which is one place I never tried it.

I live on a hill (not Ben fooking Nevis) and usually left it at the bottom when the white stuff came down

wide tyres and too much electrical wizzardry I'm afraid

Pikey Dave · 17 June 2013, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Well I had an S6 Quattro that was the dogz for towing

.. but totally pish in the snow ... so I wouldnt imagine that it would be great on a slip, which is one place I never tried it.

I live on a hill (not Ben fooking Nevis) and usually left it at the bottom when the white stuff came down

wide tyres and too much electrical wizzardry I'm afraid

Wot you want is a 4wd Fiat Panda

tonymac · 18 June 2013, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Wot you want is a 4wd Fiat Panda

Do they do them?

Pikey Dave · 18 June 2013, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonymac

Do they do them?

They certainly used to, I don't know if they still do. They had a good reputation as snow vehicles, light, narrow track & narrow tyres.

Cookee · 19 June 2013, 07:48

We've also got a very rare van in - it's a VW Caddy with the 4 motion 4wd system, probably not a perfect tow vehicle but you could put it through the business and get away with it! Linky

biffer · 19 June 2013, 12:19

I've got this, dearer to run than my nissan but cheaper to tax and insure, manual with overdrive and crawler gear plus hi and lo range 4x4 and freewheeling front hubs, with a 6 litre diesel and fully loaded interior it's nice to tow things again

ppenman · 19 June 2013, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Well I had an S6 Quattro that was the dogz for towing

.. but totally pish in the snow ... so I wouldnt imagine that it would be great on a slip, which is one place I never tried it.

I live on a hill (not Ben fooking Nevis) and usually left it at the bottom when the white stuff came down

wide tyres and too much electrical wizzardry I'm afraid

My mate bought a new RS6 estate a couple of years ago. It was useless on snow, mud etc. he sold it and bought a jeep grand Cherokee and an R8.