Towbar Audi 2.8 Quattro question

Hightower · 08 August 2009, 16:14

Has anyone had one fitted recently? I've just come back from seeing this really neat looking one but without the towbar.

Is this a really expensive fitment? I'd like to have some clue on price because I want to go back and make an offer tomorrow.

Secondly I guess these type of cars with the Auto box have no problems on a loose surface slipway. Can anyone confirm that they tow up gradients like a train?

JSP · 08 August 2009, 16:19

Have a look at towequipe, what year is it your looking at? There's one for £99 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brink-Detach-T...d=p3286.c0.m14

willk · 08 August 2009, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Secondly I guess these type of cars with the Auto box have no problems on a loose surface slipway. Can anyone confirm that they tow up gradients like a train?

My other car is a 2.7 Quattro (the odd one with the twin turbos) but having the 110 meant no towbar. However, the power is certainly there, and the ESP will bring the car itself over ice, snow, sand and gravel. I don't know about hauling two tons up a gravel slip? You may have to disengage the ESP and rip it up, as otherwise it may just loose traction, and sit there, purring. If it has ANY grip on a solid surface, it should be fine.

Hightower · 08 August 2009, 17:41

It's a year 2000 Avante (estate) model, there appears to be nowhere to mount a detatchable hook and certainly no electrics.

JSP · 08 August 2009, 17:47

I think it's a case of cutting the bumper to fit.

willk · 08 August 2009, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

I think it's a case of cutting the bumper to fit.

Nooooooooooooo! On a charge, that man!

There are/were luverly under bumper units around - dunno who makes 'em though.

JSP · 08 August 2009, 19:55

If you read most of the DIY tow bar kits most involve a bit of bumper cutting.
Ask Audi if they still do one to fit but it'll be pricey. Mine was £200 fitted, VW wanted £500!

matt h · 08 August 2009, 21:53

i had a 04 Avant and the bumper had to be cut,i think a small reccess. it was done neatly and you could barely tell it was done, now have a 07 A3 and a hole was cut to pass the swaneck through,

Erin · 10 August 2009, 08:25

The Audi's are normally designed with towbars in mind. There's normally fixing points and brackets ready to accept them. IMHO it's worth going the Audi OEM route if you're fitting it yourself. I've done this twice and it's seamless. Very important to get the right wiring kit it the car has the driver info system which warns of blown lights. Otherwise you could fry the light monitor.

mdt · 10 August 2009, 09:02

Had lots of Audi’s last one had a proper gen Audi tow bar and did not have any cut out on the bumper, current one had a non gen unit fitted there is a very small cut out 1.5inc long by 1inch up into the bumper. As it has been said hardly able to spot it has been cut at all.

Got the 2.5tdi quattro just now and have recovered up steep sandy beached no probs at all. The Auto box is a big help on the slips.

Is it the A4 or A6 you are looking at ?

JABS · 10 August 2009, 10:22

Try Brink.

They make most of the OEM towbars.

When I put mine on a BMW five seres, Brink were half the price of the BMW part, an identical.

Hightower · 10 August 2009, 23:04

Thanks for all your replys. A standard fit towbar with single electrics is about £300 fitted.

However the negotiations didn't happen as expected as the dealer couldn't lay his hands on all of the service history and as this was a high miler at 170000 with 90000 miles of outstanding history, I decided that there where too many risks in purchasing this one.

I've suddenly gone all technophobe ( spelling

) and decided the Audi is too complicated if it goes wrong.

I've test driven a 3.1 TDI Vauxhall Monterey this evening and am well impressed. This I believe is an Isuzu Tooper and will make an excellent replacment for the Kia. It even has a towbar

Carl · 11 August 2009, 08:02

good luck with the monty,you might need it

mdt · 11 August 2009, 08:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

high miler at 170000 with 90000 miles of outstanding history, I decided that there where too many risks in purchasing this one.

I've suddenly gone all technophobe ( spelling

) and decided the Audi is too complicated if it goes wrong.

170000 is quite a lot, think you are right on this call, there is a lot of kit to go wrong on a high millage quattro, I am currently looking for an auto box for my one, hens teath. But I will admit that it was no fault of Audi as to why I am needing a new box....

I am also thinking of a low-er tec sloution to transport. no not a pony and trap.

Hightower · 11 August 2009, 20:36

OK to draw this to a close, I now have sitting on my driveway a Monterey (trooper) 3.1TDI. Was such a bargain and hopefully last me a good number of years.

spartacus · 11 August 2009, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

OK to draw this to a close, I now have sitting on my driveway a Monterey (trooper) 3.1TDI. Was such a bargain and hopefully last me a good number of years.

Glad to hear you got your car of choice.

In case anyone is still considering an Audi Quattro as a tow vehicle. I have a 2001 B5 model (1995-2001), A4 2.5 TDi Avant Quattro Sport (slightly lower and stiffer suspension). It has a Witter towbar which was already fitted when I bought the car. No cut in the bumper required. The V6 diesel pulls like a train on any gradient. Personally I opt for a manual version, but I can see the attraction of an auto-box. These cars will routinely do 200k miles with regular timing belt changes every 80k. Transmission and rear diff are sealed for life units, however can be drained and refilled with correct specification oil. Special tools required.

Searider · 12 August 2009, 13:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacus

Transmission and rear diff are sealed for life units, .

Equals sealed for death.

Searider · 12 August 2009, 13:32

Now i'll try and be helpful.

Just sold my 2000/X Audi S4 Avant - twin turbo.

I fitted (had fitted) a Westfalia removeable towbar. This is OE for the Audi. It needed a small cut out in the bottom of the bumper which you can't see unless you get under the car. the electric socket flips up out of sight as well.

About £300 fitted by a specialist in Hungerford last year.