What Tow Vehicle

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Just out of curiosity, what's the difference between a DSG auto & a "proper" auto? Only reason I ask is I have a Transporter DSG & a Disco 4 & I hadn't noticed a difference apart from power & torque of the Disco.


.....sh1t happens.......

My DSG would occasionally give a quite violent take up of drive. Completely unpredictable, but to be fair only occasionally. Another characteristic was where I would be coming up to a junction and almost stop, so that I would probably be doing 1 or 2 mph and suddenly find a clear spot and put my foot down. it would then sit there for 2 or 3 seconds, which felt like an eternity, deciding which gear to select, not very useful when you are going for a gap
I guess from what you have said yours has no such endearing characteristics? I did get something similar from a hire Passat a few years ago.
The DSG was linked to a 242 bhp, 365 ft lb V6 diesel.
My current 315 bhp, 479 ft lb V6 diesel driving through a torque converter transmission has nothing like these delays in taking up drive in similar situations.

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by C-NUMB

Sounds like me... Guess need to start adapting to the idea of using auto.

If you prefer manuals, go for a manual. All I meant is that life is easier with an auto when towing. I have towed quite happily with a manual.
The guy I saw needed to re-take his towing test, he had no clue

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Ian M

My DSG would occasionally give a quite violent take up of drive. Completely unpredictable, but to be fair only occasionally. Another characteristic was where I would be coming up to a junction and almost stop, so that I would probably be doing 1 or 2 mph and suddenly find a clear spot and put my foot down. it would then sit there for 2 or 3 seconds, which felt like an eternity, deciding which gear to select, not very useful when you are going for a gap
I guess from what you have said yours has no such endearing characteristics? I did get something similar from a hire Passat a few years ago.
The DSG was linked to a 242 bhp, 365 ft lb V6 diesel.
My current 315 bhp, 479 ft lb V6 diesel driving through a torque converter transmission has nothing like these delays in taking up drive in similar situations.

Ah! The old "I'm just going to think about it" auto lag. We get this with the Disco & the Transporter. Like you say, if you just catch it out either setting off from, or rolling up to a roundabout, it can be unnerving.


.....sh1t happens.......

[Dan F]

Are Subaru cars available in the UK? I have owned three (previously two Foresters and currently an H6 Outback) and they are great tow vehicles for lightweight boats.

The tow-rating of 2500 pounds is a bit low, but there are lots of RIBs/SIBs that are under that. The AWD makes slippery ramps a breeze and they get decent mileage (by American standards, at least).

[C-NUMB]

Originally Posted by Ian M

If you prefer manuals, go for a manual. All I meant is that life is easier with an auto when towing. I have towed quite happily with a manual.
The guy I saw needed to re-take his towing test, he had no clue

Due to location, i drive some also on ice/snowy roads, that's why like the manual in general, the clutch solves many problems on slippery conditions when loosing grip on the road.
But its also old habit, time to do some change on that!

For a manual would need the reduction gear, and that is not available this days other than on hard core/ real 4wd's that i don't need otherwise.

The diesel Outlander with auto seams to be a good compromise, need to take a test drive on one soon.

[freespirit3]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Ah! The old "I'm just going to think about it" auto lag. We get this with the Disco & the Transporter. Like you say, if you just catch it out either setting off from, or rolling up to a roundabout, it can be unnerving.


.....sh1t happens.......

I love both the dsg and the traditional auto gearboxes technologies, basically the dsg is two manual gearboxes in one casing with two clutches operating independently, think of it as an automated manual gearbox.

The dsg is more fuel efficient in most cases ( albeit the new 8 speed ZF auto is pretty special) but the dsg technology does lack some creep especially for slip ways, whereas the traditional auto gearboxes have a torque converter and will creep smoothly when taking up the drive to allow drive take up on slippery slipways.

For ribs the ZF gearboxes in discoveries, RRS, RR, touraregs, and audi q7 are ideal.

Mines a manual q5 and has too much grip so the poor old clutch gets a kicking when retrieving our boat. If going for a manual try and get one with a low box option. I didn't have an option.

Defender, ssang yong, suzuki vitara to name a few.

[C-NUMB]

The Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDi 140 DSG has 2200 kg max tow capacity, not bad at all.
Looks like they have a lot of trust in the DSG gearbox(6 gear) as the car it selves is not that light either. Any considerations about the DSG?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by C-NUMB

The Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDi 140 DSG has 2200 kg max tow capacity, not bad at all.
Looks like they have a lot of trust in the DSG gearbox(6 gear) as the car it selves is not that light either. Any considerations about the DSG?

I have a VW Transporter 180ps 4motion 7 speed DSG. I've had it about 16months & I've done 25k miles, no problems whatsoever & does 38-40mpg on the motorway. Very smooth gear changes, smoother than my 8pseed auto Disco. I also like the way that it automatically changes down the gears when going down hill if you touch the brakes.

[C-NUMB]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I have a VW Transporter 180ps 4motion 7 speed DSG. I've had it about 16months & I've done 25k miles, no problems whatsoever & does 38-40mpg on the motorway. Very smooth gear changes, smoother than my 8pseed auto Disco. I also like the way that it automatically changes down the gears when going down hill if you touch the brakes.

OK, thanks for sharing.
This weekend tested also a Rexton and a X trail. The Rexton is a "real" 4wd with reduction gear. One can tell that it has a higher center of gravity, it does not encourage for fast driving, but handling was still ok, and its fun to sit that high.
Engine and the auto gear was not too bad either. It's pretty roomy but the seat support or comfort was a disappointing especially on the back seat. Heated steering wheel and back seat are nice features to that price tag.

The X-Trail was OK in most aspects, but handling, engine or space wise it does not add much compared to my current Zafira tourer. And the relatively low towing capacity on the xtronic auto is little suspicious.