BMW 530d a suitable tow-car?

jlanng · 15 June 2004, 09:44

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 · 15 June 2004, 10:13

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 · 15 June 2004, 10:16

Audi quattro

Richard B · 15 June 2004, 10:17

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

codprawn · 15 June 2004, 12:03

Quote:

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 · 15 June 2004, 12:17

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 · 15 June 2004, 13:01

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 · 15 June 2004, 22:59

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 · 15 June 2004, 23:29

Quote:

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 · 16 June 2004, 00:52

Quote:

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!

Gazza · 16 June 2004, 05:22

yeah accept what you are saying about your TD5 however the allroad has certain attributes that the discovery hasn't like....

It has a greater top speed (140mph)
It has a V6 diesel engine
it has better fuel ecconomy
It has a better residual price
It has higher axle to ground clearance (fully raised)
The engine and transmission are more reliable
Its superior esp and traction control gives it great stability.
It will fit into any carpark ( Discovery can be too high )
It has better build quality

I would agree that a discovery is better for serious off road as I use my V8 petrol discovery regulary in the woods and have also been known to compete in local off road events.... but that was not the question ....

Gazza · 16 June 2004, 05:25

[QUOTE=codprawn]

Quote:

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!

Just how far off road do you tow your rib...... Gazza

Richard B · 16 June 2004, 06:42

Gazza,

Two questions for you:

1. What's the maximum trailer weight for an Audi All-Road?
2. What make of vehicle are you a Dealer Principal for?

Gazza · 16 June 2004, 07:51

Richard

Answers.....

1. 2300 kg why Just how heavy is your rib
2. Audi of course...

However I think you are missing the point....

1. I expressed an opinion with regard to a question raised and backed that up with some pretty strong factual information.

2. don't knock the product until you have tried it......

Further more not only do I own a discovery, I have used a whole range of tow vehicles in my pursuit of motorsport, and also my carreer within the motor industry ranging from early series two landrovers to 120 tonne heavy vehicle recovery outfits.
I come from farming stock so I was brought up driving off road.

I still maintain that the allroad is an excellent tow vehicle and ideal for the purpose we originally discussed.

What vehicle do you own........

regards

Gary

Daniel TD5 · 16 June 2004, 08:05

its not a thread about which 4x4 will tow a ton across a muddy field with

is the bmw up to pulling a large rib about yes
but you will be limited for slip way use if you have been driveing around in
a nice motor way mile muncher you will hate a large 4x4 .a soft roader will one
give you a nice motor way drive with some speed. and the 4x4 you need on the slip and the beach all the seats will be mud and water friendly so getting
in after a solent sokeing would be ok

any audi 4x4
volvo XC90
volvo v70 all road
bmw x3

or if money is on problem THE BMW X5 3.0D will be very nice all rounder.
my boss has a 52 plate discovery ES he hates it so munch he went out and got new X5 i use the discovery most weekend i love it and have owned four models but don,t buy one unless you love landrovers

dan

Richard B · 16 June 2004, 08:25

Thanks Gary...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazza

Richard
Answers.....

1. 2300 kg why Just how heavy is your rib

complete rig on trailer: about 2100kg. So 2300kg is good news for me.

Quote:

2. Audi of course...

No sh1t!!!!!!

Quote:

However I think you are missing the point....

No, I'm an open minded interested bystander on this debate! All points received and understood

Quote:

1. I expressed an opinion with regard to a question raised and backed that up with some pretty strong factual information.

You sure did and that information is very useful. Thanks for that.

Quote:

2. don't knock the product until you have tried it......

Err, I'm not knocking any product... who is?

Quote:

What vehicle do you own........

An elderly Merc E280 W124 series - 2wd unfortunately

Gary, the Allroad looks like a very competent vehicle, and it's interesting to hear it so positively recommended. It looks like Audi have a portfolio of vehicles highly suited to RIB towing and launching. Why don't you put your www details on your profile (you may get sales from RIBnet members) - but make sure you subscribe as a trade member first

Let us know how you get on with the new RIB, and what vehicle you use for towing and launching.

Cheers,
Richard.

Phil Davies · 16 June 2004, 08:53

You may be interested to read what 'Car' magazine has to say about the Audi Allroad:

For: Good off-road
Against: Otherwise pointless
Sum up: Gymkhana car park

Audis are well built, I agree, but overpriced for what they are - would you pay 3K more for a VW Golf badged as an Audi A3? Unfortunately in the brand-obsessed culture we live in, there are enough sad people who will and who enable Audi to charge premium prices for their products. Having said that, the same philosophy ensures Audi will always lag behind BMW and Mercedes in the corporate car park.

ps. I drive a new Range Rover V8, Gazza.

Gazza · 16 June 2004, 08:55

To be honest Richard I have tried to keep my hobby apart from my work.

However it does collied occasionally.....

For instance it looks like I have sold an allroad to Colin at Rib-X, this was after he requested simular information...

So far as advertising goes the allroad are in limited supply and tend to sell themselves......

I only have allocation for 7 this year so everytime I register one it is sold...
This is actually bad news for me as when I want to use one I have never got one......

I am having to borrow an allroad from another Audi centre to collect the new boat on Friday.... How sad is that.......

I would of course make the trip in the discovery otherwise.

I will let you know how I get on....

Regards

Gary

Richard B · 16 June 2004, 08:59

Thanks Gary.

We'll confiscate Phil Davies's handbag in case he manages to hit himself with it!

Colin at X-RIB must have a good markup on those boats - he's only sold about three of them!!

Phil Davies · 16 June 2004, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

We'll confiscate Phil Davies's handbag in case he manages to hit himself with it!

You keep your thieving hands off my Prada