Which estate car to replace ageing Discovery 2

jh2leicester
jh2leicester Forum Participant Posts: 6
edited July 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

I have owned a Landrover Discovery 2 since new and it is now time to think about replacement. I do not want a discovery 4 because of the running costs (part of the reason the disco 2 is going) and am thinking about having an estate instead. The bewildering
choice is hugh and don't know whether to look at Audi A4/6, BMW 5 Touring, VW Passat, Mercedes C class. Has anyone got experience of any of these as tow/every day cars? All advice greatly reecived. I tow a Bailey Pegasus 514 with a maximium towing wieght of
1466kg,

Comments

  • andybe
    andybe Forum Participant Posts: 37
    edited July 2016 #2

    Like you I ran a Disco 2 for many years and 4 months ago bought a 2009 Audi A6 Allroad. We have towed with it three times so far (about 400 miles) and it has been excellent. Despite it being the 3 litre diesel model it will do 40mpg solo and 29 towing. We
    are towing a very similar weight to you. Can thoroughly recommend one

  • jh2leicester
    jh2leicester Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited July 2016 #3

    That's encouraging. Many thanks

     

  • jh2leicester
    jh2leicester Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited July 2016 #4

    Sorry for asking, its it a mamnual or auto?

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #5

    Appreciating you are listing "prestige" brands but would a Skoda Superb estate do you at a kerbweight of 1554kg.....?

    That's what I'm fancying if we get another caravan.....

  • PJMEG
    PJMEG Forum Participant Posts: 180
    edited July 2016 #6

    I have never used a disco to tow, but I used to have an Insignia 2.0 CDTI 165bhp estate towing a Bailey Pegasus 2 Milan MTPLM 1499kgs, this was a great tow car and practical family car, I no this is not on your list but maybe worth considering.

  • andybe
    andybe Forum Participant Posts: 37
    edited July 2016 #7

    It's an automatic

  • jh2leicester
    jh2leicester Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited July 2016 #8

    Thanks for all the comments-have none of us got any work to do?. Certainly open to look at all makes- Skoda is not what they once were and will have a look, didn't think about that one.

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
    100 Comments
    edited July 2016 #9

    If you want to stick to the 85% ratio your choice is quite limited, if you want to retain 4 wheel drive even more so - A6 Allroad, Passat Alltrack, Volvo XC70 all might just fit the bill.  If you don't require 4 wheel drive then BMW 5 series or Merc E class
    might suit.  Coming from a Disco I think you might find cars like the C class or Audi A4 a bit light and lacking in capacity

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #10

    I can recommend the A6 (had one) and Passat (got one, in Alltrack guise). All including the Superb are available with 4x4 and auto/DSG.

  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #11

    Having previously had  two Discoveries and an X-Trail we decided to go for a 'normal' car some years ago. We have had three Mondeos, 1 manual and the latest two automatics. I can't fault them. The latest 2015 Titanium model has pretty much everything I want
    from a car and perhaps a lot more besides. Solo I get an average of about 50mpg and towing about 30 - 32mpg from a 2 litre 180 BHP engine driving on a wide selection of road types.

  • kentman
    kentman Forum Participant Posts: 147
    edited July 2016 #12

    Couple of points. I tow a Bailey Unicorn of a similar weight and was interested in the Superb when I changed cars last January but it's too light. I bought a Discovery Sport and it is both a lovely car and an excellent 'tug'. We return home tomorrow after
    6 weeks on the Continent driving down into Italy and the car has been a revelation. I was very happy with my previous Freelander but the Disco Sport is a big step up in towing ability, boot space and general driving pleasure. I appreciate it's expensive and
    not on your list but well worth considering

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited July 2016 #13

    I'm now a big fan of Passats, had 2 Audi A4's and was looking for a third but with a Passat you get even more bits for less money but still get your German realibility, just come back from Italy with my 140 tdi sport and it tows like a dream getting about
    32 mpg although our van is on the lightish side.

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #14

    The Passat is good value albeit not quite Audi quality. However both come with 4x4 option which avoids the need for a full fat SUV. 

  • AlanandClare
    AlanandClare Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited July 2016 #15

    We have an Elddis with a twin axle 1330 kg. Car is a Shogun 2.5 diesel  and Just completed a 250 mile round trip -  Worked out at 24 mpg, just at a steady speed. 21p per mile thereabouts.  Love this car for towing and driving in the snow. Really happy with the fuel consumption for this size of vehicle and the room inside is great, I believe the max she can tow is 2.8 ton. Solo = 34 mpg.  Pulls like a choo choo and feels like on tracks.I just love driving the Shogun but can appreciate its  not everyones cuppa is our Tractor. Fuel tax insurance all a bit more more expensive but sometimes you want what you want !

    Keeps me away from motorcycles.......

    Alan. 

  • pagan8c
    pagan8c Forum Participant Posts: 91
    edited July 2016 #16

    I have a D5 Volvo XC70 2013 model and it tows very well and has a good solo weight so will tow most Vans. I have towed a twin axle with it with no problem and now have a Swift 580 with !550 KGS and it really has plenty of power. Mine is the 215 engine with the geartronic 6 speed box . Towing between 27 and 29mpg and solo 40 or so. It is a really comfortable car and very relaxing to drive long distances. 

  • Chris Ardis
    Chris Ardis Forum Participant Posts: 55
    edited August 2016 #17

    2010 Merc C220 Cdi blue efficiency estate pulls my Pegasus Rimini quite well @ 1450 Kg.  Can get skittish overtaking trucks on the motorway, otherwise great.  Be aware of 75 Kg nose weight limit.  I average 32 mpg when towing and get 42/64 mpg solo urban/extra
    urban.

  • TimJim
    TimJim Forum Participant Posts: 162
    edited August 2016 #18

    The usual ' Suspects' being suggested as good as they are... but don't overlook probably the most underrated towcar out there ..Subaru Outback..... a far more engaging car than any  Vag/Vw/ Audi/Beemer/Mazda/Volvo/Korean stuff.....  Self levelling, trailer control and real 4wd none of your slippy grippy rubbish....just a suggestion ..

    Tj

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #19

    I agree about Subaru and had shortlisted one for me until I found the noseweight is only 75kg's and the cars are generally lighter than many of the options you have listed. Pity, I really wanted to have a go with one! 

  • TimJim
    TimJim Forum Participant Posts: 162
    edited August 2016 #20

    Nose weight loading since 2011 is 84kg and kerbweight of 1645 kg it's more than up to towing the Op,s van. Our first Outback towed a 1660kg Burstner with impeccable manners. It was always absolutely stable and towed beautifully flat....Don't think I would
    have been so quick to dismiss it because it didn't have a 90+ nose weight loading....

    Tj

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