joe v3sti

iTrader: (8)

So over the past few weeks ive been towing either my impreza or 106. Trailer is a good condition brian james that tows really well.

Ive been towing with my 10 swb vivaro with only 115bhp and 190,000 miles on, im sure you can imagine its not the best. Its manageableonce sat on a motorway at 60mph but a pain anywhere else.

So im consider an early v8 x5. For about £4k.
Just wanted to hear of anyone else experiences with these bargain tow barges???

Onviously im well aware that towing it will return sub 20mpg but im not fussed.
Just want to towin comfort without damaging my van which i use for work.

All input is welcome.
Joe

brendy76

iTrader: (6)

lol without towing it will return sub 20mpg!
Have had a 4.6 IS v8 for almost 6 years now as the family wagon and it averages 13mpg, 22 on a good run. Do not think you will achieve near 20 average, it wont happen, 5 speed auto simply doesnt have the gearing for great mpg on the mway.
Faults which happened to mine so far, these are common faults too, not just bad luck.
If your budget is 4k, make sure you have a lot of cash set aside for repairs.
Semi Auto gearbox WILL fail if it hasnt already. Car immobilised
Cats gave up and needed replacing. Car immobilised
Front centre driveshaft spat its splines. Car immobilised
Steering controls gave up inc cruise control
intermittant indicator faults
Fuses blowing occasionally
Tv diplay has dead pixels (analogue tv is obsolete on it too now)
Hedgehog module dies and battery runs down daily, £50 fix which must have been done on most e53's by now.
Self levelling Air suspension faults
Parking sensors begin to go haywire on reversing.
Door handles break internally, Im on my 3rd drivers door handle mech and is a total bitch to replace.
Remote central locking quit
Door lock mech quit, replaced, probably one of the easier if fiddly jobs.

Chews the shíte of the rear tyres inside 5k, 20" tyres are not budget friendly.

Positives:
Goes like shít off a shovel
very comfortable cruiser for long distances.
Goes like shít off a shovel
Brakes are immense
Estoril blue is a great colour.
Can carry a family of 5 easily and then some.

richs2891

I think I would be looking at
Kia Sorento between 03 and 09
Mitsubishi Shogun LWB auto
Toyota Landcruiser - might struggle in budget
Jeep Grand cherokee
Hyundai Terracan