Recent content by James_5040371

Good choice, though it is definately worth having the auto gearbox fluid changed - BMW says it doesn't need this, but it has been known to fail at around 120,000 miles if this hasn't been done. Take it to a good independent and save a few pennies. Otherwise, I'm jealous. My dads old 5-Series...

Yes, the 130BHP Mondeo engine is incredibly strong, and renowned for being a gentle drinker. My Rover 75 diesel estate today managed 140 miles on 1/4 of a tank, equating to around 32mpg, which I am delighted with. I think the high winds made me drive a bit slower, which made a huge difference -...

If you want a normal car, there are a few which would tow 1700kg: some of the new 4WD Passat Estates, most E-Class Estates, a few 5-Series, and the new Chrysler 300C Touring. However, none of these can really be bought for below

Revs all over the place and lots of smoke would sound a bit like the clutch on its way out. This is how the clutch failed on my Rover, although there wasn't a huge amount of smoke. Just an idea. Cheers James

Towing, the car is equivalent to having a few suitcases in the boot, plus people on the back seat, plus possibly something on the roof, plus 85kg on the towball. That is enough to overlaod the suspension of most normal cars. I have experience in this, and would not buy another car without...

It is the same with most front wheel drive cars, the damp grass problem. My Rover 75 can't do damp grass at all, but in most other conditions, you don't want for any extra traction. The solution? Use hardstanding. Cheers James

Don't worry, you're not alone in having a soggy back end. The same applies to my car too(!) However, when I bought both my previous two towcars, I was told by biased and unbiased sources that the back end should not sag, but when you have 4 people in the car, 80kg on the towball, a boot full of...

Though technically legal, towing a 1600kg van with a Freelander of roughly the same weight would be inadvisable, especially as the MTLMP is 1740kg. If you already owned the car, I would have said give it a go, but being careful with loading/noseweight and tyre pressures. There is little, if any...

The worst car I ever towed with was a 1.6l Ford Escort hatch, though I was only towing a medium sized (600kg) trailer with it. Acceleration was non existant, and 55mph in 3rd gear on the motorways was the realistic top speed - I only did it twice. Mind you, there were 4 heavy scouts in the back...

It is possible to have the MTPLM lowered on the side plate of the van - ask at the dealerships. I would look to have this done. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to tow 1500kg with you car. Cheers James

If it does weigh in at around 1500kg, has bigger low profile tyres at the correct pressure, has a firmer suspension kit fitted, and the caravan has a hitch stabiliser and is loaded properly, then I wouldn't hesitate to tow the new Typhoon with it - and it probably won't be loaded to the full...

I don't think the weight of the 2003 Avante 534 is 1460kg - the 2005 model I looked at before I bought the Avondale was less than 1400kg, so the 2003 model will be about 1360. MGR group cars are often heavier than one would expect - websites put my 75 Estate diesel at about 1550kg, but the...

I have used MAD rubber donought thingys and have found them brilliant. It has stiffened the ride at the back, improving handling; the car now sits more level in all conditions - especially towing; it has made towing definately more stable; and it has also allowed me to put off suspension work...

Pre-2003 Vauxhall auto gearboxes are not fitted with a transmission oil cooler that is man enough to cope with the extra load towing puts on the transmission, and the resultant extra heat. Fitting a Kenlowe transmission oil cooler should sort the problem, but I would do it quickly to avoid any...

Im guessing you were looking for something a little bigger than an Eriba. Your Passat is a very similar car, weight and power wise, to my 1.8 Vectra hatch, which I have used to tow 1300kg for the past 4 years. I would say that the van is too big for comfort - it is stable, and is quick enough -...