BMW 530D Touring or Q5 2.0Tdi

[Brian_374234561]

Me again - I've got to make a decision on my next company car. The shortlist is now a 530D M Sport Touring or a Q5 2.0Tdi S Line.

Both cars weigh the same, Q5 has 4WD, but we dont do muddy fields. We have 3 kids, space is similar in the back, but Q5 has less of a transmission tunnel. BMW has bigger boot and a much better engine - unfortunately the missus wont let me stretch to the 3.0Tdi Q5. BMW has self-levelling suspension. All other kit is pretty much the same.

I've towed for 6 years, so not overly worried about the 85% rule (I'm coming in at 91%).

Anybody towed with either of these cars that can share advice on what is a better tow car. I'll do about 25k solo and 2k towing.

Both are lovely cars and similarly priced on the leasing scheme when fully costed with fuel etc.

Any comments, much appreciated

 

[MichaelE]

I havent driven the new 5 series but i have driven the Q5 around for a week,it was an S line and the drive was quite hard? it also has quite a small boot and to be honest its the same as the Tigran which is cheaper.
The BMW will be like sitting in an armchair a great cruiser and a huge boot.
The Q5 will feel very underpowered compared to the 5 series, the engine and 8 speed auto in the BMW is superb, i have an X5 4d ( still a 3lt) and the engine is just so ultra quiet and the gearchanges are seamless much better than any Audi i have driven, there engines are quite course in comparson.
Biggest gripe is most things are extra on the both of them so this can add up for things like heated and memory seats which to be honest should be standard of cars of this price.
One thing i would add is the new design of the front of BMWs in my opinion is quite ugly, wheras the Audi's do look very nice .

 

[Brian_374234561]

Well, I've gone for the Q5 but the 3.0V6 Tdi version. Cant wait for it, but it's a long wait - March next year :-(

Cant wait to get the 'van on the back and see how it performs

 

[seth1]

Thats correct John,most people do manage perfectly well but how well is perfectly well?Some people dont find it fun getting stuck behind a van travelling at 30mph up the A30,i realise theres no rush to get to a destination as were all on holiday but i sometimes think anything over 2litres is uncalled for by your estimations and previous posts.Ive had a high powered 2litre diesel and now a high powered 2.5 diesel,i can tell you for sure the difference is more than acedemic.I find it alot more relaxing too.

 

[ProfJohnL]

.............I've towed for 6 years, so not overly worried about the 85% rule (I'm coming in at 91%). ..........

Hello Brian,
Im quite sure that you will be quite happy with your choice. The difference in power between the BMW and the Audi is frankly academic, as when towing you have to drive differently. And most people manage perfectly well with significantly less power than either these cars have.
It's perhaps a bugbear of mine but I hate to see the industry 85% guideance being misquoted as a 'rule'. It has no legal, safety or technical standing, Its just the industries expression of the concept of keeping a caravans weight as small as is reasonably practical compared to the cars weight which is just good sence.
Sadly its comments like yours that helps to perpetuates the misconception in many peoples minds that it has technical, legal or safety implications. It is simply a suggested approach.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Seth,
Hello Seth,

I'm not ashamed of holding the views I do. I believe we should all consider the ecological impact of our activities and the environment. However it is a matter of record that I have never posted that all engines should be limited to only 2.0L capacity, That would be rather pointless as these days there small engines that seem to be capable of producing prodigious amounts of power.

"Perfectly well" is being able to move at the same speed as the majority of vehicles around you. It is frankly quite rare that a caravan outfit is unable to achieve its permitted maximum speed. If you come across a 'slow' caravan, its rarely the physical inability of the outfit to travel faster, but more likely the drivers choice to drive slower. I do concede that caravans are slower to accelerate, but that is what happens when you virtually double the weight of a vehicle.

More often than not, slowest traffic is not the result of caravans, but other large vehicles such as lorries and busses who are slower either by their own official speed limits or their function to stop and start etc.

Again If you are unable to control your frustrations of finding slow moving traffic or sitting behind a caravan, it raises the question of are you in a fit mood to be driving. And being a caravanner (assumed because you take an interest on this forum) you will understand the realities of modern driving, and the limits imposed on different types of vehicles and the changing road conditions.

So thank you for agreeing with at least some of my posting, but don't expect a long debate as it has all been covered before elsewhere.

 

[seth1]

Its nothing to do with being in the right mood or feeling frustrated at slow vehicles.If the road conditions are correct,why would i and other people want to sit behind a slower vehicle when i can maintain a higher speed.But to do this we need a higher powered vehicle.My personal feeling from owning both is that people shouldnt be put off by negative comments.Its about personal choice.

 

[MichaelE]

I think i decided to get a more powerful car when i used to struggle up the long hills in France and telegraph hill nr Plymouth.
Dont have a problem now and my car happily holds its speed on cuise.

 

[Brian_374234561]

John
Clearly my misuse of the word 'rule' has riled you somewhat if it's a bugbear of yours and I create "mis-conceptions" among the caravanning fraternity. I do agree it's a guideline and not a rule. I'll make sure I take more care next time in what I post on here.......

 

[JonnyG]

Hello Seth,
Hello Seth,

I'm not ashamed of holding the views I do. I believe we should all consider the ecological impact of our activities and the environment. However it is a matter of record that I have never posted that all engines should be limited to only 2.0L capacity, That would be rather pointless as these days there small engines that seem to be capable of producing prodigious amounts of power.

"Perfectly well" is being able to move at the same speed as the majority of vehicles around you. It is frankly quite rare that a caravan outfit is unable to achieve its permitted maximum speed. If you come across a 'slow' caravan, its rarely the physical inability of the outfit to travel faster, but more likely the drivers choice to drive slower. I do concede that caravans are slower to accelerate, but that is what happens when you virtually double the weight of a vehicle.

More often than not, slowest traffic is not the result of caravans, but other large vehicles such as lorries and busses who are slower either by their own official speed limits or their function to stop and start etc.

Again If you are unable to control your frustrations of finding slow moving traffic or sitting behind a caravan, it raises the question of are you in a fit mood to be driving. And being a caravanner (assumed because you take an interest on this forum) you will understand the realities of modern driving, and the limits imposed on different types of vehicles and the changing road conditions.

So thank you for agreeing with at least some of my posting, but don't expect a long debate as it has all been covered before elsewhere.

Sorry Prof this post is soo belittling it beggars belief..It is true we all have our own opinions but your entire post is nothing more than 'assuming' Asuming your expectations of traffic movement and speed is correct and dam right arrogant to assume anyone who ventures to disagree on said matter must be frustated! and this so called frustation which you believe must be present leads you to then question there ability to be fit to drive!!! Arrogant or what......as is your so called ecological view piont! where towing caravans is concerned, no dont you hold a view piont and again assume that larger engined vehicles must by definition have inferior fuel comsumption to smallar engined vehicles, full stop ..That of course is not true and can only be assesed and measured on a one to one basis........

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Jonny,
If you find my post inacurate and as offensive as you suggest then you should use the button below rather than responding to it.

 

[Dustydog]

It amazes me that a very straight forward request from the OP can lead to an adolescent pernickety pendantic diatribe that does nothing to inspire confidence .
Try the patience of a saint springs to mind!

John
, I'm a dog what has an Audi and BMW got to do with ecology?

 

[JonnyG]

Hello Jonny,
If you find my post inacurate and as offensive as you suggest then you should use the button below rather than responding to it.

hi prof.
.Problem is you are correct on so many things and offer good advice in the main, that not responding could lead others to assume your
advice is infallable. Do not know what you mean about 'use the button below' I stated what i thought about the post,and it is my opinion nothing more.....

 

[ProfJohnL]

John
, I'm a dog what has an Audi and BMW got to do with ecology?

Woof, woof woof, grrrrr woof (wags tail) or for the pickinesse in you :-Yap yap yap hmmmm yap (wags body and tail)
Do you understand now Dusty.

 

[Dustydog]

John
, I'm a dog what has an Audi and BMW got to do with ecology?

Now that's poetry even a dog can understand smily thingy
Woof, woof woof, grrrrr woof (wags tail) or for the pickinesse in you :-Yap yap yap hmmmm yap (wags body and tail)
Do you understand now Dusty.

 

[xtrailman]

Good choice going for the 3L engine, although the BMW would be my choice but with X drive.

 

[Brian_374234561]

Tough choice, but the transmission tunnel in the BMW is bigger and the kids (x3) found the Audi more comfortable. I've got a 2.0 5 series saloon at the moment and it's a top car solo but we dont tow with it. X drive wasn't out when I had to order a few weeks ago, I think that will be a really nice car, but just not for me this time.

 

[r40dny]

Issues of choice allways provoke such imotions. Hope you enjoy your proposed aqusition i am sure it will provide an admirable tow car. Would the BMW fare better. There will allways be dates the BM engines are excellent, looks as ever in the yeys ofthe beholder. If my budget permitted i am sure either would be good tow cars. Over the years towing now 40 for me i have towed with many cars , 4x4's and vans, the most powerfull being a 3 ltr. 960cd Volvo, least powerful Citroen Visa GT , If you know the climb from Bezier through to Lodeveon the a75 11 in southern France, doing battle with waggons at 20 mph in second when your power goes off the boil has been the case here on numerous occasions. Having lost the speed if you put your foot down to clear the waggons you will see your temp rise alarmingly it is a killer hill where care has to be observed irregrdless of what you drive it goes on for a life time and is STEEP.The best for this hill, not the fastest nor the most comfortable A good old 90bhp pulling an ABI Target twin axel. Diahatsu Four Track complete with dinghy on roof and outboard plusall the other parafinalia.Most enjoyable 1983 Visa gt pulling an Eldiss Whirwind fun to see Ford Escort GT's out dragged by a little un at traffic light's while pulling a caravan ( legal limit then was 50 mph ) Older wiser and wings clipped i have learned Lots of cars are sort of capable, the fact is some are extraordinarly good at some parts of towing not at others.Current car Vauxhall Signum Great tow car for stability with current Eccles Moonstone Lousey at cruising on the Autoroute Baring the big hills will cruise happily at 67mph hower if i use common sense drop to 60-62, a am left hunting up and down the gearbox with the resulting loss in economy.It Realy is a question of you make your choice and get on with it the best you can. New car for me next year Jaguar XF entry model. If it is as good as people say i should be happy. We will see.

 

[Brian_374234561]

Good news as i got the car just before xmas and have just come back from our first tow. The car was brilliant towing our Carolina, even in the strong winds last weekend. I've only done 4.3k miles so mpg isnt great still yet. I got 21mpg which is the same as the Sorento we had. The torque is incredible even though the engine is still quite tight. Solo driving is lovely, very smooth v6 and lovely gearbox. The suspension is quite hard especially with the 20inch alloys, but it helps keep the caravan in check when towing on bumpy roads. So far so good, looking forward to the French hols in August now, but will enjoy some more uk breaks before then. Highly recommend this car to anyone considering one.

 

[seth1]

Good choice.At least if the extra power and torque become unbareable,you can always release the throttle pedal a tad.

 

[Brian_374234561]

I thought i would give an update now that I have had the car 8 months. I have done 15k miles now so the engine has loosened up nicely. Im getting 40ish mpg on solo motorway runs and 21mpg still towing the caravan. The Carolina went in July and we´ve now got a lovely new swift challenger 640. The torque is amazing solo or towing and its a great car to drive. I´m really pleased with it and would recommend this car regardless if towing or not. The suspension may be a bit too stiff for some but it makes things nice and solid with the ´van on the back.