mazda 6

[Jon_5040767]

Does anyone tow with a mazda 6 diesel any feedback good or bad, many thanks

 

[MichaelT]

Hi Jon

I tow my Bailey Pageant Burgundy with mazda 6 2.0 diesel(136bhp) only been out with the 'van twice but towed really well

 

[aaman]

Not really helpful but this is my experience.

I tow a 1340kg mtplm Avondale with a 1.8 petrol Mazda 6, max tow 1300kg.

The car is only 118 hp and max torque is @ 4500 rpm so is really a bit under powered when towing.

It is however very stable when towing.

The only problem I have encountered is some inclination towards wheel slip on hillstarts.

The diesel has more power (unless you have the poverty 119 hp variant) and the torque is far superior and peaks much further down the rev range, about 2000 I think it also has a max tow of around 1500kg.

The only real problem that I'm aware of and,it is hearsay rather than personal experience, is the clutch. Apparently ALL Mazda clutches are considered to be too weak for towing.

There is no heavy duty upgrade available and as the fly wheel on the diesel is of the dual mass type it MUST be changed at every 2nd clutch plate renewal.

Mazda ^ is an excellent car and was only let down in the 2006 towcar of the year awards by the amount of clutch slip necessary to prevent wheelspin on hillstarts.

GO FOR IT.

 

[Garfield]

Even towing regularly, if you have to change the clutch in less than 100,000 miles then there's something wrong with your driving, not the car.

 

[aaman]

Even towing regularly, if you have to change the clutch in less than 100,000 miles then there's something wrong with your driving, not the car.

Like I said, it's hearsay not personal experience.

Mazda clutches are allegedly very weak compared to other cars and many people in the motor trade would not advocate using a Mazda to tow with.

The technician at my local dealer actually commented that he wouldn't recommend towing more than a lightweight trailer.

 

[swhite]

Hi Jon,

I have had a Mazda 6 Diesel Sport (136) 5dr for about 18 months now. I tow a Compass Rallye 5.0GTE which is 1340kgs loaded. So far I haven't had any trouble - the car tows like a train. Went from the North East down to Devon last summer for main hols and going again this year. Also do around 6 or 7 local trips each season (within 80 miles each way). Never had any problems with clutch so far? Had a VW Passat before the Mazda & clutch on this did smell especially when reversing. Get 30+ mpg towing and approx. 45 mpg solo. Car is really stable when towing and doesn't twitch much at all even when 'Big White Van Man' hurtles past. Estate version was voted Caravan Club Tow Car of the Year 2005 and still winning class awards - so can't be all that bad!

I like mine and so far it has done what I wanted it to do - tows a good size family 4 berth caravan complete with all family extras + wife and 2 kids! It may not have been my first choice if I didn't have a caravan but I have, and I wanted a 'car' rather than a bigger vehicle.

Hope this will help you to make an informed choice?

Simon

 

[john_5040775]

An excellent towing car. We used to tow 1100kg and no problem maintaining high sixties on the autoroutes and very stable when overtaking lorries etc. We used to get around 30mpg towing and around 42mpg on day to day use. Towed thousands of miles and never had any clutch problems although repeated hill starts when caught in traffic on a slope could give the clutch a hard time due to lack of torque until the turbo spins up. We had an estate with space saver wheel. Obviously no good for towing so I replaced it with full size alloy which fits in the well and which I still have if anyone is interested.