New Member

[Peter_374410647]

Hi All, New to this forum but have been caravanning for the last 18 months.

We currently have a Avondale Argente 650-6 which we bought 18 months age. We have been extremely happy with the van which is excellent for a family of 2 adults and 2 children. Its a shame about the company going bust but I am going to keep the van. Originally when I bought the van I had a BMW 530d Touring which was fantastic to tow with. I have just recently had to have a company car and went for the new Mondeo Titanium X Estate, all the figures stack up but its lighter than the BMW so would appreciate feedback. I am experienced towing and always carry our belongings in the car.

This forum has been a great tool and a credit to its makers!

Well done and keep it up!

 

[valeter]

Hi peter;welcome to the forum,i have picked up lots of tips from the forum since i have been on line ,keep looking or asking for any information you need

 

[WilliamLX]

Never driven the BMW or the new model Mondeo, but the new Mondeo is supposed to be a fantastic car and has been Tow car of the year (Caravan Club) and you have proper modern front wheel drive rather than the primitive BMW rear wheel drive (dropped by Ford as far back as the Sierra). A 650-6 is a big caravan however for an ordinary car, more large 4x4 territory.

 

[Lutz]

A rather emotive assessment of rear wheel drive, if I may say so. I don't know what makes front wheel drive any more modern than rear wheel drive. Front wheel drive has been around on mass produced cars for almost as long as rear wheel drive by now. And why is rear wheel drive primitive? I've never heard of BMWs or Mercs being referred to as primitive before.

 

[WilliamLX]

The problem with rear wheel drive is that it places the drive on the wheels at the light end of the car, reducing traction. BMWs are notorious at handling badly in snow and ice. While I have never owned one I have seen them struggling to even get started in snow while I have had no trouble in front wheel drive cars.

Primitive is perhaps the wrong word but other than BMW just about every other manufacturer has moved from rear wheel drive to front wheel drive over the last 30 years or so.

 

[Lutz]

A rather surprising response out of a land which has relatively little snow and ice to contend with. If your argument held true, then neither BMWs nor Mercs would have much of a chance in the Scandinavian market. Besides, rear wheel drive is a boon to traction when towing.

Most manufacturers changed to front wheel drive not because it is technically superior, but for packaging reasons. Front wheel drive provides more opportunity for interior space. That's why larger cars that don't need to optimise passenger space tended to remain with rear wheel drive.

I do agree, however, that front wheel drive is less demanding on the average driver when pushed to the limit. But then, most people don't drive on the limit.

 

[WilliamLX]

True Ireland is not the snowiest part of the world, but I live on high ground and we get snow and ice more often than most. Front wheel drive cars are also easier for most to handle (as you have mentioned) and have a simpler 'drive train' which is always going to be better both for reliability (not BMWs strong point) and fuel economy as energy is wasted through the long drive shaft ect transferring power from a frontal engine all the way to the back axle.

 

[Lutz]

I think we'll just have to agree to differ but I have not heard that BMW's or Merc's drive trains are particularly unreliable.

 

[WilliamLX]

I don't have figures specifically for drive train, but BMWs do not do well in surveys of reliability, probably because they have so much complex kit installed etc. I have always thought that they are highly over rated. Yes they are expensive, but are so common they lack prestige. Personally if I was going to spend out on a premium brand car, I would go for a Lexus to get the Japanese build quality and reliability.