Passat TDi 115 Estate? Any Good

[scott_374225625]

Hi all, first post - be gentle ;-)

After much convincing by the wife we are looking at getting our first van. We have looked about and found that it looks like the Passat we own ( 115PD sports estate) is actually quite a light car for towing with, handbook says 1411kg unladen. ( Although this varies on different websites)

Vans we like are something like the Bailey Ranger 500/5 MTPLM of 1271kg. I know this is a bit over the 85% rule but is that a huge issue? What problems am I likely to get?

I'm not a new driver ( drive 2-3k miles/month) and have happily towed cars on trailers, recently our 1973 VW Camper on a car trailer, I suspect heavier than the van and with a rather dubious centre of gravity. car seemd to cope no trouble with it.

Kinda wondered what the real world thought of this?

Opinions welcomed!

Scott

 

[Angus1]

Welcome Scott.

I`ve towed with a Passat TDI 110 SE, and a TDI130 Sport.

Both were good tugs, the 110 being more than adeqate, but the stiffer sport suspension a bit better for control, although there was a fuel penalty of about 4 mpg when towing.

If the car is in reasonable fettle, you shouldn`t have any problem at all. Load it sensibly,and enjoy!

Just got a new TDI 140 Sport Estate yesterday, if it`s as good as the old`un i`ll be a happy chappie.

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Welcome Scott.

I`ve towed with a Passat TDI 110 SE, and a TDI130 Sport.

Both were good tugs, the 110 being more than adeqate, but the stiffer sport suspension a bit better for control, although there was a fuel penalty of about 4 mpg when towing.

If the car is in reasonable fettle, you shouldn`t have any problem at all. Load it sensibly,and enjoy!

Just got a new TDI 140 Sport Estate yesterday, if it`s as good as the old`un i`ll be a happy chappie.

I run a Seat Alhambra with the same VW PD 115 engine and tow a substantially heavier van than yours - it is absolutely fine, the torque delivery is ideal for towing.

I am also above the 85% rec using MTPLM and again it is fine, although this is obviously more car specific.

 

[JeremyClarksson]

I run a Seat Alhambra with the same VW PD 115 engine and tow a substantially heavier van (MTPLM 1710kg) than yours - it is absolutely fine, the torque delivery is ideal for towing.

I am also above the 85% rec using MTPLM and again it is fine, although this is obviously more car specific.

Apologies for posting twice but posted as a comment instead of as reply to topic - Why have the two?

 

[scott_374225625]

Thanks for the comments. Much as I suspected then.

Off looking at vans again this weekend!

 

[milliemop]

I have been towing with a 115bhp for three years now, and I find the car excellent, although a little bit light on the body side for my bailey champagne, but a great puller, if you have your eye on one make sure that it has had a cambelt change recently, or check the service history to see when this was last done--it is an expensive job to do as the whole front of the car has to come forward 3 inches, and I mean the whole front, so if this has not been changed anytime within the last 30,000/40,00 miles---I would have the seller do the biz before you buy it------vw quote 40,000 miles for a change, but when I changed mine at 32,000 it was cracked all aroud the outside

 

[scott_374225625]

Campbelt life seems to be pretty variable on all VW's... VW originally stated 120k miles for 1.8T's but now recommend 80k. Last I heard it was 60k on the PD 115's. Will check mine out again as I was working on another 15k miles before it got changed.

Variables such as how quick you do the miles make a difference to, I do over 2k miles/month which is different to someone that does that in 6 months

Cheers