WHICH MPV?

[Damian_5077692]

Hello this is my first post on here after a long time reading this forum!

I have a Sterling Europa 500L with a kerbweight of 1283kg and my nissan primera 1.8 is ok but not really up to the job!

I`m looking at an MPV as its useful with having a family and transporting my childrens friends.In addition the costs would be lower than a 4x4 for the other 48 weeks of the year!

I have a budget of £8000 and intend to buy early spring.

I would be most grateful for any help/advice.

Thank you

Damian

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Damian,

I am not going to recommend any particular MPV, as there are many different versions around. Some are basically badge engineered, but details may make one more suitable to you than another.

In general it seems that MPV's with diesel engines are better suited to towing duties, for low down torque, and also the fuel economy is usually better than the equivalent petrol engine.

Most modern diesels provide adequate performance for most traffic situations.

Do check the towing capacities carefully, as some MPV's, have surprisingly limited capabilities.

 

[Guest]

Son in-law as just bought the new Merc Viano.

BUt Gary posted this last week -

"i have currently got a mercedes v220 cdi.it has served us well for the last 7 years ,but with 250k on the clock its time to change.i have looked at all the different mpvs avaliable and can only find one to replace it with-mercedes viano- has anyone had any experience with towing with these.it has air suspensio-the same as the v220- now has 5 sp auto box and rear wheel drive.any info would be appreciate thanks "

May be that might help.

 

[Lutz]

Unless you really need something as large as a Viano for other purposes, towing a 1300kg caravan with it would be a bit unnecessary. A 1.9CDTI Zafira (the new model), a 1.8 TDCI Ford S-Max or a 2.0TDI (140PS) VW Touran would be perfectly adequate, not to mention the VW Sharan/Ford Galaxy/Seat Alhambra trio.

 

[Guest]

I guess it is down to what you need to carry.

My son in-law thoughts as he loved his Sharan but there was little boot space when using all the seats and a surveyor associate of his uses the older style Viano that will carry seven and still has capacity for luggage and copes with a caravan and boat trailer fine.

 

[Steve L]

Watch out for fuel consumption on the merc Viano. A HAAS machine repair technician uses one for his work, who we see quite often. He struggles to get better than 24mpg diesel.

Might be ok if your an oil shiek. His firm are thinking of going back to Passat estates to knock off the 200% hike in their monthly fuel bill.

 

[Guest]

I guess it may be down to how you drive as we've just called Justin and he averages just over 30 mpg in the older 2.2 V class , and towing his Lunar to Spain this summer he averaged 26 mpg there and back an that's with Auto box and over 200000 on the clock.

His comment on V Class and Viano - "they are different to Vito's performance and running costs"

 

[gary_5083940]

just quick update -i have taken delivery of the viano- superb2k on the clock and returnig 30mpg -havent pushed the engine to hard yet though.this is a bi9g mpv and would noy suit eveyone-loads of space inside for 3 kids -2 dogs and all the luggage etc-tows the caravan like a dream -mainly down to the long wheelbase and the rear air suspension-but can be difficult to find a suitable place to park.i have had front and rear parking sensors fitted which helps.even at 30 mpg it is no were near as good as other mpv -but if like us you often go out with granparent or kids friends we can fit into the one car ,with evryone seatbelted ep.bags and buggies etc in the boot ,it saves taking a second car

 

[GillC1]

Damian,

We tow a sterling sapphire which is slightly heavier than your van, we previously had a galaxy 1.9tdi which was good on fuel and very comfortable, we now have a renault espace 2.2dci which is not as good on fuel as the galaxy but much more comfortable and bags of space even with 7 people in it. Some people don't rate the espace but at the end of the day it is personal preference, what suits one person may not suit someone else.

 

[DavidW1]

Hi Damian,

Looking at some of the previous posts it's obvious they never read that your budget was

 

[STEVE_5041381]

Hi Damian,

Looking at some of the previous posts it's obvious they never read that your budget was

 

[STEVE_5041381]

02:52 PM I tow with a Picasso as you say roomy comfortable reliable , cheap but only has 5 seats having said that they are full seats not 4-1/2 seats. But recommend them everytime max tow is 1300kg. the 1.6 Hdi is better than tthe 2.0 hdi 110bhp as opposed to 90hp.

 

[STEVE_5041381]

02:52 PM I tow with a Picasso as you say roomy comfortable reliable , cheap but only has 5 seats having said that they are full seats not 4-1/2 seats. But recommend them everytime max tow is 1300kg. the 1.6 Hdi is better than tthe 2.0 hdi 110bhp as opposed to 90hp.

Oh and I forgot to add that the annual road tax is only

 

[JeremyClarksson]

For

 

[Garfield]

We have been towing a 20' twin axle lunar (1100kg unladen)with our 110bhp tdi sharan, stability is very good but the 130bhp engine would be better and no more thirsty - avoid automatics my father in law just had an expensive bill to replace the entire gearbox after just 30k

 

[Damian_5077692]

Thank you all so much for your messages-really helpful .

Yeah with my budget i guess i am angling towards a sharan/Galaxy Alhambra.-older mpv.

Thanks for the consensus telling me to leave automatics alone go diesel instead of Petrol.

Will also see if can get any deal on Zafira you mention Lutz.

Thanks again all will let you know what we get and how we get on with it..

Damian

 

[colincheshire]

Have you considered the Kia Sedona? We are on our second one. Ideal for four children plus large dog and assorted stuff that needs to be taken too. Last year there were three Sedona towed outfits in a row at the site.

We have the diesel automatic and provided you don't try to drive it like a sportscar it performs very well both solo and towing. Kerbweight is heavy though and current towing at the 85% guidance is around 1800 kg, more than enough. You should be able to get an 02 or 03 model for your 8k, check out www.autotrader.co.uk. Seats are large and comfortable. Another plus is those large sliding doors. On the negative side is poor luggage space with all seven seats used and it is a bit larger than the Galaxy and Zafira types.

Best of luck with looking.