XC90 or Disco 3 or A6 Avant or ??

[Paul_5087820]

Hi

I need to replace my Volvo V70 T5 with something suitable for young family and towing. The V70 has been great but for towing not so great as the car weighs the same as the van (more or less)- a Abbey GTS Vogue - so gets twitchy with lorries etc, but the T5 is a great car in terms of pulling power, and it is so comfy (i am 6'3"). We want to upgrade to a twin axle as well.

The XC90 we like but am worried about the performance of the D5 with geartronic when towing. Can't afford the new more powerful one, but might consider the manual. Like the idea of 7 seats for taking parents out etc.

The Disco 3 is great but scared of the reliability - I have been looking at www.disco3.com a lot and the stories give me real concerns, plus I sometimes got uncomfortable driving the disco 3.

The other thought was the Audi A6 3.0tdi avant quattro - powerful thing and that gives me about 90% weight ratio. Luxury, performance , 4x4 for mud etc.

Any experiences of these combinations? Particulalry the XC90 as my wife loves them!!

Thanks

Paul

 

[mike_5041102]

Not tried the Disco but found the other two lacking in all departments compared to my new Porsche Cayenne S. May cost a bit more but you do notice the difference.

 

[MONKEY1]

Paul

There are lots of good comments on the Volvo forums about the XC 90 (towing related). The LR 3 does seem light years ahead of the it's predecessor sadly for LR and Ford it hasn't met all it's " business case criteria" - I know that failure rate, recall notices and additional labour (the amount of time it takes to fit a fault " under warranty ) are all higher than ford it's parent company (and Volvo's) expects.

I'm surprised about the comment of the V70 T5 Being "twitchy with lorries etc", the T5 has a stiffer suspension/ different tyres wheels etc than the D5 version, have you checked your loading and nose weight etc?? I know it's an obvious question - but so many Volvo owners are satisfied with their V70 that I would eliminate all the factors before coming to that conclusion.

I know of one V70 which tows a large Bailey TA Senator with no problems and one V70 AWD which tows large coachman both owners commented on the stability.

Whilst I haven't driven an XC 90 most owners believe it carries on the Volvo tradition of longevity and reliability and V good dealers, the D5 in what ever car you choose is one hell of a good engine.

Good luck

Monkeys husband

 

[Mike_5041144]

Paul dare I suggest you have a demo drive [1 hour+ minimum] in a Toyota Land Cruiser LC5 or LC4 3.0 D-4D Automatic. No reliability problems - slow depreciation and great to drive. Even our police down here are using them for Road patrols.

 

[emmerson2]

Paul, I tried the disc3 link, but I don't speak spanish! is there an english version?

 

[Paul_5087820]

Sorry - I did the link from memory! Hopefully you didn't land anywhere dodgy with it. It should be www.disco3.co.uk

The V70 is front wheel drive without the self levelling suspension. I've had it from new (it's a 2001 model) but it weighs in at exactly the same weight as the mtplm on the caravan - i.e. a 100% match. We've only been caravanning for a couple of years but I find it is really sensitive to loading - I get the nose right but if I put the weight on the boot of the car the back end collapses down.

MAybe there are some good tricks I can do - it does have 82,000 on the clock but it is such a good car. Thing is I also have two small boys and a wife so the kit needed is quite significant if we go for two weeks hence the thought that the answr lies in a heavier car.

Borrowed a D5 auto on sat and it drove nice, quick enough but worried how it would suffer under load.

I will go and look at some of the jap 4x4 - trouble is I normally find with most cars I am very cramped being long legged and japanese seem to be worse.

Any more helpful comments appreciated.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Paul,

Haver you considered an MPV such as the Espace, Alhambra/Galaxy. I understand that the Alhmbra ( Seat) is availabel with an indecently powerful engine, which shoudl match teh Volvo for performance. It has teh cabin capacilty fro you and your familiky + friends, and the relatively short rear overhang will provide quite a stable tug. For better MTPLM look at the renault Espace's. Teh new version has some very able engines. Dont discount diesels, which generally provide more than adequate performance for todays road conditions.

 

[Pelyma1]

Hi I've had my D3 for almost a year now, just one problem with a compressor which has been changed on 06 models. I've done 20K miles and a fair bit of towing - I'm also a member of Disco3.co.uk. I think it is fair to say any forum attracts people with problems and mate of mine has rejected 2 Lexus and an Audi A6. What I think the D3 biggest issue is the dealers are not up to speed with the technology of the car which for some people has meant misdiagnosed faults.

I have driven the Land Cruiser Ugh, the XC90 quite nice, but not capable off road which I particularly needed. If you do look at the D3 because of your size you would be better off with an SE or HSE as the lower specs have had comfort issues for taller people. If you have any specific questions regarding towing then ask away, but like all these things one mans meat is anothers poison.

I know plenty of people who love the LC I did not like it at all and so one with the Volvo Nissan and Shogun. On Disco3 quite a few of us tow, Gareth and myself Pelyma in particular, but get a decent test drive to and make your own mind up.

 

[PaulT]

Paul

What about an XC70? Something you're almost familiar with, 4 x 4 but without the size of an XC90. I tow a Senator with mine and never had any troubles.