Busa-Boy

Hi Xantamisch - glad you got the problem sorted. Having watched your video, I’ve started a Crowdfunding page to try to raise money to buy a bucket and sponge for you. I’m sure the tailgate would have worked fine had it not been for the half hundredweight of crud plastered on it. 😂😂

I reckon you got off lightly BoxerBoy ….. it’s the Romans I feel sorry for 😂 “The Vandals were a Germanic people who sacked Rome and founded a kingdom in North Africa that flourished for about a century, .”

Me of course - probably an age related condition. By the way Boxerboy , did you keep the Polo boot tray ?

Never thought of that Simon - I feel much better now, knowing that my towbar will be quicker than a Porsche. 😁

Mmm, I empathise completely, I think it’s partly the “ you never know when it’ll come in handy “ syndrome, and partly “ do you know what they would cost if you were to buy them ? “. ( wether you wanted them or not ! ) Now, as old age settles in, and the pennies aren’t quite as scarce as they were when we were still at the thick end of the mortgage, I have finally got to the “sod it” stage. What finally helped me through the transition was clearing the garage during downsizing three years ago - I threw out a set of 4 stainless wheel trim ‘rings’ that I took off the ( company) Audi 80 before it went back. - It was a December 81 on an X . 38 years later they went to the tip, along with untold carpets,mats, and other assorted never used “saves” from a lifetime of cars. I think back to all the cars that I had carpet mats in - and then covered them with rubber mats to protect them - finally selling the car with pristine carpet mats for the next owner to enjoy, when I’d endured utilitarian rubber ! Why ?? Currently waiting for a Kodiaq L&K - I did order mudflaps as a dealer fit extra, and yes - I did wince at the £80 odd quid for front and the same for back, but when you’re already north of £45 grand and ticking boxes on the order form - the “sod it “ philosophy really comes into it’s own. And having towed caravans and boats most of my adult life, and always fitted my own tow bars - I never thought I would be paying a thousand pounds for a factory fitted item ( that doesn’t even deploy or retract electrically - as it does on my brother’s Defender and my mates 420 BeeEmm - come on VAG - lift your game ) But, if the last couple of years have taught us anything at all - it’s that this is not a rehearsal , so do it now . Hence my response to the salesman’s question “ would Sir like mudflaps ? “ Sod it - go on then !

I’m waiting for a 200hp Tdi L&K which was ordered in November ( nothing confirmed yet - but estimated delivery 30 weeks ) It will replace my E320 cdi Mercedes estate which I’ve owned for 10 years. I currently pull a 1600 k caravan and launch and recover a 5m rib from a beach. ( not at the same time ! ) so as much torque as possible is the order of the day. I understand Ranger’s comments about fuel consumption difference between petrol and diesel, particularly when towing , but is it really worth worrying about ? At list prices, we pay forty plus grand for the car, stick another twenty plus of caravan on the back and then worry about consumption. If you towed for 2000 miles ( at a rough figure of £7.50 per gallon ) the difference between 25mpg and 20 mpg would be £150 - when you’ve the wrong side of sixty thousand pounds in your outfit - what’s another few gallons of whichever fuel you prefer ? For me, it’s more important to choose a model and spec that is going to meet your requirements for the fifty two weeks of the year than worry about another few quid at the pumps when towing.