OK - let's try this in the right forum!!!!

At the moment I have 2 cars and a caravan.

My cars are:

Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 TDI 170PS DSG

(Jan 2012 - around 2000 miles - metallic grey)

Audi A5 3.0 TDi convertible

(July 2010 - around 7000 miles - red)

Both stunning cars from the same stable - in particular, I adore the Audi although, for it's size, it's really a big 2+2.

As I'm 58, single and somewhat disabled, it is time to be realistic and trade the two for one. As my caravan (which I bought a month ago) is big but not too heavy, I'm considering going for a Superb estate.

Having spent hours surfing through the options, it looks as though the Superb V6 Elegance estate will fit the bill.

I would have preferred a diesel (as I plan to do a lot of European touring) but the V6 doesn't look too thirsty and it certainly has the oomph to tow the caravan. I'm not sure how good the 2.0 TDI DSG (yeah - it must be an "auto") would be towing the 'van. Also, Skoda have the "no VAT" deal on petrol Superbs, but not on diesel Superbs.

My caravan is a Sprite Quattro FB, 2011 year's model - one careful owner before I bought it - and I'll need to carry a powered wheelchair (about 60kg) in the back of the tow-car, with a wheelchair lift.

If any member is running a Superb V6 - even better, as a tow car - I'd be grateful for any feedback.

I haven't had a chance to trawl through the forum yet but will do so to pick up as many tips as possible.

Many thanks and happy motoring!

Simon

A 170 diesel I would have thought would be powerful enough and at least 50% more economical.

Thanks Danny - I remain to be convinced! If the Superb came with the 3.0 diesel which I have in the Audi, there would be no competition. Sadly, no such luck (yet).

The official consumption figures for the petrol V6 Superb are surpisingly good, and I suspect (my own belief!) that the weight/drag of the caravan will make much less of an impression on the V6 than on the 170 diesel.

I'm honestly not sure what the right answer is, but with the VAT deal on petrol Superbs, I'm still tempted by the V6.

I know that the Audi was noticeably affected by the caravan when I took delivery of it.

If only these things were easily calibrated!

Cheers

Simon

Although I am a diesel fan I have usually found that the big petrol cars official mpg figures are usually quite optomistic more so than the diesel cars. I thought that there is a vat offer on the diesels as well.

Surely pulling a caravan is all about low down torque, which the 170 diesel has in spades. To get 'performance' out of a petrol requires horsepower which is developed higher up the rev range, which doesn't sound like the right solution. Don't forget if the 170 isn't 'enough', it is quite easy to remap and go well above 200 BHP with similar (if not greater) torque gains.

I agree with the fuel consumtion issue - there's no way the 3.6 pulling a caravan is going to be anywhere near 30 mpg, my guess with diesel is that you'll still be looking at about 40 mpg. Looks like a no brainer really.

VAT offer seems to be on diesel saloon/hatch, petrol only on estate.

I agree with all the fuel consimption sentiments. Diesel is a no brainer if towing, unless the OP normally does only short runs (ie not when towing)

Go for it!!

A mate has just bought the Passat CC 3.6 TSI DSG with, I think, the same engine. Unbelievable car - love my TSI vRS, but the smoothness of the V6 and the power is VERY impressive.

As a family man, if I could afford to swap to the V6 Estate, I would - in a heartbeat!!

Lucky you. Enjoy the car hunt!

OK - let's try this in the right forum!!!!

At the moment I have 2 cars and a caravan.

My cars are:

Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 TDI 170PS DSG

(Jan 2012 - around 2000 miles - metallic grey)

Audi A5 3.0 TDi convertible

(July 2010 - around 7000 miles - red)

Both stunning cars from the same stable - in particular, I adore the Audi although, for it's size, it's really a big 2+2.

As I'm 58, single and somewhat disabled, it is time to be realistic and trade the two for one. As my caravan (which I bought a month ago) is big but not too heavy, I'm considering going for a Superb estate.

Having spent hours surfing through the options, it looks as though the Superb V6 Elegance estate will fit the bill.

I would have preferred a diesel (as I plan to do a lot of European touring) but the V6 doesn't look too thirsty and it certainly has the oomph to tow the caravan. I'm not sure how good the 2.0 TDI DSG (yeah - it must be an "auto") would be towing the 'van. Also, Skoda have the "no VAT" deal on petrol Superbs, but not on diesel Superbs.

My caravan is a Sprite Quattro FB, 2011 year's model - one careful owner before I bought it - and I'll need to carry a powered wheelchair (about 60kg) in the back of the tow-car, with a wheelchair lift.

If any member is running a Superb V6 - even better, as a tow car - I'd be grateful for any feedback.

I haven't had a chance to trawl through the forum yet but will do so to pick up as many tips as possible.

Many thanks and happy motoring!

Simon

its the superb hatch diesel and petrol get no vat deal but the estate superbs only get the no vat deal if you select a petrol engine

Hi I have recently bought a Superb V6 AWD wagon over here in Australia. I love it. It replaced an Octavia vRS wagon 2.0 petrol turbo. I have only done about 5000kms so far, a mix of freeway, country and urban driving. I average 8.1-9 l/100kms on the freeway at 120kmh, but about 14+ in inner Sydney. If you push it, it loves a drink. No towing experience with it. It is a great car to drive, very responsive and very quick through the rev range. The both engines have the same max torque, but the V6 has 50% more kw. And it really shows when you drive them. The diesel has a narrower flat torque band (1700-2500) and the petrol a wider one (2500-5000). The DSG is very responsive and masks the lesser low rev torque. I would think they would be much the same for towing in general driving, though the V6 would overtake faster if you use higher revs. But then it would probably drink like a sailor on shore leave! The AWD will also help a lot towing on slippery surfaces - we can't get the AWD with that diesel here in Oz. One thing to think about is how many kms you do per year and how much of it is towing. If your towing kms are not large, perhaps the extra power, as well as smoothness and quietness, not to mention much more fun to drive) of the V6 is worth it. I did the calcs and decided it was, but I realise fuel is much dearer over there in Blighty. If your van is say 1500kg I would be prepared for around 13-17 l/100kms when towing depending on conditions. Also, the Superb doesn't have a big tank, only 60 litres. But you won't be slow! The V6 is a much faster, more responsive and engaging car to drive, but the diesel is heaps more economical to drive under load. Hope this helps. powerd, Canberra, Australia

I have the same caravan as you and tow with a 170DSG diesel. It tows like a train. No problem maintaining 60 on motorways, acceleration is brisk for the weight and very stable The only problem I have come acress is when trying to pull away quickly the traction control kicks in When towing I get about 25 - 30 mpg

GET THE CR170 DSG!!!!

I had one new this year and I tow a 1500kg Lunar Quasar. We went away for 3 weeks in the summer fully laden. 4 in the car, a boot full (inc kitchen sink) and probably not far off the max GTW and compared to my old car (a 120PS manual Vectra estate) it was an absolute doddle. The engine is fantastic.

Just one thing...Hill Hold Control is an absolute must when you're looking at the options list, especially if you're towing.

I have to say though, and not trying to offend anyone, it does surprise me what puny engines you accept for towing over there. In Oz, towing a family caravan most people would not use less than a 4 litre or so six cylinder car or a gutsy 3l or larger diesel. These days, a typical family tow rig is an SUV with a strong 2 litre diesel if you have a small van, or for a mid to larger something like Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun to you I think) or Disco or Jeep Grand Cherokee. It amazes me to see 2l medium size cars towing vans over there - not something we would do, or would even be permitted here because of weight and towball down weight restrictions. I guess that's why caravans tend to be pretty slow and unpopular among other motorists over there.

The 'slow caravan' issue is irrelevant to this discussion; the 170 diesel will pull any caravan that's not heavier than it at the legal maximum speeds on any UK road, ie 60mph on single carriageways; 70 on dual.

I'd say go with the 170 every time, unless you're a major shareholder in an oil company. ;-)

Low down torque and economy are the key issues. It's a no-brainer. As for cost and the VAT issue, forget it; depreciation on a VAT free petrol Superb will be far greater than on a VAT-charged diesel estate.

My 140 towed a 1200kg caravan plus five adults plus a fully stacked boot effortlessly in the summer. It cruised in 6th, and dropping to 4th was enough for almost every autoroute incline. The 170 will be even better.

I tow with a 170CR albeit a manual box. I chose this because I also wanted 4x4 to avoid wheelslip when pulling away especially if it's wet.

Our van is close to the 85% recommendation as it has lots of stuff fitted. Even so, the Superb is the best towcar I've driven bar none, including towing with a Mk1 Discovery.

I don't know what they make your vans of in Oz, but my outfit is NOT slow. Many of the problems are with perception, rather than vans being slow, though we all know people who do drive slowly especially when towing a van. On the other hand I saw someone last week who thought that with a Range Rover and a small van they would be fine to do 70. He slowed down a bit after he only just managed to recover from a nasty bout of instability that took him into the lanes both sides of where he should have been.

at the legal maximum speeds on any UK road, ie 60mph on single carriageways; 70 on dual.

Isn't the legal max towing speed 60mph on motorways?

Edited 25 November, 201213 yr by Norry

Correct.

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits

Another thing to consider is that the eventual trade in on a V6 petrol will not be good at all. Large petrol engines don't sell well secondhand and dealers know that.

Elegance 3.6 V6 4x4 260PS DSG 237 L / £815 £24,808.33 £4,961.67 30E

£31,150.00

Elegance 2.0 TDI CR 170PS DSG 159 G / £170 £22,470.83 £4,494.17 22E £27,700.00

Diesel for me,

645 less for VED per year (robbing shower o ****, wouldn't give them the satisfaction)

3450gbp less to purchase.

But then I'm a tight Scottish Git

The biggest problem I have with the V6 is lack of low down torque as mentioned above. The fuel consumption suffers tremendously as the car keeps a much lower gear on low speeds. You have to get towards 40mph to get it into 4th, so driving around town it spends most of it's time in 3rd. Having owned the 170 CR Tdi and the 3.6 4x4 (both DSG boxes), I would take the V6 any day for adding a smile to your face and, to be really honest, the 170Cr Tdi as much better all round car.

As an A Road/motorway cruiser it is brilliant, but still can't get 30 mpg average overall (currently 29.7 and getting worse with colder/darker mornings)

I have contemplated having it chipped, but it needs the real torque curve starting 750-1,000 rpm lower down.

You will not regret it when not towing (except for fuel and VED costs) but my view is you'll regret it when towing.

HTH

Correct.

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits

Sorry; meant 50mph and 60mph respectively. Doh!

Stuart

I have a V6 and tow an Bailey 460 with it - it does not notice the caravan ( can easily do 70mph abroad of course ) but the fuel consumption does suffer - lowest was 19mpg when towing into gale force headwinds

If you can afford the petrol its great only issue is a small tank means you have to fill up frequently

Chris

Hi Simon, there are a few responses in the Octavia section too, using the Octy is a no no and you say the Audi was a bit dodgy. Looking at the whole life costs of the car and the consumption etc the I would be tempted to take the hit on the VAT and get a 170 diesel, especially if you are going to tow through Europe as well considering in a lot of countries diesel is cheaper than petrol.

Ian

Just to confuse the issue......

Why not consider a Suberb with the 2.0 litre TSi engine?

It can be remapped to 240 bhp & it already has a diesel-like torque curve, that is usually enhanced

with a remap. 257 bhp & 280 ft/lbs torque)

I've got the older TFSi lump in my pre-FL Octavia & the performance feels like a much larger engine than

a 2.0 litre turbo.

No turbo lag or flat-spots, pulls like a train from 1400 RPM to the 6500 RPM redline!

It's much quicker & just as flexible as my 3.0 litre Mondeo which has only (!) 222 bhp & 201 ft/lbs......

Just my 2 cents worth!

DC

Elegance 3.6 V6 4x4 260PS DSG 237 L / £815 £24,808.33 £4,961.67 30E

£31,150.00

Elegance 2.0 TDI CR 170PS DSG 159 G / £170 £22,470.83 £4,494.17 22E £27,700.00

Diesel for me,

645 less for VED per year (robbing shower o ****, wouldn't give them the satisfaction)

3450gbp less to purchase.

But then I'm a tight Scottish Git

I bought my V6 because it was cheaper (at the time) due to the fact that the V6 was zero VAT but the 170CR Tdi Elegance 4x4 was 20% VAT.

Also lead times were about 2-3 months different in favour of the V6.

Fuel and VED aside the car costs roughly the same to run in term of tyres and servicing.

My ideal car would be the 170 CR Tdi 4x4 wth DSG but sadly not available - I would have waited for that ........

Thanks all - since posting this, I've read all your helpful posts and done a wee bit more digging. I've found out that fitting a fixed wheelchair lift into a new car allows me to buy it VAT free. So this solves the diesel vs petrol argument. The choice is now between the Superb estate 2.0 TDI 170 DSG and the 2.0 TDI 140 4x4 DSG.

Edited 27 November, 201213 yr by Simon Brooke