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

Thanks - I never thought of that - added to the options list.

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

Me too - Aberdonian too! These are only the first years figures, though - even then the VED on the V6 is barking!

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

I would think this is a good option, economy much better than the 3.6 and yet the performance is similar- and your caravan would not be a problem. Diesels are not a great idea for you with such small miles- likely DPF issues down the road for example will be avoided with the petrol too. The 3.6 does not sell in any number and the resale value will be horrific, probably worth less than a 1.4 TSI in 2/3 years time. The 4X4 1.8 Turbo DSG is another option for you, though it might be down a little in power

Hmm I am not sure the 2.0 would be as good as either the V5 or diesel for towing. Yes, it is a great engine, I have just sold one and loved it. But it is 70nm down on torque against either engine - 280nm vs 350nm. That will be really telling when towing, plus the 2.0 can use a fair bit of fuel when pushed hard. It would be working much harder than either engine to tow at the same speeds.

The diesels will give much better fuel economy, thought I would be steering clear of the 140 for towing a van of 1500kg, IMHO.

BTW StuartAB, my reference to issues with slow caravans was not referring to motorways - it is not that hard to maintain momentum at 50 or 60 mph on motorways. In fact, a tow car should be able to maintain that easily, else it really should be considered inadequate.

It was more related to my own experience and that of others I have spoken to in the UK where some of the tow cars are too low powered to build good speed out of corners or up hills on winding or undulating A and B roads and end up being mobile chicanes and frustraing other drivers.

Cheers

powerd

BTW StuartAB, my reference to issues with slow caravans was not referring to motorways - it is not that hard to maintain momentum at 50 or 60 mph on motorways. In fact, a tow car should be able to maintain that easily, else it really should be considered inadequate.

It was more related to my own experience and that of others I have spoken to in the UK where some of the tow cars are too low powered to build good speed out of corners or up hills on winding or undulating A and B roads and end up being mobile chicanes and frustraing other drivers.

Cheers

powerd

I agree that B roads can be a problem, but on 95% of A roads, we can keep to 50mph, which is all we're legally allowed to do. We could do more, but, of course, we don't. Of course.

The problem is not people with 2.0CR Superbs, but once-a-year-towers with 10 year old 1.6 litre petrol Focusses who give caravanners a bad name.

I tow a 1500Kg caravan with a 2012 Superb Hatchback 4x4 170 diesel. Have towed vans for over 30 years and this is the best towcar I've ever owned including a Merc D Class 4x4, a VW 4x4 and a Shogun 4x4.

I get on avarage 27mpg when towing (45 mpg solo) and this summer towed over 2000miles through France, Switzerland, Italy etc with not one single problem (power, speed, flexibility, torque etc etc were all great) ........ why waste money on a thirsty anti-social 3.0litre gas guzzler??????

why waste money on a thirsty anti-social 3.0litre gas guzzler??????

Because it holds more stuff. I've got a 1500Kg Hymer that I tow with a LR Disco3, I also carry a double kayak on the roof, alongside a large roof box containing a generator, petrol container, BBQ and other 'dirty' gear. In the boot are two mountain bikes, 1 x box of mountain bike gear, 4 x scuba diving cylinders, 2 x diving gear boxes, 2 x diving weight sets, 2 x drysuits, 2 x boxes of underwater camera gear, a kayak sail, buoyancy aids, 1 x box of kayaking bits and pieces and 2 x sets of paddles. Then there's wheel clamp, hitch lock, jump leads, 2 x tool boxes, porch awning, the list goes on....in the boot of the D3. And I'm all set for a caravaning adventure.

There is always traffic to hold you up on A & B roads, grannies, lorries, dawdlers and the scared drivers, it's unlikely I hold anyone up. I'll get 20mpg and try fitting that lot into and onto a Superb! I've tried and I can't. That's why I've got a gaz guzzling 4x4 (to be fair the D3 only gets used for towing and 'adventure' duties).

The 170 Superb makes a mighty fine towcar also, providing you don't have to cart around an adventure warehouse

Because it holds more stuff. I've got a 1500Kg Hymer that I tow with a LR Disco3, I also carry a double kayak on the roof, alongside a large roof box containing a generator, petrol container, BBQ and other 'dirty' gear. In the boot are two mountain bikes, 1 x box of mountain bike gear, 4 x scuba diving cylinders, 2 x diving gear boxes, 2 x diving weight sets, 2 x drysuits, 2 x boxes of underwater camera gear, a kayak sail, buoyancy aids, 1 x box of kayaking bits and pieces and 2 x sets of paddles. Then there's wheel clamp, hitch lock, jump leads, 2 x tool boxes, porch awning, the list goes on....in the boot of the D3. And I'm all set for a caravaning adventure.

.............to cart around an adventure warehouse

Gee, GreenLiner, I got tired just reading that list of stuff. If I packed all that, then unpacked it at the campsite, I would be so tired I would have to spend the rest of the holiday sleeping to recuperate. Sure you don't need a Pantech for towing?

Gee, GreenLiner, I got tired just reading that list of stuff. If I packed all that, then unpacked it at the campsite, I would be so tired I would have to spend the rest of the holiday sleeping to recuperate. Sure you don't need a Pantech for towing?

Good thing is I don't need to unpack it all, it just lives in the D3 until it gets used.

If I knew what a pantech is then I might consider it as a towcar

If I knew what a pantech is then I might consider it as a towcar

A Pantech is larger single box truck - these days more likely a single cab chassis truck with a big box on the back. Like what furniture removalists use. But your list of stuff still makes me tired! Cheers

A Pantech is larger single box truck - these days more likely a single cab chassis truck with a big box on the back. Like what furniture removalists use. But your list of stuff still makes me tired! Cheers

The same as a "Luton" van you see around, i.e. big box on wheels with box going over the top of the cab.

Ian

A T5 Transporter might be a better option, could use it as a day van also :sun:

The same as a "Luton" van you see around, i.e. big box on wheels with box going over the top of the cab.

Ian

Not quite, Ian.

These are pantechnicons......

A little larger, you'll agree, than a Luton van...