Help me choose!

clockwork.satan

clockwork.satan

clockwork.satan

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Edinburgh, Scotland
It's getting close to new car time as I'm about to lump out my final payment on my current car next month (but will probably take a few months to let my finances 'breathe') so I'm having a good ponder on what to get next.

Circumstances have changed a fair bit since I got my current (non-quattro) A4, as I now need something that's a 4x4 and potentially capable of towing a horse box, with a maximum price of around £15k. It needs to be relatively economical and reliable, so Discos and Rangie's are out of the question - but I'd prefer going for a 'premium' beast with good levels of comfort and equipment. Preferably a diesel for the pulling power.

I've been doing a bit of research and have zeroed my choices down to the following cars:

- Audi Q5
- BMW X1
- Audi A4 Allroad
- Volvo XC60

What are your opinions on these cars - and do you have any alternative suggestions?
 
Not exactly the same, but I've just spent two weeks with a brand new D5 XC70 whilst my A4 was away for repair. I'd certainly not buy one, or indeed anything remotely similar. Other than the seats being comfortable, the whole car was horrid. From the utterly daft layout of the infotainment, to the sheer noise inside the cabin whilst doing anything other than breathe on the accelerator. The whole car felt cheap and a massive step down from my 2013 A4.
 
clockwork.satan said:
Circumstances have changed a fair bit since I got my current (non-quattro) A4, as I now need something that's a 4x4 and potentially capable of towing a horse box, with a maximum price of around £15k. It needs to be relatively economical and reliable, so Discos and Rangie's are out of the question - but I'd prefer going for a 'premium' beast with good levels of comfort and equipment. Preferably a diesel for the pulling power.

I've been doing a bit of research and have zeroed my choices down to the following cars:

- Audi Q5
- BMW X1
- Audi A4 Allroad
- Volvo XC60

What are your opinions on these cars - and do you have any alternative suggestions?
Click to expand...


Any age restrictions?

Does it have to be "SUV" style? E.g. Any reason why it has to be an Allroad vs a normal Quattro A4 (or A6) Avant?

BMW X3? Merc ML?
 
paradigm said:
Not exactly the same, but I've just spent two weeks with a brand new D5 XC70 whilst my A4 was away for repair. I'd certainly not buy one, or indeed anything remotely similar. Other than the seats being comfortable, the whole car was horrid. From the utterly daft layout of the infotainment, to the sheer noise inside the cabin whilst doing anything other than breathe on the accelerator. The whole car felt cheap and a massive step down from my 2013 A4.
Click to expand...

That's interesting - I was under the impression that Volvos were good in terms of build quality, and driveability, etc. I guess I'll have to test drive one to see what I think.

lemonade said:
What makes you think the four cars you listed are any more reliable than a Disco or Rangie? because they aren't...
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I was talking more about the economical aspect of things as Discos and Rangies are gas guzzlers, but I have to say that nearly everything I've read about Land Rovers and reliability is contrary to what you just said!

Armageus said:
Any age restrictions?

Does it have to be "SUV" style? E.g. Any reason why it has to be an Allroad vs a normal Quattro A4 (or A6) Avant?

BMW X3? Merc ML?
Click to expand...

In terms of age, I'd prefer something on a '10 plate or newer.

I have to drive up some pretty rough and potentially muddy/snowy roads in the winter (using my other half's 'proper' 4x4 - an old Nissan Terrano which is on its last legs) that I wouldn't dare take my A4 along, so ground clearance - or lack thereof - is the factor which rules out normal Quattro's, etc.

The X3 looks pretty nice too and the M-Class Mercedes looks lovely, but it's definitely not economical or cheap to tax!
 
You seem to be looking at cars with a 2 litre tdi engine? I'd of thought that wouldn't be enough for a box with horse in?

The allroad will probably not be high enough so I'd cross it off.

What about a touareg v6 tdi? Bit long in the tooth but should give you what you need whilst not being that horrific on fuel (not sure what your realistic expectations are here)
 
Some slightly eclectic choices there. Some of which are utter turd too. Why an x1 but no q3? Why a q5 but no x3?

Talking about towing a horsebox but only looking at cars which are 'soft' 4x4s.

For what you've set you want something which has much more torque than those shown have available in their most common guises. I'd strongly consider a 2.5l or above capacity. I think all the cars listed have the option of something with more grunt.

Sounds to me like you very much want something bordering on a working vehicle.
 
rodenal said:
You seem to be looking at cars with a 2 litre tdi engine? I'd of thought that wouldn't be enough for a box with horse in?

The allroad will probably not be high enough so I'd cross it off.

What about a touareg v6 tdi? Bit long in the tooth but should give you what you need whilst not being that horrific on fuel (not sure what your realistic expectations are here)
Click to expand...

I'm used to getting about 53MPG at the moment so would prefer to stay with something that gets around that amount, although I do accept that 4x4's generally require a bit more juice, which also rules the Toureg out. I'd actually love to get the Audi 3.0 TDi if I can get a 2012 model as they're surprisingly economical - and I should clarify that I don't have a horse box yet; things may well go down the route of a proper horse transporter at some point as boxes don't seem particularly safe, but I'll still need ground clearance and four wheel drive.

Armageus said:
A few more suggestions that you probably haven't considered then:

Mitsubishi ASX (Only a 1.8 - so may not be powerful enough - most are 2WD as well)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508186161392

Nissan X-Trail (Oldest looking - probably not premium enough)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201505213661390

VW Tiguan
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201509227123801

Mazda CX-5
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201509176989770
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I've looked at them, but they're a little too small. The Outlander has been floating around my head though, as has the X-Trail, the Subaru Forester, the Kia Sportage and the Skoda Yeti. I keep coming back to the Audi Q5 though.
 
Dis86 said:
Some slightly eclectic choices there. Some of which are utter turd too. Why an x1 but no q3? Why a q5 but no x3?

Talking about towing a horsebox but only looking at cars which are 'soft' 4x4s.

For what you've set you want something which has much more torque than those shown have available in their most common guises. I'd strongly consider a 2.5l or above capacity. I think all the cars listed have the option of something with more grunt.

Sounds to me like you very much want something bordering on a working vehicle.
Click to expand...

The Q3 looks great, but resale values are so strong that they mostly push it out of my price range unless I get lucky. The X3 is also a worthy contender, though. Also the Freelander 2. So much choice, which is why I'm throwing it out on here! :)
 
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What's the combined towing weight of your horse and trailer? Because it's pointless giving out recommendations if the specific vehicle and engine isn't rated for the capacity....
 
[TW]Fox;28594046 said:
Absolutely not the X1, its the oldest car in the BMW range now and is basically a very old model 1 Series.
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Plus only has a 2000kg braked towing weight. Same as the Q5. The Allroad is less (1900kg or so) and the XC60 is the worst at 1800kg.

OP should know the overall combined weight of his horse and box. And be aware that not only is exceeding a vehicles towing capacity dangerous, it's illegal and if plod pull you it's a fixed penalty.

It's one of the things we had to be aware of when pulling dirt bikes, as the unbraked capacity is much lower and varies much more significantly between marques and models.
 
Actually, if you lot had bothered reading all of the posts I made above, I'm not dead-set on the horsebox thing as I don't actually own one yet! ;) ...I may end up getting a 'proper' transport for the horse as boxes aren't very safe.

Definitely need 4x4, a bit of (but not necessarily massive) ground clearance and reliability though. And not necessarily massive pulling power.

I've seen plenty of Freelanders pulling boxes though so perhaps might end up with one of them!
 
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