I'm looking for a tow car that I can use for the upcoming race season. I need it to be reliable enough to drag the car the length of the country so I'm thinking of a healthy budget of £4-6000. As well as towing caability, it needs to be a bit of a van with plenty of wide load-carrying capability so smallish SUVs aren't in my sights - nor are saloons. I'm probably preferring a diesel for the sheer torque though it's less critical with fuel being cheapish. I'd like it to be reasonably comfortable because there will be long drives and, on Sunday evening, after a race weekend, epic drives can be tiring.

As usual, there's probably too much choice. The things I've considered are:

- Yet another E-Class estate
- a very left-field choice of a Merc R-Class: cavernous Yank-style 4x4 MPV
- a Discovery (maybe a bit too 4x4 but my brother might have one)
- Volvo XC90 2.4d
- Subaru Outback 2.5 or 3.0 petrol
- a comfortable van.

All of those are around 10 years old/100k on my budget. Bizarrely, the R-Class is my current favourite but that may be because I haven't driven one. They are well-rated though.

Real wheel drive ford transit is my choice Richard. Maybe put in some rear seats ideal to get your head down for an hour or two and a quality side window.

How is 500 miles in a Transit?

The one thing that puts me off an out-and-out van is that they're awkward if you want to use them as a car at any time. One of the possibilities that opens itself up with a tow car is something a lot less practical as a normal car.

Mrs MRS doesn't want or need an E-Class again (the contract on the current one expires this year) and would like a (*cough*) Golf. That's OK with me. Reality is I could probably get away with any of the cars I listed above as my main car. I don't do many medium journeys - either occasional 8-miles to work (mostly by bike though) or 2-8 hours.

S60 2.4 huge boot. A vote for volvo

It's only a saloon though (from what I can see). I definitely need an estate or larger

Nissan Elgrand 3.5 V6 - same engine as 350Z

8 seats or a decent-sized bed, buckets of torque and crazy A-Team looks!

Wow - that's a left-field suggestion, Jim! It makes the R-Class look run-of-the-mill

Doesn't get much left-fielder!

If I had the money, I'd love one for turning up to motorsport events and kipping the night!

Well, I would consider something a little different. The Fiat Multipla Diesel (120 bhp). Can be mapped for more torque easily also. Doubt it will need mapping actually. I owned two of these at different points. Did not tow though.

The rear seats are very easy to move out for more space, leaving you with 3 up front or 2 plus a little table. Loads of space for such a small base. Great to drive, won many awards for versatility and will be sure to make people look and stare Fuel economy is great and they are cheap to purchase.

Multipla

But not this one...

The other alternative would be the renault espace for me anyway....

Renault

I'm not much of a fan of sleeping at circuits - for £40-£50 you can normally find somewhere to sleep with a proper bed, shower and breakfast. Some circuits are nice and have reasonable food and facilities - some are horrible. If you aren't competing, it's a bit less critical.

The multipla only has 1100kg towing capacity. The R-Class and Subaru 3.0 have over 2 tonnes. I think my race car and trailer are exactly 1100kg before tools, fuel, etc.

How about a Merc Vito duoliner?

5 Seats, plenty of stowage space in the back, can even take the seats out for van duties, will easily tow a race car up hill and down dale. Get a tailgate rear and it serves as a good rain shield when mooching about for things in the back.

I've had one (actually two)for for around 11 years now and they're pretty good. Been all over the country, towing the caravan, 5 up with all the gear, no problems. Perfectly comfortable in the front for long journeys.

I have towed a lot of car loaded trailers all over Europe Richard. I don't drive much more tha six hundred miles in any day when towing.
I used to use my transit 125hp. Very comfortable .

Now it's my campervan which sits on a Renault chassis with 130hp.

I think owning a van gives you so much flexibility. Most van cabs are car like these days and that extra van space when needed is a bonus.

It's the hp of a van that is important when doing 500 miles. Under powered and it's an extra hour on the trip and more tired. For me it's got to be 110 hp or more.



What do your peer's use then?

The Subaru Forrester rival Mitsubishi outlander

I had a 2008 2l diesel 4x4 was brilliant 2 tons towing capacity comfortable reliable did a 125,000 in 5 years no trouble really

I now have a 2013 Mitsubishi outlander 2.2 diesel
Base model really comfortable but not as good in the off road department as the 2008 version but the torque is fantastic its really quite quick and pulls well

In the 2008 model i was able to tow a 1800kg generator in the snow as if there was no snow the grip was fantastic and that was with standard tyres!
the down side was the rear springs were a bit soft as i had it loaded up with all my tools and spares for work

Worth a look though if the size is big enough!

Thanks - this has given me some things to think about. I will go off and do some research.

And I'll "help" this lunchtime!

Yes - looking forward to it , Jim

Mazda Bongo.

It's a van, and it can tow caravans easily.

Cheap and reliable and you can kip in them.

Volvo V70? I've recently bought a 2.5T AWD version with all the toys. It's a great cruiser and has the comfiest front seats of any car I've ever sat in. Loads of space inside and can be picked up for not much.

Yup - the V70 is a good shout and pretty good value.

A lad at work has a dark blue VOLVO similar to this one. He uses it for towing about a BMW drift car and is always raving about it.

Yes - the V70 will definitely be on my list

Best wishes

Richard

Well, I'm pretty settled on giving the R Class a go. There aren't that many about but I've got a few weeks to lurk though I really need to have something by Easter to go and collect the race car from Scotland. I occasionally wonder if I should go safe with another E Class but the R Class ticks some extra boxes - not least of all its epic capacity.

Let's see what I can find.

If you need anyone to kick tyres with you locally, give me a shout!

I may well do that, Jim - thanks - though I hope your recent track record with cars (excluding the Coupe) doesn't rub off on me

Whilst I'm hunting, anybody suggestions for places to look? I've been looking at Autotrader, eBay and Pistonheads - anywhere else?

My target is a 2007 320cdi - must have parking sensors (most do), ideally with COMAND (sat Nav) and a tow bar would be an added bonus. No horrid brown interiors! FSH and a long MOT I think is a must for these things. And, for my up-to-£7k budget (£6k would be better) sub 100k is possible.

Gumtree, Facebook, Freeads, Preloved, Parkers.

I only know as my daughter and I are keeping an eye out for cheap cars for her

Ah, cool, thanks T!

motors.co.uk

exchange and mart

Just a final word on the Mazda Bongo...

It ticks all the boxes. Is an 8 seater, can be converted into a camper but it is already designed to be slept in.

It fits in normal car spaces and it can tow, and is well within your budget.

Most importantly, even though ours is old it is the most comfortable long distance vehicle I've ever driven.
You can get 2.5 diesel or V6 petrol. With possible lpg conversion. The diesels can run on veg oil if you so wish. Come in 2 or 4WD.

The electric pop up roof is also handy, for either sleeping in or giving you standing up room.

Downsides are: They are older vehicles (same era as Coupe) and they are not great on fuel.

But there is a huge following with plenty of access to spare parts and advice. They are also very easy to work on.

The facelift ones look a bit better, but are the same underneath.

Here is one towing a Westfield:

http://s97.photobucket.com/user/dodgey99/media/Westfield/IMG_2830.jpg.html