DrZ1

I am looking to combine the functions of two veicles into one SUV. Which I was looking for a preowned with low milage. I was thinking I needed diesel for the towing power and better gas milage as I put on about 25K+ yr

My DD is a 330ci and my tow vehicle is a Silverado 2500hd 6.0. Fiqure car 3000lbs + trailer 1700, so would need around 6K towing at least.

I was looking at the Mercedes ML230 CDI (not sure about new bluetec engine), BMW x5, Audi Q7, and Vw Touareg.

Not sure if the gas vehicles would tow as well, or have as good of gas milage. And not sure how well the diesels are mechanically and if problematic.

Looking for any reccomendations.

Thanks
Steve

OEMTim

Since you're in the 944 forum, I assume you're towing a 944/951?
Might be a little light for you, but I use my 2012 Subaru Outback to tow.

CDH-CTT

I had an 04 Cayenne Turbo as a tow rig for about 2 years.... got ok mileage 20's on the highway and 16's city.... Remember that the X5 and Q7 are AWD SUV's so NO Low Range and all of the SUV's are only rated at a 5k lbs towing capacity... So that's why I now have an 08 Ford F 250 6.4 Diesel Crew Cab 4x4 for towing and hunting, and a 2010 4Runner as my SUV... dont for get my 951 as my DD and "play" car...hahaha..

I would just keep the Chevy if you are planning to tow and trade the BMW in on an SUV.....maybe???

ehall

Use a 928.

V2Rocket

any ford with any powerstroke engine. have towed my 944 on a full trailer behind an excursion PSD before, didn't even notice it was there. when not towing, ~20mpg...

User 52121

Personally I would vote to stick with what you have.... or just upgrade your Silverado to a loaded diesel model so you get all the creature comforts of your BMW with the tow capability of the full size truck.

A friend of mine has both a Q7 TDi and a Touareg TDi (both the 3.0 TDi) and she says the Touareg tows MUCH better. Apparently the Q7 is actually built on the Audi A6 chassis whereas the Touareg (and Cayenne) are both built on a Cayenne truck chassis. *shrug* Take that for what it's worth. Me personally, I wouldn't tow with such a small vehicle if I could help it. I'd want the length and mass to keep the trailer from pushing the truck around.

You might get more info in the racing section too.

DrZ1

I appreciate it, there are always compromises. I really will not tow probably more then 4x/yr and my circumstances have changed so I really no longer need a truck. Aslo, I am moving and will not have the room to store as many vehicles properly.

I would like somthing that I can drive daily, and would be adeuate to tow.

Both the Touareg and Benz have around a 7500lb towing capacity where the Q7 and BMW have around 6k. There are for diesel engines.

sydneyman

I work at a VW, Audi, Porsche stealership so i can objectively say:
Q7, Touareg, and Cayenne are the same chassis. the cayenne just came out in a diesel version but that won't satisfy your preowned stipulation...

As stated, the Q7 is awd and has a lower tow rating than both the cayenne and touareg.

my vote is a facelifted cayenne S. or a GTS?

sydneyman

Forgot to mention, I believe the A6 is based on the Q5/Porsche Macan platform. well, vice-versa...

alxdgr8

I'm really thinking about trading in my Frontier for an '09-'10 Touareg TDI, but I want air suspension and that really limits your choices as it was a rare order only option.

MKS_Performance

Get one of these.

Ski

Daily plus towing, I'm a Suburban fan - love my Z71

zerMATT951

Love my Avalanche... almost as utilitarian as a truck, but it rides smooth like a Suburban. Tow rating with the 5.3 and 3.73's is something like 8,800, plus I added air bags to help out a bit too. Plenty of room for lockable storage that ISN'T inside the passenger compartment with you. They also have 6.0L versions, but thats more common on the Denali and Escalade, which are both a bit to blingy for me.

DrZ1

Also need to have good gas milage since I drive on average 70miles day. Looking for 25+ mpg. Hence the diesel.

I used to tow with a 2000 Tundra with IIRC a 4.7l V8, not the new 5.7 and it struggled which is why I bought the 2500hd 6.0.

I had read some threads in a boating forum, that the ML230 cdi, pulled large Cobalt boats well, which were in the 5-6000 lb range.

Right now, the ML230 cdi is my first choice. 2007 and 2008 did not have the urea exhaust cleaning setup, which may be advantageous. Plus the cost is about 10-15K less then the current Toureg or Audi Q7.

86 951 Driver

Have you thought about a 2008-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbo Diesel? They are pretty nice and should return good mileage when not towing. I have heard it isn't uncommon to get 24-25 MPG with them. Get a tune and you can get even better mileage.