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[aaronjb]

This post is a twofer:

1) I passed a Smart Fortwo on the M40 yesterday that had a towball on the back. Yep, a towball. Sticking pretty much out of the middle of the bumper.
I'm going to assume it's for mounting a cycle rack, because they aren't type approved to tow.


2) Any of you here with Japanese import cars? 4x4s, probably.. do you tow with them? Technically they don't have a GTW listed, so the legalities are .. well, it's probably illegal. But do you? Would you?

[Kevin Wood]

1) Yep, guessing a cyclist. Outside chance it could be a glider pilot. I've seen towballs on some pretty odd choices of vehicle for towing your aircraft around the airfield.

2) If it's an import then presumably it went through IVA rather than type approval, so the legality of otherwise of towing is an even greyer area where you'd probably get the benefit of the doubt if not being silly.

Saw quite a few teardrop caravans behind Lomaxes and other rather feeble vehicles at Stoneleigh last year. They seem to get away with it.

[Doctor Gollum]

1. Why would you... Cycling is probably more comfortable 

2. Do the Japanese tow much? That said, the Aussies are a big Jap market. If it's possible to buy a model specific tow bar, then presumably you can tow with it. 

Surely, as long as the car is insured for towing, the trailer is compliant and your license allows it, then why not...

[aaronjb]

2) If it's an import then presumably it went through IVA rather than type approval, so the legality of otherwise of towing is an even greyer area where you'd probably get the benefit of the doubt if not being silly.

Saw quite a few teardrop caravans behind Lomaxes and other rather feeble vehicles at Stoneleigh last year. They seem to get away with it.

There's at least one person on the Cobra forum who tows a burger van with his Cobra, too.. I was half tempted, myself. But then hotels are so much comfier..

2. Do the Japanese tow much? That said, the Aussies are a big Jap market. If it's possible to buy a model specific tow bar, then presumably you can tow with it. 

Surely, as long as the car is insured for towing, the trailer is compliant and your license allows it, then why not...

They don't tow. At all, apparently. That's why their VIN plates have a 'spot' for Gross Train Weight, but don't have anything stamped there (ever).

VOSA basically say "no", as do the Gubmint; I just found this - http://andrewsjapanesecars.com/japanese-import-towing-weights/


Hm.. I was tempted by an imported Subaru (either Legacy R-Spec-B or Forrester, both in specs that were never available in the UK), but if I buy a replacement estate (to replace the Skoda), it really wants to be something that can tow at least the little 500Kg trailer. Ideally a car trailer with a Cobra on it..

[Doctor Gollum]

E55/63 should do just nicely then

[aaronjb]

E55/63 should do just nicely then

I don't think I can stretch to the generation of E63 I'd like the budget started off at ~£7k, although the last Forrester I looked at was £12k.. I'd rather the lower end of the two, really.

[2boxerdogs]

Used lots of cars over the years to tow with the best is the one I use at present the Hyundai Terracan, in fact it drives better with a couple of tons on the back of it, and still returns around 25mpg (solo around 30)

[Doctor Gollum]

E55/63 should do just nicely then

I don't think I can stretch to the generation of E63 I'd like the budget started off at ~£7k, although the last Forrester I looked at was £12k.. I'd rather the lower end of the two, really.

OK, call it a compromise...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201904026543314

[2boxerdogs]

E55/63 should do just nicely then

I don't think I can stretch to the generation of E63 I'd like the budget started off at ~£7k, although the last Forrester I looked at was £12k.. I'd rather the lower end of the two, really.

. 


Forester is an excellent choice we are on our second Forester first was a 1999 this is a 2005 all weather X absolutely superb car, towed with our first one all over the UK never had any problems.

[aaronjb]

E55/63 should do just nicely then

I don't think I can stretch to the generation of E63 I'd like the budget started off at ~£7k, although the last Forrester I looked at was £12k.. I'd rather the lower end of the two, really.

OK, call it a compromise...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201904026543314

Hmm.. can you go any newer?

Tilbo - I was looking at this one: https://www.quayvehiclesolutions.com/used-cars/subaru-forester-jdm-sh5-xt-2-0l-twinscroll-turbo-manaul-cwmbran-201902154956438

I mean, I'm a boy racer at heart...

[henryd]

E55/63 should do just nicely then

I don't think any AMG merc is type approved to tow anything

[Doctor Gollum]

Oh, OK then...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903226161118

Doesn't have the memory seats, but it should pull ok

[TheBoy]

I think there is a big recall on Forresters, so look into that if you are going that way

[2boxerdogs]

I think there is a big recall on Forresters, so look into that if you are going that way

.


Ours went in last year new rubber bush on steering column saw the one which came off looked perfect but it had to be changed for some reason.

[2boxerdogs]

E55/63 should do just nicely then

I don't think I can stretch to the generation of E63 I'd like the budget started off at ~£7k, although the last Forrester I looked at was £12k.. I'd rather the lower end of the two, really.

OK, call it a compromise...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201904026543314

Hmm.. can you go any newer?

Tilbo - I was looking at this one: https://www.quayvehiclesolutions.com/used-cars/subaru-forester-jdm-sh5-xt-2-0l-twinscroll-turbo-manaul-cwmbran-201902154956438

I mean, I'm a boy racer at heart...

. That is very nice , the interiors are nothing special but the engines are brilliant & perform extremely well

[Viral_Jim]

I'm not sure I could pay 5 figures for a car with that interior, fast or not....

Id probably prefer this and some winter tyres...
 
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201903155917512?atmobcid=soc3

[Doctor Gollum]

The E Class will tow more

And it has a proper boot

[Viral_Jim]

All true, I was considering more in the way if driver involvement...

If it were my money, I'd have the e-class, in 350 CDI flavour..

[Doctor Gollum]

All true, I was considering more in the way if driver involvement...

If it were my money, I'd have the e-class, in 350 CDI flavour..

Oddly enough, my second link

[Andy B]

....
If it were my money, I'd have the e-class, in 350 CDI flavour..

My 'new' ML350 can move some, so the lighter, 2 wheel drive E350 must really shift

[Viral_Jim]

My 'new' ML350 can move some, so the lighter, 2 wheel drive E350 must really shift

What sort of mpg are you seeing? Or is it too early to tell?

[aaronjb]

5-series was quite high on the list of potentials actually - I have a (very) soft spot for Bangle-era cars (see the E64 already on the drive ).. and I did like Al's old Merc, but not sure I could stretch to his generation E-class.

A friend also suggested this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-R500-LPG-GAS-CONVERTED-4WHEEL-DRIVE-NOT-ML-GL-GLC-GLE-X5-Q7-X6-Q5-RANGE/283433932480

Andy, that's not your old one, is it?  (I know, wrong engine..)

[Andy B]

....

What sort of mpg are you seeing? Or is it too early to tell?

If I drive it to work & keep a relatively light foot I see 29/30 mpg. I've not done any long distance motorway mileage yet, but when I drove back from the Peak District on A roads the other week it was showing low 30s ... not bad really 

[Doctor Gollum]

A positive side effect of having loads of gears basically you can roll down the road just over idle and it still has enough torque to pull if you need it to

[Viral_Jim]

....

What sort of mpg are you seeing? Or is it too early to tell?

If I drive it to work & keep a relatively light foot I see 29/30 mpg. I've not done any long distance motorway mileage yet, but when I drove back from the Peak District on A roads the other week it was showing low 30s ... not bad really 

Not bad at all! Especially not for something with similar dimensions and aerodynamic capabilities as a shipping container

[Andy B]

....

What sort of mpg are you seeing? Or is it too early to tell?

If I drive it to work & keep a relatively light foot I see 29/30 mpg. I've not done any long distance motorway mileage yet, but when I drove back from the Peak District on A roads the other week it was showing low 30s ... not bad really 

Not bad at all! Especially not for something with similar dimensions and aerodynamic capabilities as a shipping container

 

[Gaffers]

I only have 3.5T towing capacity on the Ranger 

So longer as there is little weight in the bed of course

[aaronjb]

I'd absolutely love another Wildtrak .. would have one in a heartbeat, but they are far outside of the price range, for now..

[TheBoy]

I think there is a big recall on Forresters, so look into that if you are going that way

.


Ours went in last year new rubber bush on steering column saw the one which came off looked perfect but it had to be changed for some reason.

No, wasn't that. I seem to recall it was something that could have quite dramatic consequences (probably, hence the recall of over a million of them, but buggered if I can remember).  And the recall was only 2 or 3 months ago. Must be old age creeping in

[2boxerdogs]

I think there is a big recall on Forresters, so look into that if you are going that way

.


Ours went in last year new rubber bush on steering column saw the one which came off looked perfect but it had to be changed for some reason.

No, wasn't that. I seem to recall it was something that could have quite dramatic consequences (probably, hence the recall of over a million of them, but buggered if I can remember).  And the recall was only 2 or 3 months ago. Must be old age creeping in

. 

 
May be the newer models , don't like the new shape looks like a Peugeot.

[TheBoy]

I think there is a big recall on Forresters, so look into that if you are going that way

.


Ours went in last year new rubber bush on steering column saw the one which came off looked perfect but it had to be changed for some reason.

No, wasn't that. I seem to recall it was something that could have quite dramatic consequences (probably, hence the recall of over a million of them, but buggered if I can remember).  And the recall was only 2 or 3 months ago. Must be old age creeping in

. 

 
May be the newer models , don't like the new shape looks like a Peugeot.

Could well be Tilbo, I wasn't paying much attention, as I'm not older enough for a non Impreza Subaru (and too old for an Impreza), so didn't pay a massive amount of attention.

I remember it was a lot of cars, and I think only Forresters, so must have covered a decent timespan. Unless I midunderstood/misheard, and it simply included Forresters.

[2boxerdogs]

I think there is a big recall on Forresters, so look into that if you are going that way

.


Ours went in last year new rubber bush on steering column saw the one which came off looked perfect but it had to be changed for some reason.

No, wasn't that. I seem to recall it was something that could have quite dramatic consequences (probably, hence the recall of over a million of them, but buggered if I can remember).  And the recall was only 2 or 3 months ago. Must be old age creeping in

.  Spoilt the Impreza as well now horrid eurobox shape,wifey had an Impreza WRX few years back gained too many points with it 😁

 
May be the newer models , don't like the new shape looks like a Peugeot.

Could well be Tilbo, I wasn't paying much attention, as I'm not older enough for a non Impreza Subaru (and too old for an Impreza), so didn't pay a massive amount of attention.

I remember it was a lot of cars, and I think only Forresters, so must have covered a decent timespan. Unless I midunderstood/misheard, and it simply included Forresters.