30d X drive Towing

[Mdoug79]

Anyone out there can advise how it performs as a tow car with a caravan etc?

[Graeme]

Hello, In a word, superbly! 
I've towed a caravan since 1975 with the following - Volvo 145 (from 74-80), Volvo 265 (from 80-86)(both manuals), Mercedes 230TE, Mercedes 300D saloon, three Mercedes 300 TD(Mercs from 86-2005), an X5 3.0d E53 ((from 05-08) and since Nov 08 an X5 3.0d E70 (all auto).  All my vans have been quite heavy - since 1999 I've had a caravan that weights 1650kg all up and the E70 3.0d is by far the best in terms of pulling power, stability, and vitally, stopping ability.  Average mpg towing is 25mpg but short runs can vary a lot depending on the terrain, bendy or straight roads, speed driven (sticking to 55mph on dual carriageways returns about 3mpg more than driving at 60mph which is important if you are towing long distances in Europe.  Here both Holland and Germany restrict caravans to the inside lane of 2 lane motorways with the HGVs during the day or parts of it so you are stuck at 56mph with them) and wind direction (wind resistance on a caravan is an important factor in consumption - driving hard into a headwind uses a lot more fuel). I usually use the manual option of the gearbox, changing up at about 2000rpm and try to get it into top gear (mine is a 6 speed box) ASAP.  The least economical was the Volvo 265 manual that returned 16-18mpg - it was rarely possible to get it into overdrive.
Hope this helps,  Graeme

[sid10]

Hi I have the E53 X5 30d it is brilliant at towing my Elddis Superstorm twin axle 1895kg fully laden most of the time I cant even feel it is on the back of the car however it does eat the tyres alot faster if used a lot , would also recommend the BMW towing mirrors as they dont vibrate as much as cheaper versions .

[TimX5]

I also tow with a e53 3.0d great tow car plenty of power slightly hard on the rear suspension,  I've towed with a discovery 3 and imho the disco is a better tow car than the bmw , as for mirrors the millenco mirrors are fantastic no movement or vibrations.

[Graeme]

I should have mentioned that my E70 is a 7 seater so it has the uprated rear suspension with"air shocks" which is I think the same as if a tow bar is factory fitted.  Mine has a retrofitted BMW towbar.  Having the heavier duty rear suspension must help.

Graeme

[Mdoug79]

Thanks Graeme
Mine is also a 7 seater but didnt realise that the suspension was different on a 7 seater. What is the differences?
I have a caravan but havent towed with the X5 yet.

Is driving it in manual recommended? I have the 8 speed box and wandered if it would be easier on the box towing in manual rather than auto or if it didnt really matter.


I assumed it would be a good towcar but didnt really look into it. Good long and short distance tower then, Thats good news.
Thanks again.

[X5Sport]

Rear suspension is just strengthened to take account of possible extra 'load'.

If you check the manual it tells you what the max loads are in each seat row.

Towing with it will be no problem at all.  It'll pull just about anything 

[Mdoug79]

Thanks for the info guys. Mine has a towbar fitted but no swan neck so have just ordered it. Will be towing with it when i get home from offshore.
By the sounds of it should be great. I had a 525d M Sport E60 and it was a good tow car.

[Steamyrotter]

I have also towed various caravans with various cars, but the X5 is a completely different beast.

It's just simply planted and gives you so much confidence on the road that you just don't need to worry about it.

It will pull almost anything with ease and other than a slight loss of acceleration you'd never realise its back there!!!

[Mdoug79]

Thats good as we often head to the highlands and can tow our van through very windy, hilly roads. Im looking forward to trying it out.

[Mdoug79]

So I have now towed a 1650kg caravan with my X5 up to the Highlands and my god how good is it!! It was in a word BRILLIANT!
We drove along various roads but mostly twisty and very hilly country roads and still I would barely know the caravan was on. The 8 speed box is amazing pulling up hills the gear changes were still instant, smooth and precise. The road handling was firm, assured and planted. The visibility with the vehicles wing mirrors were brilliant and the rear view camera made reversing onto van to hook up was very useful.
Economy was obviously affected but nowhere near as bad as I expected.
I am absolutely over the moon. What a car.

[van650]

Hi guys if you are towing have you had the uprated Fan fitted? Or is it really not needed?

[Steamyrotter]

I have standard fan, but a secondary gearbox fluid cooler.

no problems with heat at all on mine.