MPG when towing a caravan

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:09 pm

I am trying to decide between a nice 2006 Lemans Derv and a lovley one owner 2005 4.8is and could do with making my mind up by tomorow.

I would guess after reading up on here the long tearm ave MPG would be about 20ish for the 4.8 and 26ish for the Derv. I dont fly about any more.

But the car will be used for towing a 1630 kgs caravan for about 3500 miles out of its 7000 miles a year.

Can anyone give me a guide on what they get with a caravan on the back?

I would guess at the 4.8 will be 16/17ish and maybe 22 ish for the derv.

Thanks Richard...

wilkoturbo · Post by **wilkoturbo** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:31 pm

Yep mine pulls 1450 I get 23mpg not bad I don't think plus the toque is the same between the 4.8 and the 3.0d , I have a lemans blue sep 2006

B5tew · Post by **B5tew** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:57 pm

I am getting 23 mpg with the caravan on the back. My caravan has got a MTPLM of 1565 kg and I am probably up pretty close to that my figures are from the computer but they are pretty accurate as I did a brim to brim test a while ago and it was more or less spot on.
The main advantage I can see with a diesel is they remap better and the difference is massive with the caravan on the back Telgraph hill in devon is now a doddle 60mph all the way up with no effort at all where as before I had it remapped you knew you were going up it.
I used to tow with a 330i before the X and although it had plenty of power it did scream a bit going up hill but my X just chuggs on up efortlessly.
Also I was only getting 15 mpg out of my 330i with the caravan on so 16 mpg out of a 4.8is might be a bit ambitious
I say get a diesel and then talk to Jason from BW Chiptune and get it remapped you wont regret it.
Also with the price of petrol nearly as expensive as diesel now the economy on a diesel is even better.
Best of luck with whatever you decide and get some photos up soon.
Oh and how is the caravan hunt going ?

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:06 pm

Thanks for the replys so far, no 4.8 tow caravans as yet?

I bought a Coachman Pastiche 560/4 currently towing it with my co. car VW Passat 2.0tdi.

Richard...

B5tew · Post by **B5tew** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:24 pm

[quote=""Cannondale""]Thanks for the replys so far, no 4.8 tow caravans as yet?

I bought a Coachman Pastiche 560/4 currently towing it with my co. car VW Passat 2.0tdi.

Richard...[/quote]
That must be a bit of a challenge, it must be around 100%, Tail wagging the dog springs to mind especially when you encounter a National Express Coach!
Don't tell anyone on Caravan Talk they will be on you like a pack of hyenas.

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:30 pm

Yep the Passat is a close match for sure. But hopefully if I finally get sorted with an X tommorow our next trip away later this month will be a whole lot diffrent.

Richard...

B5tew · Post by **B5tew** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:49 pm

Oh Btw have either of the cars you are interested in got a towbar on them, if not that is another Â£700 you have to factor in to the equation unless you fit it yourself.
Also the 13 pin socket are not always fully wired,there are other threads about this, something to bear in mind.

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:47 am

The Derv has got a factory towbar on it and the 4.8 has not got one.

Like you say it is another cost to factor in.

Heart says get the V8

Head say the Derv.

Might even flip a coin...lol

Richard...

squeaky2 · Post by **squeaky2** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:43 am

Get the Diesel and leave the V8 for someone else to have the power to overtake the caravans

If half of your mileage is going to be towing then the diesel makes a lot more sense. It will be a more relaxed drive and more economical in the long run. As others have said get it in for a remap and away you go.

From memory also having the factory fit towbar will mean that the rear suspension and OBC will be already geared up for towing.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:46 am

Probably a good point to note is that the 3.0d has more or less the same torque as the 4.8V8 and is fitted with the same gearbox and torque converter for that very reason. We're kinda still toying with the idea of a 'van', and I know when I went to see a dealer he asked what we would be towing with? When told it was an X5 fitted wth the 3.0d 218bhp version, he told us we could pull anything he sold - including the 23' twin-axle ones - wth ease.

You'll be in the very low teens with the 4.8, and then only on a level or downhill road!

Our Landrover Discovery 3.9 V8 auto used to average 9mpg with the 2T trailer attached! Save yourself at least 10mpg and go Derv..

Having the OEM tow bar already fitted is a big plus too - assuming it is an OEM one.

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:59 am

Thanks for all the input, I bet I am not the only one that has had to make the 4.8 Vs 3.0D question.

I have been looking for a nice X5 for a while and then two of them come together, typical.

The Derv is 2006 LeMans with Pan roof, factory towbar, 65k from a BMW dealer, but is a Â£475 to Tax car.

The 4.8 is a 2005 private car from the original owner from new with 59k Carbon Black pan roof, DSP, heated and elec rear seats.

Both full BMW history and recenlty serviced.

The 4.8 is just over Â£2k cheaper.

I am going to drive both today, as I have not driven either of them yet. But I have driven a 3.0D and 4.8 in the last few weeks and was a bit disapointed with the Derv then but I supose a remap would make the Derv a fair bit better.

Thanks again Richard...

gobiman · Post by **gobiman** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:32 am

I've owned both - swapped a 2004 3.0d for a 4.8iS but never towed with either of them.
As has been mentioned, the 3.0d is a great car and, frankly, the better all-round package. However the 4.8 does have a fantastic engine and I love it.
I'd make a few points -
1. Surprised that the price difference is only Â£2k particularly as the diesel is newer. Haven't looked at the detail of the two cars but on a like-for-like basis, I'd expect it to be a little higher. No one seems to want big V8s second-hand and prices suffer accordingly. When i traded my diesel for the 4.8 in 2009, I reckoned the differential was Â£4-5k.
2. Other key variable is mileage. I only do 5-8k a year in my 4.8 so the mpg difference is is not a major issue for me. You can do your own sums but higher your annual mileage, the more compelling the diesel becomes.
The good news is that both are cracking cars!
Good luck with the test drives.

gobiman · Post by **gobiman** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:35 am

Or put it another way , from what you have said (and don't have full detail), the 4.8 sounds like it might be priced too high.

wilkoturbo · Post by **wilkoturbo** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:38 pm

This is what your le mans will look like lol

gmc15 · Post by **gmc15** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:50 pm

I had a 2001 3.0d and towed a 1500kg van and averaged about 22mpg. I changed to a 2003 4.6is and got about 12mpg towing the same van

.
Not quite what you are after but hopefully it will give you some idea of diesel v petrol mpg towing

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