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[amarok88]

Hi guys,
sorry if this is in the wrong section.
I have always liked the Omega and quite fancy one now.
I am just after some advice on which one I should perhaps go for.

I plan to use it as an everyday car and to tow the caravan (1500kg loaded).

I would prefer a diesel I guess as fuel costs will be lower but which engine should I go for? I was always under the impression that the 2.5td was the best engine.
also is manual or auto better. I would prefer auto but not if it is a poor box.

thanks in advance

[sjr47]

The only diesel that could get anywhere near towing a 1500 Kg van is a early 2.5TD Estate and I belive that only produces 130BHP so very under powered for a large van so personaly would discount it .The 3.0/3.2 V6 petrol estates are the only one I would look at but then have to weigh that against every day running costs .As far as which box the AR35 auto in the larger engine V6 is fine for towing I have a 2.6 with auto and works great all be it on a 1250kg loaded van .

[amarok88]

thanks,
BHP is somewhat irrelevant for towing (a discovery 1 can tow 3500kgs yet only has 111bhp).
the estate and saloon tow the same weight and virtually weigh the same?

thanks

[cd 2.2]

The smaller engines can tow weight! My 2.2 petrol "can" tow an Austin princess (cheese you can drive), But you sure as hell know it's there. I have to agree with using the 3.0 or 3.2 as a tow vehicle, it would hurt your pocket I would imagine as far as fuel costs are concerned ... Towing the princess I get an average mpg of between 8 and 15 mpg so I wouldn't say the smaller engines are a feasible choice  and that I would imagine is the same for the diesel

[Rods2]

Buy a 3.0 or 3.2 and then LPG it, so you have diesel running costs where LPG is much cheaper per litre.

[sjr47]

The 2.5TD saloon has a towing limit of 1750 Kg so true is legal but is it comfortable and as for BHP being irrelevent cannot agree again its a matter of cruising in reletive comfort or constantly changing gear to keep revs up as for a Disco towing 3500Kg wouldnt like to be behind that outfit on a country lane bet it makes  farmer Giles tractor seem like a Ferrari !

[cd 2.2]

Can you imagine how seasick the children would be ? 

[sjr47]

Yep Rods2 has the right idea if you aim to keep it long term plenty of experienced OOFers for converting on here to pass on there  invaluable knowledge to help you along ,on my 3rd miggy for towing and you will be hard pressed to find a better 2 wheel drive car to match even today, plus think of all the toys to play with on the MV6/Elite models   

[amarok88]

hi,
thanks for replies so far, not really after the v6 and dont like lpg really.

what auto box is in the 2.5? is the box up to scratch as not concerned about speed

[sjr47]

Not entirely sure but I belive the 2.5TD was only available with a manual box sure somebody will correct me if I am wrong.If it has  a autobox will be the AR25 the same as in 2.2/2.5/2.6 petrols which is the one I,v got in mine as stated previous + Omegas have a box oil cooler so should be OK if thats what you want.

[sjr47]

Not entirely sure but I belive the 2.5TD was only available with a manual box sure somebody will correct me if I am wrong.If it has  a autobox will be the AR25 the same as in 2.2/2.5/2.6 petrols which is the one I,v got in mine as stated previous + Omegas have a box oil cooler so should be OK if thats what you want

Will correct myself just noticed a couple of autos on EBay  but they stopped manufacturing the 2.5td about MY2000 so not many left these days

[Andy B]

Not entirely sure but I belive the 2.5TD was only available with a manual box sure somebody will correct me if I am wrong.If it has  a autobox will be the AR25 the same as in 2.2/2.5/2.6 petrols which is the one I,v got in mine as stated previous + Omegas have a box oil cooler so should be OK if thats what you want

Will correct myself just noticed a couple of autos on EBay  but they stopped manufacturing the 2.5td about MY2000 so not many left these days

It's the 2.2 4 pot diseasal that's only available with 3 pedals 

[blackviper90210]

I've been towing with my 3.2 elite for a while now and get approx 22mpg. That's with a 5 birth single axle pikey van. As my every day car, I get between 25 & 26 mpg round town and 31 on a run. So in my eyes, they're not too bad on the pocket

[Martin_1962]

The smaller engines can tow weight! My 2.2 petrol "can" tow an Austin princess (cheese you can drive), But you sure as hell know it's there. I have to agree with using the 3.0 or 3.2 as a tow vehicle, it would hurt your pocket I would imagine as far as fuel costs are concerned ... Towing the princess I get an average mpg of between 8 and 15 mpg so I wouldn't say the smaller engines are a feasible choice  and that I would imagine is the same for the diesel

A Princess towing - must have found a scrappy by now

[Martin_1962]

V6s are good fro towing and LPG does work well on them