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Thanks. I track the old blue TT coupe. It has a few track mods and some scars. I started out with it, bought a Cayman S and tracked it for a few years but traded it for the S5 and brought the TT out of retirement. I’ve gotten older and it is fast enough and is familiar and forgiving. ( and feels really good). It is quick enough to surprise some and that is always fun.
Good luck with whatever you do for a tow vehicle. You know enough to make a good decision.
Thanks for your help. I still need to get a TT. I drove a 2009 TT 2.0 and loved it, but ended up getting the A3 for the extra doors and then built it to make it look like a stock S3 and make as little noise as possible. Everyone that ever drove it thought it was stock. My wife even approved. :-)
I miss racing but boating if more family friendly at this point in my life. I think the only Audi that makes sense for my budget at this time is Q7 with 4.2L. It would have the 3 rows and have enough of an upgrade in power from
the Xterra to make a difference. The 3.6L would be close to a wash.
Though the VR6 is a great engine, I'd rather have a 4.2 over a 3.6 for towing too.. Unfortunately for you all the Diesels of the vintage in your budget got bought back, the 2013+ models did not get bought back so they are pretty much all you can find anymore.
The 4.2's and 3.6's have the 6spd ZF Gearbox, I think gearing is the same but not 100% on that...
The 4.2 has a different transmission (AISIN) with totally different gearing. The Aisin is a much larger transmission, just crawl under one some time. The 3.6L is rated at 5500lbs, the 4.2L is rated at 6600lbs. Torque limit for the 6HP19 found in the 3.6L Q7 is 298ft-lbs to give you an idea (the 6HP19 is a car transmission, not a truck transmission). The Aisin is much stronger, I believe it can hold at least another 100lb-ft of torque based on the TC size, and is an actual light truck transmission. I've abused mine a bit several times towing heavy things (over the rating of 6600lbs a few times) and up inclines that almost required 1st gear with heavy things attached (5-6k lbs). I have both a 4.2L and 3.6L, and both tow things quite well from a handling and braking stand point. But if I were going to pull something heavy, it would be with the 4.2 or TDI (assuming that the TDI has a heavier duty transmission than a xHP19, where x denotes forward gear count). If I could have one with air suspension I would (and I do, actually).
The 4.2 has a different transmission (AISIN) with totally different gearing. The Aisin is a much larger transmission, just crawl under one some time. The 3.6L is rated at 5500lbs, the 4.2L is rated at 6600lbs. Torque limit for the 6HP19 found in the 3.6L Q7 is 298ft-lbs to give you an idea (the 6HP19 is a car transmission, not a truck transmission). The Aisin is much stronger, I believe it can hold at least another 100lb-ft of torque based on the TC size, and is an actual light truck transmission. I've abused mine a bit several times towing heavy things (over the rating of 6600lbs a few times) and up inclines that almost required 1st gear with heavy things attached (5-6k lbs). I have both a 4.2L and 3.6L, and both tow things quite well from a handling and braking stand point. But if I were going to pull something heavy, it would be with the 4.2 or TDI (assuming that the TDI has a heavier duty transmission than a xHP19, where x denotes forward gear count). If I could have one with air suspension I would (and I do, actually).
I thought the 8 Speed Aisin trans was in 2011 and later Q7s with earlier ones having the 6 Speed. Our 2011 TDI had the Aisin for sure. It is a great transmission.
I thought the 8 Speed Aisin trans was in 2011 and later Q7s with earlier ones having the 6 Speed. Our 2011 TDI had the Aisin for sure. It is a great transmission.
My 2010 Q7 3.0 TDI had the 6-speed Aisin transmission.
I thought the 8 Speed Aisin trans was in 2011 and later Q7s with earlier ones having the 6 Speed. Our 2011 TDI had the Aisin for sure. It is a great transmission.
It's a 6spd unit for 2007-2010 (last year of the 4.2).
How does the air suspension hold up under towing? My MDX had it and I was not happy with how it towed a pair of wave runners. You could really feel them back there. The Xterra rear factory springs are a weak point. I had no problem with wave runners, but with the boat I decided to add the Timbren upgrade and spring helpers. I don't see many options for upgrading suspension on rear of Q7. Is the stock that good or do not a lot of people tow with them?
Quite a few of us tow track cars and boats. IMHO up to about 6000 lbs, 600 lb tongue weight, it does not need anything but the factory tow pkg. ( and a brake controller) Both of ours have been steel suspension but I read that air is even better for towing.
06-16-2018, 06:31 AM
