Tow Bar on X5

misterS3 · 02-10-2012, 07:10 AM

Had another call about the X5 this morning.

This time a nice farmer from Wales.

His major concern was the lack of towbar being a farmer.

Apparently he's been told by local BMW dealer (he didn't say who) that it was a £2k option at new and if they were to retro fit it, it would be £3k!!

Now the dealer also told him that it was expensive because it allowed extra towing capacity up from 1 tonne to 3 tonnes if he fitted the BMW towbar! This was so because it hooked into the ECU and told the ECU to cool the engine more etc....

Now to me this sounded like BS.

Anyone shed any light?

Ta

rogerxp · 02-10-2012, 07:11 AM

I've heard of an 'extra-load' option being available on some 4x4 so perfectly plausable, however, if he just needs a standard tow-bar then anyone can fit one for much less. I presumed it was more to do with springs/suspension rather than communication with the engine (at the price) but I've no idea.

Giff · 02-10-2012, 07:13 AM

My mate had the factory detachable option thats actually made my Westfalia fitted for £400.
I'm sure you would get a more expensive quote from a BMW franchise.

misterS3 · 02-10-2012, 07:19 AM

Just had a quick look around (i know i should have done that before posting but then this thread may be of use to someone else!)

Yeh they fit a bigger fan for £700!! and the towbar is £1300 fitted with 'recoding'. That was prices a while back too. So yeh i can see it costing quite a bit to get done 'properly;

Can't imagine the bigger fan ever being needed in our climate!

davyk31 · 02-10-2012, 01:56 PM

You can have the towbar either with or without the extra towing capacity.

My X5 has the towbar option fitted by the previous owner, he can have my towbar if he wants, its lying in the little cubby hole below the boot and can't see me ever using it.

Giff · 02-10-2012, 01:59 PM

Don't you need to take a further driving test to tow over a certain weight?

misterS3 · 02-10-2012, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyk31

You can have the towbar either with or without the extra towing capacity.

My X5 has the towbar option fitted by the previous owner, he can have my towbar if he wants, its lying in the little cubby hole below the boot and can't see me ever using it.

Cheers i'll give him a call tomorrow and see if he's still interested. Not likely to be honest. I've had about 20 calls and not one person followed up.

I looked it up btw and X540D can tow 2700kg without extra capacity and 3500kg with.

So not a huge diff.

02-10-2012, 07:10 AM	#1
misterS3 Lieutenant Colonel 70 Rep 1,733 Posts Drives: X70 on the way Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	Tow Bar on X5 - Info required Had another call about the X5 this morning. This time a nice farmer from Wales. His major concern was the lack of towbar being a farmer. Apparently he's been told by local BMW dealer (he didn't say who) that it was a £2k option at new and if they were to retro fit it, it would be £3k!! Now the dealer also told him that it was expensive because it allowed extra towing capacity up from 1 tonne to 3 tonnes if he fitted the BMW towbar! This was so because it hooked into the ECU and told the ECU to cool the engine more etc.... Now to me this sounded like BS. Anyone shed any light? Ta
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02-10-2012, 07:11 AM	#2
rogerxp Major General 165 Rep 5,950 Posts Drives: M3 Comp Pack / QQ+2 Tekna Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stockport, Cheshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 350Z GT Roadster [2.00] 2004 Honda S2000 [0.00] 2005 Nissan 350Z GT ... [0.00] 2006 E92 BMW 335i SE [9.00] 2003 Maserati 4200 [6.00] 2006 E90 330d M Sport [0.00]	I've heard of an 'extra-load' option being available on some 4x4 so perfectly plausable, however, if he just needs a standard tow-bar then anyone can fit one for much less. I presumed it was more to do with springs/suspension rather than communication with the engine (at the price) but I've no idea. __________________ Current -: MW E92 M3 Competition Pack / Qashqai+2 Tekna 1.6dci Gone -: 370Z GT Roadster; BMW X3 3.0d xdrive M Sport; E46 330i M Sport Coupe; Mazda RX8 231; Nissan 350Z GT Roadster; BMW E90 330d M Sport; BMW E92 335i SE; Maserati 4200; Nissan 350Z; Honda S2000; Astra Coupe Turbo; Ford Probe
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02-10-2012, 07:13 AM	#3
Giff Lieutenant 6 Rep 499 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wirral iTrader: (2)	My mate had the factory detachable option thats actually made my Westfalia fitted for £400. I'm sure you would get a more expensive quote from a BMW franchise.
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02-10-2012, 07:19 AM	#4
misterS3 Lieutenant Colonel 70 Rep 1,733 Posts Drives: X70 on the way Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	Just had a quick look around (i know i should have done that before posting but then this thread may be of use to someone else!) Yeh they fit a bigger fan for £700!! and the towbar is £1300 fitted with 'recoding'. That was prices a while back too. So yeh i can see it costing quite a bit to get done 'properly; Can't imagine the bigger fan ever being needed in our climate!
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02-10-2012, 01:56 PM	#5
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	You can have the towbar either with or without the extra towing capacity. My X5 has the towbar option fitted by the previous owner, he can have my towbar if he wants, its lying in the little cubby hole below the boot and can't see me ever using it.
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02-10-2012, 01:59 PM	#6
Giff Lieutenant 6 Rep 499 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wirral iTrader: (2)	Don't you need to take a further driving test to tow over a certain weight?
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