Had my car towed
Thread Starter
Senior Members
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA USA
In an infrequent "dah" moment, I left my car on a Boston street that did not allow parking every 1st and 4th Wednesday morning of the month due to street cleaning (who would have thought that the 22nd could have been the 4th Wednesday of the month? - look at a calendar!).
Anyway, the car was towed. It is a manual shift. I left it in first gear. The emergency brake was set. The city of Boston uses old fashioned tow trucks meaning the front end was lifted and the rear wheels would have rolled as it was towed.
So my obvious question. Could this have done damage to the transmission or some other aspect of the car?
Anyway, the car was towed. It is a manual shift. I left it in first gear. The emergency brake was set. The city of Boston uses old fashioned tow trucks meaning the front end was lifted and the rear wheels would have rolled as it was towed.
So my obvious question. Could this have done damage to the transmission or some other aspect of the car?
Senior Members
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, USA
My Ride: E46 330, E60 550 on order: Carbon Black/Natural Brown, 6MT.
Originally Posted by hinckley' post='461713' date='Aug 23 2007, 10:56 AM
In an infrequent "dah" moment, I left my car on a Boston street that did not allow parking every 1st and 4th Wednesday morning of the month due to street cleaning (who would have thought that the 22nd could have been the 4th Wednesday of the month? - look at a calendar!).
Anyway, the car was towed. It is a manual shift. I left it in first gear. The emergency brake was set. The city of Boston uses old fashioned tow trucks meaning the front end was lifted and the rear wheels would have rolled as it was towed.
So my obvious question. Could this have done damage to the transmission or some other aspect of the car?
Anyway, the car was towed. It is a manual shift. I left it in first gear. The emergency brake was set. The city of Boston uses old fashioned tow trucks meaning the front end was lifted and the rear wheels would have rolled as it was towed.
So my obvious question. Could this have done damage to the transmission or some other aspect of the car?
I'd doubt they damaged it. If you are concerned, I'd put it on a rack and check out the underside.
Senior Members
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by hinckley' post='461713' date='Aug 23 2007, 06:56 AM
In an infrequent "dah" moment, I left my car on a Boston street that did not allow parking every 1st and 4th Wednesday morning of the month due to street cleaning (who would have thought that the 22nd could have been the 4th Wednesday of the month? - look at a calendar!).
Anyway, the car was towed. It is a manual shift. I left it in first gear. The emergency brake was set. The city of Boston uses old fashioned tow trucks meaning the front end was lifted and the rear wheels would have rolled as it was towed.
So my obvious question. Could this have done damage to the transmission or some other aspect of the car?
Anyway, the car was towed. It is a manual shift. I left it in first gear. The emergency brake was set. The city of Boston uses old fashioned tow trucks meaning the front end was lifted and the rear wheels would have rolled as it was towed.
So my obvious question. Could this have done damage to the transmission or some other aspect of the car?
Contributors
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,790
Likes: 0
From: Helsinki, Finland
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Originally Posted by hinckley' post='461713' date='Aug 23 2007, 05:56 PM
Anyway, the car was towed. It is a manual shift. I left it in first gear. The emergency brake was set. The city of Boston uses old fashioned tow trucks meaning the front end was lifted and the rear wheels would have rolled as it was towed.
No way they could have gone into the car, with the security alarm and safe locks.
Are you sure they didn't lift it from the rear?
Contributors
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
From: nyc
My Ride: 2010 M5 alpine white, black full leather, etc.
What a shame!! Anyway, you might want to retrieve your vehicle from impound using your dealer's flat bed. I would be afraid that the front end suspension was damaged. At least find out from impound what they did and report to your dealer for their advice in the matter. This is a sticky situation.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 17,310
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh, PA USA
My Ride: G30 M550i
Model Year: 2018
I agree that there's no way they picked it up from the front unless they got under it and disconnected the driveshaft and the parking brake cables.
It's more likely they either dragged it onto a flatbed (which wouldn't be the greatest thing) or they lifted it from the rear.
Iceman is the towing expert here -- maybe he can add an opinion...
It's more likely they either dragged it onto a flatbed (which wouldn't be the greatest thing) or they lifted it from the rear.
Iceman is the towing expert here -- maybe he can add an opinion...
Contributors
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,790
Likes: 0
From: Helsinki, Finland
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Ayrton Senna was one of the greatest!
Senior Members
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
My Ride: 2013 M5 - Sakhir Orange / Black Leather.
Call them and ask how they towed it. I bet if you check the front or rear fascias, you'll figure it out quuickly which end they picked up.
Contributors
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 14,776
Likes: 0
From: So Cal, USA
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Originally Posted by iversonm' post='461717' date='Aug 23 2007, 08:02 AM
I'd think they'd have either popped open the lock and took it out of gear, or used a dolly.
I'd doubt they damaged it. If you are concerned, I'd put it on a rack and check out the underside.
I'd doubt they damaged it. If you are concerned, I'd put it on a rack and check out the underside.
Thats only true for professionals... some of these people will just tow just for the heck of towing and not care about the car. But hopefully there was no damage done.
