2,000 kg Tow Hitch installed
06-12-2005, 04:12 PM
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My Ride: Silverstone 2007 BMW M5. Acquired June 2009 ... with only 5,600 kms, and A$100k off new car price!
Amethyst Grey 2004 BMW 545i standard Australian delivered specs including: 6 speed Steptronic, Active Steering, Standard Cruise Control (not Active CC), Bi-Xenon with Adaptive Headlights, 8.8" colour monitor with Professional Navigation, TV and Voice Recognition, Elec rear sun blind. Options: BMW 124 alloys, elec sports seats, full BMW M-tech body kit, darkest Aust legal window tint, 2000 kg tow hitch, cubby box
Hi all,
Just completed my first tow trip from Melbourne to Adelaide (about 750kms) and then back home again. Sorry the car isn't clean .... dirt happens on interstate trips!
The 545 towed like a dream!
The car towed a car trailer and car weighing about 1,500kms and at 100kph, still managed a respectable average of 13.8 litres per 100 kms.
The BMW dealer fitted the 2000kg tow hitch which took about 4 hours to install. But apparently the electrics took another 6 hours to wire up because they had to splice into the wiring near the dashboard! Then they had to reload the software.
It seems crazy that BMW doesn't have factory connections near the rear bumper like they do in the X5s in cars like the 545 that can tow with no problems.
I found one annoying feature...one of the trailer brake lights blew a globe whilst driving, and the 545 "dinged" at me the next time the brakes were applied. That's ok, it's just letting me know. But then it "dinged" EVERY TIME the brakes were applied. A call to BMW service says that unlike the previous 5 series, this car will "ding" every time and it can't be turned off until the globe is replaced.
Regards to all
06-13-2005, 07:37 AM
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My Ride: [i][b][u]Since 19 august 2004[/u][/b][/i]: [color=red][b]530i[/b] High Executive[/color], Silvergray with beige interior, Popular wood, Servotronic, Sportssuspension, electric foldable and dimmed mirrors, dimmed interior mirror, pappelmaser braun wood, cupholders, styling 123 18" wheels, Logic 7, Steptronic, alarm class 3, electric sunscreen in the rear and suncreens for sidewindows, Comfort seats, heated seats, Xenon with headlightwashers, Adaptive corner lights ALC, Advanced airconditioning, lightpackage, Nav Pro, 6 cd changer, side airbags rearseats, bluetooth siemens S55, chrome kidneys, gearlever with wood, voice recognition retrofit, front windshield with green band.
Waiting for trunkopener button from Hobi :)
Very cool combo!! I would love to see an E60 with a nice big speedboat behind it..
06-14-2005, 01:02 PM
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My Ride: E60 "Stripper"
Now C6 "Stripper"
I like the idea of a tow hitch so when i'm parked and someone taps me in the rear my rear bumper doesn't get scuffed, scratched or marked.
Their bumper? Now that's a different story.
Their bumper? Now that's a different story.
06-14-2005, 01:19 PM
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My Ride: 535D Sport Auto
Your car has a great colour/sportpack/wheels combination. 
I can't say the towbar fits the bill though, Struth mate I'd thought you'da used ya sheilas motor for all that towing milarcky.
I can't say the towbar fits the bill though, Struth mate I'd thought you'da used ya sheilas motor for all that towing milarcky.
06-14-2005, 01:21 PM
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My Ride: Collected Sept 2009 - BMW E90 M3, Silverstone II, Novillo Black leather, 19" M Double-Spoke alloys, High Beam Assist, Electronic Damper Control, Voice Control, PDC, USB, DAB, High Gloss Shadowline, Sliding armrest, Trim Finishing in aluminium grey.
Originally Posted by A90' date='Jun 14 2005, 09:53 PM
Well, that is a nice Alfa Romeo GTV 6 last series 2.5 litre (and off course a beauty of a 545 in front of it) ;-)
Michael (used to have 3 alfa's)
Michael (used to have 3 alfa's)
[snapback]139458[/snapback]
That GTV is one of my all time favoutites.
Can't quite detect the bonnet hump other than the white spot ever so slightly out. Still looks fantastic today. Is there any other give-aways (other than the bonnet hump) that it's a 2.5 rather than the 2.0 4-pot? And I'm cringing looking at the early morning dampness/dew on the Alfa.
06-14-2005, 09:16 PM
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My Ride: Silverstone 2007 BMW M5. Acquired June 2009 ... with only 5,600 kms, and A$100k off new car price!
Amethyst Grey 2004 BMW 545i standard Australian delivered specs including: 6 speed Steptronic, Active Steering, Standard Cruise Control (not Active CC), Bi-Xenon with Adaptive Headlights, 8.8" colour monitor with Professional Navigation, TV and Voice Recognition, Elec rear sun blind. Options: BMW 124 alloys, elec sports seats, full BMW M-tech body kit, darkest Aust legal window tint, 2000 kg tow hitch, cubby box
Hi All,
Thanks for the nice comments.
More pictures attached including one of the Tow Hitch when it is removed. Even though the M-Tech rear bumper has a "hatch" where the Tow Hitch hides behind, the dealer still had to make a hole in this "hatch".
Now I know this the E60 forum, but very briefly about the Alfa:
1984 Alfa Romeo GTV6. Engine: 3.0litre 24 valve quad cam. Brakes: Front: Lockheed double calipers (genuine homologated Group A parts); Rear: GTV6 fronts moved to the rear; all trim and seats removed; fibreglass bonnet and rear hatch; entire shell stipped bare metal, sand blasted, seam welded, then whole shell dipped and painted; full roll cage; numerous mods to suspension and gearbox. Used in Club sprints and occassional endurance events.
Back to the BMW: I was unsure how Amatheyst Grey colour would look with the M-Tech kit on it. But after living with it for a while, I reckon I made the right choice! With the wheels combo, it is simple and not overstated....that is until the go pedal goes to the floor!
I'm in two minds whether to lower it or not? I had a lowered E46 330 coupe previously and was cautious about speed bumps. I must say not worrying about "bottoming out" gives piece of mind when going over speed bumps!
Regards to all
06-26-2005, 02:06 PM
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Can someone post where that trailer hitch might be available in the U.S? I have an '04 530 and I want to install a small hitch to attach a bike rack and also tow a small utility trailer to gigs with my guitars and amps. The total trailer weight would be something like 500kg (1200 lbs.).
Thanks!
You can also email me directly at andrew@webersoftware.com.
Thanks!
You can also email me directly at andrew@webersoftware.com.