Towbar Fitted

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02-22-2009, 12:34 PM

BMWBen

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Just thought I'd post this for people who might want to do something similar - contribute to the group knowledge etc...

Got a towbar fitted to my non-sport e60 on friday.

Went for the Westfalia as I've had them before and the build quality and design is second to none. They are the OEM towbar part after all.

Was pleasantly suprised to find that there was no visible bumper cut required and the bar is therefore totally invisble when "detatched" - westfalia part number 303294. Cost ?339 fitted with single electrics.

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02-22-2009, 08:05 PM

CWS530

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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Coversï¿½ from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).

Got a pic? Have you used it yet? I've never seen an e60 towing anything. Thanks.

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02-23-2009, 12:41 AM

MariusRix

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CWS530' post='799192' date='Feb 23 2009, 07:05 AM

Got a pic? Have you used it yet? I've never seen an e60 towing anything. Thanks.

Hi there to all and sundry! This is my first post but I have been reading quite alot. I have a 2005 530 diesel with steptronic and have a factory fitted towbar. In South Africa, when a towbar is specified, the rear suspension is upgraded to allow for the extra mass. I have the Sportpack. I tow a Jurgens Penta caravan which weighs 1380kg (3036lbs) with absolute ease and returning 10.5 lts/100kms (30mpg). I leave the 'box in drive and it shifts as required, but sometimes I use manual for long climbs. I also have the Dastek Unichip conversion which now gives me 174kW (233BHP) and 585 Nm @ 1800RPM. This is truly awesome pulling power.

Regards

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02-23-2009, 05:47 AM

wacopolumbo

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My Ride: 2007 525i, mystic blue metallic, black leather interior, dark poplar wood trim, premium package, navigation, iPod, park distance control, voice activation, bluetooth. Mods: Full M-Tech Kit, ACS Rep Rear Window Spoiler, ACS Rep Rear Deck Spoiler, ACS Rep Quad Diffuser, ACS Rep Exhaust Tips, Remus Duel Exhaust, De-badge, 20% Tint Front and Rear, Umnitza Predator Ice V2, HID fog lights, Clear Side Marker Light Bulbs (yellow when on), Dark Poplar Wood Shifter, Dark Poplar Wood e-Brake Handle, Dark Poplar Wood Steering Wheel Inserts, OEM Steel Pedals, OEM M Footrest, 19 inch OEM 121s (Summer), 18 inch 124s (Winter), Shadowline Window Trim, Blacked-out Kidney Grills

Here in Germnay I see all kinds of BMW sedans with tow bars. It's funny, 3 series towing trailers, etc. But with US spec BMWs, only the X3 and X5 is certified to tow.

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02-23-2009, 09:11 AM

CWS530

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MariusRix' post='799262' date='Feb 23 2009, 03:41 AM

Interesting. That's quite a bit of weight.

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02-23-2009, 11:55 AM

BenAnd

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My Ride: BMW e60 525IA 12/2003

Hi

In Denmark a BMW E60/61 is allowed to tow 700kg (1540lbs ) without breaks on the trailer and a trailer on 2000kg ( 4400lbs ) with breaks.

Cars with a Tow-Bar mounted is very common in Denmark thereto its a nation of " do it yourself " people

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02-23-2009, 01:00 PM

flyingpuck

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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills. Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWS530' post='799192' date='Feb 22 2009, 09:05 PM

Got a pic? Have you used it yet? I've never seen an e60 towing anything. Thanks.

+1 I too would like to see a picture!

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02-23-2009, 04:25 PM

Al T.

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My Ride: 2007 530xiT, 1964 MBZ 220SEb Coupe, 1986 MBZ 300E and a 1997 Jeep Cherokee as my cottage car. Previous rides started with a 1947 Studebaker Commander convertible and included numerous Fords, VWs, MBZs, Saabs and, for added measure, a '61 Buick Special Wagon and Pontiac GTO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWS530' post='799192' date='Feb 22 2009, 11:05 PM

Got a pic? Have you used it yet? I've never seen an e60 towing anything. Thanks.

...It's interesting how this subject continues to appear on this and the M61 board. Even though those who live outside of North American can buy a BMW with a factory optioned towbar (trailer hitch), we here in the U.S. (only in the last few years or so, that is) have been told our cars and wagons no longer should be used as tow vehicles. Each dealer and factory rep. I've contacted has provided a different reason why this is the case. In fact, yesterday at the Chicago Auto Show, I was told by a sales person that "... BMWs and MBs sold in the UK and Europe can tow because they're constructed differently from those sold here"; no specifics of what those "differences" might be,however.
As a result of this confusion, every time I hitch up our sailboat or utility trailer, I try to do so under the cover of darkness lest those who sell us our (less sturdy) cars here in the states are watching.
As an aside, My M61 with its self leveling rear suspension and after market hitch does a far better job of towing than the Saab 9-5s that I used in the past.
Al T.