Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Detachable Towbar

Discuss anything to do with the (E83) BMW X3 here
(Older F25 discussion within will ideally to be moved to F25 Sub section below)
Post Reply
jagr
Member
Member
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 4:08 am
Location: Cheshire

Detachable Towbar

Post by jagr » Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:08 pm

Finally had a good day (weather wise) so decided to fit my westfalia detachable towbar

Image

Image

Image
2011 BMW X3 30d M Sport

User avatar
Insight G40
Member
Member
Posts: 164
Joined: Sun May 31, 2015 10:59 pm
Location: Hampshire

Re: Detachable Towbar

Post by Insight G40 » Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:53 pm

Was it as easy as the E53 Westfalia one to fit?
E53 Sept 2006 3.0D Sport

jagr
Member
Member
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 4:08 am
Location: Cheshire

Re: Detachable Towbar

Post by jagr » Tue Apr 19, 2016 11:37 pm

[quote="Insight G40"]
Was it as easy as the E53 Westfalia one to fit?
[/quote]

Yes, the only hard part was refitting the bumper. You really have to use some force and thats not natural on bodywork.
2011 BMW X3 30d M Sport

Bill Surgin
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2017 12:41 pm

Re: Detachable Towbar

Post by Bill Surgin » Mon Jan 30, 2017 12:50 pm

Hi,

I, too have an X3 (E83) M Sport (Year 2007-2011), and have a Westphalia Removable towbar on order, but the towbar installer is having difficulty obtaining the bumper insert from BMW, who say that it is not possible to obtain the insert for my model (they are saying that the insert can only be bought for non 'M Sport' models).

I originally had a fixed towbar inserted, and they cut out a section of the bumper to allow this, but it looks naff, so I decided to invest in a detachable towbar, so that I could use an insert panel (as you have done).

Would you mind telling me the part number that you used and where you sourced it, and if you also had to buy the bumper (with an insert pre-cut) or did you use a template to cut out the panel?

Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated - I thought this was going to be a lot easier than it has.

Cheers,

B

jagr
Member
Member
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 4:08 am
Location: Cheshire

Re: Detachable Towbar

Post by jagr » Mon Jan 30, 2017 5:29 pm

I just cut it out and have not bothered with the cover as I don't remove my towbar. I only buy the detachable in case I want to.

If you want the genuine ones you could ask Ed Matysiak on here.

Or ebay:

eBay item number:201770214987

eBay item number:112266374496
Last edited by jagr on Mon Jan 30, 2017 5:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2011 BMW X3 30d M Sport

Bill Surgin
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2017 12:41 pm

Re: Detachable Towbar

Post by Bill Surgin » Tue Jan 31, 2017 10:41 am

Hi Jagr,

Thanks for coming back to me. Since I already have a notch cut out of bumper, I am going to take a punt and order one of the inserts (they are not too dear) and hopefully it will just be a matter of making the cut out match (the guys originally made a pretty discrete cut - so hopefully the insert requires a bigger cut). If the current cut is too big, I may have to have a rethink. If it is any help to you, once I get the item I will work out the dimensions as this may be an option for you - i.e. you may able to adjust your cut out to match the insert. The insert is only 27.99, so it is not too dear.

However, really appreciate you taking the time to come back to me so quickly.

Cheers,

B

Post Reply