F15 Tow Bar - dealer fit?

[PaulD]

Hi
I am just changing my E70 after 5 years and 120k miles. I have put a deposit down on a 65plate F15 4.0D MSport which we love. However the dealer is charging me £2,500 for an electric towbar or £2,050 for a standard detachable towbar.
The detachable bar we put on the E70 by an independant fitter was £650 and used all BMW parts.
Is the dealer overcharging or is this true cost for a dealer?
Many thanks
Paul

[mogsyman]

I would go with a Jones towbar - they use Westfalia which are identical to the BMW manual bars and as you say are £600 or so to fit.

Job jobbed.

[IanP]

Maybe that includes cooling system upgrade?

[X5Sport]

From memory, the retrofit is called up from a Dealer parts menu which says something like 12 hours to fit.

The official retrofit is mainly labour as they take half the car apart.  Necessary if you really want a BMW warranty, but very expensive considering it’s almost the same parts.  I’m sure aftermarket with the OEM parts is just as good.

[mogsyman]

[quote="X5Sport"]
From memory, the retrofit is called up from a Dealer parts menu which says something like 12 hours to fit.

The official retrofit is mainly labour as they take half the car apart.  Necessary if you really want a BMW warranty, but very expensive considering it’s almost the same parts.  I’m sure aftermarket with the OEM parts is just as good.
[/quote]

Prior to having mine fitted I confirmed with the dealer it would have no implications on the BMW warranty.

[PaulD]

Thanks all for the advice - much appreciated. Will go with local firm I have used before but also check on the warranty.

[BullyB]

I had my E70 and F15 detachable hitches installed by PF Jones
No issues and good value

[Dogzyboy]

[quote="BullyB"]
I had my E70 and F15 detachable hitches installed by PF Jones
No issues and good value
[/quote]
They’re doing mine in a couple of weeks too.

[elliot330]

I'm pretty sure the dealer has to fit a new torque converter and bigger electric fan. Hence the cost and time

[X5Sport]

Radiator maybe, but torque converter?

[elliot330]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Radiator maybe, but torque converter?
[/quote]

Just checked and my bad. Its just the electric fan that needs swapping. Not sure where I got the torque converter bit from sorry :-[