Fitting a Westfalia Towbar

[MiketheMo]

Hi Guys, have read some excellent posts regarding fitment of towbars. Westfalia seems to be the obvious choice. I’m thinking of getting the dedicated wiring kit, to go with it. I’ve been told to check if the car has trailer prep in the options list. I have checked the VIN decode and it’s not listed.
However there is a black 10 pin socket looking like a likely suspect at back of boot...

Was this a standard fit? Car is 2001 X5 4.4.

[X5Sport]

If you go to bmwvin dot com and put the last 7 characters of your VIN into it, you should get the factory build spec back.  That will tell you what options were fitted when the car was built 

[MiketheMo]

Thanks. Yes I checked that list, and it’s not there... was this definitely an optional extra?

[X5Sport]

It was when I ordered mine in 2005.  Two choices were offered, tow bar prep or tow bar fitted.  I went with fitted.

However, a lot of E53 models had a common wiring loom which generally covered everything, unlike today’s models which only include what wiring is actually needed.

The P F Jones website usually has the downloads for the wiring kits (you need to go to that specific section) such as here:  https://www.pfjones.co.uk/westfalia_fit ... 300113.pdf

This should tell you what to look for, and it is definitely worth having the dedicated wiring kit.

[MiketheMo]

Cheers X5Sport..

Having read that document (kindly supplied by you), I am fairly sure that I have the Central 12 pin plug fitted, that’s the plug at the right side of the tailgate. So hopefully the rest of the install is there, despite not being listed in the options list.

[Alan Gunn]

You will need one of these as well it plugs in by the battery.
Shuts off the parking sensors(when in reverse) and sorts the light check out.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-320-330- ... Sw3YNXa8II

[MiketheMo]

I was hoping that was included in the fitting kit?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westfalia-To ... 0624974119

But if not, thanks for the link and I will get one such as that ordered up...

[Alan Gunn]

Don't think it is in that kit.
The link i sent was just for reference so you know what you are looking for.
Think i paid around £15 for mine.

[MiketheMo]

ok, will check that out tomorrow... checked realoem. Part number required is 61. 35-6908767.

There’s one available on eBay for £35, others at £60.

Thanks for the input.

[Alan Gunn]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-X5-E53-E ... Swh5hbBoGP

[MiketheMo]

The module appears to be included in the kit...

[henrym3]

Hope everything goes well.

[MiketheMo]

As part of the rejuvenation, I dropped the car to the bodyshop to get 17 years of slight bumps and scrapes taken out of it, last week.

Whilst I fancied doing the tow-bar job myself, with that fabulous DIY, seemed sensible to let them do it, as back bumper was coming off anyway to get tidied up. The towbar is fitted, but havent got it back yet, it was easy enough, so they say.

The slight car park dents in the doors were an issue, as the dent man didnt want to fix those as my car has double glazed side windows. Expensive to replace apparently, if he makes a mistake. Do most of the X5's have double glazing?