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

Tow bars

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E70).
Tweaky
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:19 pm

Re: Tow bars

Post by Tweaky » Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:05 pm

They told me that it is not an additional fan that is fitted but a more effective one in place of the standard one.....you would have thought this better fan would have been fitted as standard.  It really leads you down the whole, 'is the car fit for purpose' argument, but I guess that is a hiding to nothing and life is too short.

User avatar
Don Coffey
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 2452
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:25 am
Location: Here, there and everywhere

Re: Tow bars

Post by Don Coffey » Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:58 pm

The fan is only required if you want your towing capacity increased to 3.5t so long as you don't exceed the plated towing weight you will not invalidate the warranty.

Don
Image

Tweaky
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:19 pm

Re: Tow bars

Post by Tweaky » Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:47 pm

Ok so what you are saying s that if I am only going to tow a caravan of 1800kg max then I don't need to have the fan?  Where is this information coming from?  I would like to point westerly bmw in Barnstaple to it before they fit the fan

User avatar
Don Coffey
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 2452
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:25 am
Location: Here, there and everywhere

Re: Tow bars

Post by Don Coffey » Sat Feb 16, 2013 8:30 am

There should be a plate in the car that gives the weight restrictions. Ill have a poke around and post a pic on finding.

Don
Image

Horizon
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 2599
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 7:34 pm
Location: Bury Lancashire

Re: Tow bars

Post by Horizon » Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:00 am

Look in your owners handbook, there is a section on towing a trailer. There is no mention of extra fans. If they are instructing you in the handbook that its designed to tow a trailer, carry on regardless. These cars are shipped all over the world, to high altitudes and countries that have + 40 degree ambient temperatures as the norm.
I know the Peakdistrict is a little elevated, but its not the Sevanne.
I would cancel the fan if I was you, or ask for written evidence that you require one from the Stealer.
2011 Kia Sorento KX3  2.2D 60 Plate Auto in black ( mine )
BMW E83 X3.  3.0d M Sport, 2008 in black ( now gone )
BMW E93 330i Convertible  Msport  2007.  ( Now sold )
VW Golf 2.0 TDI 140 GT 2010 ( now sold )
Now Sold 55 plate, X5, 3.0 D Sport. Silv

User avatar
Don Coffey
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 2452
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:25 am
Location: Here, there and everywhere

Re: Tow bars

Post by Don Coffey » Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:03 am

Right,

Getting to the bottom of the issue here.  From what I can find in the manual, in the technical section, all reference is to a towing weight of 3500kg. And talks about a combined limit of 5975kg for my car, however there is a plate low down on the B pillar that gives four figures.  The max vehicle weight, the max combined weight and then the max weight per axel.  See attached picture.
Image
So simple take the second figure (max combined weight) away from the top figure (max vehicle weight) and you have the max towing weight of your vehicle.  In my case a towing figure of 2820kg.

Don
Image

User avatar
Reusch
Member
Member
Posts: 970
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2012 7:17 pm
Location: Blackpool
Contact:

Re: Tow bars

Post by Reusch » Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:13 pm

Lets cut to the chase its bmw trying screw a few quid out of you buddy.
JFT96.YNWA

Current
Jaguar XF

Previous
Porsche Cayenne 3.2 (money pit)
BMW X5 3.0D
Mercedes C Class,Mazda RX8,Jaguar S Type 3.0.

Whitey
Member
Member
Posts: 81
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 4:27 pm
Location: East Calder

Re: Tow bars

Post by Whitey » Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:20 pm

The real oem site mentions the fan , but I'm fitting a after market one .

How many have ££££ BMW are asking to have these retro-fit towbars fitted , I think it's a rip off
Current- sapphire black 40d
Past- silver e70 4.8 se , aero kit, 21" 162 alloys
Past- space grey 535d
Past- imola red e53 4.8is
Past- carbon black e53 3.0d

Avtar
Member
Member
Posts: 362
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 2:04 pm
Location: Chertsey, Surrey

Re: Tow bars

Post by Avtar » Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:16 pm

Gents, do you think I would encounter any issues with regards to have the Aero Pack on my car?
Current Drives:

Alpina D5 BiTurbo
E70 3.0sD SE (Sold)
E46 330 Convertible
Alpina B3 S BiTurbo (SOLD)

History:

E39 528 Sport, 530 Sport
E38 735 Sport
E36 318iS, 320, 325

User avatar
Black X5
Member
Member
Posts: 296
Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2011 7:00 pm
Location: West Midlands

Re: Tow bars

Post by Black X5 » Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:24 pm

The aero kit has a large removable piece at the bottom centre- i'm guessing this is for fitment of a tow bar.
E70 3.0D SE, Black with Black - Gone but not forgotten!  >:D

Whitey
Member
Member
Posts: 81
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 4:27 pm
Location: East Calder

Re: Tow bars

Post by Whitey » Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:27 pm

[quote="Black X5"]
The aero kit has a large removable piece at the bottom centre- i'm guessing this is for fitment of a tow bar.
[/quote]

Yep there is a section that can be removed , mind you I've never removed mine
Current- sapphire black 40d
Past- silver e70 4.8 se , aero kit, 21" 162 alloys
Past- space grey 535d
Past- imola red e53 4.8is
Past- carbon black e53 3.0d

Tweaky
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:19 pm

Re: Tow bars

Post by Tweaky » Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:30 pm

Many thanks for the input and advise, it is much appreciated  :)

Post Reply