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Re: Tow bars

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:05 pm
by Tweaky
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.

Re: Tow bars

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

Re: Tow bars

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:47 pm
by Tweaky
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

Re: Tow bars

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

Re: Tow bars

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:00 am
by Horizon
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.

Re: Tow bars

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

Re: Tow bars

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:13 pm
by Reusch
Lets cut to the chase its bmw trying screw a few quid out of you buddy.

Re: Tow bars

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:20 pm
by Whitey
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

Re: Tow bars

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:16 pm
by Avtar
Gents, do you think I would encounter any issues with regards to have the Aero Pack on my car?

Re: Tow bars

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:24 pm
by 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.

Re: Tow bars

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:27 pm
by Whitey
[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

Re: Tow bars

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 3:30 pm
by Tweaky
Many thanks for the input and advise, it is much appreciated  :)