Towbar on X5

[Windymiller]

I'm looking at getting an X5, and it has to have a towbar. I've heard dealer-fit ones are a fair few £, so are there any other decent options (detachable) or is the BM one the best?

Also, is anything there as standard - is it just a case of getting the actual BMW-bar itself, or it a full fitment job?

All the (indy) dealers I've been to so far offer different advice!

[splitpin]

On my 04 X5, I have the factory fitted detached towbar and it works brilliantly; when you get used to it, from apparently 'no towbar' to 'fully functioning towbar' takes about two minutes. The receiver tube for the detachable swan neck will be visible by removing the black central cover (all X5s have this irrespective of whether they've got a towbar because that's where the removable vehicle towing eye is screwed on) and looking up; no tube, no factory fitted towbar; if there, then the rest of it should be under the boot floor mat (or slidng floor if it happens to have that option); its worth having a good look: I reckon there'll be a few X5s out there where say a second owner won't actually know they have got a towbar!

If it doesn't have one, there are several options; both fixed and detachable, such as from Witter; plenty of specialists around and I'd take a guess (note a guess) at about £550 for a detachable (£s permitting, thats the one to go for) and around £300 for a fixed, both supplied, fixed and wired. Suggest you get a quote from a BMW Dealer at least for comparison purposes.

[justtourin1]

Hi, having recently purchased an X5 without a towbar, I’m in the market for one.
Local Indy has quoted £490 all inc. for a Witter detachable.

[pgilc1]

Mine was a £650 option when new, but that includes an upgraded radiator too.

[sniff petrol]

pgilc1 said:

Mine was a £650 option when new, but that includes an upgraded radiator too.

That's more than I paid for my van that I use to tow with!

[stockhatcher]

dealer retro fitment about £1200. its reasonably complicated due to bus systems and other wiring nightmares and then trying to tie it all in.

you get after market ones cheaper, but generally the fitter will curse you for the extra work of trying to make the thing work, i.e trailer lights etc.

its about £600 if ordered as an option on a new car.

best option is the dealer fitted one for piece of mind etc, if you havn't bought the car, you could get them to throw in the fitment as part of the deal... well at least some of the cost

[pgilc1]

sniff petrol said:

pgilc1 said:

Mine was a £650 option when new, but that includes an upgraded radiator too.

That's more than I paid for my van that I use to tow with!

Dont even start me on the price of alloy wheel upgrades then! :-(