Towing on 140i not possible? other car options?

[markg100]

Am I right in thinking the BMW 140I cannot tow a trailer? around 2016 / 17 model
I am deciding on my next car and the 140i was at the top of my list but if it cant have a detachable towbar it might have moved a long way down.
Although if I go onto the pfjones website apparently this car has great towing possibilities it says so anyone have any more knowledge?

It is to Tow a motorcycle to a few track days.

Joint top was a Jag XE S - but I have just found out the S doesnt take a tow bar either, needs to be a none S version like the 240.
Other options of cars were, Audi S3, S4, S5 but open to other ideas.
Fast RWD cars are probably not the best for towing?

Might have to just ride a bike to the track and try not crash it so I can ride it home after

Edited by markg100 on Sunday 15th September 15:44

[alpinab3]

340i touring?

[alpinab3]

340i touring?

[ZX10R NIN]

Alpina B3 or if it has to be new 340i.

[4rephill]

markg100 said:

Am I right in thinking the BMW 140I cannot tow a trailer? around 2016 / 17 model
I am deciding on my next car and the 140i was at the top of my list but if it cant have a detachable towbar it might have moved a long way down.
Although if I go onto the pfjones website apparently this car has great towing possibilities it says so anyone have any more knowledge?

It is to Tow a motorcycle to a few track days.

Joint top was a Jag XE S - but I have just found out the S doesnt take a tow bar either, needs to be a none S version like the 240.
Other options of cars were, Audi S3, S4, S5 but open to other ideas.
Fast RWD cars are probably not the best for towing?

Might have to just ride a bike to the track and try not crash it so I can ride it home after

Edited by markg100 on Sunday 15th September 15:44

It's all very well companies such as pfjones saying they can fit a towbar to an M140i, but the car isn't homologated for towing, so if you have an accident, and towing a trailer proves to be a factor in the accident - Guess what your insurance company are going to say: "Sorry sir, but you shouldn't have been towing a trailer, so your insurance is void!"

Of course, I'm sure all of the companies who install towbars on cars not homologated for towing, will cover any damages caused by you illegally towing a trailer

Give pfjones a call and ask them about how they cover any damages caused by you towing a trailer or caravan with their towbar fitment - Bet I can guess the answer!

[markg100]

Thanks a lot for the replies guys.
I will have £20k max to spend on a car.
340i touring could maybe just stretch to, they have a tow bar fitted as standard?
I have a 2014 328i now and I just don’t find it very exciting so a 3 series estate I’m not sure about but maybe that bigger engine in the 340 would help.

Thanks for the advise 4rephill , sounds like just because they can do it doesn’t make it legal.

[Obee72]

markg100 said:

Thanks a lot for the replies guys.
I have a 2014 328i now and I just don’t find it very exciting so a 3 series estate I’m not sure about but maybe that bigger engine in the 340 would help.

328i's are in my list of potentials currently. Interested to know what is it you're not keen on with it ?

[markg100]

Obee72 said:

328i's are in my list of potentials currently. Interested to know what is it you're not keen on with it ?

Hey Obee,
I have the M performance sport and it certainly doesn't feel as fast as the 0-60 times say, the suspension is also very stiff which I wouldn't mind at all if it had the performance to back it up. So its not a comfortable car but for me its not a fast car either.
I also have the Manual and find the gear changes very notchy, just doesn't feel very smooth so I would certainly recommend the Auto.
It certainly isn't a bad car but driving it doesn't excite me.
I would consider another 3 series but for me it has to be a 3 ltr engine and auto.

Loved the engine in my 2010 135i coupe, that was also my first auto which i didnt want at the time but it was so smooth, maybe I am trying to compare the 328i to the 135i too much but I would take the 135i again anytime.

[Longtime Lurker]

4rephill said:

It's all very well companies such as pfjones saying they can fit a towbar to an M140i, but the car isn't homologated for towing,

I'm assuming that if had a cycle carrier or luggage rack on the towbar there wouldn't be an issue?

[b14]

markg100 said:

Thanks a lot for the replies guys.
I will have £20k max to spend on a car.
340i touring could maybe just stretch to, they have a tow bar fitted as standard?
I have a 2014 328i now and I just don’t find it very exciting so a 3 series estate I’m not sure about but maybe that bigger engine in the 340 would help.

Thanks for the advise 4rephill , sounds like just because they can do it doesn’t make it legal.

The F31 340i (Touring) doesn't have them fitted as standard as such, but it is a factory option I understand - so it has been homologated for towing. There's a few different retrofit options.

If the 340i is out of budget, don't forget the F31 335i that is a fine car and really not very different to the 340i (different engine, similar power, non-LCI)

[Obee72]

markg100 said:

Hey Obee,
I have the M performance sport and it certainly doesn't feel as fast as the 0-60 times say, the suspension is also very stiff which I wouldn't mind at all if it had the performance to back it up. So its not a comfortable car but for me its not a fast car either.
I also have the Manual and find the gear changes very notchy, just doesn't feel very smooth so I would certainly recommend the Auto.
It certainly isn't a bad car but driving it doesn't excite me.
I would consider another 3 series but for me it has to be a 3 ltr engine and auto.

Loved the engine in my 2010 135i coupe, that was also my first auto which i didnt want at the time but it was so smooth, maybe I am trying to compare the 328i to the 135i too much but I would take the 135i again anytime.

Thanks for that, nice to have some owner experience.

I guess when they put the 2.0 4 pot petrol in a bigger car, its got to work a bit harder than in the smaller 1 series. I'll hopefully test drive one at some point and see what I reckon.

[markg100]

[/quote]

The F31 340i (Touring) doesn't have them fitted as standard as such, but it is a factory option I understand - so it has been homologated for towing. There's a few different retrofit options.

If the 340i is out of budget, don't forget the F31 335i that is a fine car and really not very different to the 340i (different engine, similar power, non-LCI)

[/quote]

Thanks for that B14, I am sure I will like the 3 series with the 3 ltr engine so I’ll take a look at the models you suggested
Loved my N54 engine.
Or just not crash with the 140i towbar
I’ll have to have a think.

[eldar]

markg100 said:

Thanks a lot for the replies guys.
I will have £20k max to spend on a car.
340i touring could maybe just stretch to, they have a tow bar fitted as standard?
I have a 2014 328i now and I just don’t find it very exciting so a 3 series estate I’m not sure about but maybe that bigger engine in the 340 would help.

Thanks for the advise 4rephill , sounds like just because they can do it doesn’t make it legal.

If the car had a factory towbar option when new, then fine. If it didn't check it is homologated for towing, and if it isn't proceed with great care.