E46 Tow bar fitting

[menace_spv]

hi

so i have run out of boot space in my ride, yes i do have a box with speakers inside the boot and don't want to drive without sound and dont want to change my car, as i im in love with it, so only alternative is to fit a tow bar and pull a trailer.

i though great easy enough until i was quoted for fitting a tow bar.

most places want R6.5k i shopped around and that seems to be the going rate. best price i got was from speedy for R4.7k fitted.

FYI

 

[AdiS]

Have you considered roof racks?

---

Towing is a pain. Rather see if you can get away with racks. I believe BMW makes an OEM set for E46. Speak to John and check the pricing.

 

[Donovan2412]

hi

so i have run out of boot space in my ride, yes i do have a box with speakers inside the boot and don't want to drive without sound and dont want to change my car, as i im in love with it, so only alternative is to fit a tow bar and pull a trailer.

i though great easy enough until i was quoted for fitting a tow bar.

most places want R6.5k i shopped around and that seems to be the going rate. best price i got was from speedy for R4.7k fitted.

FYI

 

[zyd283]

I've also been looking around for my E46. Found a guy on gumtree with a removable towbar but will need to source the bracket that bolts onto the car.

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

 

[Gizmo]

Go scrapyard hunting and pick up an original removable towbar, will be cheaper than those ugly bosal ones Speedy fit to cars.

 

[Maljan]

When buying a used OEM towbar, make sure you get all the bits that go with it. The factory fitted towbar comes with a little key that you use to take the ball off or lock it in place. There is a foam thingy to hold the ball that sits inside the spare wheel. That is where you store the key as well, it will not fit onto your keyring. As you can imagine, life without the key will be interesting.

Then there is an adapter for the South African type of trailer light socket. Without it you are on you own when hooking up the lights of your trailer, i.e. up the creek without a paddle.

Any of the above not included? Ask for a significant discount. A locksmith might be able to make up a new key. And your friendly dealer might have that adapter in stock. But find out before you part with your money.

Finally, there is a dinky little pink piece of plastic (with a BMW logo on top) to protect you from any grease on the ball. You could live without this, or find a replacement (without that logo) at a caravan shop.

The bumper cover is different as well. There is a cover that slides in place when the ball is not mounted. You should be able to cut you bumper to make room for the and get by without the cover.

Here is a good starting point to see what is involved.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=ET36-EUR-05-2002-E46-BMW-325i&diagId=03_1037

 

[menace_spv]

Have you considered roof racks?

---

Towing is a pain. Rather see if you can get away with racks. I believe BMW makes an OEM set for E46. Speak to John and check the pricing.

---

i am transporting a large amount of luggage as we going camping, so besides the speakers taking up space my gazebo does not fit in the boot etc etc. pulling a trailer only option for me. thanks for the advice !!!