towbar questions

[whattingh]

So today out of interest I phone the agents for a towbar for my e39 touring. here is the break down:
alu Towbar R9017
electronics R2937
9-7pin adaptor R427
fitment R2419
re-programming R1837

Around R17k to get a towbar from them i think not.

Now just a few questions:
1. is the re-programming really needed?
2. can one get the electronics some else other than the agents?

Thanks

 

[clutchplate]

holy crap, I am so glad mine came out with factory towbar.

you can just get a bosal towbar fitted at a supaquick or something, I think its quite abit less. but doesn't look as "factory".

dude, I tell you what, rather get a towbar and electronics from a scrapyard, it will be ALLOT cheaper, and then I'm sure one of us can help you out with re-programming.
I have a computer to do the programming, another friend of mine also on the forum in jhb has a computer, I know one or two guys in capetown have a computer.
what area are you in ?

 

[Beast_Power]

I can not believe the price you were quoted, I was quotes R13000.00 Fitted on the M5 and it was a removable that they quoted on.

Luckily we have a company called Autobar in Pretoria and they did it harness and all for R4700.00 inc vat (And it is removable)
They also did the 540 's towbar and they go out of their way not to cut into or through your rear bumper, like most of the others like speedy do.

With a big saving maybe time for a holiday in Gauteng

 

[zaleonardz]

Dude.

If you can find one off of a scrapyard, I can do the coding for you.

You dont really need the electronics, you could tap into the wiring, but thats sloppy, and may give you a bumb error.

Get the towbar + elec bits (You will see its very easily, from the tail lights, there are a series of bypass plugs on a harness)

Should maybe cost you 1k to 5k from a yard.. depending on how lucky you are.

 

[whattingh]

Thanks guys. I'm in cape town.

But so far i can not find a scrapyard in cpt yet that break up e39's I can get a bosal towbar but is going to look bit more for detachable one.

I have phoned few place like supaquick etc and they quote around R7-8k. At the time did not know about electronics and not sure if they include that.

If any of you nation wide find a towbar for e39 please let me know. Not so much in a hurry at the moment as the touring is big enough to put my bike in the back but a muddy mountain bike is not preferred inside the car.

 

[zaleonardz]

Yar, recoding may be a bit of a problem from here

If its just for the bike, why not look at a bike rack, you can bypass the entire light thing....

 

[whattingh]

I have a nice Thule bike rack with own light (law) that go on the towbar. If you bike/s partially cover number plate or light you must have a extra number plate and lights on. Some friend did get fines before cause a number plate was not clearly visible. And it is not just for the bike rack. From time to time trailor too.

 

[DG Strauss]

I picked up a original BMW towbar for an E46 for R2000.00, fitted it myself and having a ball in towing stuff around. Towbar SA also fits non original but decent ones for R1750.00.

 

[whattingh]

At the moment my big worry is the electronics. Cant find any sold info on it and I have pdc.

 

[whattingh]

Can anyone give me a reason why any of this would not work on my E39 touring

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/5-series-tourer-estate-e39-1997-2004-detachable-tow-bar.html

http://www.pfjones.co.uk/bmw-5-seri...-wiring-kit-mar-1997-apr-2004-19020511rc.html

 

[hoosain]

I can not believe the price you were quoted, I was quotes R13000.00 Fitted on the M5 and it was a removable that they quoted on.

Luckily we have a company called Autobar in Pretoria and they did it harness and all for R4700.00 inc vat (And it is removable)
They also did the 540 's towbar and they go out of their way not to cut into or through your rear bumper, like most of the others like speedy do.

With a big saving maybe time for a holiday in Gauteng

could you please ive me the telephone number for autobar i am looking for a removable towbar for my E60