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BMW want €3500 to supply and fit a tow bar

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  • 18-01-2021 11:55pm
    #1
    comerla
    Registered Users Posts: 229 ✭✭


    ..to a 5 year old 520.

    Seems a bit mad. I’m guessing they’re taking the piss?


Comments

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    #2
    Toyotafanboi
    Registered Users Posts: 12,917 ✭✭✭✭Toyotafanboi


    No, they just dont want to do it.

    I'm all for using main dealers but not for stuff like that.


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    #3
    comerla
    Registered Users Posts: 229 ✭✭comerla


    Makes sense. We’d found the reasonable with most things so now suddenly it seems obvious now that you mention it.

    Thanks for the two cents!


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    #4
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,113 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    What's nearly as mad is that you went and asked them for a price to fit a tow bar on a 5 year old car. :D


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    #5
    comerla
    Registered Users Posts: 229 ✭✭comerla


    Just starting to dol my research on it! I never knew there was such a thing as a tow bar fitter..


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    #6
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,113 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    Yep, lots of them around and they will be significantly cheaper too.


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  • Options
    #7
    jamfer
    Registered Users Posts: 91 ✭✭jamfer


    I've never paid more than €400 to get a tow bar fitted.


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    #8
    Wailin
    Registered Users Posts: 4,407 ✭✭✭Wailin


    Malcolms towbars in dublin. Did my old f10 with a detachable swan neck towbar so it can be easily removed when not in use. Cost around €500.


  • Options
    #9
    vurstflavor
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 46 ✭vurstflavor


    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QGXtRhcVFus


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    #10
    Stallingrad
    Registered Users Posts: 4,138 ✭✭✭Stallingrad


    Wailin wrote: »
    Malcolms towbars in dublin. Did my old f10 with a detachable swan neck towbar so it can be easily removed when not in use. Cost around €500.

    Same as Wailin.

    €3500?! Must be a fully electric retractable at that price.


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    #11
    Yakuza
    Registered Users Posts: 5,141 ✭✭✭Yakuza


    It's a grand to have one added when ordering from the factory (an X3 at least). I'd imagine there's a lot more work having to retrofit the same one to an existing car, which probably contributes to the the "PFO" quote.


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  • Options
    #12
    Mango Joe
    Registered Users Posts: 1,179 ✭✭✭Mango Joe


    €3,500 - Did that include the lube so you could have a sit and think afterwards????


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    #13
    mikeecho
    Registered Users Posts: 5,040 ✭✭✭mikeecho


    Don't know where you're located, but if in cork. I've used these guys a few times.

    Never had a problem, and find them well priced.

    http://www.murraytowbars.com/


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    #14
    NoBread
    Registered Users Posts: 91 ✭✭NoBread


    With the 520d, the BMW factory recommendation is that you upgrade the radiator fan when fitting a towbar to assist cooling. Standard fan is 400W, the recommended one with the towbar is 600W.
    If you're going to be towing a caravan, probably wise to do that work. If only something light, then I wouldn't bother.
    Either way, I'd avoid main dealer for that work. But something to consider.
    Also - there are plenty of guther's out there that will "fit" a towbar, so choose carefully! Take recommendations from someone who is mechanically minded, most people only look at the car before, see no towbar, drop it to man x - pay him as little as possible, see car after - towbar! Great, I'll recommend man x highly... he's great.
    They'd have no clue as to the quality of work done.


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    #15
    kirving
    Registered Users Posts: 5,889 ✭✭✭kirving


    Was it a bare minimum for a bike rack, or electric folding option, with wiring installation and upgrade of fan as NoBread mentioned?


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    #16
    i57dwun4yb1pt8
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,655 ✭✭✭i57dwun4yb1pt8


    i assume its so someone can tow the beemer ?


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    #17
    RandomViewer
    Registered Users Posts: 6,191 ✭✭✭RandomViewer


    NoBread wrote: »
    With the 520d, the BMW factory recommendation is that you upgrade the radiator fan when fitting a towbar to assist cooling. Standard fan is 400W, the recommended one with the towbar is 600W.
    If you're going to be towing a caravan, probably wise to do that work. If only something light, then I wouldn't bother.
    Either way, I'd avoid main dealer for that work. But something to consider.
    Also - there are plenty of guther's out there that will "fit" a towbar, so choose carefully! Take recommendations from someone who is mechanically minded, most people only look at the car before, see no towbar, drop it to man x - pay him as little as possible, see car after - towbar! Great, I'll recommend man x highly... he's great.
    They'd have no clue as to the quality of work done.

    That's just chancing their arm, fan will hardly ever cut in unless you are trying to pull a full cow trailer up a steep incline


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    #18
    RandomViewer
    Registered Users Posts: 6,191 ✭✭✭RandomViewer


    NoBread wrote: »
    With the 520d, the BMW factory recommendation is that you upgrade the radiator fan when fitting a towbar to assist cooling. Standard fan is 400W, the recommended one with the towbar is 600W.
    If you're going to be towing a caravan, probably wise to do that work. If only something light, then I wouldn't bother.
    Either way, I'd avoid main dealer for that work. But something to consider.
    Also - there are plenty of guther's out there that will "fit" a towbar, so choose carefully! Take recommendations from someone who is mechanically minded, most people only look at the car before, see no towbar, drop it to man x - pay him as little as possible, see car after - towbar! Great, I'll recommend man x highly... he's great.
    They'd have no clue as to the quality of work done.

    Main dealers rarely fit towbars themselves, they'll have an agreement with a nearby quick fitting outfit to farm the work out, handy money charging full MD rates to the customer


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    #19
    comerla
    Registered Users Posts: 229 ✭✭comerla


    I got a quote today for 395/ 595 for non-detachable/ detachable options by a crowd that look to be ok.

    This will be for a bike rack.

    Thanks all for the comments.


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