BMW want €3500 to supply and fit a tow bar

comerla · 18-01-2021 11:55pm #1

..to a 5 year old 520.

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

Toyotafanboi · 18-01-2021 11:58pm

No, they just dont want to do it.

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

comerla · 19-01-2021 12:08am

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!

bazz26 · 19-01-2021 12:14am

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.

comerla · 19-01-2021 12:16am

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

bazz26 · 19-01-2021 12:19am

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

jamfer · 19-01-2021 1:01am

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

Wailin · 19-01-2021 3:59am

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.

vurstflavor · 19-01-2021 4:38am

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

Stallingrad · 19-01-2021 10:43am

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.

Yakuza · 19-01-2021 11:15am

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.

Mango Joe · 19-01-2021 11:34am

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

mikeecho · 19-01-2021 11:37am

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/

NoBread · 19-01-2021 2:35pm

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.

kirving · 19-01-2021 4:53pm

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

i57dwun4yb1pt8 · 19-01-2021 6:13pm

i assume its so someone can tow the beemer ?

RandomViewer · 19-01-2021 6:30pm

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

RandomViewer · 19-01-2021 6:34pm

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

comerla · 20-01-2021 1:08am

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.

BMW want €3500 to supply and fit a tow bar

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