[RichM]

I wanted to fit a tow hitch to my E90 but was quoted around £500 ($792USD) just for a swan neck tow hitch.

Any idea why they're so expensive? I've had them fitted to other vehicles in recent years and paid half that price.

[Bimmer Nerd]

Cause they aren't meant to tow ?

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Nerd

Cause they aren't meant to tow ?

Edit:

My apologies, did not see that it was a 320D. I come in from the M3 forum and assumed he was talking about an E90M. Carry on.

[RichM]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Nerd

Cause they aren't meant to tow ?

That is absolutely nonsense. The 320d is rated to tow up to 1800kg. (3960 lbs) which is absolutely fine for towing European caravans (trailers) and small cargo trailers.

I don't know why many North Americans have the false perception that you need a SUV to tow anything. My 320d has more torque than my old Land Rover Discovery SUV and is perfectly capable at towing providing I don't exceed the rated towing weight.

Most BMWs have mounting points for installation of a tow hitch so I don't understand how anyone can say it's not designed to tow!

[Simsims]

Originally Posted by RichM

That is absolutely nonsense. The 320d is rated to tow up to 1800kg. (3960 lbs) which is absolutely fine for towing European caravans (trailers) and small cargo trailers.

I don't know why many North Americans have the false perception that you need a SUV to tow anything. My 320d has more torque than my old Land Rover Discovery SUV and is perfectly capable at towing providing I don't exceed the rated towing weight.

Most BMWs have mounting points for installation of a tow hitch so I don't understand how anyone can say it's not designed to tow!

they also think you need a van once you have kids

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by Simsims

they also think you need a van once you have kids

lol

[RADRACR]

The hitch itself or the labor? It's probably an "unusual" request for a shop that they think will take more time to perform? The hitch itself may cost more because less are made that fit the vehicle?

[Maestro]

You might be able to tow with a BMW, but you probably would not want to do it all the time.

It is hard on the transmission, engine and brakes, especially if the vehicle is not set up to handle it. I use to have pickups for hauling, but now I use family vehicle to tow a trailer to haul things and they all have towing packages on them. Heavy duty brakes, trany and engine coolers and beef up rear suspension.

[MisterSkiMask]

(not specific to e90, but in general) there is the piece itself, to do it properly at least the bumper and perhaps inner structure need to be removed and often modified. Then there is the wiring harness.

That price doesn't sound that bad to me, for a fixed hitch on an x5 it is more then that in the us

[immiketoo]

Our cars (Not necessarily M3s) have hitches all over in Europe. There's no problem towing.