[fabkat]

hey folks, Was looking to get an aftermarket detachable tow bar fitted without going down the original BMW retrofit as pretty pricey, contacted Witter and they do not do one for the 335d apparently. Spoke to a local fitter recommended via their web site and was told he didn’t see one either for Westfalia, brink and PCT. Anyone had one fitted to the 335d recently? Sure I have saw via other older threads it has been done

[JNW1]

I considered fitting a tow bar to my F31 335d a couple of years and, although I never went through with it, there's no doubt it can be done! The people I discussed it with are per the link below, give them a call and I'm sure they'd be happy to tell you what the available options are; from memory there were a couple of alternatives and the cost would have been around £700 to £800 fitted (which was way cheaper than a retrofit from a BMW dealer!).

http://www.towbarstrailers.com

[Chris_340i]

That's odd. I have a witter tow bar on my F31 340i.

Albeit it came off my dads F31 330d.

[Stu In Blackpool]

Subscribed for info as buying a 2018 version today and will also be fitting a tow bar to it!

[fabkat]

Must admit i find it odd too, emailed brink, PCT and waiting for quote from BMW for parts only and fitting. i know you can pick up the BMW bar from ebay for 300 bucks but then there are a few other bits and coding needed i believe, car is LCI also.

[fabkat]

Quote from the $tealers

normal detachable one £1500 fitted inc VAT
Parts alone £900
swivel tow bar £1915

[kitster]

Originally Posted by fabkat

Quote from the $tealers

normal detachable one £1500 fitted inc VAT
Parts alone £900
swivel tow bar £1915

Holy f$%&

[muffking]

FYI this is the Westfalia detachable tow bar removed from my F31 330D and then refitted to my F30 330D.

The only difference with yours is the back box, but I can't see it being much bigger, if at all.

[Stainy]

Pf Jones seem to do them? This looks the same as fitted to my 435d. They state the 335 is excluded from certain models of towbar, but not this

[fabkat]

thanks folks, will see what they offer.

Just off the phone to PCT and they do do one so 499 plus vat using the by pass box. the fitters i spoke to apparently get cars from BMW as queried about dedicated electrics and warranty etc. For dedicated it was 780 inc VAT

[CJF30]

I paid about £500 for a Towtrust detachable swan neck with BMW electrics on my F30 35d - fitted by an independent towbar company in Stockport. Our caravan dealer recommended them and I’m very happy with it.

[bishbosh]

Have any of you with towbars also got the M performance diffuser? I've seen a detachable swan neck one (westfalia) from PF Jones, but says it's not suitable for those with the M Performance bodykit.

[kzg1969]

I had a detachable Westfalia (car's now sold) on my F31 335d msport (no diffuser).

I am sure i read a thread saying there is a tiny clash with the diffuser - but cant find it now.

[muffking]

It fouls the centre fin. Just needs a little trim.

[fabkat]

When doing some research i have spotted depending on what make of towbar you go for there is a field for bumper need cutting..

Bumper cut was either no or Non Visible, think that was on pfjones site

[bishbosh]

This is the one I'm thinking of https://www.pfjones.co.uk/bmw-3-seri...le-towbar.html

My mate has a retractable factory fitted towbar and with the diffuser there's about 1mm of clearance between it and the neck.

[kzg1969]

thats the one i had - 75kg nose weight can be a real challange depending on wha tyou tow. Think it is more related to the car though, IIRC.

[bishbosh]

It'd only be for a bike carrier, occasionally a small trailer.

[fabkat]

Went for this one too after speaking with PFJones https://www.pfjones.co.uk/bmw-3-seri...le-towbar.html

They were cheaper going through them and letting them arrange local fitter. I had called the local fitters in my area directly and saved about 200 bucks going via PFJones and that included the dedicated electrics.

For those that carrier bike racks what rack do you use?

Was thinking of either the BUZZ RACK Eazzy 4 bike folding and tilting rack which gets great reviews and weight comes in at 19.7 kg so leaves 55kg for two adult and two kids bikes (MTB) or 4 bikes - BUZZ RACK Buffalo tilting carrier which comes in at 12.4kg weight, price wise will work out pretty similar the time you add on the frame adapters.

Looks like second one will sit a bit higher but would be easier to stay under the 75kg nose limit.

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rb...7B~cC4ure_QXhe

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rb...7B~cC4ure5LA2V

[kzg1969]

I went for this one
https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rb...7B~cC4ure5H0op

not sure if the buzz rack was around at the time i bought mine - looks to be quite comaprable and much cheaper.

i found mine quite stable with 2 bikes but 3-4 bikes did need extra stability straps if towing at any speed.

wouldnt worry about the 75kg limit.............had mine at over 120kg towing the van (and it was still there at the end of the journey)

personally think the buffolo version will be a PITA with 4 bikes

[fabkat]

Thanks for the info. Ended up going for the Buzz rack so will see how that goes, only two adult and two kids mtb so should be fine.

Got the detachable Westfalia fitted today with dedicated electrics, was told no coding required to disable reverse sensor and i should see the little towbar symbol on the display when i attach the bike carrier to tell me that the car recognises a trailer etc, will know for sure once the Buzz Rack appears and connect it up. Without the towball on you would never know you had one as everything hidden away nicely.

[fabkat]

Quick update.

Fitted the bike rack on the towbar and nothing on the idrive screen regarding towing symbol and rear sensors going off so defo needs coding. Oh well taking it back to them to get it coded, they did mention they have the software but didn't need it for the car. mmmmm