Trailer hitch for a 2007 328

[AEsco48]

Dont see any thing official from BMW and cant find any solid results on google...

Want to trailer a 250lb motorcycle

[Kernel Kurtz]

Without commenting on the feasibility of the installation, I will say it will really hurt your resale value.

[AEsco48]

Bolt ON...Bolt OFF

[Mad Dragon]

Bolt ON...Bolt OFFIt's not that simple.

[The HACK]

If you have access to the ETK, look into the European accessories portion.

We attached an Euro trailer hitch to a friend's E46. It involves a lot of re-wiring and tapping into various wires, in addition to that, you need to cut a hole in your rear bumper to accommodate the hitch and replace the shock absorbers on the bumper support. Don't know how extensive it'll have to be on the E9x platform, but it can't possibly be easier.

And the hitch was only rated for a few hundred pounds. I'm not sure if you're going to be able to tow the bike if you consider the weight of the bike AND the trailer. It's do-able...But to reverse it for resale will likely cost you as much as it cost to install the hitch.

By the way, the parts cost over $1,200. We did the works ourselves and it took about 4 hours, so factor in probably another 2-3 hours of labor, you're looking at $1,500 for the hitch.

[AEsco48]

Going to get under the car this weekend and check it out, might just fabricate the tow bar myself....we will see if not the options from across the pond look good as well..

[The HACK]

Going to get under the car this weekend and check it out, might just fabricate the tow bar myself....we will see if not the options from across the pond look good as well..

If my speculation is correct, you can't just add a tow bar on the car. You need to have the replacement solid bars attached to the bumper support that attaches to the frame of the chassis.

We had to get a reinforced bumper support and the replacement solid attachment to replace the 5mph crash shocks on the bumper in order to make the trailer hitch "compliant".

[Mad Dragon]

A DIY hack job is going to hurt your car's resale value (and the car itself) worse than a BMW-approved kit, which does exist. It includes electronics which require rewiring and programming, and it takes several hours to install.

[trek1500]

Don't do it!

[MrOffshore]

I normally wouldn't comment on a thread like this, but this is a major mistake...for more than one reason. The car simply was not designed to tow anything...regardless of weight...none of the dynamics are set up correctly. You must have some kind of alternative...if not buy some beater piece of crap pickup truck and save the embarressment and ridicule that will most certainly follow. If by chance you do follow through with this, please post images...I hate to see it, but it's like a bad accident, I just won't be able to look away.

Good luck in your quest.

[Mad Dragon]

The car simply was not designed to tow anything...regardless of weight...none of the dynamics are set up correctly. Maybe you missed my post, but BMW does make a trailer hitch for the E90/1/2.

[sor]

You know, in Europe it's pretty common to tow with cars, even smaller ones. Not two ton loads, mind you, but campers and single axle things of that size. In the US everyone is shocked by the mere mention. No, around here they'd rather drive $50k trucks that get 10mpg and have frighteningly bad handling at freeway speeds even if they have nothing to tow.

[mryakan]

You know, in Europe it's pretty common to tow with cars, even smaller ones. Not two ton loads, mind you, but campers and single axle things of that size. In the US everyone is shocked by the mere mention. No, around here they'd rather drive $50k trucks that get 10mpg and have frighteningly bad handling at freeway speeds even if they have nothing to tow.
If my memory serves me right, I saw an SLK towing a small trailer in a tourist town North of Milan, Italy. Looked odd to me, but then can't blame the guy who was going on vacation in an SLK for doing that. I've had that car for a few days and you couldn't fit more than a duffel bag with the top down.

[TambourineMan]

I deferred my plan to get a 335xi and got a Subaru Outback first. I was planning to get a trailer hitch for the BMW and now for the OBW, but decided to get a Thule 16 cu. ft. cargo box instead - even though the OBW will take a trailer hitch no problem (up 2.5 to 3k lbs). Fortunately I don't want to trailer a motorcycle, but rather just have more cargo space so my yellow lab will have enough room. A trailer is a hassle and I hope to avoid it with the cargo container. I do need to be able to get my small (16') boats to a landing about 1/2 mile away, but so far my neighbor with his truck takes care of me. There is another thread here on what is said to be a common practice in Europe to tow trailers behind BMW's. I do not see why it would not be doable.

[MrOffshore]

Maybe you missed my post, but BMW does make a trailer hitch for the E90/1/2.

I didn't miss it...but remember just because someone makes a hitch for something...even it's BMW themselves it doesn't mean the car is intended to tow things. I can tell you from my vast experience in building trailers and having owned a automotive service facility for over 10 years that even cars or trucks that people think "are" designed to tow things actually have very little true towing service. Their components (engine, transmission, suspension, frame) just aren't designed for the rigors associated with the extra duty required.

I've seen more Ford Explorers and Jeep Grand Cherokee's with burned up trannies because people thought they were actually tow vehicles. Now I realize the OP was talking about minimal weight, but it simply doesn't change the dynamics of what the car was really designed for...can it tow?? Yes, of course...even a golf cart can tow things, but you are putting so much more wear on the vehicle it's just not a wise thing to do. Hell, my Suburban is an extremely poor tow vehicle by most peoples standards...I tow a 4500# trailer every once in a while and it's terrible (and I even have AutoRide) it's just not a towing vehicle....just my opinion and experience.