[spta97]

Originally Posted by lagunablue1

That's a great idea! I've heard about airbags before for leaf spring trucks, but I didn't know they made coil helper bags. It looks like firestone makes 15-20 version of the kit, so it would just be a matter of measuring the inner diameter and length of the springs.

Actually - something like that would definitely allow one to lower their X3M on springs or MSS and still be able to tow. Definitely something to do a bit more research on...

Cool! Tons of Armadas (and I assume other truck makes) use them with success.

Worth looking into if you plan to tow a fair amount with the X3M.

[ghaffari46]

Just be mindful of your gearbox when you tow such a large load. You may have enough hp and torque but M car gearboxes are not build to pull loads, especially on lower gear and high RPM for a long period of time (pulling a boat uphill)

[bigjae1976]

That's pretty cool to see the X3M towing. What is the total weight? I've explored an X5 as a tow vehicle but the hitch ends up being too low so I tend to drag the jack over driveways. Not sure if an air suspension system will help.

bmwsalespro has a point. BMW could deny warranty claims if there is aftermarket coding or hardware that could have contributed to the failure. If there's an aftermarket hitch and the transmission overheats, then BMW could say that you were towing and the car is not designed to tow. Therefore, won't warranty the transmission.

Whether it's true or not, then it's up to you to fight with BMW to maybe get it covered.

Yes, BMW pulls data for any major repair. If they see coding for lighting and the engine blows up, likely not an issue. If they see a tune that increases the boost, definitely an issue.

So the question is how much pain are you willing to endure?

But the OP is in Canada. Might be different.

[i4Dravit]

Originally Posted by lagunablue1

Once again, you're wrong. As a BMW sales "pro", I would expect you to be more knowledgeable about the product you sell. Please enlighten me - which G01 model comes with rear air suspension? Actually, I'll save you the trouble - NO G01 X3 comes with factory rear air suspension. That X3 20D pictured has "adaptive" suspension just like the X3M - the dampers can be adjusted, but not the springs/ride height.

I was waiting for this. I'm glad the BMW Sales "Pro" knows what he is talking about.

Zero X3's come with air suspension. Sounds like this guy just went to his parts "Pro" and asked for ammo for the forums. Turns out that "Pro" isn't much of a pro either.

Just be sure to put the high load (Premium) air in your tires before towing. My Service Pro told me to swap out the non-towing air in my tires for higher load rated air when towing.

Jokes aside, Congrats on the install and boat purchase! Looks awesome.

[Anmolbains23]

Man that set up would be a sight to see at the dock that's Forsure, how was that?

[4everkidd]

This thread has been entertaining to say the least. Congrats on the X3M and the trailer hitch setup! Looks deadly.
I got the same gruff hauling a E36 M3 on a stealth hitch / car hauler with my X5M

[Fugly M3]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

Seeing this thread makes me like my X3 MC even more.

Looked into this...didn't believe it was possible on the X3 M/MC models, so wow, impressive. OP, the M40i is rated to tow around 2k kgs (4400lbs) when equipped with factory hitch, so makes sense. I can't believe a 19' Yamaha with trailer weighs that much. Our 2005 Chris Craft Speedster (20' LOA) with 5.0 MerCruiser on dual axle braked trailer is about that.

[Poochie]

I'm sure if you try, you could pull a boat trailer with a Toyota Camry but why.. 🤷🏻

If I had boat money, then a reasonable-priced pickup truck to haul it around shouldn't be that farfetched. The M SUV bimmer stays at home or tails it, minus the anchor - unless it's a lease of course.. 😁

[akgambino]

Great thread lol sales pro guy sounds pretty dumb with all the auto levelling suspension stuff lol

But what I wonder is if the OP can afford any major service that will come up on his new x3m because he has surely voided his warranty by adding a tow hitch to this vehicle why not just buy another cheap vehicle to tow your boat a couple times a year? Guaranteed bmw will fight you tooth and nail on any future warranty claim regardless of other x3's being offered with tow packages and how much research you do.

[pit1]

Be careful with Payload, that's the total allowable cargo capacity. You can find the number on the driver door frame. Most vehicles will exceed payload limits well before tow limits, and most salesmen or techs won't bother to educate.

The tongue weight of your trailer/boat is considered cargo and a reduction to payload. I'm guessing a mid-size luxo, performance crossover like the X3M will have a payload of only 1,000lbs, which will vary depending on the vehicle equipment. Assuming your boat's tongue weight is 10% of gross, you'll consume 400lbs of payload. Add a few adults and cargo and you're over the limit. If that happens to exceed the Gross Combine Weight Rating (GVWR) and you find yourself in an accident, your insurance may not cover you in some states.

Only sharing this from experience. I attempted to tow a 3,500 lbs trailer with a XC90, which is more capable than X3M, and found myself exceeding safety thresholds well before the 5,000lb tow capacity. I'm sure the car feels great under tow, as did the Volvo, but please stay safe.

[davmanm5]

Your about 1300lbs shy of 4000lbs on that boat....unless fuel weighs in at 30lbs per gal. Your more likely around 2750lbs wet on trailer.

[lonestar22]

Originally Posted by bmwsalepro

My point is trying to help avoid a catastrophe. After 27yrs with BMW I've seen a lot.
How about this: Call BMWNA and ask them why they don't offer the Towing Package on your M in America.
And one more thing: I'm glad you're confident!

So basically what you're saying is the X3m that's built in the same factory can't handle a hitch in America but can overseas for what reason?

[lonestar22]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

That's pretty cool to see the X3M towing. What is the total weight? I've explored an X5 as a tow vehicle but the hitch ends up being too low so I tend to drag the jack over driveways. Not sure if an air suspension system will help.

bmwsalespro has a point. BMW could deny warranty claims if there is aftermarket coding or hardware that could have contributed to the failure. If there's an aftermarket hitch and the transmission overheats, then BMW could say that you were towing and the car is not designed to tow. Therefore, won't warranty the transmission.

Whether it's true or not, then it's up to you to fight with BMW to maybe get it covered.

Yes, BMW pulls data for any major repair. If they see coding for lighting and the engine blows up, likely not an issue. If they see a tune that increases the boost, definitely an issue.

So the question is how much pain are you willing to endure?

But the OP is in Canada. Might be different.

They'd be hard pressed to find out if the car has been coded or not. You have to remember when coding factory modules you're only changing settings that the module already had in it. So they'd have to know without a doubt that bmw didn't code the car that way from the factory. Which I can promise you most techs aren't 100 percent on and at the same time don't care. Unless the coding caused the problem. Which is unlikely.

[chrish.22]

Originally Posted by lagunablue1

Once again, you're wrong. As a BMW sales "pro", I would expect you to be more knowledgeable about the product you sell. Please enlighten me - which G01 model comes with rear air suspension? Actually, I'll save you the trouble - NO G01 X3 comes with factory rear air suspension. That X3 20D pictured has "adaptive" suspension just like the X3M - the dampers can be adjusted, but not the springs/ride height.

To summarize:
-BMW offers a factory trailer hitch on G01 X3 30i and M40i, which ONLY comes with traditional coil spring/adaptive dampers.
-BMW offers a factory trailer hitch on Euro X3M, which also ONLY comes with traditional coil spring/adaptive dampers that share the same part numbers as the North American version (and is rated at 2500kg, or 5500lb).

I don't need, or care, to ask BMW NA why it is not an option on our X3M. If you work at BMW why don't you ask them? The purpose of this thread was not to speculate about why it is not offered as an option, but rather to assist other members.

But - just for you - let's speculate:
-The power folding rear euro trailer hitch is likely not NHTSA compliant
-The take rate on the factory NA trailer hitch on G01 X3 and G05 X5 is already quite low
-The X3M is an even more "niche" product, and as the factory G01 trailer hitch would require extensive redesign of the rear plastic bumper to integrate it
-There is no business case to be made to spend the $ to R&D (and assembly line complexity) a unique rear X3M bumper cover to fit a trailer hitch, which I'd guess less than 5% of X3M orders would take. I'm sure BMW NA's internal marketing team is aware that towing a trailer is NOT a top purchasing criteria when it comes to M SUV models.

lagunablue1 I applaud your knowledge on this topic and what seems like BMW in general. Very impressive and thank you for starting and sharing this thread with us. These are the kind of threads I would be specifically looking for when attempting something like this myself.

Your setup is really cool and I love how it looks! Thank you!

[95wildtt]

Originally Posted by lonestar22

They'd be hard pressed to find out if the car has been coded or not. You have to remember when coding factory modules you're only changing settings that the module already had in it. So they'd have to know without a doubt that bmw didn't code the car that way from the factory. Which I can promise you most techs aren't 100 percent on and at the same time don't care. Unless the coding caused the problem. Which is unlikely.

Always thought (for the past 10+ years that I've been doing it) that the "coding" everyone refers to should have probably been called configuring, customizing, or feature selection, instead of coding.
It's kind of like setting up your new phone the way you like it, when you get it.
In the vast majority of the cases, we aren't changing the firmware or the software loads on the modules, just selecting the available options/settings that we like to have.

Coding is what the dealer does when they do an update on your car, to most if not all of the modules in the car, or when you flash a BM3 tune, this is like an OS update on your phone.
Often, after a new update you may have to reset at least some of the settings back to the way you like them.

Calling what we are doing "coding" is confusing to everyone.

[DG-X5]

Originally Posted by DeepSeaZ4

I was waiting for this. I'm glad the BMW Sales "Pro" knows what he is talking about.

Zero X3's come with air suspension. Sounds like this guy just went to his parts "Pro" and asked for ammo for the forums. Turns out that "Pro" isn't much of a pro either.

Just be sure to put the high load (Premium) air in your tires before towing. My Service Pro told me to swap out the non-towing air in my tires for higher load rated air when towing.

Jokes aside, Congrats on the install and boat purchase! Looks awesome.

Say what now? There's different kinds of air for towing?

[snowbimmer]

[chris719]

Originally Posted by STi from DSM

It's astonishing how much more people know in the forums than people that work at BMW. I guess that is pretty typical in all of the forums though.

That guy doesn't work for BMW though, he just likes to word it so it sounds that way. He just works for some random dealership.

[Mandingo9]

Originally Posted by bmwsalepro

so after speaking with my Parts Pro here this is what I can tell you: Your part #'s are correct (yes I know you know that already) and not offered in N.America. He told me one of the functions of the module is to keep the vehicle level at all times when towing whether you're alone or with three passengers and the back loaded with stuff. And as you agreed it is sitting down in the rear a bit with no people on board.

Next is you had your X3M coding done by codemybimmer. I work at the second largest BMW in the country and BMW Warranty has been cracking down on cars having that type of coding being done, cars that have been tuned and even lowered. You bring you car in for service and warranty work will not be done; you're out of warranty and BMW for you stands for "bring my wallet."

As far as "hands on experience" I've changed motors on cars and changed the ring and pinion in the differential being very careful to set the lash. (any idea what that is son?)

so next time you bring it in for service let me know how that works out for ya.

Lol. Hey "pops", you're a clown

[DOCTOR 3VIL]

Well this escalated quickly lol

[thestimp]

I have a dinan midpipe, mss suspensions. RWD mode and custom "coding", just had warranty work done without issue. Guess my dealership isnt a "pro" dealer because they didnt void my warranty, being only top 10 in the nation, sure isnt top 3.

[spta97]

I washed my X3MC without BMW approved soap. Will my paint fall off and any warranty claims be denied