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      04-11-2021, 04:25 AM   #1
Hugh74
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Towbar fitting costs UK

Hi I’m looking to get a towbar fitted. Use will be for bike carrier only. I’ve had a few quotes to get a detachable towbar fitted and they seem quite pricey, about £700 incl vat does that sound about right?
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      04-11-2021, 05:26 AM   #2
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For a detachable £700 is about right, I paid £620 detachable Westfalia for a Merc E Class with 13 pin dedicated Electrics 2.5 years ago,

When I bought my current G01 X3, in October 2019, I paid £430 for a Westfalia Fixed Swan Neck with 13 pin socket
with dedicated electrics, all prices quoted are for parts and labour.

For a BMW Electric foldaway bar and electrics the same fitter quoted a figure of close to £2500, I have been taking high blood pressure pills ever since !!

I live in Rural Dyfed where the labour charges are much lower than when I lived in Surrey
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      04-11-2021, 07:45 AM   #3
Hugh74
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Admiral View Post
For a detachable £700 is about right, I paid £620 detachable Westfalia for a Merc E Class with 13 pin dedicated Electrics 2.5 years ago,

When I bought my current G01 X3, in October 2019, I paid £430 for a Westfalia Fixed Swan Neck with 13 pin socket
with dedicated electrics, all prices quoted are for parts and labour.

For a BMW Electric foldaway bar and electrics the same fitter quoted a figure of close to £2500, I have been taking high blood pressure pills ever since !!

I live in Rural Dyfed where the labour charges are much lower than when I lived in Surrey
Ok thanks I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t being fleeced!
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      04-11-2021, 10:30 AM   #4
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I’m getting a removable 7 pin one fitted on Tuesday, with specific X3 electrics for £545 inc VAT. Not sure which make it is though. BMW quoted me £3980 to fit the electric fold away one! Only intending to use for a bike carrier as well.
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      04-11-2021, 10:52 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wookey View Post
I’m getting a removable 7 pin one fitted on Tuesday, with specific X3 electrics for £545 inc VAT. Not sure which make it is though. BMW quoted me £3980 to fit the electric fold away one! Only intending to use for a bike carrier as well.
545 is about what I expected. £3980 is a bloody joke though! I’ll check a few other places thanks.
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      04-11-2021, 11:31 AM   #6
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Quote:
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545 is about what I expected. £3980 is a bloody joke though! I’ll check a few other places thanks.
Go to you local Independent Tow Bar Fitter, not to a BMW Dealer, the Dealer will rip you off
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      04-11-2021, 11:39 AM   #7
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The electric folding hitch is one of the most useless gimmicks I've seen. At least BMW still has an OEM 2x2 inch receiver hitch. Volvo doesn't even have a factory 2 inch receiver available on many of their vehicles, just the electric folding gimmick (at $1,600 US). Was the reason I scratched the XC60 off my short list.
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      05-12-2021, 04:28 PM   #8
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Sorry to revive this post. I'm interested in trailing a car with my X3 M40i.

Are there any updates on fitting either a factory towbar or aftermarket one that is suitable for trailing a car?

Keen to understand costs and recommendations in the UK only.

Thxs in advance.
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      05-13-2021, 07:50 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Driving for Charity UK View Post
Sorry to revive this post. I'm interested in trailing a car with my X3 M40i.

Are there any updates on fitting either a factory towbar or aftermarket one that is suitable for trailing a car?

Keen to understand costs and recommendations in the UK only.

Thxs in advance.
What sort of weight are you towing? The retrofit towbars inc BMWs have a max load of 2000kg tow weight but a factory fitted one the load rating of the vehicle is increased to 2400kg.

Not sure if Westfalia do dedicated electrics for the X3 yet but they didn't in 2019 when i was looking. The official removable towbar though is made by Westfalia and that's what I went for with their electrics on my F11 a few years ago. I wouldn't fit any other no brand dedicated electrics and don't go with a bypass relay as the car wont realise you have a trailer attached (it changes shift points, DSC parameters etc with a trailer on).

www.pfjones.co.uk have great prices and a good network of reliable fitters in the UK.
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      05-14-2021, 04:34 AM   #10
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I had Westfalia electrics fitted with my towbar in late 2019, total cost with a Westfalia Bar from memory about £500
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      05-15-2021, 06:28 AM   #11
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I had mine done fully removable and nothing can be see under the car . BMW specific electronics for £485 in Stafford .also had mine for a bike carrier
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      05-17-2021, 03:33 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by theleg View Post
I had mine done fully removable and nothing can be see under the car . BMW specific electronics for £485 in Stafford .also had mine for a bike carrier
Do you mind me asking who you got this through? Interested in installing one for my X4
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      05-18-2021, 03:39 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by theleg View Post
I had mine done fully removable and nothing can be see under the car . BMW specific electronics for £485 in Stafford .also had mine for a bike carrier
In the end that’s what mine cost. Very happy with it. Got the Thule Easyfold which is very easy to use.
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      06-01-2021, 04:46 AM   #14
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Quote:
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I had mine done fully removable and nothing can be see under the car . BMW specific electronics for £485 in Stafford .also had mine for a bike carrier
Would you mind sharing the details of the Garage where you got this done? I am looking one for my X3.
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      06-01-2021, 10:05 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nunp View Post
Do you mind me asking who you got this through? Interested in installing one for my X4
\stafford towbars did mine
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