Bmw F30/F31 Electric swivel tow bar reliability?

crocodile110 · 07-04-2017, 06:48 AM

Hi,
I'm stupidly thinking of going down the main dealer route to retrofit the electric swivel tow bar to my f31.

One of my main concerns is reliability and whether people have had issues with it playing up, I plan on spending a a lot of time in Europe so tow bar failure would be a absolute nightmare, am I asking for trouble by going down this route or are the Bmw tow bar mechanism and electrics 100% reliable.

Please could any guys who run the electric swivel tow bar chime in on whether they have been plagued with issues or has it been smooth sailing since day one.

Thanks

robbiep · 07-04-2017, 06:55 AM

Been perfect every time it's been needed.

Only been used a dozen or so times, I wondered the same myself on reliability, whether it'd actually cope well with little use.

Tengocity · 07-04-2017, 08:28 AM

No issues whatsoever with mine. Not used lots, but 3.5 year old car.

markcoatsworth · 07-04-2017, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tengocity

No issues whatsoever with mine. Not used lots, but 3.5 year old car.

+1 - 2013 F31 and no issues with mine, probably gets used 6/7 times per year.

Lugster77 · 07-04-2017, 05:53 PM

No problems with mine, used loads of times

crocodile110 · 07-05-2017, 11:09 AM

Thanks guys, it's reassuring to know there aren't any known issues, I would kick myself if it failed while abroad after paying a huge premium over a standard manual tow bar.

Shatterproof · 07-05-2017, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crocodile110

Thanks guys, it's reassuring to know there aren't any known issues, I would kick myself if it failed while abroad after paying a huge premium over a standard manual tow bar.

How much are they charging to fit one if you don't mind?

crocodile110 · 07-05-2017, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shatterproof

How much are they charging to fit one if you don't mind?

So far the best quote I've had is £2250 all in, It comes with 2 years warranty.

Flyboy777 · 07-06-2017, 04:24 AM

£2250!
Wow

Think I would go manual detachable for less than half that. Less to go wrong too.

john-vfr · 07-06-2017, 05:11 AM

Had one on my e91 with no issues! At that price tho I don't think it's worth it!

crocodile110 · 07-06-2017, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyboy777

£2250!
Wow

Think I would go manual detachable for less than half that. Less to go wrong too.

Absolutely, it's an insane price, but my man maths justification is that I will keep the car for eternity (ive always run cars into the ground rather than switching every few years) so it will get plenty of use over the years.

Shatterproof · 07-06-2017, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyboy777

£2250!
Wow

Think I would go manual detachable for less than half that. Less to go wrong too.

I fitted my own to my M3, and it came to £360, and that is with 13 pin dedicated electrics kit.

Damien1984 · 07-06-2017, 04:01 PM

I have paid 380 for a fitted detachable bosal bar with dedicated electrics.

07-04-2017, 06:48 AM	#1
crocodile110 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 47 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	Bmw F30/F31 Electric swivel tow bar reliability? Hi, I'm stupidly thinking of going down the main dealer route to retrofit the electric swivel tow bar to my f31. One of my main concerns is reliability and whether people have had issues with it playing up, I plan on spending a a lot of time in Europe so tow bar failure would be a absolute nightmare, am I asking for trouble by going down this route or are the Bmw tow bar mechanism and electrics 100% reliable. Please could any guys who run the electric swivel tow bar chime in on whether they have been plagued with issues or has it been smooth sailing since day one. Thanks
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07-04-2017, 06:55 AM	#2
robbiep Brigadier General 1983 Rep 3,216 Posts Drives: VW e-Golf ! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: North Wales, UK iTrader: (0)	Been perfect every time it's been needed. Only been used a dozen or so times, I wondered the same myself on reliability, whether it'd actually cope well with little use.
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07-04-2017, 08:28 AM	#3
Tengocity General 8571 Rep 19,982 Posts Drives: 911, Cayenne Turbo, Disco 4 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland iTrader: (0)	No issues whatsoever with mine. Not used lots, but 3.5 year old car. __________________ Current: Porsche 911 991 C4S, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Land Rover Discovery 4. Gone...G01 X3 M40i, Cayman S 987, F31 340i, Cayman GT4, F82 M4 CP, Lotus Exige V6, G20 330e, F30 330e, Boxster S 987, F31 335d, Mini Cooper SD, E89 Z4, E90 330d 320d, E60 520d, E46 330d 320d, MX5s, E30 325i
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07-04-2017, 05:53 PM	#5
Lugster77 New Member 8 Rep 26 Posts Drives: F31 340i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Scottish Borders iTrader: (0)	No problems with mine, used loads of times
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07-05-2017, 11:09 AM	#6
crocodile110 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 47 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys, it's reassuring to know there aren't any known issues, I would kick myself if it failed while abroad after paying a huge premium over a standard manual tow bar.
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07-06-2017, 04:24 AM	#9
Flyboy777 Private First Class 76 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2015 F31 320D LCI Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Hampshire iTrader: (0)	£2250! Wow Think I would go manual detachable for less than half that. Less to go wrong too.
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07-06-2017, 05:11 AM	#10
john-vfr spender of the kids inheritance 18 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW xdrive touring Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	Had one on my e91 with no issues! At that price tho I don't think it's worth it!
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07-06-2017, 04:01 PM	#13
Damien1984 Private 22 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 530d Xdrive Msport Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Chesterfield iTrader: (0)	I have paid 380 for a fitted detachable bosal bar with dedicated electrics.
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