Aftermarket towbar needed

EVOgone · 08-29-2008, 06:19 PM

What are the option / recommenations / cost and where can i get it from ?

Based in Cheshire.

Thanks

Cafe.Racer · 08-30-2008, 04:46 AM

Hi, I fitted a removable Witter one with 14 pin electrics and a Westfalia dedicated electrics pack. The electrics were a bit expensive, but it was the bit I was most worried about doing, so I thought it was money well spent (all connectors, no splicing to do).

Cost me about £300 all in for the bar and electrics.

At the time I didn't get prices to have one fitted, I figured that if I fitted it myself I would be more inclined to take it off when I get rid of the car, and get some money back. Since then, I've people have told me it would've cost only a bit more, but I've never had a proper quote.

Honestly, not too bad a job. Worse bit is getting the bumper off. Although the expensive dedicated electrics pack, while it was easy to fit doesn't connect to the CAN bus, so it doesn't disable the reversing sensors. I think this might require a trip to the dealer, anyway. In the electrics manual it tells you to press the buttin i the cabin to disable the sensors. Errrr, what button?

Actually, the reversing sensors are quite useful, as you can tell how far the trailer is away from the corners of the car when reversing around corners.

Can't actually remember where I got mine from, one of the internet shops, anyway.

S1VYR · 08-30-2008, 04:52 AM

Any pics cafe.racer?

I need to get one really but don't want to ruin the looks?

Cafe.Racer · 08-30-2008, 06:55 AM

No but I'll grab some later. Mine's an E91

Also, I did notice when I was shopping that some are listed as NOT suitable for the M-Sport bumper...

S1VYR · 08-30-2008, 07:22 AM

Cheers Phil.

Mines an E91 SE

ChrisMWard · 08-30-2008, 04:23 PM

I've fitted Towsure bars to my e46 touring and e87 one series. Both times very reasonably priced plus you can remove the bar when not in use making it almost invisible.

Electrics were simple too.

Regards

Chris

jonnyuk06 · 09-03-2008, 04:46 AM

i had a witter removable towbar on my x3. worked a charm and when the towball was removed you could not tell it had a towbar. i took it off when i sold the car. I do have it for sale if it fits your 320d. i'd let it go for £50.

S1VYR · 09-03-2008, 06:50 AM

I might be interested if Evo is not.

Does it include electrics, relay etc?

jonnyuk06 · 09-04-2008, 03:18 AM

includes everything, the crash bar that replaces your existing crash bar (its basically a big bar that sits behind your bumper, removable towcar with lock, water proof bag and and electric box. my electrics where wired into the boot somewhere and then some onto the battery.

Cafe.Racer · 09-14-2008, 06:08 AM

Forgot I'd said I'd get pics. First one is from standing height, second is crouching down so you can see a bit "more".

I could've swung the electric socket (13 pin) further up, but you'd have to be practically under the car to connect!

The other bit sticking down a bit is where the safety chain connects.

autopia40 · 01-19-2009, 12:01 PM

Hi guys, I've just bought an '06 320d Touring and am really pleased with it after being an avid Audi fan for over 15 years.

I need a towbar to trailer my classics every now and then, thinking of a Westfalia and found this thread really interesting, but a question for cafe.racer; would you mind summarising the steps for removing the rear bumper?

Great forum, I'm sure I'll be using it more.

08-29-2008, 06:19 PM	#1
EVOgone Private First Class 20 Rep 132 Posts Drives: E90 - 32d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	Aftermarket towbar needed - E90 320d M Sport What are the option / recommenations / cost and where can i get it from ? Based in Cheshire. Thanks
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08-30-2008, 04:46 AM	#2
Cafe.Racer Captain 27 Rep 896 Posts Drives: 320d Touring Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Nottingham, UK iTrader: (1)	Hi, I fitted a removable Witter one with 14 pin electrics and a Westfalia dedicated electrics pack. The electrics were a bit expensive, but it was the bit I was most worried about doing, so I thought it was money well spent (all connectors, no splicing to do). Cost me about £300 all in for the bar and electrics. At the time I didn't get prices to have one fitted, I figured that if I fitted it myself I would be more inclined to take it off when I get rid of the car, and get some money back. Since then, I've people have told me it would've cost only a bit more, but I've never had a proper quote. Honestly, not too bad a job. Worse bit is getting the bumper off. Although the expensive dedicated electrics pack, while it was easy to fit doesn't connect to the CAN bus, so it doesn't disable the reversing sensors. I think this might require a trip to the dealer, anyway. In the electrics manual it tells you to press the buttin i the cabin to disable the sensors. Errrr, what button? Actually, the reversing sensors are quite useful, as you can tell how far the trailer is away from the corners of the car when reversing around corners. Can't actually remember where I got mine from, one of the internet shops, anyway. __________________ Phil
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08-30-2008, 04:52 AM	#3
S1VYR Private 2 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 320D Touring Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Berkshire, like the Queen, but not in a castle. iTrader: (0)	Any pics cafe.racer? I need to get one really but don't want to ruin the looks?
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08-30-2008, 06:55 AM	#4
Cafe.Racer Captain 27 Rep 896 Posts Drives: 320d Touring Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Nottingham, UK iTrader: (1)	No but I'll grab some later. Mine's an E91 Also, I did notice when I was shopping that some are listed as NOT suitable for the M-Sport bumper... __________________ Phil
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08-30-2008, 07:22 AM	#5
S1VYR Private 2 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 320D Touring Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Berkshire, like the Queen, but not in a castle. iTrader: (0)	Cheers Phil. Mines an E91 SE
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08-30-2008, 04:23 PM	#6
ChrisMWard Captain 14 Rep 686 Posts Drives: E93 320d M Sport, E81 116d SE Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Epsom UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 120d SE [0.00] 2007 335d A M Sport [0.00] 1998 M3 Evo [0.00] 2002 330d Sport [0.00] 2004 330d Sport [0.00]	I've fitted Towsure bars to my e46 touring and e87 one series. Both times very reasonably priced plus you can remove the bar when not in use making it almost invisible. Electrics were simple too. Regards Chris __________________ Previously: 2007 335D MSport E90 Le Mans Blue, 2004 330D A Sport Silver Grey, 2002 330D A Sport Saphire Black, 2001 320D SE Touring Titanium Silver, 1998 M3 Evo Techno Violet, 1996 328i Sport Montreal Blue, 1994 325i Coupe Red, 1989 325i Sport 2 door Dolphin Grey,1986 325i SE 4 door Lachs
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09-03-2008, 04:46 AM	#7
jonnyuk06 Lieutenant 26 Rep 412 Posts Drives: 330d SE Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: UK...Leicester iTrader: (3)	i had a witter removable towbar on my x3. worked a charm and when the towball was removed you could not tell it had a towbar. i took it off when i sold the car. I do have it for sale if it fits your 320d. i'd let it go for £50.
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09-03-2008, 06:50 AM	#8
S1VYR Private 2 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 320D Touring Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Berkshire, like the Queen, but not in a castle. iTrader: (0)	I might be interested if Evo is not. Does it include electrics, relay etc?
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09-04-2008, 03:18 AM	#9
jonnyuk06 Lieutenant 26 Rep 412 Posts Drives: 330d SE Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: UK...Leicester iTrader: (3)	includes everything, the crash bar that replaces your existing crash bar (its basically a big bar that sits behind your bumper, removable towcar with lock, water proof bag and and electric box. my electrics where wired into the boot somewhere and then some onto the battery.
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09-14-2008, 06:08 AM	#10
Cafe.Racer Captain 27 Rep 896 Posts Drives: 320d Touring Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Nottingham, UK iTrader: (1)	Forgot I'd said I'd get pics. First one is from standing height, second is crouching down so you can see a bit "more". I could've swung the electric socket (13 pin) further up, but you'd have to be practically under the car to connect! The other bit sticking down a bit is where the safety chain connects. Attached Images __________________ Phil
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01-19-2009, 12:01 PM	#11
autopia40 New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2006 320Si Le Mans Blue Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lancashire, UK iTrader: (0)	Westfalia fit Hi guys, I've just bought an '06 320d Touring and am really pleased with it after being an avid Audi fan for over 15 years. I need a towbar to trailer my classics every now and then, thinking of a Westfalia and found this thread really interesting, but a question for cafe.racer; would you mind summarising the steps for removing the rear bumper? Great forum, I'm sure I'll be using it more.
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