BMW 1 Series Towbars

BMW 1 Series Towing Specifics

The BMW 1 Series was first introduced in 2004 by the German manufacturer as a series of subcompact executive cars, designed with strong towing abilities. The range currently includes hatchback, coupe and cabriolet models. We will cover the towing specifics of each model below.

BMW 1 Series Hatchback Towbar Electrics Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a BMW 1 Series Hatchback are done so with a dedicated electrics kit, rather than a universal electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit not only ensures all modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors are functional but also helps to keep your vehicle's warranty unaffected.

We offer both universal and dedicated electrics kits for the BMW 1 Series Hatchback towbars, but be aware that universal electrics kits can invalidate any manufacturer warranty your vehicle has and may also require a bypass relay.

Check your BMW warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All tow bars for the BMW 1 Series Hatchback will require a bypass relay if universal electrics are fitted.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

Whereas a dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar. BMW vehicles made from 2004 will not require coding.

Coding is used to update your vehicles software in order for it to run coherently with the new towbar through the dedicated electrics.

Bumper Cuts

Depending on the towbar, BMW 1 Series Hatchback vehicles will require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar.

2004-2011 models have non-visible bumper cuts offered with the towbars.

2011 onwards models have a choice of visible and no bumper cuts.

Nose Weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball, it is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. Nose weight varies depending on the towbar you choose and are displayed under each tow bar below.

For any BMW 1 Series Hatchback 2004-2011 vehicle, the lowest nose weight is 75kg and the highest nose weight is 90kg. For 2011 onwards models, the lowest nose weight is 75kg and the highest nose weight is 80kg.

Towing Weight

Towing weight is the weight that a BMW 1 Series Hatchback vehicle can tow safely, without any risk of damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

For 2004-2011 vehicles, the towing weight capacity is 1200kg up to 1900kg.

For 2011 onwards vehicles, the towing weight capacity is 1200kg up to 2000kg.

You will need to check the towing limit for your BMW 1 Series vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.

BMW 1 Series Coupe Towbars

The BMW 1 Series Coupe was launched into the market in 2004. If you have a 2004 BMW 1 Series Coupe it is important you correctly determine which model you have to ensure you get the correct towbar. You can find this information in your vehicle’s log book.

BMW 1 Series Coupe Towbar Electric Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a BMW 1 Series Coupe vehicle are fitted with a dedicated electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit helps to guarantee modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors function correctly, while also helping to ensure that any vehicle warranty is not affected.

Although universal electrics kits are available for the BMW 1 Series Coupe towbars, these could invalidate any manufacturer warranty you may have and will also require a bypass relay.

Check your BMW warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All towbars for BMW 1 Series Coupe vehicles that are fitted using a universal electrics kit will require a bypass relay.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

A dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar. BMW 1 Series Coupe vehicles manufactured from 2004 will not require coding.

Bumper cuts

Depending on the towbar, BMW 1 Series Coupe vehicles may require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar. There are non-visible and no bumper cuts available for the tow bars offered with the BMW 1 Series Coupe range.

Nose weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball. It is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the individual tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. Any BMW 1 Series Coupe vehicles manufactured from 2004, have a low nose weight of 75kg and a high nose weight of 90kg. The tow bar selected will determine your vehicles nose weight.

Towing weight

Towing weight is the weight that the BMW 1 Series Coupe can tow safely without damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

The towing weight capacity is 1200kg up to 1900kg for the BMW 1 Series Coupe towbars.

You will need to check the towing limit for your BMW 1 Series vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.

BMW 1 Series Cabriolet Towbars

The BMW 1 Series Cabriolet was launched into the market in 2004. If you have a 2004 BMW 1 Series Cabriolet it is important you correctly determine which model you have to ensure you get the correct towbar. You can find this information in your vehicle’s log book.

BMW 1 Series Cabriolet Towbar Electric Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a BMW 1 Series Cabriolet vehicle are fitted with a dedicated electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit helps to guarantee modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors function correctly, while also helping to ensure that any vehicle warranty is not affected.

Although universal electrics kits are available for the BMW 1 Series Cabriolet towbars, these could invalidate any manufacturer warranty you may have and will also require a bypass relay.

Check your BMW warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All towbars for BMW 1 Series Cabriolet vehicles that are fitted using a universal electrics kit will require a bypass relay.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

A dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar. BMW 1 Series Cabriolet vehicles manufactured from 2004 will not require coding.

Bumper cuts

Depending on the towbar, BMW 1 Series Cabriolet vehicles may require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar. There are non-visible and no bumper cuts available for the tow bars offered with the BMW 1 Series Cabriolet range.

Nose weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball. It is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the individual tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. Any BMW 1 Series Cabriolet vehicles manufactured from 2004, have a low nose weight of 75kg and a high nose weight of 90kg. The tow bar selected will determine your vehicles nose weight.

Towing weight

Towing weight is the weight that the BMW 1 Series Cabriolet can tow safely without damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

The towing weight capacity is 1200kg up to 1400kg for the BMW 1 Series Cabriolet towbars.

You will need to check the towing limit for your BMW 1 Series vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.