BMW 5 Series Towbars

BMW 5 Series Towing Specifics

The BMW 5 Series was first introduced in 1972 by the German manufacturer as an executive car, offering decent towing capabilities. With seven generations, the range currently includes Saloon, Tourer/Estate and Gran Turismo models. We will cover the towing specifics of each model below.

BMW 5 Series Saloon Towbar Electrics Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a BMW 5 Series Saloon 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 5 Series Saloon 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

Tow bars for the BMW 5 Series Saloon 1988-1996 will not require a bypass relay if universal electrics are fitted.

Tow bars for all the BMW 5 Series Saloon 1996 onwards models 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. All BMW 5 Series Saloon vehicles made from 1988 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 5 Series Saloon 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.

1988-1996 models have towbars that require visible bumper cuts.

1996-2003 models have towbars that require visible and non-visible bumper cuts.

2003-2010 models have visible, non-visible and no bumper cuts.

2010-2016 models have non-visible bumper cuts.

2016 onwards models have towbars that require visible and non-visible 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 a BMW 5 Series Saloon vehicle made between 1996-2003, the lowest nose weight is 75kg and the highest nose weight is 90kg.

2003-2010 models have a nose weight of up to 90kg.

2010-2016 models have a nose weight of 100kg.

2016 onwards models have a low nose weight of 90kg and a high nose weight of 130kg.

Towing Weight

Towing weight is the weight that a BMW 5 Series Saloon vehicle can tow safely, without any risk of damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

For a BMW 5 Series Saloon vehicle made between 1996-2010, the towbars have a towing weight capacity between 2000kg and 2200kg.

For 2010-2016 vehicles, the towing weight capacity is between 2100kg and 2200kg.

For 2016 onwards vehicles, the towing weight capacity is between 1940kg and 2300kg.

You will need to check the towing limit for your BMW 5 Series vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.

BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Towbars

The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo was launched into the market in 2009. If you have 2009 onwards BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo 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 5 Series Gran Turismo Towbar Electric Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo 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 5 Series Gran Turismo 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 5 Series Gran Turismo 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 5 Series Gran Turismo vehicles manufactured from 2009 will not require coding.

Bumper cuts

Depending on the towbar, BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo 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.

2009-2017 vehicles require non-visible bumper cuts that are available for the tow bars offered with the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo.

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 5 Series Gran Turismo vehicles manufactured from 2009, have a nose weight of 100kg. The tow bar selected will determine your vehicles nose weight.

Towing weight

Towing weight is the weight that the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo can tow safely without damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar. All BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo towbars have a towing weight capacity between 2100kg up to 2200kg.

You will need to check the towing limit for your BMW 5 Series vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.

BMW 5 Series Tourer/Estate Towbars

The BMW 5 Series Tourer/Estate was launched into the market in 1992. If you have a 1992 BMW 5 Series Tourer/Estate 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 5 Series Tourer/Estate Towbar Electric Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to a BMW 5 Series Tourer/Estate 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 5 Series Tourer/Estate 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 5 Series Tourer/Estate 1992-1997 vehicles that are fitted using a universal electrics kit will not require a bypass relay.

All towbars for BMW 5 Series Tourer/Estate 1997- 2016 onwards 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 5 Series Tourer/Estate vehicles manufactured from 1992 will not require coding.

Bumper cuts

Depending on the towbar, BMW 5 Series Tourer/Estate 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.

For 1992-1997 models, visible bumper cuts are required.

For 1997-2004 and 2010-2016 models, visible and non-visible bumper cuts are required.

For 2004-2010 and 2016 onwards models, visible, non-visible and no bumper cuts are required.

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. The tow bar selected will determine your vehicles nose weight.

1997-2004 models have a low nose weight of 75kg and a high nose weight of 90kg.

2004-2010 models have a nose weight of 90kg.

2010-2016 models have a nose weight of 100kg.

2016 onwards models have a low nose weight of 90kg and a high nose weight of 130kg.

Towing weight

Towing weight is the weight that the BMW 5 Series Tourer/Estate can tow safely without damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

For 1997-2004, the towing weight capacity is up to 2200kg for the BMW 5 Series Tourer/Estate towbars.

2004-2010 models have a minimum towing weight capacity of 2000kg and a maximum towing weight capacity of 2200kg.

2010-2016 vehicles have a towing weight capacity of minimum towing weight capacity of 2100kg and a maximum towing weight capacity of 2200kg.

2016 onwards vehicles have a towing weight capacity of minimum towing weight capacity of 1940kg and a maximum towing weight capacity of 2300kg.

You will need to check the towing limit for your BMW 5 Series vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.