BenFenner's 2004 Silver SUV

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by BenFenner

Interesting...

I'm quite happy with my Knipex Oetiker clamp pliers (part number 10 99 I220) but I can see why you'd like yours.

Oh no! I've never seen those before. Now I have another tool to buy!

[BenFenner]

I can certainly recommend them.
The image above is a link with more details.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by BenFenner

I can certainly recommend them.
The image above is a link with more details.

Thanks!

[BenFenner]

Purchase used OE Westfalia tow kit | Album

Recall from my introduction post one of my future plans:

Originally Posted by BenFenner

I plan to get the OEM tow package to install, but it is NLA and expensive used, so we'll see when I can pull that off.

A dozen stars needed to align for this to happen, but it all worked out.

Since purchasing the X5 I've been looking for a used OE Westfalia tow kit in good condition. I've seen a few come and go on eBay for ~$850 shipped but was just never ready to pull the trigger. I finally found someone selling one in amazing condition outside of Tampa, FL on Facebook Marketplace. I messaged them on 2021-01-04, but for some insane reason Facebook never showed me their reply. About 50 days later on 2021-02-21 I finally saw they had replied, but the tow kit was long sold. I let them know if they came across another to hit me up. The seller reached back out on 2021-03-30 with another kit they were selling. It looked great, and was only missing the electronic tow module (available used on eBay for ~$75) so I told them to try to get a sane shipping quote for me. While we sorted out shipping options over the next few days my brother ended up in Florida by chance for work, but was still 200 miles away and not keen on the idea. Then the next week I came up with an absolutely insane idea.

Why don't I just fly down to Orlando, pick up a used V8 BMW M3 there, drive it to Tampa to pick up the kit, and then drive home?

I mean, that makes perfect sense, right?!

It saves me most of the shipping cost for the tow kit, and saves the seller a bunch of time and effort. And it gets me a donor vehicle I've been wanting for quite a while.

Believe it or not, the plan came together (I did have to change my flight plans at the last minute to work with the seller's schedule that I'd forgotten) and now I have the a tow kit for the X5.

I just need to grab the electronic tow module and then figure out when I have to time to install all of this.


Parts:
$500.00 | OEM tow kit for E53 (minus electric tow module) | 71600009711 | OE by Westfalia


Pics:

[BenFenner]

Album

Not a real update or anything, but the E53 finally put in some work it was purchased for. I grabbed some free dirt from down the street and used it to finally fill in behind our retaining wall.


Pics:

[X5chemist]

I'm stalling a hitch for that purpose. Work and not just commuting!
Cargo carriers and maybe small trailers will be used.

Your first page pic are what mine would like if previous owners detailed it. Wheels have cleaned up, but some deep brake dust exists. A few body scratches and paint chips are also present. One thing I will update are the headlights. I have a replacement set ready to polish up for installation.