anybody tow anything with a 3.0?

hayaku · #1 06-09-2005, 06:32 PM

i know i asked tow capacities before and its around 6000 lbs for all the vehicles, but has anyone towed anything with a 3.0?

i really really really need a tow vehicle...

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hisxlnc · #2 06-09-2005, 06:58 PM

I have been towing a 4000 lbs Baja speedboat for the last four years with a 3.0. I used to have a MB ML430 before this and I think the X5 3.0 handles better towing the same boat.

hayaku · #3 06-09-2005, 07:27 PM

thanks ray... very interesting... i'll need to tow about 4500-5500 lbs around and going over steep grades. not sure if i need a 4.4 or not...

Kewl X5 · #4 06-09-2005, 07:27 PM

Are you getting another BMW?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayaku

i know i asked tow capacities before and its around 6000 lbs for all the vehicles, but has anyone towed anything with a 3.0?

i really really really need a tow vehicle...

hayaku · #5 06-09-2005, 07:31 PM

dunno what i'm getting really...

Kewl X5 · #6 06-09-2005, 07:50 PM

Pre-owned X5 3.0i are very decent in price and if you are only going to use it to tow and maybe a daily driver....But then, there are plenty of American and Japanese alternatives....

I wonder if the 2006 X5 3.0i will have the 255 hp engine which has a little more torque (221 lb/ft) and better gas mileage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayaku

dunno what i'm getting really...

JCL · #7 06-09-2005, 09:10 PM

2005 3.0 X5 is rated 2700 kg/6000 lb in North America, for a braked trailer. My 2003 X5 is rated 5000 lb (step)/6000 lb (manual) for a braked trailer.

I have towed 4500 pounds fine, no concerns at all with the power, but not a lot of mountains involved. As long as that is your all-up weight, you should be fine, but in the mountains a 4.4 would be more responsive. 3.0 would do it, but it comes down to how often you are pulling up a long grade, or if there are switchbacks and you aren't on a steady pull.

In terms of the size of the X5, the brakes, the wheelbase, etc, in Europe the X5 is rated up to 3700 kg/8140 lbs (up to 12% grade) with the 4.4/4.8, the trailer towing option, and 18" tires, so the chassis is up to it.

hayaku · #8 06-10-2005, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

2005 3.0 X5 is rated 2700 kg/6000 lb in North America, for a braked trailer. My 2003 X5 is rated 5000 lb (step)/6000 lb (manual) for a braked trailer.

I have towed 4500 pounds fine, no concerns at all with the power, but not a lot of mountains involved. As long as that is your all-up weight, you should be fine, but in the mountains a 4.4 would be more responsive. 3.0 would do it, but it comes down to how often you are pulling up a long grade, or if there are switchbacks and you aren't on a steady pull.

In terms of the size of the X5, the brakes, the wheelbase, etc, in Europe the X5 is rated up to 3700 kg/8140 lbs (up to 12% grade) with the 4.4/4.8, the trailer towing option, and 18" tires, so the chassis is up to it.

great post! thanks for the info jcl. i only have one massive hill climb in california to worry about, knick-named the grapevine. i have to cross this going and coming back from the track. its a very long climb and sometimes its stop and go traffic so i am wondering if the 3.0 is up to that task. i will be towing a car trailer, my race car, about 2 sets of extra rims and tires and a bunch of tools... maybe a bottle of nitrogen too.. guessing total weight is around 4500 lbs or so...

dkl · #9 06-10-2005, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayaku

great post! thanks for the info jcl. i only have one massive hill climb in california to worry about, knick-named the grapevine. i have to cross this going and coming back from the track. its a very long climb and sometimes its stop and go traffic so i am wondering if the 3.0 is up to that task. i will be towing a car trailer, my race car, about 2 sets of extra rims and tires and a bunch of tools... maybe a bottle of nitrogen too.. guessing total weight is around 4500 lbs or so...

To be on the "safe" side, I think you should go with the 4.4i. I've made the climb through grapevine a couple of times in my 3.0i with 3 passengers (myself included) and some luggage. Don't get me wrong, the 3.0i is plenty capable, but it just doesn't feel like it has the extra ummmmph climbing that hill and as you know, it IS a LONG stretch of hill to climb.

Kewl X5 · #10 06-10-2005, 02:53 AM

I agree with dkl....yeah, after talking to you on the phone tonight, I was thinking re: Grapevine to go to Willow Springs, you are probably better off with the V8 especially with warmer weather. Interestingly enough, the valvetronic v8 do get better gas mileage but that means looking for a 2004-05 X5.

If you get the V8, no matter what model year it is, it will always have self-leveling rear air suspension. You don't have to get sports package for the 4.4i to get the self-leveling rear.

And as I told you, probably either 2002+ or 2003+ has slightly different programming in the DSC for trailer towing as well.

No replacement for displacement (324 lb/ft torque baby!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayaku

great post! thanks for the info jcl. i only have one massive hill climb in california to worry about, knick-named the grapevine. i have to cross this going and coming back from the track. its a very long climb and sometimes its stop and go traffic so i am wondering if the 3.0 is up to that task. i will be towing a car trailer, my race car, about 2 sets of extra rims and tires and a bunch of tools... maybe a bottle of nitrogen too.. guessing total weight is around 4500 lbs or so...

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