Towing with my X5

[X5Flyboy]

the 4.4 is definitely the motor to have going up western mountains - frankly, I worry more about the brakes on the trip down (ie, Teton Pass into Jackson,WY, talk about steep!) - I try to brake on the straightaways and get off the brakes for the turns to keep the wear and heat buildup even to keep from warping the rotors

[admranger]

Originally Posted by X5Flyboy

(ie, Teton Pass into Jackson,WY, talk about steep!)

I can vouch for how steep that is. I bicycled (junk bike w/full paniers, etc.) up it as a kid 31 years ago! The downhill side was way too much fun for words! Did the lower loop of Yellowstone before heading up the pass over towards Idaho Falls. Great trip. I'm too smart to do that now (and too out of shape). Scary roads with too many rental RVs (having big mirrors wizzing over your head is no fun).

Not having towed w/the X5 (I have a Chevy crewcab diesel dually for such things), can you use the manual feature of the automatic trans to 'engine brake' on the down slopes by holding a gear? I love that part of the Allison trans in my truck. Also, sport mode or regular drive when you tow (no, I didn't read the manual b/c I don't have a hitch or anything, just curious)?

[DaveNW]

Originally Posted by admranger

Not having towed w/the X5 (I have a Chevy crewcab diesel dually for such things), can you use the manual feature of the automatic trans to 'engine brake' on the down slopes by holding a gear? I love that part of the Allison trans in my truck. Also, sport mode or regular drive when you tow (no, I didn't read the manual b/c I don't have a hitch or anything, just curious)?

Kirk, sorry, I didn't see your question before this. I didn't try the manual shift thing because I was having good luck with running things normally. I left it in Drive, and let the equipment do the work. Heading down a steeper slope, I took my foot off the gas, and let the weight of things work itself out. If the speed climbed to about 60mph, I gently braked till it slowed to low 50's, then let it go again. I never felt out of control, or that the engine or brakes were being overtaxed. That was why I said it was like I didn't have much behind me - things were that smooth. Definitely a better towing experience than with my Ford pickup. (Love Ford trucks for heavy work, but this one just wasn't much up for the task of towing well. I love that the BMW does it better.)

One of my coworkers owns a 2002 M3, and we swap stories about our BMWs all the time. His comment after hearing of the smooth towing experience I had was that "No surprise. X5's have a tuna boat motor in them. They can haul anything." He's a fan. In fact, he says if I ever want to sell my X, he wants to buy it. Pretty cool of him.

Dave