Please clarify Towing capacity on 35d

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by JCL

I think it is their way of flagging a higher tow limit in the configurator, and that it is just the transmission difference.

You're probably right. And the 3.0-litre petrol isn't a great tow car anyway

[naka]

Based on information from the Global website, the 4.8i and the 3.5d could potentially tow 7,700 lbs.

But here in the US, BMWNA only offers a Class III hitch which significantly limits the amount of weight tolerances when towing.

Looking in the market for other competitors AWD 7-seaters towing capacities, I found:

The Mercedez Benz GL320 offers 7,700 lb capacity.

The Audi Q7 pulls 6600 lbs.

As this is supposed to be a UTILITY vehicle, which for me, means a car I can use to carry a big family with cargo (7 seater), run long commutes (diesel), drive in the winter (AWD and higher ground clearance), and tow a heavy trailer (enclosed car trailer), I'm affraid I'll have to look somewhere else.

Shame. Because it's all down to an optional hitch, not the vehicle itself.

[k80jr]

Originally Posted by JCL

The photo shows the standard hitch (realizing that you can only trust a web site so far....) BMW specifically warn against using weight-distribution hitches (which seems silly).

The Optional Equipment line shows up in the configurator as a zero cost option, only available on the diesel and V8. I think it is their way of flagging a higher tow limit in the configurator, and that it is just the transmission difference.

Still wondering why BMW Customer Relations say 6000 lbs, when a number of web sites working off a BMW press release say 6500 lbs. Doesn't seem likely that they all invented the new higher number. The press release could have been wrong, of course.

CanadianDriver BMW First Drive: 2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d diesel

Just had a hitch installed today on our new 35d. The put a sticker on the bumper stating max tongue weight 600 pounds and tow limit of 6000 pounds with 1 passenger. That number decreases with more passsengers and cargo of course.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by naka

Based on information from the Global website, the 4.8i and the 3.5d could potentially tow 7,700 lbs.

But here in the US, BMWNA only offers a Class III hitch which significantly limits the amount of weight tolerances when towing.

Looking in the market for other competitors AWD 7-seaters towing capacities, I found:

The Mercedez Benz GL320 offers 7,700 lb capacity.

The Audi Q7 pulls 6600 lbs.

As this is supposed to be a UTILITY vehicle, which for me, means a car I can use to carry a big family with cargo (7 seater), run long commutes (diesel), drive in the winter (AWD and higher ground clearance), and tow a heavy trailer (enclosed car trailer), I'm afraid I'll have to look somewhere else.

Shame. Because it's all down to an optional hitch, not the vehicle itself.

Class III doesn't define a 6000 lb limit, BMW does. Hitch ratings are imprecise, and Class III hitches are available for various vehicles with 5000, 6000, or up to 10,000 lb ratings. It is a BMW limitation in this case.

Just an aside, but BMW doesn't advertise this as a utility vehicle. They like to call it a Sport Activity Vehicle, perhaps acknowledging that the utility aspect is somewhat limited at times.

Given you requirements for 7 passengers and luggage (all at the same time), and higher ground clearance, you may find that a Suburban or a Ford with a diesel fits your needs better than a BMW, which doesn't attempt to fill that market requirement.

[Roadster]

I was told that the extra equipment on a euro spec X5 includes stiffer springs at the rear to prevent too much sag and to allow for more vertical weight on the hitch. If you order the hitch from the factory, than you are allowed to tow 3500kgs, if it's an aftermarket install, you are only allowed to tow 2700kgs...
Anyways, I have a friend who tows a 5000kg boat+trailer with a X5 35d... other than it being not legal, he's had no problems with the car whatsoever...

[Quicksilver]

Is the hitch for the 35d the same design as the e53 hitch? Will it fit the e53?

[vinuneuro]

Roadster is right. Realoem shows different shock p/n's for vehicles with 'increased towing capacity' (rear coil spring config). The pneumatic spring related parts seem to be the same. As others have pointed out, I'm sure the hitch is also load limited to the 3.0's tow capacity in NA.

[soldmystang]

Originally Posted by naka

Based on information from the Global website, the 4.8i and the 3.5d could potentially tow 7,700 lbs.

But here in the US, BMWNA only offers a Class III hitch which significantly limits the amount of weight tolerances when towing.

Looking in the market for other competitors AWD 7-seaters towing capacities, I found:

The Mercedez Benz GL320 offers 7,700 lb capacity.

The Audi Q7 pulls 6600 lbs.

As this is supposed to be a UTILITY vehicle, which for me, means a car I can use to carry a big family with cargo (7 seater), run long commutes (diesel), drive in the winter (AWD and higher ground clearance), and tow a heavy trailer (enclosed car trailer), I'm affraid I'll have to look somewhere else.

Shame. Because it's all down to an optional hitch, not the vehicle itself.

sorry dude but you ain't gonna get 7 people with luggage into an E70 no matter how hard you try. and to try to pull an enclosed trailer in combination, no way. find yourself a 7.3l Excursion. the E70 was not designed to fit that niche, diesel or otherwise.