Trip Interruption Insurance + untruthful vendor

[JCL]

Originally Posted by GPSnV1

About towing distance, I noticed last night that the manual says not to tow at speeds in excess of 45 mph or a distance greater than 90 miles. My X was towed close to 90 miles and I believe we drove faster than 45 mph.

A few comments:

As I understand it, you were towed on a flat deck truck (with all the X5 wheels not turning on your vehicle) when they finally got it right. If so, you don't need to worry about the towing speed and distance limits. Those limits apply if the vehicle is being flat towed on the ground, with all the wheels turning, by either a rope or towbar. They don't apply to being towed on a flatdeck. The limits are there because of reduced lubrication in the transmission when the vehicle engine is stopped but the output shaft is spinning.


The damage to the suspension can be checked fairly easily. There are three things to look for (speaking as an ex-tow truck driver and mechanic).

1. The first is body damage from cables or chains that were connected under the vehicle. That would usually be the air dam or front apron, for example.
2. The second is if the cables or chains were connected to components that can't take the pull, such as anti-roll bars or brake lines (two famous examples). If the cables or chains were connected to solid suspension components, it is less likely that there is damage (but check point 1).
3. The third is damage to items like suspension boots (which are rubber) due to the use of J hooks, which are the easiest thing for the tow truck driver to use. Imagine a very large (ie 12") fish hook, and that the hook pulls fine in the valley of the J, but that the point spears something else (like a rubber suspension boot). Hope that explanation makes sense.

What you need from the BMW dealer are pictures taken of any apparent damage, with the date on the photo. Always handy for discussions later.

The transmission is not likely to be damaged by winching the vehicle on to the flat deck. The oily surface solution sounds very messy. The correct approach, if the transmission can not be shifted into neutral, is to use 'skates' which are attached to the rear wheels and are essentially dollies that hold the truck up a few inches.

Sorry for all your trouble. Ask away if you have any further specific questions.

Jeff