Please clarify Towing capacity on 35d
 

Can somebody please clarify the Towing capacity of the X5?

I looked on the US website, have one their catalogues and no information is given.

On this forum, the consensus seems to be 6,000 lb, just like the E53.

But the International BMW website lists 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs) for the 3.5d and 4.8i "in conjunction with optional equipment"; and 2,700 kg (6,000 lb) for the 3.0i.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...ml?currPage=18

Also, go this link and download the "Models and Technical Data" PDF file.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...roduction.html

I believe the Europeans use a different hitch compared to the US.

Does anybody know what this "optional equipment" is?

I don't know what the optional equipment is, but it shows up as weighing 233 lbs, and doesn't cost anything in the configurator, over and above the hitch price. I think it is just a way of flagging the diesel model for the rating.

Yes, the Euro hitch is a different design. It isn't available in North America as it doesn't meet the safety regulations; that doesn't mean that it isn't as good, just that it is built to a different standard.

The E53 had a different tow limit in Europe as well, well over the 6000 lbs we had in North America. I thought it was around 7000 lbs, from memory.

The X5 35d has been reported to have a 6500 lb tow rating in North America, as a result of the heavier automatic transmission that is also used in the V8 model. Not sure about the accuracy that, but it was listed in an Autonet review. I would want to see an official BMW rating, but the logic is reasonable.

I'm with BMW of North America, LLC. The X5 towing capacity is 6000 lbs. If you have any other questions, you can always call us 800-831-1117 or email us at [email protected].

Why is it different to the European capacity? Is it the hitch design then?

Different hitch design.

That isn't logical, since the same hitch is used for the 30 (3.0), the diesel, and the 50, and they have different tow ratings between the various models in Europe. The hitch may have a higher capacity, but then the question is why the 30 has a reduced published capacity (perhaps the smaller transmission)

Agree. In the case of the 30, engine and transmission are probably the limiting factors. But in the Diesel and V8, the hitch must limit higher capacity here in the US.

"Optional equipment" may be a weight-distribution hitch, rather than a standard hitch.

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.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/0...35d-diesel.htm

I thougt he meant same engines different capacity between Euro and NA.
We do have different hitch design between Euro and NA.

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

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.

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.

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.

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...

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

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.

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.