How much wider is an E70 than an E53?
 

I'm looking for a measurement from outer edge of the driver's mirror to the outer edge of the passenger's mirror.

Have a 4.4 E53 but it isn't wide enough to safely tow my new enclosed race car trailer. I can't even remotely see around it. I measured it at 84" from tip to tip, but the trailer is 102" wide so mostly I'm seeing just the trailer in the side mirrors. I picked up some CIPA mirror extensions but the mirrors vibrate so badly at highway speeds that they're worthless. Considering an '08 E70 4.8 with Sport, 20", Nav, Premium etc. But I can't find a spec that gives mirror dimensions to see if it's significantly wider than the E53. Otherwise I'll likely need to get a Yukon Denali or something that size to safely tow the trailer on the multi-state trips this summer.

I don't have exact measurements, but when I bought, I compared the widths to ensure garage compatibility...the E70 is less than 3" wider, mirror tip to mirror tip, than the E53. I don't think you'll find it to be wide enough to see around your trailer, without auxiliary mirrors. There are good trailer towing mirrors out there, though! Even a Tahoe isn't much wider.

YouTube - BMW X5 E53 vs. E70 comparison 6 / 13

Not much. ;) It actually looks narrower if you're looking at the mirrors. It's got a narrow top half (presumably for weight/handling reasons).

Thanks, that's what I've been afraid of. Agree the Tahoe/Yukon isn't much wider but it is 6" wider at the body than my E53, and when I measured a friend's, it was 9" wider at the mirror tips. That's a lot. And there are several companies that make model specific towing mirror extensions for the Tahoe/Yukon models.

The CIPA aux mirrors I bought are supposed to be top of the line, but part of the challenge is that the E53 mirrors don't like the extra weight, and some of the vibration is from the stock mirror covers moving around.

I wish I could buy a Tahoe with the GM Duramax/Alllison turbodiesel powertrain. But no, the American manufacturers don't think the buying public will buy a diesel SUV. Tell that to BMW, VW, Audi and MB who can't keep a turbodiesel SUV in stock. Wish I could afford a new Q7 Turbodiesel (longer wheelbase than an E70), but someday they'll be affordable as 3 yr old used ones I guess.

Can you still get the BMW trailer mirrors for the E53?

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...g-mirrors.html

Dealer says the p/n is Europe only, doesn't even show up as a valid part number. But it still attaches to the mirror cover which is what moves around when the weight of an accessory mirror is hung off of it.