New BMW towball

JohnWirral
JohnWirral Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited October 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi. We've just taken delivery of a new BMW complete with factory fitted shiny metallic, doesn't appear painted, tow ball. Does this need a rub down before using?

Many thanks

John

 

Comments

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2019 #2

    If it's not painted then there's nothing to rub down ..... just make sure it's clean & oil/grease free

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited October 2019 #3

    I took delivery of my new BMW a few months ago and as you say the factory fitted tow ball is not painted. i just gave it a quick rub with brake cleaner and i've not had ant problems.

  • derekcyril
    derekcyril Forum Participant Posts: 408
    100 Comments
    edited October 2019 #4

    Ive heard that BMW have fixed the problem with indicators on their cars , cos ive never seen a BMW driver being able to use them !!!!

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2019 #5

    It's not the shiny tow ball I would be bothered about, It's whether the electrics have been fitted correctly so the fridge and battery charging work.

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited October 2019 #6

    I followed a North Yorkshire Police BMW on Friday whilst it negotiated three roundabouts and never indicated once.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2019 #7

    i just gave it a quick rub with brake cleaner and i've not had ant problems.

    I suppose that brake cleaner might well deter ants. 

  • NutsyH
    NutsyH Forum Participant Posts: 534
    edited October 2019 #8

    The fridge wont work - they never do on German cars (I'm on my third so speak with knowledge) Battery charges OK though. Merc / BMW / Porsche - all as bad as each other.

    I think the problem with fridges is apparent on all newish cars? Something to do with the "smart" electronics not allowing enough power to run a fridge. When connected and engine running, my fridge stops beeping and the blue light stays on not flashing (ooh Maam), but it doesn't stay cold / frozen on long journeys through France. Its ok for 3 to 4 hours and that's about it. Enough to cover 10 miles on the M25.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2019 #9

    My fridge (& battery charging) works on my factory fit Merc ML towbar 

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited October 2019 #10

    Tend to agree with this my 2018 XC60 doesn't keep the fridge cold even though all the fridge indictors are showing correctly. Our previous Merc GLC did keep the same fridge cold but the  Volvo is using an even smarter power set up.

  • NutsyH
    NutsyH Forum Participant Posts: 534
    edited October 2019 #11

    How old is the ML ?

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2019 #12

    14 plate

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2019 #13

    but I didn't buy it new ...

  • JohnWirral
    JohnWirral Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited October 2019 #14

    Hi many thanks to all who replied. Thought  I'd posted a thank you earlier, but obviously not. Dealer tells me they needed to connect the electrics to suit UK spec.

    Find out in 3 weeks when we tow with the car for the first time 

    Many thanks again

    John

  • Dandle
    Dandle Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited October 2019 #15

    The fridge will work if its a genuine BMW towbar and the car isn't to old. I'm not sure when they changed it as my 2012 BMW 5 series had pin 10,11 and 12 missing from the 13 pin socket.

    My current car is a 2018 BMW X3 and the pin 10 (ignition live) and 11 (ground return for 10) wiring is fitted as part of the towbar option from the factory. The interesting thing is that the ignition live only activates under certain conditions one of them being being a battery voltage sensed on the end of the connection. So if you connect it up to a tester it wont show an ignition live as it doesn't see a battery there for battery charging but when on my caravan it works fine.

  • Glenn T
    Glenn T Forum Participant Posts: 49
    edited December 2019 #16

    My dealer fitted tow bar electrics work fine on the BMW.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2019 #17

    Do they use the indicator supply for the fridge as they do seem to be used otherwisewink

  • Glenn T
    Glenn T Forum Participant Posts: 49
    edited December 2019 #18

    I’am not sure, but they told me they had to connect an electrical wire harness to run the fridge.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2019 #19

    the fridge supply should and will be on a seperate curcuit than the other electrics.

  • derekcyril
    derekcyril Forum Participant Posts: 408
    100 Comments
    edited December 2019 #20

    Come on now bmws dont have indicators !! Happy new year to you all Derek

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