Tow bars

[warby]

I’m looking for a secondhand M3 LR around 2020 facelift. Ideally i would like a tow bar but there only seems to be one M3 for sale (excluding CPO) with one. Are they really that rare?

I’m assuming they add desirability so dealers would highlight them if they had them?

 

[Adopado]

You would think so but some dealers could well be unaware that a car has a tow bar.

 

[Lord Farquad]

They went through a stage when I was buying in 2021 where you couldn’t order factory tow bars. I expect it’ll be a rare car.
You can’t retrofit one as the V5 won’t reflect a tow value, so even if you fitted one it’s not be legal.
What do you want it for? Caravan, bike rack, boat etc??

 

[warby]

I just want it for bikes but as you say it’s not legal if not factory fitted. Out of 1000 M3 on Autotrader only 1 has a tow bar and there was another sold last week.

 

[Burley]

Have a look at the inventory listings on Tesla-info.com as that allows you to search for tow pack and it’s generally wider than just auto trader.

 

[Adopado]

I just want it for bikes but as you say it’s not legal if not factory fitted. Out of 1000 M3 on Autotrader only 1 has a tow bar and there was another sold last week.

You can actually fit one legally if it’s for a bike rack rather than towing…

 

[warby]

I thought as it is 0kg rated you couldn’t put anything on there.

 

[qwickshot]

You can but it has to form part of the weight of the car, not a trailer.

So bike racks, tow bar boxes are fine. Trailers are a hard no.

 

[thax1]

You can but it has to form part of the weight of the car, not a trailer.

So bike racks, tow bar boxes are fine. Trailers are a hard no.

Interesting to note.
Incidentally, how would a non-towing capable towbar be indicated to a subsequent owner? Is the vehicle data plate on the door sill (or wherever it is) different on a factory-fitted towing-capable Tesla?

 

[Lord Farquad]

Interesting to note.
Incidentally, how would a non-towing capable towbar be indicated to a subsequent owner? Is the vehicle data plate on the door sill (or wherever it is) different on a factory-fitted towing-capable Tesla?

Yes, the V5 shows zero tow capacity

 

[qwickshot]

Interesting to note.
Incidentally, how would a non-towing capable towbar be indicated to a subsequent owner? Is the vehicle data plate on the door sill (or wherever it is) different on a factory-fitted towing-capable Tesla?

VIN plate takes president. If you are pulled by the police or VOSA, that’s what they’ll look at (not the V5).

In all honesty, it’s it’s just for bikes, I’d be looking at roof bars. Cheaper and less grief.

 

[MrBadger]

Interesting to note.
Incidentally, how would a non-towing capable towbar be indicated to a subsequent owner? Is the vehicle data plate on the door sill (or wherever it is) different on a factory-fitted towing-capable Tesla?

You can actually get tow bars that will only fit certain bike racks.

I don’t know how common these are but it will limit bike rack that can be fitted. I know our bike rack is not compatible but a slightly different version is (and with standard tow balls).

I think the bike rack only tow balls have an additional lug fitted which prevents hitches without an opening for that lug to be used. At least I think that’s how it works from the description I have read. A little disappointed that I may need to change my bike rack if I tried it on a different car.

 

[M3P75]

I have a full Tesla Bar and electrics fitted to my 22 plate performance, all parts supplied by Tesla, they would only supply them as I said I was using them for a bike rack, I wouldn't tow as not rated for it but its been absolutely fine with a Electric bike (battery removed) and one other bike.