F11 D5 or B5 towhook / towbar - availability / removing the diffuser

[rs10]

I understand that adding a towbar to an F11 Alpina requires removing the diffuser. But is some other part then needed in it's place? And does anyone know if there is any significant aerodynamic effect of the change? (If the diffuser is just a set of fins at the very rear of the car, then probably not - it's probably mainly/only cosmetic. If the fins extend well forward of the rear bumper, then probably yes. Not yet owning an Alpina (working on it!), I can't go look under the car to check.)

And while I hope good towbars are available directly from Alpina at reasonable prices (which I'm trying to confirm), does anyone know if it is possible to add an aftermarket towbar to an F11 D5 or B5? I've had good experience with Westfalia's on a BMW E61. They say they don't have one for the Alpina, but they do have one for the BMW F11, which should work, no? Or perhaps some other aftermarket solution does?

Thanks for any insight into this!

[Yad3100]

Message Marc76 as he fitted a removable tow bar to his F11 D5.

[Marc 76]

They say they don't have one for the Alpina, but they do have one for the BMW F11, which should work, no?

Thanks for any insight into this!

Hi mate, as Yad says, i have done this, and i also found time to do a write up:

https://thealpinaregister.com/forums/vi ... ar#p212106

Mine is a Westfalia, and when detached is completely hidden by the diffuser, which as you point out, is only really there for aesthetics.

Two UK D5 touring's have factory electric towbars from new, and afaik they were originally supplied without the diffuser.

Diffuser is held in place by 6x push in plastic rivets and two screws with 8mm heads- and i always refit inbetween using the towbar. Takes a minute to take off and not much more to refit, so as you're on the floor anyway fitting/removing the hitch, it really isn't a chore.

Hope that all helps- good luck finding a car to fit a towbar to in the first place, that's the tricky part!

[rs10]

Thanks Yad and Marc 76 - very helpful!

[Frosty]

I have one of the F11's with a factory towbar. Before I got this car I was looking at a B5 F11 that didn't have either towbar or roof rails, either I was looking for for mounting bikes etc. The roof bars as a retrofit were hugely expensive and the towbar, as you can see is available with aftermarket, but an original electric one I was quoted in the order of £5k.

[rs10]

"I was quoted in the order of £5k"

Ouch! I wonder if it's just BMW parts. If so, an independent BMW specialist could probably do it for less.

[rs10]

I hadn't thought about roof rails - kind of assumed all F11s would have them. Even if not, there may be a solution. Both Thule and Yakima make roofbars that mount to "naked roofs". But looking at their websites, Yakima has not tested theirs on an F11 without roof rails, and Thule, which has a vehicle section tool, seems unaware that an F11 exists without roof rails. However, assuming the F11 doesn't have frameless windows (does it?), I'd bet one of these would work. I used the Thule version on a previous car and it was perfectly adequate.

Or do Alpina F11s without roof rails have fixed mounting points like an F10, or rain gutters? If so, there are other solutions from Thule and Yakima. There might also be solutions if it has rain gutters.

[rs10]

To clarify, Thule and Yakima have products that work with the F10's fixed mounting points. No idea if they have something that would work with rain gutters.