|
|
08-06-2020, 03:18 PM | #1 |
Second Lieutenant
352
Rep 281
Posts |
Installing a tow hitch on my E92 M3
I will preface this post by saying that installing a hitch on an M3 is not for everyone and will probably ruffle a bunch of feathers. That being said, I don’t really care since there are plenty of similar cars all over the world towing a lot more with far inferior brakes, power, and tires/suspension. The track guys tow small trailers loaded up with a spare wheel set, tools, fuel, you name it.
Anyhow - I am a firm believer in using fun cars to their full extent, so every fun car I buy usually gets a trailer hitch in order to haul my bike rack and tow a small trailer for track days, Home Depot runs, whatever. My Corvette towed great, with the towing package I installed (more power, stronger brakes, oil cooler, LOL). Not only does it prevent me from having to use my wife's Rav4, but I love the looks I get and pissing off purists: "You're not supposed to tow with that car!!!!!!" LOL, hold my beer. These cars are more than adequate for small loads. Really I want to just get my bike back on there so I can start riding again, with the gyms still being closed. The plan is to install a hidden hitch setup that has a vertical receiver behind the bumper cover. When I want to use the hitch I will install a 90 degree adapter, like this concept. The problem is that nobody makes a hitch like this for the M3, so I bought a generic E9X hitch knowing it would have to be modified, and immediately proceeded to cut it up to clear the exhaust tips and bumper mounts. So after a few nights of cutting and tacking, here’s where I’m at right now – one vertical receiver hitch for an E92 M3. I should have everything mocked up later this week and drop it off at my welder’s for final welding as my little 110V MIG isn’t up to the task of burning in the thick steel.
__________________
|
08-06-2020, 03:38 PM | #2 |
Second Lieutenant
352
Rep 281
Posts |
Here is the system fully mocked up and just tacked together. It needs final welding and a coat of paint.
__________________
|
08-06-2020, 09:09 PM | #6 |
Second Lieutenant
331
Rep 285
Posts |
I need this! Been running a roof rack with 2 wheels on it - driving to and from the track haha
__________________
NASA Mid Atlantic - TT3 #97
'12 E92 M3 ZCP Sponsored by Andrewtech Automotive |
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2020, 07:32 AM | #7 |
Second Lieutenant
352
Rep 281
Posts |
That's not a bad option either, but it has to be a hassle throwing 2 wheels up there and then tying them down...any pics of the setup?
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2020, 09:12 AM | #8 |
Lieutenant General
11647
Rep 12,757
Posts |
so the main modification was to step it out towards the rear of the car to clear the center exhaust hanger? it may have been possible to just incorporate hangers into the hitch design and get rid of the oem hanger.
__________________
Instagram; @roastbeefmike
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2020, 09:21 AM | #9 | |
Lieutenant General
11647
Rep 12,757
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Instagram; @roastbeefmike
|
|
Appreciate
3
|
08-07-2020, 11:09 AM | #10 |
Second Lieutenant
331
Rep 285
Posts |
OEM BMW roof bars
Random roof basket from eBay 1 ratcheting strap per wheel Super easy to take on and off, the oem roof is already tapped for the bars. I keep the basket mounted to the bars, so it's just a matter of 4 screws to mount/dismount everything then throwing the wheels on and securing them
__________________
NASA Mid Atlantic - TT3 #97
'12 E92 M3 ZCP Sponsored by Andrewtech Automotive |
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2020, 11:38 AM | #11 | |
Brigadier General
4059
Rep 3,458
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Not a Doctor, those are just my initials.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2020, 12:06 PM | #12 |
Second Lieutenant
331
Rep 285
Posts |
Yeah, weight primarily. I believe per OEM manual the weight should not exceed 150 lbs or so and yes that's a lot of projectiles that could come flying off haha this setup can handle 90 mph high way speeds no issues, very little additional wind noise too
__________________
NASA Mid Atlantic - TT3 #97
'12 E92 M3 ZCP Sponsored by Andrewtech Automotive |
Appreciate
1
DRLane4058.50 |
08-07-2020, 12:17 PM | #13 |
Lieutenant General
11647
Rep 12,757
Posts |
Correct. It's a weight issue. There are four m6 bolts keeping it up there. The bases have feet that support the weight, but the sheer strength of four m6 bolts is what's keeping it up there.
__________________
Instagram; @roastbeefmike
|
Appreciate
1
DRLane4058.50 |
08-07-2020, 12:36 PM | #14 |
Brigadier General
4059
Rep 3,458
Posts |
Great insights guys! For the time being I'll keep wiggling three wheels in to the back seat area. Just a pain to get in / out. Thinking of removing the rear deck.
__________________
Not a Doctor, those are just my initials.
|
Appreciate
1
kayha12330.50 |
08-07-2020, 12:40 PM | #15 |
Second Lieutenant
331
Rep 285
Posts |
Yeah prior to the roll bar install that's what I did too, backseat down, 1 in the trunk and 3 in the backseat area. Now I'm rocking 2 on the roof rack, 1 in the trunk, 1 as passenger haha
__________________
NASA Mid Atlantic - TT3 #97
'12 E92 M3 ZCP Sponsored by Andrewtech Automotive |
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2020, 12:48 PM | #16 | |
Brigadier General
4059
Rep 3,458
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Not a Doctor, those are just my initials.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2020, 03:39 PM | #17 |
Colonel
5380
Rep 2,812
Posts
Drives: '09 E90 M3 - IB
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: 93 million miles from the Sun
|
I'm more disturbed that you take your cars out in the rain.....what's that about?
__________________
|
08-09-2020, 06:42 PM | #18 |
Stop the hate, get a V8
3858
Rep 8,625
Posts |
Yeah no way can the roof handle four tires with wheels mounted. A 275/35R18 Hoosier is about 23 pounds, and an 18x10 forged wheel is probably 21. Cast wheels would be a few pounds heavier. Plus, the rack itself has weight.
__________________
Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan
Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP |
Appreciate
0
|
08-10-2020, 11:59 AM | #19 | ||
Second Lieutenant
352
Rep 281
Posts |
Quote:
I also had to redrill the mounting holes to move up the hitch in order to avoid hitting the exhaust tips, and trim off the tops of the mounting plates. Finally, the side plates were trimmed at the bottom, again to provide clearance from the tips. Other than than, it bolted right up Quote:
The hitch does add some additional weight (maybe 40#?) but for me the additional practicality from having so much more cargo capacity makes it worth it. Besides, my M3 will only see occasional, non-competitive track duty, so the weight penalty is pretty negligible. Now, I need to find a set of "extension" harnesses for the tail lights so that I can splice into those instead of hacking up the stock light pigtails.
__________________
|
||
Appreciate
1
roastbeef11647.00 |
08-10-2020, 01:17 PM | #20 |
Major General
2766
Rep 5,483
Posts |
legend
nice work I have done the roof rack wheels and the tire trailer wheel transport (in a Civic). Roof rack knocked Civic's performance right in the dirt, mileage was bad, everything was bad. Tire trailer, carrying much more, barely made a dent in highway mileage, and was just all 'round better. Unloading consisted of unhooking the trailer. It was awesome. Big fan of class I hitches on regular cars. Wish it was standard equipment. None of the trailer people have a plug and play (or wire tap and play) BMW light and signal harness?
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-10-2020, 08:29 PM | #21 | |
Lieutenant General
11647
Rep 12,757
Posts |
Quote:
the biggest bummer i've had with the rack was after a track day at laguna seca. my track wheels were covered in brake dust from a full day and two of them were on the rack. it rained pretty good at night and all of the brake dust from the two wheels on the roof was washed out of the wheels and baptized the car.
__________________
Instagram; @roastbeefmike
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-11-2020, 08:19 AM | #22 | |
Second Lieutenant
352
Rep 281
Posts |
Quote:
Keep in mind that some of the HF trailers are designed to fold up when not in use.
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
1
roastbeef11647.00 |
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|