Any one flat tow a BMW?

wolfe10 wrote:
As far as I know, the primary issue will be whether the transmission is lubricated adequately from just the OUTPUT shaft or whether it needs the INPUT shaft turning to properly lubricate the transmission.

A good BMW tech who overhauls the manual transmissions should be able to give you guidance.

Exactly! Many manual shift transmissions are splash lubricated by the rotating cluster gear. That cluster gear only rotates when the INPUT shaft is turning. When being towed, only the OUTPUT shaft is turning. No splash lubrication is taking place. Eventually, the output shaft bearings will dry out and begin to self destruct. It may take a while, but when it happens the repair cost will not be covered by ANY warranty!
IF that is true of the transmission in your vehicle, there are ways to get around it:
1. Stop every 100 to 200 miles, run the vehicle in Neutral for 5 minutes to distribute the lubricant.
2. Tow the vehicle with the engine running, transmission in Neutral. This will keep the lube stirred up and the bearings coated.
3. Replace the filler plug with a "street ell" pipe fitting, with the elbow pointed up. Fill the tranny with lube until it runs out of the elbow, then install the plug in it. This will flood the upper half of the gear train with lube. It will also cause some of the excess lube to puke out of the vent plug, so you will have to check the level often, and your vehicle will be "marking its territory" with oil spots.
Of course, you COULD just believe the Owners Manual when it says "Recreational Towing: ONLY on a dolly or trailer! Do NOT tow four down!"
Good luck.

I stand corrected if that is the case, i was passing on info I received from an extremely knowledgeable BMW source.

Bikeboy57 wrote:
The trans is not the issue since the car in question is a manual.

Wolfe's statement above pertains specifically to manual transmissions. Not all of them are lubricated effectively by the output shaft. The 5-speed used in Dodge Ram gas trucks were not towable, beyond 10 miles, due to this issue. But the 6-speed behind the diesel was towable.

The trans is not the issue since the car in question is a manual. The challenge is how to unlock the steering wheel and yet not activate the car control nannies and abs. The car is keyless. When i explored this with an 08 M3 I was warned by a BMW guy who knew his stuff that the traction control and abs would not like this situation.

As far as I know, the primary issue will be whether the transmission is lubricated adequately from just the OUTPUT shaft or whether it needs the INPUT shaft turning to properly lubricate the transmission.

A good BMW tech who overhauls the manual transmissions should be able to give you guidance.

You might want to check out some of the BMW forums for some input on this.

Gary

YEAH!!! That's what I was hoping to hear! I will check further prior to purchase, Bob

My friend flat tows a ten year old 3 series stick all over. No mods.

way2roll wrote:
Quick google search brings up a few Rv and Bimmer forums. Most agree with Remco that it can't or shouldn't be done. I imagine you could call a shop that works on them and ask. I wouldn't compare results of a mini. Just because it's made by bmw doesn't mean it's built the same. A bit like saying you can tow an F350 because you can tow a focus.

Truedat.

I see lots of them on flatbeds!
But seriously, they mostly just leak oil!!!!!

Sorry. On a car trailer only!