» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | 10-13-2004, 08:55 PM | #1 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | Installed a hitch on my 318ti In case anyone is wondering, there is a hitch that is designed to mount to the 318ti. Only one model hitch was ever made for this car, I looked all over the net. below is the image of how it mounts. The hitch cost me $435.00 installed, not cheap. I have a classic 1979 Triumph Bonneville, that I trailer around. The tongue weight can't exceed 100lbs, but it tows my single rail bike trailer easily. The one annoying glitch is that the cross bar that keeps the hitch from swaying front to back is very close to my rear muffler hanger. That means that when I pull out of my driveway, or make a sharp turn, I hear the muffler hanger(metal part) hit the cross bar. Maybe I just need to get a new donut for the muffler hanger, it seems to be stretched. I can send pics of the hitch mounted on my car, if anyone is interested. http://www.hitch-web.com/proDescrip....ode=6940&OID=8 __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers Navman ICN 530 GPS BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system Magnecor 8.5mm wires M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob Burlwood Dashboard Stromung Exhaust X-brace Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar Carbonio C.A.I. 17" Rial Rims Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs Clear Corners M3 Mirrors UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines Hartge Roof Spoiler BavAuto Springs Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts SPC Front Camber Kit Reiger Hatch Spoiler BavAuto Rear Camber Kit Dinan Stage II Software Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm Engine Compartment Light Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit OEM Fire Extinguisher Da'lan Trailer Hitch Rear Sun Shade OEM Fog Light Retrofit H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links Cruise Control Retrofit On Board Computer Retrofit M3 twistie style side skirts Carbon Fiber Hood | | | 10-15-2004, 06:21 PM | #2 | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Canada,Ottawa Posts: 8 | fix to your hitch Hi, I've go the same hitch, (I think from Duran or something), and also I've got the same rattling problem. What you can do to solve this is ask your car mechanic to heat-up the muffler hook so that he changes the position of the muffle. Option 2 (cheaper) get one or 2 stainless steel hose clamp and any good peace of rubber (I've used my old air intake boot(heat resistant) and cut it in half) and clamp this around the center member of the hitch (just about where this metal to metal is happening). It's now been 3 month through the hot summer, no problemo, no more rattling. $5.00 repair. Yes next time I will go to my mechanic I will ask him to do the real repair, but until then, I just cant handle any rattle. see ya | | | 11-24-2004, 08:17 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | Updates I recently installed a Stromung exhaust system on the car. In the process I replaced the two rubber hangars in the rear. Both of them were kinda stretched. In the end, the Stromung has a different hook, and the new rubber hangars are stronger. No more noises when I make a turn or pull out of my driveway. Quote: Originally Posted by James Hi, I've go the same hitch, (I think from Duran or something), and also I've got the same rattling problem. What you can do to solve this is ask your car mechanic to heat-up the muffler hook so that he changes the position of the muffle. Option 2 (cheaper) get one or 2 stainless steel hose clamp and any good peace of rubber (I've used my old air intake boot(heat resistant) and cut it in half) and clamp this around the center member of the hitch (just about where this metal to metal is happening). It's now been 3 month through the hot summer, no problemo, no more rattling. $5.00 repair. Yes next time I will go to my mechanic I will ask him to do the real repair, but until then, I just cant handle any rattle. see ya | __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers Navman ICN 530 GPS BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system Magnecor 8.5mm wires M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob Burlwood Dashboard Stromung Exhaust X-brace Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar Carbonio C.A.I. 17" Rial Rims Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs Clear Corners M3 Mirrors UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines Hartge Roof Spoiler BavAuto Springs Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts SPC Front Camber Kit Reiger Hatch Spoiler BavAuto Rear Camber Kit Dinan Stage II Software Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm Engine Compartment Light Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit OEM Fire Extinguisher Da'lan Trailer Hitch Rear Sun Shade OEM Fog Light Retrofit H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links Cruise Control Retrofit On Board Computer Retrofit M3 twistie style side skirts Carbon Fiber Hood | | | 11-25-2005, 09:45 PM | #4 | Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tucson Posts: 32 | Yes, I most certainly WAS wondering. I am investigating this full force right now because I want to tow a motorcycle from San Antonio to Tucson. Sheesh - of COURSE the hitch is expensive.... Thanks! | | | 11-25-2005, 11:04 PM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 4,129 | Well, one good thing about the hitch is, I bought a bicycle carrier that mounts on the ball hitch of the trailer. That way I can tow the motorcycle and carry bicycles at the same time. Quote: Originally Posted by operaflute Yes, I most certainly WAS wondering. I am investigating this full force right now because I want to tow a motorcycle from San Antonio to Tucson. Sheesh - of COURSE the hitch is expensive.... Thanks! | __________________ 1998 (July) 318ti, 5-spd OEM Armrest Blaupunkt Heidelberg CD50 CD Player/Compact Drive MP3 Player Diamond Audio 5.25" rear speakers Navman ICN 530 GPS BMWALARM.COM (with comfort settings) after market alarm system Magnecor 8.5mm wires M-Z3 Shifter/Momo Knob Burlwood Dashboard Stromung Exhaust X-brace Racing Dynamics Front Strut Bar Carbonio C.A.I. 17" Rial Rims Vader Seats/Heated/Lumbar Support M-tech Steering Wheel/Front Sway Bar/Front & Rear Bumper Depos/w 6500K Angel Eyes/6000K HIDs Clear Corners M3 Mirrors UUC Light Weight Flywheel/M5 Clutch/M3 Clutch Slave E28 3.46 LSD/Mcoupe Cover/E30 Flanges & Halfshafts UUC S.S. Brake/Clutch Lines Hartge Roof Spoiler BavAuto Springs Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks E46 M3 Rear Shock Mounts SPC Front Camber Kit Reiger Hatch Spoiler BavAuto Rear Camber Kit Dinan Stage II Software Turner Rear Sway Bar Reinforcements BMW E46 Auto dimming mirror with Clown Nose alarm Engine Compartment Light Heated Wiper Fluid Retrofit OEM Fire Extinguisher Da'lan Trailer Hitch Rear Sun Shade OEM Fog Light Retrofit H & R MZ3 Rear Sway Bar/ UUC Adjustable End Links Cruise Control Retrofit On Board Computer Retrofit M3 twistie style side skirts Carbon Fiber Hood | | | 11-25-2005, 11:18 PM | #6 | Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tucson Posts: 32 | Very cool. I'd love to find a used one, since I just spent my money on the bike! | | | 11-25-2005, 11:31 PM | #7 | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 | __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts 2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | 11-25-2005, 11:47 PM | #8 | Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tucson Posts: 32 | Actually, I think I found it one hitchesonline.com for $229 plus $30 for shipping. (I've got an email out to confirm it's the one I'm after). Still, if someone's got one in their garage they want to sell for less, I'd prefer to go that route! Spouse is already grumbling about the money I've spent on the bike... | | | 11-26-2005, 02:18 AM | #9 | Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tucson Posts: 32 | Here's a related question I have not found an answer for. The hitch says I can car 1500lbs. or the max. load for my car, whatever is less. My owners manual says something like "trailer load, permissible weight - p. 136" Of course, on page 136 (or anywhere else that I can find) has nothing of the sort. The only thing I can guess is that I can subtract the empty car weight from the max. gross car weight to get a safe maximum trailer weight? (It comes out to about 1000 lbs.) Also - how do the maximum axle weights figure in? I called the dealer, and they didn't have an answer for me. Oh - and I meant to ask L84THSKY: What did they use/how did they wire the lights on the trailer? | | | 05-10-2006, 03:16 AM | #10 | Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tucson Posts: 32 | I've got a new question about this hitch. I bought it and it was great with my U-Haul rental moto trailer. I've now bought a small moto trailer of my own, and I'd like to lower the ball height some. But since the hitch has a vertical receiver, I can't just stroll down to U-Haul and pick up a lower ball mount. Does anyone make one that'll work for our hitch? Thanks! | | | 05-10-2006, 04:33 AM | #11 | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Or Posts: 2,666 | Hmm. RIDE THE BIKE!!!! Dave __________________ Dave - PDX 1995 318ti - Active Black and Tan. 2005 330xi - Mtech 1 - 6spd - Orient Blue/Black | | | 05-10-2006, 07:16 PM | #12 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 119 | Quote: Well, one good thing about the hitch is, I bought a bicycle carrier that mounts on the ball hitch of the trailer. That way I can tow the motorcycle and carry bicycles at the same time. | Just remember the weight of the bicycles and rack go straight into your max tongue weight! Operaflute, it is possible that all you need to do is slide the hitch down to where you want it, and then drill a new hole for the pin? Make sure there is enough ground clearance and enough material around the new hole. __________________ Pete N | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |