Anyone Know Rules For Towing An E36?

[Delmarco]

as the title says....

I'm assuming the rear wheel components cannot be dragging behind the tow truck...
so should an E36 always be towed with the front end down on the ground and the rear wheels up on the truck?

[94BMW325i]

Couldn't you just put it in neutral?

[Delmarco]

Originally posted by 94BMW325i@Feb 7 2005, 03:26 PM
Couldn't you just put it in neutral?

[snapback]287412[/snapback]

huh? used

[Casey3561]

Even in neutral, there's still a strain on the transmission. Tow with the front end down, or better still, on a ro-ro.

[Hoppy's535i]

not to mention. it would bring ur milage up.

so ya go,non drive wheels roling.

[blackONblack]

ask el prez, he knows all about places not to hook onto.

[-pimpin328is-]

flat bed

[jrhaile]

don't flat bed bimmers. when they pull it up it could make the car all out of alignment. happened with mine. tow it from the back with the nose down and put it in 1st gear or any gear for that matter. don't leave it in nuetral.. there is a reason for this which I know nothing about lol

[Deloriant]

omfg if you don't flat bed that thing you should be shot! (not really, but seriously, you need to flat bed that shit).

[Delmarco]

okay NO one really answered the question, but EVERY one confused the heck outta me. used

so is it:

1) Don't flatbed...because of alignment issues? used

2) Don't tow with nose down...because it add milage and the tow hook can mess up your rear drive components? used

3) Don't tow with rear back down because it messes up your transmission, and/or add milage and messes up aliognment? used

Well until they put out anti-gravitation machines...i need to do one of these...just need to know which one is best....

so which one is best, or the least worse of the lot?

thanks..you guys rock BTW

[jrhaile]

my bid is to go back end up with the car in 1st gear :P

[B3M2W5i]

i say get a flatbed from uhaul for 50 bucks a day

[jshearer]

I have never had to tow my bimmer, but I have always requested a flat bed if i need a tow. All the cars I have had sit too low to the ground and if they raise one end they scrape. My porsche was rear wheel drive and they said they would tow by raising the back end or on a flat bed and recommended the flat bed b/c of scraping.

[drz]

E36s must be towed using a wheel lift or flat bed. Do not tow the car on all four wheels unless you;re doing that for a very short distance (e.g, moving the car to a safe place). When towing the car from the front with the rear wheels on the ground, a maximum distance of 30 miles (20 according to some) is acceptable. If you need to tow your car farther, have the rear wheels placedd on dollies.
DO NOT use sling-type equipment. This will mess up your front bumpers and spoilers.
If your car is an automatic (Delmarco), towing it with the rear wheels on the ground can result in transmission damage due to lack of lubrication.
If absolutely necessary, you can tow your automatic with the rear wheels on the ground, but the tow should not exceed 25 miles and the speed should remain under 30mph. Be sure that the transmission fluid has been topped off before starting the tow. Tow the car in neutral. If towing farther than 25 miles, add one quart of ATF, or -- bette yet -- remove the driveshaft. You will have to pump out or drain the surplus fluid once the tow is completed.
Notice that I say "if completely necessary" and similar things in various places. Your best bet is to tow it using a truck with flat bed equipment. That is what I will do with my car this Thursday. I cannot tow it lifting the front because one of the rear wishbone arms is broken. For the same reason, I am not confident that it will hold very well if lifted from the rear wheels.

[Rfitz25]

I just towed mine with a flatbed 83 bucks.

No problem.

Guy said he had a BMW strap and a Mercedez strap for just such a car.

I think I blew my head gasket. arrghh