Where is the tow hook?

[RichM]

Hi there,

Where is the front tow hook on a 1995 E36? I know there is a flap with a screw thread so that a tow hook can be connected on the rear, but there isn't one on the front..

Yesterday some chav managed to get his car stuck in a ditch, his back wheels were off the ground. I came along and offered a hand, but given the fact that I was in a lane, it was rather difficult to turn around and connect it up via the rear.

Any ideas? I assume there is one somewhere..

Thanks.

[Teh Prof]

On my E36 M3, there's one in the front bumper behind the trim strip. You should notice that the trim strip is different on one side than the other--I think the right side/US passenger side/UK driver's side has an interruption in the trim, and that's where the threads are for the front. You just pry off that shorter section of trim and eureka, there are your threads.

I assume you're UK given you know what a chav is.

[Hamfisted]

You have to take the actual "Tow Hook" out of the trunk's tool kit and screw it into the front mount.
There's no permanently mounted hook up front.



-Mike

[thooper41]

whats a chav?

[RichM]

Originally Posted by M3UOND

On my E36 M3, there's one in the front bumper behind the trim strip. You should notice that the trim strip is different on one side than the other--I think the right side/US passenger side/UK driver's side has an interruption in the trim, and that's where the threads are for the front. You just pry off that shorter section of trim and eureka, there are your threads.

I assume you're UK given you know what a chav is.

Thanks for the replies.

Would it be risky to use the detachable hook to pull a car out of a ditch? It doesn't look as strong as a typical hook that you'd find on a typical car.

In response to another reply, a chav is a UK stereotype used to refer to rough person, usually someone with little regard for other people, often intimidating and usually lacking an education. They usually hang out in gangs with their cars. I am not quite sure on the US equivalent, gangster maybe?

[PhatCat]

Originally Posted by RichM

They usually hang out in gangs with their cars. I am not quite sure on the US equivalent, gangster maybe?

We like to call them scrotes (as in...um, well. scrotum) around my house.

[Starmavin]

Originally Posted by RichM

Thanks for the replies.

Would it be risky to use the detachable hook to pull a car out of a ditch? It doesn't look as strong as a typical hook that you'd find on a typical car.

That's funny that you asked that, doing a mythbuster of my own at a salvage yard in my home state, we hooked the yard car hauler up to the screw in tow hook on a stripped e36 318 (less motor and trans) to see how strong it was. It lifted the car off the ground, so it's rather strong. (not so much that I'm willing to stand under it that is)

[RichM]

Originally Posted by Starmavin

That's funny that you asked that, doing a mythbuster of my own at a salvage yard in my home state, we hooked the yard car hauler up to the screw in tow hook on a stripped e36 318 (less motor and trans) to see how strong it was. It lifted the car off the ground, so it's rather strong. (not so much that I'm willing to stand under it that is)

That sounds interesting. Did you take any pics?

- Rich

[drz]

Yes, the hook is that strong. I had my 328i pulled out of a ditch once using that hook. I also had the same car pulled up onto a fltbed tow truck using the same hook.

[///M Power]

As previously mentioned. It's located in your tool kit in your trunk. Pull it out. Screw it in behind the bumper trim. Get 'ir done.