Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 00:14:55 EST
From: RFKoby_at_aol.com
Subject: D'Lan Hitch for E36 M3

I have installed 3 of these hitches on 2 E36 M3's, and 1 E36 325i(is).

The lower rear bumper facia on the 325i(is) does NOT need to be trimmed.

The lower rear bumper spoiler on the M3 does have to be trimmed. The area that you trim is the front edge of the spoiler after you remove it from the car. This edge and surface is almost parallel to the ground. This is the edge that is closest to the spare tire well. You will have to trim approximately a 1/4" of this edge off, a 3" piece near the center section. The trimmed area is NOT viewable from the rear of the car, it is only seen from UNDERNEATH the car. So don't worry about it.

About strength..............
I tow a small enclosed trailer 4' X 6' to the track. It easily holds 12 tires, tools, jacks, spare parts, chairs, cooler, etc. I did have a strength issue with the hitch. Due to the tongue weight (approx. 80-100 lbs) and the rear of the car moving rather abruptly because of the stiff shocks and springs,
I have broken the sheet metal in the spare tire well. I strongly suggest reinforcing the hitch before you install it.

Examine the hitch, you will see that it mounts on the rear most, vertical portion of the spare tire well with a reinforcing plate on the inside. The hitch also mounts to the bottom - rear portion of the spare tire well. When the hitch is heavily / suddenly loaded, this horizontal can be forced upwards into the spare tire well, deforming, tear, and crack the spare tire well.
I had to repair damage to mine when the spare tire well fractured. The spare tire well in only very thin sheet metal, and you can deform it by leaning on the center. Reinforcement is strongly advised.

I have reinforced the hitches that I have installed by extending the square receiver tubing underneath the car. The square tubing is extended and another load bearing plate welded to the extension so that the additional plate distributes the load to the FRONT of the spare tire well. This extension and additional surface area in the front add significant strength to the hitch. Both the front and rear plates have a mating
plate that fits INSIDE the spare tire well, and bolts thru the sheet metal to the lower plates on the square tubing of the receiver. The factory supplies a long thin bar for the internal load bearing plate in the rear.
Replace this thin bar with a plate of equal size to the plate underneath.

For those of you interested in this hitch, I have the factory instruction sheet / drawing. I also have digital pictures available of the hitch modifications for strength.
Email me privately, picture will be available after X-mas.

Bob
1995 M3 track car w/ hitch
1992 325i daily drive w/ hitch
1998 Pace trailer 4' x 6' (with 16 wheels inside) 1996 SeaDoo XP800 on a trailer
1998 Honda CBR600
1995 Yamaha KT100 powered go-kart (in the trailer also)

• 2 -------------------- Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 15:50:57 -0500
  From: Holly McReynolds <Hollysmac_at_adelphia.net>
  Subject: Re: Trailer hitch for E36 M3 - trimming lower rear bumper
  

Vern & Cary:

I put a hitch on my '97 M3 that I ordered from PepBoys. I had the dealer put it on. I just went out to the garage to look and all that they cut was a 1/2 inch section from the horizontal section of the lower rear bumper. You don't need to worry about the sugery showing unless you run over someone and they need something to look at while on the ground waiting for help.

I have been using a "Tire/tool trailer" since '92 and it really saves the car and my back to not have to restle stuff out of the rear seat. I just bought a Z3 3.0 and plan to put a hitch on it also. I will track the M3 and autox the Z3. I can share the M3 Kuhmos with the Z3. When my E46 M3 finally gets here then I will have to buy yet another set of Track tires.

Cary, I live in Snyder ouside Buffalo and I can testify the M3 makes a great winter car. The only time I have trouble is when the snow is so deep that the car gets bogged down. I spent 12 hours stuck in gridlock during the Storm of 2000 . I was comfortable, safe and warm. This is how I ended up ordering the Z3. I had a Miata I bought used last summer for autoxing. I had all that Time in the storm to think how very satisfying and safe BMWS are compared to the Miata. I pick up my Z3 on Jan 13. The dealer plans to Flat bed the Miata there for the trade in. I couldn't get it out of the driveway to a clear road to run to charge the battery. I test drove the Z3 in Early December . It was snowing but did just fine even with the Dunlop SP 8080E. Traction control and ABS really do make a difference.

Anyway enjoy your trailer I had mine built here in Buffalo. It is welded steel and has 14 inch tires. On the hiway it is really is stable- I don't know its there unless I have to make a panic stop -- then I feel the weight behind my car. I had one of those little utility trailers at first and they were unstable and jack knifed at the drop of a hat. Also I could not see it to back up. I have taken the trailer as far as O'fest in Florida. Comming back from O'fest this year I got caught in a Hail/Snow storm from Erie Pa to Buffalo. The trailer did just fine-- so did the car shod with PZeroes-- slow but steady. If you'd like a picture of the trailer let me know.

Holly McReynolds, BMWCCA Genesee Valley Chapter

'97 M3
2001 Z3 3.0 - soon :)
? E46 M3 - when they start manufacturing and my number come up :( '95 Tire trailer