Hi all,

I have a 2019 G63, it's been solid, and i've towed a couple small light trailers behind it very easily, with no issues. Under 1000lbs probably.

Question is, I am planning to tow a flatbed trailer to transport a G80 M3 on it about 350 miles one way. And will tow back the same distance. Basically from Scottsdale to Los Angeles.

Less worried about the drive to LA, and a little concerned about coming out of Palm Springs area on the way back with a pretty large, long slope uphill. Also will likely be over 100 degrees the majority of the trip until getting closer to LA.

Ive had escalades and Denalis, that would tow 5-6-7000 lb boats with out much issue. The M3 is about 3700-3800 lbs, and a trailer I would imagine will be at least another 1000-1500lbs.

So total will be 4700-5500lbs-ish.

Am I crazy? I feel like it shouldn't have much issue, but I have not towed anything of any significance with the G63 so far.

Anyone have thoughts or suggestions, or should I not even consider this?

 

The G63 has a towing capacity of 7000 pounds so you should be good.

 

yes I know the towing capacity is ok. I was more wondering if there is anything I should be concerned with ? Would this type of tow raise any concerns with anyone ? Regardless of the tow capacity, the heat and hills are what I’m worried about with the transmission etc, or should it handle it with out any issue ?

 

I would rent a pickup truck from Enterprise or some other company for the task.

 

Why? That makes no sense what so ever. The car is MORE than capable of towing an M3, uphill both ways under the blazing sun while it snows in the rain.

 

Then, why the OP's inquiry? Capability is one thing -- wear and tear is another. Long haul towing is hard on drive trains, especially transmissions and differentials. I would change out the fluids to a higher temp range before the trip and back to normal spec upon return. (Scottsdale to LA is triple digit country this time of year.) All this is more hassle than renting a truck and putting the hard miles on it. I wouldn't buy any used vehicle knowing it had spent its life towing.
There's also the issue of conforming with the G's tongue weight spec and ensuring the trailer's braking system can be controlled by the G. Rental trucks are setup and intended for towing -- they remove all the guesswork.

 

I agree, I would rent a U Haul or Penske truck than taking a chance. I also wouldn’t purchase a used truck that had been used for towing.

 

wear and tare are part of it certainly. Capability I’m sure it can handle it.

was mostly wondering if there is inherent issues any one has seen or knows about with this type of tow.

yes, it will be 100-110 the majority of the way, both directions until metro LA.

However I wouldn’t say this vehicle has spent its life towing. This would only be the second time it’s towed anything ever. And the first time was about 20 miles with a very small trailer that didn’t weight very much.

I would simply prefer not to grenade the transmission in the middle of the desert in the summer.

we are taking his 1100hp M3 over to the Bimmerinvasion show as it’s a featured car, and thought it would be kind of cool to tow it behind the G63 up to a car show. That’s pretty much the only reason for it.

 

Get Scottsdale BMW to comp you an iX for the week -- it'll be great advertising for them (lol).

 

lol, nah, I’ll pass. I wouldn’t want to drive one of those even if they paid me.

x5/6M? Maybe…

 

Well it ended up doing really well, watched engine temp, oil, etc the entire time both ways, and driving through Palm Springs into LA it was even hotter than Arizona, hit 121 degrees (according to the car) just past Palm Springs, but the G63 did incredible. Could definitely feel it back there, but it was much easier than it was towing a boat with my previous escalade. No issues to not as of right now, and car is running strong.

The M3 weighs about 3800 lbs, trailer was about 2200. So 6000lbs and it did well.

The event was cool, and a lot of cool cars.

The M3 is 1100 hp at the wheels roughly, my m5 is about 750-800 at the wheels and the G63 is stock. so maybe 2500 hp In that photo LOL!

 

Glad it worked out. Beautiful Bimmer -- I would have hauled it in a Brink's truck with armed guards. (lol)