[biofotis]

This is my first retrofit on the iX
I managed to successfully install the fully automatic towbar on my iX.
Total cost was about 450 pounds and its worth it for sure.
I had to buy a second hand towbar for our car for around 350, a towbar module, the button of towbar, a few connectors and some wiring.

I havent got pictures yet but its fairly easy installation. First you need to mount the towbar which is held with 4 bolts. That goes into the place of the rear crashbar.

To allow the bar to fully extend you need to cut the plastic trim from your bumber. ITs already marked with a line so with a dremem bit just follow the line and cut it.

Once installed you need to make your own wiring but maybe BMW sells the wiring but I havent checked. I followed the wiring diagrams from newtis and made it easily.

The wiring goes through a rubber grommet inside the boot. Then the other end from the wiring go to the towbar module on the left side of the boot under the seat buttons.

Then the module has 3 more connectors. One connect is the power supply where you need to connect each wire to your rear and front fuse boxes. Ground is easy as there is a bolt there on the chassis.

The other connector is for the towbar button and its only 4 wires. I had to drill a hole on my console at the rear left to fit the button.

And the last connector is just CAN2 signal that you can highjack from the modules back there. It also need 2 more signals from the BCP unit under the driver's footwell. Just route 2 wires carefully under the trims.


After the installation its time for coding.

Open esys read your FA and ECU list (make sure the towbar module is connect). It should shown as AAG2
Edit your FA to add 3AG and save.

Then send your files to a service that can provide signed NCD files for all your modules and once you receive them start coding. There are guides how to do this but essentially you just load each NCD file to the related modules and press code NCD. You need to do this for a few modules such as RAM IBS MGU etc. Or you can do all of them to make sure.

Once coded you can use your fully automated towbar and start towing.
All options are available such as extra options in camera view to help you reverse on your caravan etc

I would say the most difficult part was to make the wiring loom but if you can get it from bmw then it would be super easy.


My next goal is to fit laser lights