Hello all

I should have done it at car ordering stage (when it’s defo allowed in company policy) but didn’t. Would be looking at aftermarket but professional installation. Can imagine a million and one reasons the leasing company (Lex) would say no, just wondered if anyone had tried before I ask them.

Thanks

Yep I got an aftermarket one put onto my Alfa 159 (a crime I know, even the guy fitting it said so). Anyway, I called the lease company (Fiat financing) and they said it was ok so long as I used an authorised Alfa supplier to fit it. I phone the local Alfa dealer & found out where they get their dealer option towbars fitted, then took the car there. Hoping the lease company won’t “forget” the conversation when the time comes to hand back the car.

Cheers for that. If you don’t mind me asking, how much? I’ve not had a phone about yet but I’m assuming £400 or so.

Mine was something like £250 fitted, and apparently the 159 is a tricky install job

That sounds promising, is it a detachable ball?

nope it’s a fixed swan-neck type, single electrics. £400 sounds very steep.

I think I can expect to add a few quid for detachable, but even then £300 or so sounds doable. Roof rack and bike carriers going in classifieds shortly!

Thanks for the info Pedalhead.

Lex have never known about the towbars I have fitted to 4 of there cars 😳

At the end of the lease I had them removed and flogged them on ebay to re-coup the cost!

ps. never spent more than £200 having one fitted by a local specialist – ring round lots!

Remember – electrics can be simple just to make the lights etc work, or they can be fully computerised so that the car’s ESP knows that you’ve got a trailer and it can do stuff like correct snaking and let you know that a bulb’s gone etc. If it’s really expenisve that’s probably what you’re getting – but do check 🙂

£200 without fancy electronics, £4-500 upwards with ish.

Just had one fitted to my lease A3 today, oddly enough.
I was alway told ‘better to ask forgiveness than permission’.
If you ask, they may say no…

£205 with 7 pin electrics for comparison purposes. Flange type (whatever that means).

Cool, thanks all. It’s a BMW, so no doubt everyone will be out to fleece me at every turn.

Was a clause in our contracts that stated any additions had to be approved and then paid for by the driver. Quote for my current car (mine not lease) inc. manufacturers electrics is c£640!

Lease company aren’t bothered in the slightest, however cheapest quote so far £489! Something to do with rear valance, but I reckon it’s just a Beemer tax being added.

Anyone any specific supplier recommendations in the NW?

Cheers

No way it’s a beemer tax,that would put it in the £1000’s.

True

Anyone any specific supplier recommendations in the NW?

Have you tried Indespension?

http://www.indespension.co.uk/b2c/app/I01230?slnk=1&ZOSTID=32

As mentioned what they don’t know about won’t hurt 😉
But make sure you don’t get it fitted at a Lex approved garage, because if by accident they sent the authorisation request to the lease company, they will know about it and when you return the vehicle they have a tendancy to add a few quid in recharges.
Just make sure when it goes back it’s removed and any holes filled well.

I used Ecartec in Wigan. Slow but sure would be best way to describe them.
Leve your car with them, and go explore Wigan town centre.

I’ll give that a go, cheers.

Try a quote for a swan neck instead of the removable one, I seem to remember them being much more expensive when I was looking.