Interior/Exterior Picture request: Show me your Tow Hooks
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,533
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From: Fernandina Beach, FL
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
The tow hook is anodized red not painted red which might make a difference.
Last edited by cabriopilot; Oct 15, 2008 at 04:29 AM.
1st Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Duluth, GA
Thanks again.
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 192
Likes: 4
From: Evesham, Worcestershire, England
OEM tow hook. I had it painted red when a company was refurbing my rear calipers. So far, no chips, dents, fading or anything else and I have done 6000 miles and a few track days with it stuck out there.
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 488
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I told him it was a towhook. He looked very confused asked what in the world a towhook was. I told him it was a special device that and if he pulled it too hard my car would inflate into a Hummer and it may not fit under the car port. He looked stunned and said, "really, are you serious? That is so neat!"
I mean this guy totally belived me.
Needless to say, he will not be doing my roof work on my house. As a matter of fact I didn't even want him on my roof long enough to give an estimate. I mean, really---who doesn't know what a towhook is? Even if you don't know, the word "towhook" itself is pretty self explanitory. Honestly.
So now I'm using my car as a baseline IQ test for every roofer who comes out to give me an estimate. The first one to ask an intellegent question gets the job.
I mean this guy totally belived me.
Needless to say, he will not be doing my roof work on my house. As a matter of fact I didn't even want him on my roof long enough to give an estimate. I mean, really---who doesn't know what a towhook is? Even if you don't know, the word "towhook" itself is pretty self explanitory. Honestly.
So now I'm using my car as a baseline IQ test for every roofer who comes out to give me an estimate. The first one to ask an intellegent question gets the job.
I shudder thinking how your roof might have turned out if this guy did the job
I've got a pure silver too, and I like how the red hook looks on yours...now I can't decide if I want it in silver or in red...black would not be visible enough against the black of the bumper grill, I guess...
I have been looking into a plate holder in the front that screws into the tow hook receptacle:
1) Are there any other spots where one could be easily mounted
2) There is a tow hook receptacle in the back no? Are they the same size?
1) Are there any other spots where one could be easily mounted
2) There is a tow hook receptacle in the back no? Are they the same size?
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,518
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From: Rowland Heights, CA
the rear towhook is indeed the same size
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...ID=TOW/E36/E46
E36 and E46 Racing Tow Hooks
Part #: TOW/E36/E46
Applications: 1992 - 2005 (E36 E46)
E36 and E46 Racing Tow Hooks - collapsible, now mandated by BMW CCA Club Racing. Available in red and black. Folding design meets SCCA, CCA, NASA, and NABR and Grand AM (2007) tow hook regulations. Hook is made from 6061 T6 aluminum and is hard anodized. The inner diameter of ring is 2". When in folded position, tow hook sits behind the furthest point of the bumper. Available in front and rear sets only.
Price: $139.95
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,533
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From: Fernandina Beach, FL
States that it has a 1.5 ton towing capacity and looks very similar to the OM one.
I threw Outmotoring.com $33 for 2 beltline blackout kits instead
1st Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Duluth, GA
The tow hook I have also came from outmotoring.com and the only issue I've had is that it faded to a light pink color in about 3 months time. I spoke with the owner of outmotoring.com at MOTD09 and he said I could send it back and they would replace it. But, he did say that he couldn't guarantee the next one would not fade. It looks like it is somewhat of a hit or miss proposition as to whether or not the color sticks or not. I've talked with folks a other MINI meets that have red hooks that are still as red as they can be after a couple of years.
In the end I decided to dismantle it and I painted the "hook" part with red caliper paint and it looks great. It is easy enough to take off so if I get nicks I'll just sand it down and repaint. The red caliper paint is a much richer color of red than the original anodized color was so that's a bonus.
Take care.
In the end I decided to dismantle it and I painted the "hook" part with red caliper paint and it looks great. It is easy enough to take off so if I get nicks I'll just sand it down and repaint. The red caliper paint is a much richer color of red than the original anodized color was so that's a bonus.
Take care.
Outmotoring now has a supply of new Tow Hooks that are powder coated (instead of anodized) Red or Black to prevent fading.
Click the images for more info
Click the images for more info
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
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This may sound silly, but would a little rub down with some Armorall every now and then protect against the fading? I too have the red hook, and when i opened it, i gotta say, I thought it would be a little more red but iv had it for a month now and it still looks good plus no rock chips! (yet)
plus no rock chips! (yet)
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
The tow hook I have also came from outmotoring.com and the only issue I've had is that it faded to a light pink color in about 3 months time. I spoke with the owner of outmotoring.com at MOTD09 and he said I could send it back and they would replace it. But, he did say that he couldn't guarantee the next one would not fade. It looks like it is somewhat of a hit or miss proposition as to whether or not the color sticks or not. I've talked with folks a other MINI meets that have red hooks that are still as red as they can be after a couple of years.
In the end I decided to dismantle it and I painted the "hook" part with red caliper paint and it looks great. It is easy enough to take off so if I get nicks I'll just sand it down and repaint. The red caliper paint is a much richer color of red than the original anodized color was so that's a bonus.
Take care.
In the end I decided to dismantle it and I painted the "hook" part with red caliper paint and it looks great. It is easy enough to take off so if I get nicks I'll just sand it down and repaint. The red caliper paint is a much richer color of red than the original anodized color was so that's a bonus.
Take care.
I recently bought the outmotoring hook as well, and it too faded within 3 months. I was a little bit weary about painting the hook because I thought that the paint would not stick properly. Did you have any issues with your paint sticking? Did you clean it before hand with anything special?
Thanks!
1st Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Duluth, GA
rickdaustin,
I recently bought the outmotoring hook as well, and it too faded within 3 months. I was a little bit weary about painting the hook because I thought that the paint would not stick properly. Did you have any issues with your paint sticking? Did you clean it before hand with anything special? Thanks!
I recently bought the outmotoring hook as well, and it too faded within 3 months. I was a little bit weary about painting the hook because I thought that the paint would not stick properly. Did you have any issues with your paint sticking? Did you clean it before hand with anything special?
Thanks!