I appreciate this thread is getting on a bit but I for one have found it very informative. If nothing else me posting here will bump it and perhaps allow others to benefit from your shared experience.

Have been researching same with to possible future fit of detachable bar and dedicated wiring kit to my 2002 4.4i Sport. Was aware westfalia towbar components were one of the same & understand fitting the correct wiring kit will, (when activated by plugging in the trailer socket), tell the car that a trailer is connected and initiate what some refer to as a "trailer stability programme" ammending the cars DSC settings/parameters when towing. Buying a BMW wiring kit makes sense but would be keen to know if there are replica wiring kits otherwise branded too. I see relays can be bought which merely trick the car iinto thinking it doesn't have a trailer on the back plus allowing trailer electrics to work. Persoanlly a dedicated kit is the only way to go ( considering worst case scenarios when towing). Would be intersted to know what the wiring kit actually does specifically in relation to DSC/Trailer stability and/or other electrical functions, (i.e. dash warnings etc if bulbs blow in trailer).

If you have time I would be interested to know whats involved in the instalation of the BMW wiring kit. It would good to know if wiring instalation is simple or not. I have seen other informative posts by you and it would be fair to say your knowledge of electrics may be superior to mine - just assume you posting info for the village idiot and I should keep up - lol.

Thanks anyway for info to date in any case.

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Black & Black E53 X5 2002 4.4i Sport