A couple of feedback on installing the hitch

[philfallout]

Perfect thanks. Hopefully the part number is the same over here

[JCL]

While I expect the lighting control module to be the same part number in the UK, the rest of the electrical kit could be different. The UK kit includes a different receptacle plug, and thus the harness to connect to it from the lighting module will likely have a different plug as well.

[ZetaTre]

Be aware that in the EU the hitch system is different than what we have here. I would highly recommend you check on realoem.com by using your VIN...

[ZetaTre]

Here's the whole retrofit kit: RealOEM.com * BMW E83 X3 3.0d Retrofit kit, towing hitch

Here's the single components: the lighting control module has different p/n: RealOEM.com * Diagram Selection

[JCL]

Originally Posted by ZetaTre

Here's the whole retrofit kit: RealOEM.com * BMW E83 X3 3.0d Retrofit kit, towing hitch

Here's the single components: the lighting control module has different p/n: RealOEM.com * Diagram Selection

There are no prices shown for most of those parts, and there is a reference to check a bulletin (likely with changes that impacted pricing, and possibly kit consist). Best advice would be to have a dealer look it up by VIN, and also to confirm what bulletin reference EBA 0307547 says.

[philfallout]

Okay thanks for all this help. I called a dealer and they quoted £545 for everything (except labour), but then I found a used BMW X3 towbar (advertised with all electrics). Thing is I'd like to get this towbar as it's loads cheaper but don't trust that the electrics haven't just been cut to get the towbar off the vehicle. So if I have the towbar I may need all new electrics...

That realoem site is very useful, but it says the part number for that lighting control module is not for the E83??

Thanks again.

[philfallout]

Originally Posted by JCL

There were aftermarket suppliers of the OE wiring kit that were cheaper than the BMW wiring kit price, but not cheaper than the BMW bundle price.

I see why it's cheaper to buy as a bundle now! The trailer towing module alone is over $200!

Maybe I'll have a rethink about sourcing them separately...

[JCL]

Originally Posted by philfallout

That realoem site is very useful, but it says the part number for that lighting control module is not for the E83??

Thanks again.

On the X5 (and I believe the X3 would be the same) the UK and North American trailer plug receptacles are different (ie the number of pins). There are national standards that they follow. For that reason the harness from the lighting module would be different, at least on one end.

That implies to me that the module could be different. It is the same where it goes into the vehicle, and it serves the same purpose, but the logic could be slightly different, ie pin assignments in the harness.

I do think you need to ask a dealer about the bulletin, to see if it says anything critical to your application.

[philfallout]

Okay thanks again guys. I've done some more research and will definitely ask a dealer about that. After trawling through online stores over here it seems the cheap thing I was looking at was a bypass relay, not a lighting control module. I'm really glad I got help from you people before I ended up fitting a bypass relay!

Thanks again, I let you know how it all goes over here when It's fitted!

[philfallout]

Okay, so It seems I may be able to fit the US style tow hitch with the UK wiring (thanks for all the help, on this and other threads). After searching through the US versions of BMW, Amazon and Ebay it seems all the BMW X3 hitches are listed as 2005 - 2010, but this must be a mistake?

e.g. Amazon.com: BMW Trailer Hitch Kit-Class 2 Trailer Hitch - Class 2 - X3 SAV 2005-2010: Automotive

On realoem it lists the same part number for the Dec 04 X3 3.0i, Dec 05 X3 3.0i and Dec 06 X3 3.0i So...does anyone know will the one listed above fit my Dec 04 2.0d?