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  #1  
Old 01-23-2019, 11:24 PM
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Tow hitch. Factory or aftermarket

Hi all,

I'm getting ready to buy a tow hitch for my '01 X5 3.0 and curious what others have done. I see a couple of BMW factory hitch's, and they're $500 and up. Curt and others on ebay are in the low $200s.

Suggestions?

Thank you,

Jay
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  #2  
Old 01-24-2019, 12:02 AM
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I'm also looking for a hitch. AFAICT, finding a BMW hitch is going to be virtually impossible. Ebay sellers know it is rare and are asking ridiculous prices. I'm leaning toware the Draw Tite hitch from etrailer.com along with the Tekonsha wiring harness no. 119090 or 91. I need the 7 RV plug, so I'll be modifying the Tekonsha plug.

Clearly the OE hitch is the way to go, but I just don't see myself finding one at a reasonable price any time soon. Best odds are to hit junkyards, but I just don't have time to do that.

AM.
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  #3  
Old 01-24-2019, 04:27 AM
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I have a full factory hitch setup for sale now in the fs section. Only problem is, I will not ship it. Look for my partout thread if interested.

As to your question, I have read the aftermarket hitches are not very capable compared to the OE hitch. I only have first hand experience with the OE though. BTW, if going for one of the eBay options, make sure it comes with the whole retrofit. 90% of them do not.
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2005 X5 4.4i Build 04/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, Pano, Sport (Purchased 06/14 w/ 109,000 miles) (Sold 8/15 w/121,000 miles)


2006 X5 4.8is Build 11/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles)

2010 X5 35d Build 02/10
Nav, HiFi, 6 DVD, Sports Pckg, Cold Weather Pckg, HUD, CAS, Running Boards, Leather Dash, PDC, Pano (Purchased 03/17 w/ 136,120 miles)
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Old 01-24-2019, 04:36 AM
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If you can buy the electronics to make the car work properly when towing I would have no problem with draw Tite hitch for the hardware.


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  #5  
Old 01-24-2019, 07:45 AM
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crystalworks, I'd LOVE to buy your hitch, but logistics are a problem. Any chance you ever have a reason to head toward Lubbock or similar? If I could cut the drive down to a daytrip, I'd probably do it.

Another possibility would be Houston. I have a good friend there (Spring/Woodlands) who would store it until I can pick it up or he could ship it to me.

Just trying to think if there's a way to make this work.

AM.
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E53 2004 3.0 M54 AT Toledo Blue with Gray Leather
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Old 01-24-2019, 11:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Attacking Mid View Post
crystalworks, I'd LOVE to buy your hitch, but logistics are a problem. Any chance you ever have a reason to head toward Lubbock or similar? If I could cut the drive down to a daytrip, I'd probably do it.

Another possibility would be Houston. I have a good friend there (Spring/Woodlands) who would store it until I can pick it up or he could ship it to me.

Just trying to think if there's a way to make this work.

AM.
I could deliver it to your buddy in Houston for you if you would like. I have to make a trip up there to see a friend in H-town myself in the very near future (within a week or two).
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2005 X5 4.4i Build 04/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, Pano, Sport (Purchased 06/14 w/ 109,000 miles) (Sold 8/15 w/121,000 miles)


2006 X5 4.8is Build 11/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles)

2010 X5 35d Build 02/10
Nav, HiFi, 6 DVD, Sports Pckg, Cold Weather Pckg, HUD, CAS, Running Boards, Leather Dash, PDC, Pano (Purchased 03/17 w/ 136,120 miles)
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  #7  
Old 01-24-2019, 11:34 AM
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Junkyards are your best bet. There are a couple of local yards that wont let you pull parts that have tons of E53s and I always see the hitches on them. They will gouge you on price though. But they're certainly available.



Look on portland craigslist and you'll see a ton. But expect to pay $500.



Anyone know what these cost new from BMW in 2000?
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Old 01-24-2019, 11:39 AM
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I sold the oem trailer hitch off my parts car for $100 locally.

The OEM unit has more components than the aftermarket unit. It bolts to the rear frame rails from outside and inside with reinforcement brackets and additional hardware.




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  #9  
Old 01-24-2019, 11:55 AM
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Here is what a complete kit looks like. The one I have has everything but the harness pinout adapter (the one that takes it down to 4 pin) and the rubber square hitch cover/plug.



Junkyards are potentially the cheapest way to get one of these I would imagine. Some know their worth... and some do not. Some junkyards are the ones you see selling these on Ebay for $500-900 in varying states of completeness.


Edit: The above picture doesn't show the bumper reinforcement.


__________________
2005 X5 4.4i Build 04/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, Pano, Sport (Purchased 06/14 w/ 109,000 miles) (Sold 8/15 w/121,000 miles)


2006 X5 4.8is Build 11/05 Maintenance/Build Log
Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles)

2010 X5 35d Build 02/10
Nav, HiFi, 6 DVD, Sports Pckg, Cold Weather Pckg, HUD, CAS, Running Boards, Leather Dash, PDC, Pano (Purchased 03/17 w/ 136,120 miles)
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  #10  
Old 01-24-2019, 12:06 PM
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I just looked and there are at least 8 e53's at u-pull lots within an hour's drive. I think I'll check there first.

crystal - I'll get back to you if I'm still interested. I don't currently have any firm plans to go to Houston in the near future, though we've been kicking around the idea of a mountain bike weekend in Dallas with another friend there.

If I can find one on a junker that would be sweet! Why didn't one of the AM hitch companies make one that attaches like the OEM (sans the wiring)? It doesn't look that hard to duplicate.

AM.

AM.
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E70 2010 3.0 M57 AT Titanium Silver with Black Leather
E53 2004 3.0 M54 AT Toledo Blue with Gray Leather
E83 2008 3.0 N52 AT Silver Gray Metallic with Black Vinyl
E46 1999 2.8 M52TU 5MT Black with Tan Leather 250K+ miles (Sold, but not forgotten)
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