Fitting a cheap (free) Curt Towhitch / Towbar on E53 - need advice

[shedtastic]

Originally Posted by Effduration

So here is the link to the Curt installation thread if anyone's interested.. Looks pretty thorough (I didn't read all of it)

There was a recommendation to get extra bumper brackets...may not be needed on an early X5

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...-pictures.html

Well, after taking the bumper mounts off, knocking out the studs (because yes, I think they looked pretty weedy) and starting to drill the holes out a little so I could use 1/2" bolts, I did a quick trial fit (awkwardly since my domestic serf / 12yr old was in the middle of a particularly long winded fortnite session) and discovered that the Curt bar doesn't fit my Dec 2000 E53..:


The mounting face won't fit on the flat areas of the structural piece on the body of the car..

Maybe this tow bar only fits later E53 because maybe they don't have the same structural piece..

I wish I hadn't knocked the studs out and drilled out the holes on the bumper mounts now!