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

[shedtastic]

So I've looked at a couple of threads examining the limitations of the early (non-OEM) towhitches that bolt up through the rear bumper impact absorbers, rather than the OEM design that replaces those impact absorbers with decent support brackets.

I don't want to re-ignite the debate about the merits of OEM vs aftermarket, it seems obvious that the Curt on in particular is not terribly robust, particularly in bending, as it has little (no) support other than the bolts to the stamped steel body.

BUT:

A) I'm done spending big bucks on my 2001 X5, so an OEM kit is out of the question
B) I just want to pull a small light trailer to the local dump
C) (most importantly) My neighbour gave me this Curt one for free






But I do have two questions..

1) If the bracket bolts up between the body and the bumper mount, it must push the bumper mounts further back. Is there enough adjustment in the bumper fit up to keep it possible to maintain the correct position?
2) Whilst I got the bar and the wiring connector, I don't have the white towing module. They seem to be available on eBay for $50 - but there are many many part numbers - which would I need for a 2000/12 E53 3.0i?


Any thoughts?


I found an image of an installed one on one of those threads:



Reference thread:

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...options-2.html