trailer hitch and bumper gap

[x5user]

I have a quick question for everybody. I dropped my car to dealer to check several things and they check my car if there's any damages. Service person check my left rear bumper as damaged because gap between bumper and body are too large.

So I told him, I have never had any accident and my bumper doesn't even have single scratch on it. He said it might be happed if someone sat on my bumper. So I said if someone sat my car it will be lower part of hatch, NOT on the bumper.

Somebody stepped up told me that gap has been created because of trailer hitch which has been installed in factory.

Here are my question.
1.Is it normal to have bigger gap between body and bumper(I noticed that gap is not even from right to left, left side has bigger gap) because of trailer hitch installed?
2.How heavy person has to be to lower the bumper to make bigger gap? ( I don't think this will never happed)

I will be appreciated any comment.

[withidl]

I noticed the same mis-alignment/gap problem on my 2001 X5 4.4i shortly after delivery (I have looked at MANY other X5s over the last several years an they all seem to exhibit the same mis-alignment). I noticed the mis-alignment BEFORE I installed the OEM hitch (which I have pulled a 31 foot 8,300 pound travel trailer with for over 28,000 miles). During the hitch installation (did it myself) I discovered that the left "rail" which the rear bumber mounts to seems to be the problem by not being positioned correctly from the factory. I decided to just leave it as is rather than have the dealer screw with it and possibly inflict "shop rash".

Again, what your describing seems to be prevalent on many X5s and could be considered a normal abnormality.

[jobaker4]

I have noticed the same gap after I put on the trailer hitch... seems to be fine, everything feels tight.

[x5user]

Thank you all for replying to my message. I feel better now

[Sonnyboy]

The gap can be adjusted slightly (1/2 inch) when you have the factory hitch installed. Remove the plastic panels in the spare wheel well and you will see the 4 bolts and metal plate that was added when the hitch was installed. You only need to loosen 2 bolts on each side (i forget which 2), but you will then notice that the bumper can be moved around slightly. Move bumper slightly and have someone hold it in the correct position and retighten the bolts.
The instructions in the hitch install don't seem to note this adjustment, but if you do a DIY on the hitch, you will see what I'm talking about.
Good luck.

[LeMansX5]

I have around 15mm space on mine with hitch. Is that the space you have?

[jditom]

I noticed my gap was wider on my 05 than my 03.
Took it to the dealer and they took it apart and got it closer to spec.
Looks much better now. Not much to worry about just cosmetic.
And sitting on it does not lower the bumper That is a stupid statement

[Sonnyboy]

15mm is probably right. I dont' think you can get it much closer... i adjusted it to have a even gap, not a tight fitting gap.

[MrLabGuy]

My factory hitch had the same misalignment. I shimmed the side with a couple of washers and it is now level.

[X5Flyboy]

no gaps on either of my X5's - guess it depends on who installed it

'01 - BMW of Idaho Falls
'06 - Rick Hendrick BMW of Charleston

I could not get the factory to install the hirch on my '06 - said it was a dealer installed option