hitch

[Paulpt]

The U-haul hitch does not look anything like the BMW OEM. The Dalan does look like. I think the way to go is then with the BMW OEM and do the installation myself. Most of the cost is the stealer installation charge. Is the wiring kit pretty much plug and play kind of thing. I am ok with mechanical parts, I am very bad when it comes to electrics / electronics.

[JCL]

The BMW wiring kit is very straightforward. There is a connector near the spare tire waiting for the harness. The harness is led out through an existing hole (use the included grommet), and the plug receptacle c/w spring-loaded door is mounted to the drawbar. The only difficulty some have had is figuring out the BMW plug connector - there is a release lever, so to speak, and once you locate it you are pretty much there.

[drex]

yes its plug and play.

it goes next to the video module (near the battery).. must remove spare, etc.. anyway to install...

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

You can get the OEM one with the wiring harness for under $500. As mentioned above, get a friend or two to help out and install it yourself. If you are doing any towing at all, you don't want to go with an aftermarket solution to this vital component.

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by Paulpt

Thanks guys for all your replies. I am a big supporter if possible for OEM parts, but in this case (and I know for a hitch kit it is critical is a good one), I am outraged at BMW charging lots more. I am sure as well, they do not even manufacture the part themselves, they probably add the BMW logo and pump the price up. It may be that Dalan makes the one for BMW and sell it also with their brand. In terms of installation, I do not trust the BMW stealer for this kind of work as I may trust my local guy.

I will search for the Dalan and try to find out if for any reason they are the ones that make the OEM part.

Thanks again to all for your feedback.

You say "I do not trust the BMW stealer for this kind of work as I may trust my local guy. Is your local guy going to give you a warranty for his installation, and a warranty for
damage to your X if it is not installed properly?

[BlueX5guy]

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

You can get the OEM one with the wiring harness for under $500. As mentioned above, get a friend or two to help out and install it yourself. If you are doing any towing at all, you don't want to go with an aftermarket solution to this vital component.

I agree completely! I did the OEM kit install a few weeks ago. Kit with wiring harness cost me $499 at stealer. I followed the instuctions in the articles section and did most of it by myself (my teenage sons helped with the bumper removal but disapeared when it was time to put the bumper back on ).

Towed my brother's 20' Ski Centurian (3500lbs) with no problems.

Dennis

[Paulpt]

To Quicksilver,

Believe me, I wish I could say I trust my dealer 100%, but unless is any work under warranty I do not take it to them. I have a local guy who is a Porsche / Rolls Royce / Aston Martin / MB and BMW who is great, very reasonable (yes reasonable even working with those brands), who not only warranties all his work but he has no problem explaining to you what he is doing and letting you see what they are doing while they are working. He used to work for a dealership in my area with these brands until he decided to open his own shop, and many Porsche, Aston and RR owners (besides me) totally trust him.

Unfortunately, I've had experiences with my dealer of having to take my car for the same problem a few times.

[UCrewX5]

Originally Posted by Paulpt

To Quicksilver,

Believe me, I wish I could say I trust my dealer 100%, but unless is any work under warranty I do not take it to them. I have a local guy who is a Porsche / Rolls Royce / Aston Martin / MB and BMW who is great, very reasonable (yes reasonable even working with those brands), who not only warranties all his work but he has no problem explaining to you what he is doing and letting you see what they are doing while they are working. He used to work for a dealership in my area with these brands until he decided to open his own shop, and many Porsche, Aston and RR owners (besides me) totally trust him.

Unfortunately, I've had experiences with my dealer of having to take my car for the same problem a few times.

Paulpt - Unless I have the dealer doing warranty work, I much prefer to use an independent mechanic that I know and trust to do any mechanical work that I either don't have the time or inclination to tackle myself. The mechanic that I used to use here in the Downriver area of Detroit retired several years back, and I'm still looking for the right person that I can completely trust with my baby to replace him.

[Paulpt]

My words exactly Ucrew, this guy I go to is someone I completely trust him. Even when I had some problems to be later fixed under warranty, he would check it out for free and let me know exactly what was going on to be sure I was not getting ripped off. He would even check after (if possible), that the job has been done correctly.

The same with my BMW motorcycle, it was always serviced by a great BMW tech, who opened his own shop after working at a dealer, he had the training, knew a lot, was very reasonable with the price and will go over with you on what he was doing, why and will not tell you to do things that where not needed. Too bad he had to retire due to health problems. I still keep in touch with him

[BMWRAY]

were are located if in the ny area I am the bmw tech I do installs for x5 tow hitch kit and install $1,000, contact me if interested. rp