BMW Hitch Install

[clrankin]

Hey all,

I've seen the hitch install instructions on the site but am still thinking about getting someone to install it for me. Lack of experience in this particular area makes me a bit nervous about making this a DIY mod, especially when thinking about towing my boat down the highway at any sort of cruising speed...

I'm looking for suggestions and advice about this. For those of you who installed your own hitch on your X5-- Are there any concerns? Is there anything I should be aware of or take into consideration? What are the pitfalls and potential problems with doing this? Will I need to be concerned about this voiding the factory warranty or any extended warranties for the X5?

Also, any idea how much this should cost to have done? My first thought was to check out getting it done at a BMW dealership, but I want to know if I have other options, particularly since I'd like to avoid paying what will certainly be a high price from BMW for this job. If anyone has specific suggestions for where to go in the Northern Virginia or Pittsburgh areas I'd welcome suggestions.

Thanks in advance for the help and advice.

[JCL]

The hitch installation instructions are written as a DIY, but it isn't for everyone. If you are not handy with vehicle repairs, if you don't have a warm/dry workspace and the appropriate tools (jacks, stands, torque wrench, etc) then I would advise you not to do it. If you have a friend that is mechanically handy, and who will help you with it, then that is another option. It is not a technically challenging job, but not everyone is up for taking off the bumper, dropping the exhaust, and so on. Don't feel pressured to do it yourself.

If you do a printout of the installation instructions, it should be enough for an independent shop to install the hitch without any problems. They don't need to be BMW experts. I have a mechanic's background, and I did it at home in less than 5 hours, working alone. It would be easier with a second pair of hands to reinstall the bumper. I went slowly and methodically. In a shop, it should be around 4-5 hours most likely, and independent shops will have lower hourly rates than the dealer. Do check the dealer price, as the dealer is likely to be able to do it more quickly due to their experience. They may not pass that saving on to you, so best to get a quote.

Installing the hitch (assuming you are following the site recommendations and using the OEM hitch kit) has no impact on your warranty. If you have PDC you need to be careful with the wires and clips, but that is the only potential problem I can think of.

Happy to help out with any specific questions if you have them. Good luck.

Jeff

[PMPNX5]

Deff. go OEM, if you want to have any kind of feeling of security, there's no other way to do it. Many companies make hitches that will fit (uhaul, reese, etc) but if you look at the design, OEM beats it by far. The hitch kit costs around $500, and comes with every nut, bolt, washer, the wiring adapter and kit for trailer lights, the bumper shock replacements, bumper counterweight replacement, and even the addn'l fuse needed for the panel to activate the trailer lights.

The shop used to charge 6 hrs labor to do it, but it was knocked down to 2.5-3 (i forget exactly but it isn't too bad considering what's involved) It is something that is very accomplishable by DIY, but it will probably take you the full six to DIY it.

The DIY on this site, is very clear as to what to do, and is written out pretty much down to a T. I had mine done at the shop though because I bought mine off a tech and part of the deal was that he would put the hitch on for free, so I went in on a Sat. and "helped" him (basically stood there as not to get in the way waiting for him to say hand me this, lol). However I read the DIY a few times before I got it done, and remembered quite a bit as we were going through it.

[TowX]

I just installed my factory hitch a few weeks ago. Think it took me about 4 hours, but part of that time was being extra careful with the rear bumper especially since I did the entire installation single handed.

I'd asked my dealer about installing it, and they wanted the full 6 hours at $150/hour. And even admitted that it's been a long time since they'd done one. So going to a dealer is no guarantee that they have any more experience at it than a good independent.

In NoVa, you might want to try one of Matt Curry's shops (Curry automotive) or ASG (Auto Sportsystems Group.) From my days back east, ASG was the only shop that touched my Porsches, and Ray and Geoff are great guys. Just don't know their appetite for a hitch install. But Take them either the link to the instructions or print them out and take them in.

[DaveNW]

I bought the OEM hitch (~$500) and had it installed by a local customizer shop that specializes in things like trailer hitches, custom towing stuff, brake controllers, trailer accessories, and other "truck toys" kind of things. They did it in about three or four hours, including routing and installing a Prodigy brake controller, and all for about $350. It looks and works great. No complaints. I took them the instructions that came with the hitch, and instructions from X5World. They said it was plenty of info for them to do the job.

Any experienced pro shop should be able to do it for you.

Dave

[jeffmeucci]

Or...you could take the twelve hundred bucks, and just buy an old Chevy truck with a hitch already on it and use that to tow your boat. Just kidding.

[clrankin]

Originally Posted by jeffmeucci

Or...you could take the twelve hundred bucks..

Glad to see you were just joking. I think my heart skipped a beat there.

It's pretty much been a love affair with the X5 ever since I put my hands on her. I just can't seem to even think about wanting to drive anything else these days.

[DaveNW]

Originally Posted by clrankin

Glad to see you were just joking. I think my heart skipped a beat there.

It's pretty much been a love affair with the X5 ever since I put my hands on her. I just can't seem to even think about wanting to drive anything else these days.

I know the feeling. I traded up/down/sideways from both a 2005 Ford F150 Supercrew 4X4 AND a 2004 BMW 325cic Convertible to get my 2003 X5 4.4i. After having it this last several months, I can't imagine driving anything else. It's the best of all worlds. At least, in MY world.

Funny thing is, I can't figure out why I didn't discover X5's years ago. Where have they been hiding all this time? I never knew they existed till last summer. Doh!

Dave

[X5Steve]

I have received estimates from 3 hours to 7 hours from 4 dealers in my area to install an OEM hitch with wiring package on a 2006 X5. What would be a reasonable time estimate to complete the install, correctly?

[Quicksilver]

Read post #2

Originally Posted by X5Steve

I have received estimates from 3 hours to 7 hours from 4 dealers in my area to install an OEM hitch with wiring package on a 2006 X5. What would be a reasonable time estimate to complete the install, correctly?