ANOTHER Hitch thread!

[m5james]

So apparently I've been asking a lot of questions , but here is my latest reply

Hi Jamens

Yeah what is up with all the question Just kidding you can ask all you want. We dont wanna get you some wrong parts.

I Hav spoaken With monoflex again, an they say that the monoflex hitch will go out though the original hole in the backbumper, so if you dont have the original hole for the hitch, there you will have to modifications.

With both hitch kits you use the original hole and cover for the hitch, the only difference between monoflex and westfalia is the weight on tha ball.

I just finished another lengthly email in regards to how we're going to handle shipping for this item. It'd be absolutely pointless to have it shipped to me directly seeing that I'm probably 2000 miles from you, along w/ you being geographically closer to Europe. Since I have the acct w/ them, I've asked how we can go about ordering your kit, either you paying directly, or you paying me through PayPal then me paying them, then ensuring it gets sent directly to you. I've given them all my IM addresses in an effort to speak w/ them live and get it handled quicker than 2day delay emails I've got an IM app installed on my Treo, so hopefully I'll start hearing from them this way.

Currently their total price for the hitch kit and shipping is $746.58 US, while being in the same price range as the US version, this one is sooo much cooler! Their site gives nothing specific to determine shipping costs within the continental US, so I'm hoping that if we can get down to a more specific location, maybe there will be a price break.

So once again, we hurry up and wait...

[zracer196]

Thanks James...

A couple of hundred more than the US oem hitch. But I really like the fact that it is "gone" when not in use.

Do you see any issues with compatibility? I would hate to spend the bucks and have to do some special modding to get it to work...

I know you are really into MAJOR modding, so no bid deal to you...While I am mechanically inclined, I really do not want to have to "make it work"...

What do you think from looking at the diagrams?

THANKS James for the hard work!!

[m5james]

I thought the stock hitch was at least $600 as is? I just did a search to see what they go for and came across this as some light reading - http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...tion-tips.html

Based on the Monoflex installation PDF, the only modification you'd have to make is by removing the 5mph bumper things inside and replace them w/ some other bracket. It's nothing that's viewable, just something underneath the skin of the bumper. I think when those guys were writing me and mentioning modifications in regards to some stock Euro bumpers where they don't even have a removable opening for the hitch. Since we have the stock opening, we're good to go.

Have you seen the installation PDF yet? There should be a link for it somewhere on this thread, and the PDF is of the Monoflex kit instead of the Westfalia one anyways. It shows the part that gets thrown away.

I agree, for the money I'm not interested in making it work either...I want it to bolt in and go. I'm still curious as to how they can decrease the pricing a little, but they don't control how weak the dollar is vs the euro I'll keep ya posted Mark.

[zracer196]

James...Look at post #9 in this thread. That guy lives in South Africa and has the removable plate in the bumper...I wonder if his kit is the same one as your find?

EBAY had the OEM hitch (a couple of BMW dealers post items often) for under $500 shipped WITH the receiver and ball kit.

[Weasel]

That hitch in post#9 is the euro hitch that you guys are looking at.

The only modification that it would need legally for the US is the adition of safety chain attachment points... just simply getting some rings welded to the removable part which can be done at any welding shop, possibly even most exhaust shops would do it for a few bucks.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by zracer196

EBAY had the OEM hitch (a couple of BMW dealers post items often) for under $500 shipped WITH the receiver and ball kit.

I know, I told Pierre that yesterday I had about a 2hr long conversation w/ Pierre over an IM Voicecall...discussed shipping differences, other products they have, etc. The company they use for shipping to the US charges them a flat fee, but we're going to talk again on Monday to see what we can do about the shipping charges seeing that you and I are roughly 2000 miles apart, so that should at least lower the shipping charges for you seeing that you're closer to them than I am.

Otherwise, I guess we've gotta pay to play

[m5james]

Originally Posted by Weasel

That hitch in post#9 is the euro hitch that you guys are looking at.

The only modification that it would need legally for the US is the adition of safety chain attachment points... just simply getting some rings welded to the removable part which can be done at any welding shop, possibly even most exhaust shops would do it for a few bucks.

I've seen trailers w/ the most rinky dink "safety" setups, but if it keeps The Man off our backs, so be it.

[Meiac09]

My CFO is intrigued by this for her E53... I'm gonna wander up to the concessionaire early next week and see what they charge.

Anyone have a part number?

[m5james]

Schmiedmann - Styling/Tuning/Spare parts for BMW - New parts - much closer to you than us over here in the U.S.

[taosx5]

Hey James and Mark,

If you have not ordered your hitches yet let me give you my .05 worth. I installed a Drawtite hitch which is a real heavy duty 2" receiver. It was less than $200 bucks including shipping. I can email you some picks of how I cleaned it up by trimming the plastic oval piece. I mostly use my hitch for a bike rack but do use it to haul the dirt bike on a trailer to and from Colo where my son lives. I have not yet installed a light plug but hope to do that over the winter cuz the CO highway patrol would definitely ticket me with out trailer lights. If you are interested let me know and I will email you a couple of pics of what mine looks like.