BMW X5 E53 DIY OEM Hitch Installation Notes and factory installation PDF

[Omerta]

OEM hitches are out of stock in all of the USA and Germany for the e53. I was in Greenville, SC and they couldn't even get one.

Managed to find one though ebay, BMW of Bloomsfield had originally bought 50, and have 2 left after I bought one if anyone is seeking them out. They will quote $600 for the kit, but they are listed on their website for $470 and you can get it for that price.

$125 to UPS it to Canada... will be well worth it instead of going aftermarket.

[Riggodeaux]

As of early December, there were a few in stock in the USA, including those at Bloomfield. See my earlier post, with the list generated for my by a helpful dealer parts dept. From posts here, at least 4-5 of those have sold, maybe more? all?

[ExpensiveTaste]

Bloomfield has 1 left. I bought one this morning for $415.80 plus 7% tax for a total of $444.91. Just bring in a printout of the below page and they will honor that price:

BMW of Bloomfield

[HuskerX5]

I just bought it!!

Items Ordered:
Item: Trailer Hitch Kit - Class III W/ Ball & Tongue
Items Total: $415.80
Shipping Method: Ground
Shipping: $41.58
Order Total: $457.38

No tax since I live in Nebraska and the shipping seems fair for a 98lb package.

THANKS ExpensiveTaste for the heads up. Been looking for one if these for 2years! Just curious, it says hitch kit "with ball and tongue". Does your kit have the to tongue included? Usually the e53 "kit " is just the hitch, bumper shock replacements, wiring module and hardware. I don't remember there being a tongue included. Can you confirm?

[ExpensiveTaste]

Originally Posted by HuskerX5

Just curious, it says hitch kit "with ball and tongue". Does your kit have the to tongue included? Usually the e53 "kit " is just the hitch, bumper shock replacements, wiring module and hardware. I don't remember there being a tongue included. Can you confirm?

No problem. It does not come with the ball and tongue, but does come with a fancy cap for the receiver.

[HuskerX5]

Ooooo....fancy cap!! BONUS!!!
Seems a little bait and switch since it says right in the description. "W/tongue and ball"....
Not a big deal, I have several. Thanks again....
The DIY installation instructions on this group are second to none. Still going to have my dealership print be out the paper instructions the techs use for reference.
Best of luck on your installation.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by HuskerX5

Ooooo....fancy cap!! BONUS!!!

Yeah.. I wouldn't get too excited. I had the little rubber cap on my Bloomfield OEM hitch for the last 3 years. A trip through S. Alabama to visit the wife's alma mater rendered this. I like it much better than the plain ole black cap.

[Omerta]

Thanks for the DIY. WAs a great help. I got the hitch 90% on last night before running out of time and my shop closed.

Gettign to the T55's above the exhaust tips on the 4.8is is a major pain in the ass. On removal I just took out the bumper supports from the inside instead of messing with them. Any suggestions for tactics upon reconnection?

[e30cabrio]

The T55 is no picnic on the 4.4 Sport.

[Junkycosmos]

Omerta
Agreed on pain factor on the t55s. Smart idea in just dropping off the bumper.

On reAssembly I found leaving the bumper support bolts that go inside very loose allowed for some extra play on the angles if the t55s. Also allowed me to push the bumper up snug to the trim when I did tighten the inside nuts. Just make sure you tap the tabs against the heads of the support bolts so they are held in place. Also I unbolted one of the two muffler brackets. This allows the muffler and exhaust tip to wiggle around a bit. Do makes sure to remove the silly exhaust trim rings (if you didn't already) before putting the bumper back on.

GLuck

J
2005 4.8is