2003 X5 Tow Hitch Options

[e30cabrio]

Originally Posted by JCL

The shock absorbers that are originally mounted attach to the old bumper carrier and hold up the bumper. The reinforcement inserts replace those shocks. The new receiver now holds up the bumper, and matches up to the new bumper insert.

All this means that if you take the shocks out, there will be nothing to hold up the bumper. You don't just need the inserts, you need the hitch, and the bumper insert. It all fits together. Unless you use the inserts and custom fabricate a bumper support.

Understood. Thanks.

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

that connector on the last picture is for the hitch electronics - this particular harness runs from that spot to the battery compartment, where a same connector is fitted, and a trailer module would be plugged in (battery compartment)... the one on the picture connects to the harness that comes from the plug by the hitch and is fed through the grommet hole - the hitch harness has a built-in grommet already...

Thanks!

Any idea what that rubber "U" (that is broken on the left side) is?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by e30cabrio

Any idea what that rubber "U" (that is broken on the left side) is?

BMW calls it a tension strap. part number 51717033682. It straps things down so they don't rattle.

[e30cabrio]

Thanks!

[dkl]

Yep...that tension strap is used to hold/keep your jack in place. Looks like your jack is missing in those pictures?

[e30cabrio]

The jack is in the left front of the compartment.


I had not looked at the picture on the floor.


What is the plastic hat on the spare tie down that supports the floor called(picture 3)? Mine is broken.

[AquilaBMW]

This is a very interesting topic indeed! I will be calling around this week, including to BavAuto to find out more about their kit.

As it turns out, I NEED to get a hitch on the car as quickly as possible.

[admranger]

If at all possible, get a factory hitch.

[AquilaBMW]

Originally Posted by admranger

If at all possible, get a factory hitch.

Can't seem to find any anywhere. Only one I found so far was the one posted from eBay for $600

[TerminatorX5]

check the junk yards - there might be some totaled E53s out there that might have one installed... I saw a few months ago a 4.4 that probably rolled on its roof, that was being hauled on a wrecker south on I-95 around Springfield area in VA - that one had a tow hitch, if i remember correctly...

with the junk yard ones, you have to be careful, as the kit contains a lot of parts that a junk yard person might not pull - you'd better do the job yourself, print out the picture of the complete kit and have it handy during break down...

[AquilaBMW]

I checked with BavAuto today and the hitch they sell is the Curt one. And they don't even have it in stock. I am not keen on the Curt one either. Seems I am in a pinch here. Dang! Also, even BavAuto takes a week to two weeks as they need to order it from Curt first.

The Curt hitches require you to drill the car, they require you to splice into the tails lights and you'll also have to trim your bumper since they are not OEM design and no allowance for the complete bumper cover re-install.

I talked with the Dealer again today. Not a single Dealer in North America has a hitch kit in stock.... so I am wondering about that eBay ad.

EDIT:

OMG! I found one at a local dealer !!!! Apparently, the internet DOES lie now and then. Best advice is to call around dealers. The going price is $495 + Tax and it is the complete kit with harness and all. I hope it has the bolts too though.

If you are in LA - I think Century West has it in stock.
If you are NJ - Bloomfield has 7 in stock!