Trailer harness OEM of aftermarket?

[Don Nguyen]

Anyone successfully install an aftermarket wiring harness on their E70 X5?

Or am I better off simply just purchasing the OEM unit from BMW for ~$170?

[jfoj]

Originally Posted by Don Nguyen

Anyone successfully install an aftermarket wiring harness on their E70 X5?

Or am I better off simply just purchasing the OEM unit from BMW for ~$170?

I may be wrong, but I recall something with the CANbus and the trailer harness and this may be why they tend to be so expensive.

If you are going via the BMW route, you should plug the part number into this tool to find the best online pricing for the harness.

BMW Part Number Price Comparison for Windows & Mac

[Davidf]

Go OEM especially if you have PDC. You want that rear PDC to turn off when the trailer harness is connected, otherwise it will drive you nuts. Also, with OEM, you get iDrive notifications (type and location) when a trailer lamp is burned out or not working.

[bawareca]

OEM is the way to go and it even has the connector to connect an electric brake controller, unlike the E53.

[Don Nguyen]

Looks like OEM it is. I don't plan on towing much, but it'll probably be useful to simply just have when I do need it.

I primarily looked into it more recently because I need to tow something and I figured I'd put the money towards the harness versus simply just renting a truck from uhaul. Plus, I already have a tow hitch on there, just not the wiring yet.