Tow hitch on E70?

[Whizzo]

Just returned from the German dealer, whose team installed the U.S. towing system for the first time - at least according to the service rep in charge. The rep said the guys in Munich didn't even think this setup was possible, and he produced the U.S. manuals and hardware lists (provided in this forum) showing it certainly was!

I was warned about this dealership being very "by the book," and in proper German fashion, they followed the factory install specs exactly. So I have the brake controller in the console, and the sticker above the bumper cutout. I've read several related threads, and some folks see the OEM setup as ugly. Maybe I'm too functionally-focused or too easy going, but I don't think it wrecks the appearance.

The best news was they charged about same as the local European hitch install, which doesn't require the brake controller or larger wiring harness, or the same firmware, so I was out the door for about U.S. $760.

[2007X5]

I just installed the hitch and wiring on my 2007 X5 and now I have a PDC fault. Anyone have this issue? I'm hoping I just unplugged one of the sensors but it is too late to pull the bumper off and look tonight.

This thread was very helpful!

Mike

[JCL]

The hitch install doesn't cause a PDC fault.

Not reconnecting a PDC sensor after you reinstall the bumper does. Start there.

[jamie392]

I just installed the hitch on my 09 x5 and after I got an "increased battery discharge warning"

I'm nearly 100% certain everything is correct, the comfort access still works properly, and all there was, was the module which was connected right, the fuses which are all in the right places, and the 3 pin BUS connector which was connected right.

I'm wondering if this warning is just because I've been unplugging the battery, and running the radio while I was installing the physical hitch part and it drained battery, or if it is just because it hasn't been coded yet, or if something is somehow shorting? I drove around for 5 miles today and the warning didn't go away...

UPDATE: warning went away today finally so I think all is fine. Question about coding, some people on here say that you just need to get the code added, others say the whole computer needs to be reflashed? I asked my BMW dealer and they quote 2.5 hrs at 180/hr. Seems a little pricey to spend 450 to add this code when I probably could have got it installed for close to that? A independent shop can add the code for 100, but i'm wondering if that will be good enough and if I will still get the added zoom options etc.

[iceman2002benz]

Just wondering if anyone have a dealership install an OEM hitch and how much did you paid?

[jrhhunter]

From the lead of SoCal M3 in another forum, I installed the OEM hitch, which I customized, as SoCal did, by cutting off the turn signal brake receptacle, turned it about 90 degrees, then welded it bac onto the hitch. I then took the LCI trim bracket and cut it an rewelded it such I used just a small arc to cover above he hole I cut. A very tight, clean look. However, it requires you to get on your back to put the receiver retainin pin and to plug in the trailer lighting receptacle. Since I use the hitch to pull a trailer less than 10 times a year, I can live with that inconvienence. See pics.

Dealer coded for the hitch after I installed it.

[Whizzo]

Following up, now that I've actually towed the trailer. The only real issue was the X5 giving a "check trailer brake light" error on the iDrive display. The trailer brake lights did not work at all, regardless of whether the X5's master light switch was on or off. Others in this forum report this problem on 2010/2011 models.

The local service rep couldn't tell if the German dealer had correctly installed the correct towing firmware version, so he reflashed it, under warranty. Now it only shows this error briefly when plugging in the trailer umbilical, but the brake system functions normally.

Trailer is about 3700 lbs loaded, and the X5 handles it beautifully. Towing mileage on a 400 mile trip was just 15.3 MPG, but with a bad 25 MPH headwind. I expect it can get 17 MPG, based on others' towing experience.