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Tow hitch on E70? Tow hitch on E70?
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  #1  
Old 05-31-2009, 06:44 PM
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Finished pics with the black trim piece.
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  #2  
Old 06-19-2009, 12:00 PM
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What is the necessity for cutting out the bumper cover on the right side of the receiver? Couldn't you cut out the left side to allow for mounting the wiring connector and then just leave enough room for the receiver and a bit of space for the safety chain?
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Old 06-19-2009, 12:24 PM
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Not a helpful response, and somewhat off-topic, but: I simply refuse to put a hitch on a bimmer out of principle.

If you need to tow, get Yukon or a Suburban, or a Toyota. Bimmers with tow hitches should be outlawed.

To quote Dennis Miller, though, "What the hell do I know?"

Good luck.
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Old 06-19-2009, 01:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaefer View Post
If you need to tow, get Yukon or a Suburban, or a Toyota. Bimmers with tow hitches should be outlawed.

To quote Dennis Miller, though, "What the hell do I know?"

Good luck.
Gee, thanks Kaefer. I purchased my current '02 X5 4 years ago to serve as a backup family car as well as a tow vehicle for my race cars. I believe it to be the ultimate tow vehicle for me. With a rig weighing just over 3k pounds I can cruise in luxury and comfort at over 80mph and get 13mpg with the 4.4L. Just ordered a new 35d last night to replace the '02 in the same role. See you at the track.

I like Dennis a lot.
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  #5  
Old 06-19-2009, 08:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muda View Post
What is the necessity for cutting out the bumper cover on the right side of the receiver? Couldn't you cut out the left side to allow for mounting the wiring connector and then just leave enough room for the receiver and a bit of space for the safety chain?
Funny you ask... I argued with myself over and over on that one. After doing some "visioning" of how the bumper would look, it just wouldn't look symmetrical at all if I just cut "just enough" material to the left and to the right of the hitch. In fact, I tried it that way first... It didn't look right. Thus, I cut the rest out...
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Old 07-29-2009, 01:11 AM
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Well, thanks to help of this thread, I installed my X5 (factory) hitch this evening. I started around 5:30 PM, and finished about 10:00 PM. Granted, I ate dinner, watched some TV, answered e-mails, etc... I could have done it in about 4 hours had I worked straight through. Now, if I help someone next time, I bet it only takes about 2 hours!

My biggest PITA was getting the bumper cover to unsnap from the clips (I wasn't tugging hard enough). My second PITA was getting the wires into the fuse panel. You need to line them up perfectly, and then push them until they "snap" with a thin and narrow screwdriver.

Oh, I apparently left my rivet tool at the track, so I need to get a new one tomorrow. My dealer is going to flash my computer for $100 later this week.

It's not a difficult job, but you need some technical know-how, and some electrical experience.

I'll be towing my Boxster Spec Racer on an open trailer.

Thanks to EVERYONE who posted here!

- Mike
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  #7  
Old 07-29-2009, 10:11 AM
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My dealer wants $270 to flash the computer.
This after buying a $60k car.
Got to find another dealer.
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  #8  
Old 12-23-2011, 03:58 PM
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Super-helpful thread and pictures. Made getting the rear bumper cover off easy. Thanks!
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  #9  
Old 03-25-2012, 06:22 PM
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Installed the hitch on my 2010 E70 today...the threads here were very helpful.

Here are my observations...

The harness had 3 connectors that I could not find a home for...

1 - prewired brake controller - will be used once I connect my Tekonsha brake controller

2 – comfort access antenna base (near the hitch) – car does not have this option

3 – comfort access antenna (2pin connector, in the fuse area) – car does not have this option

The USB bus was overlooked on my part initially, but found the 3pin connector in the loom just under the tail light…

Overall, it took me 4.5 hours to complete…

HOWEVER, I am getting a restraint system warning on my NAV informing me that either the (airbag, belts or belt tensioner) is not operational. Not sure what this could be…

Will be talking the car to the dealer for troubleshooting and will the car reprogrammed for the trailer hitch…

NEXT, figure out how to connect the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 (carried over from my E53). It has four wires…one will go to the trailer harness brake controller connector (option noted above). However, the harness has four wires so I need to figure out which wire to connect to the brake controller…


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