factory install trailer hitch

[X5dieselfan]

Picking up my x5d at performance center in early november. Just now getting to the accessories. Trailer hitch was part of the deal but still has to be priced. I was told it will be about $550 for hitch and another $1000 for labor. Not clear if other parts are needed (cross member?)

What are others' experiences? What kind of discount (if any) was offered on the hitch and on labor? Seems odd to me to be paying labor for a car that is coming straight from assembly line.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by X5dieselfan

Seems odd to me to be paying labor for a car that is coming straight from assembly line.

I'm reasonably sure that the hitch is not installed as part of the manufacturing process "on the line." There is no separate bumper cover, and I am sure they do not manually cut the bumper cover while assembling on the line, i.e., they probably install the hitch manually, after the car is completed, just like your dealer would.

It sounds silly that they would assemble the car completely, only to later remove the bumper cover manually to install the hitch, but for low volume options such as this, it actually makes sense to avoid any delays or additional complexity on the assembly line.

Many years ago when I worked for Ford, the Kentucky truck plant did low-volume options this way when truck customers wanted low volume options, particularly the larger commercial use trucks.

[X5dieselfan]

Thanks. My concern was that they are charging seemingly the full rate for labor. I installed the hitch on my e53 and I know it is difficult, but it seems astounding that they are charging so much when it is being added before delivery. Hoping others have different experiences to share.

[rickgi]

The hitch is one of the many dealer-installed options (or you could purchase and self install). Price can be negotiated, especially when placing initial order for car. They'll "bundle" it in on one price, so you have to know all your numbers.

[FunfDreisig]

Our X5 35d was delivered with the OEM hitch. It was installed by the dealer as part of the negotiated price of our built to order 35d. My attitude was that if BMW didn't want to install the OEM hitch at the factory, that was OK. But I certainly wasn't going to pay extra for the dealer to install it later.

Funf Dreisig

[tim-atl]

I haven't searched the forums lately but I think $1000 installed is attainable.

Tim

[tcfila]

I'm having the Performance Center put mine in. It is shows on my purchase order as:

Center Installed Trailer Hitch $596

Tim

[spacey]

The best labor quote I got so far - called 4 dealers - is $450,-. The highest I think I heard was $750 or even more. The lowest for the parts I found was at Tischer BMW in MD @ $425,- http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462. So the total would be $875,- installed plus any taxes.

Spacey

[Diesel Guy]

This is the first I've heard that the performance center would add the hitch. Was this coordinated through your CA? I'm wondering if it's something they could add after the fact while my vehicle is "in waiting" for my PCD in mid-november?

[tcfila]

Yes, have you CA get it done. He will have to coordinate it with the Performance Center. If he can't, find someone else.

Tim