OEM BMW Hitch

[Epacy]

Can the OEM BMW hitch be installed by the owner? It doesn't seem like it's that big of a deal since the pre-wiring is already there. Maybe I'm missing something...
Also, what are the best bike racks people have used. Prefer top or rear hatch mounts?

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[Penguin]

Try this:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...hitch-e70.html

I believe that the dealer also may need to do some reprogramming for the electronics/lighting to work.

[ard]

Plus if you are only doing it for the bike rack, you shouldn't need to worry about the wiring right away....

[Epacy]

Yeah, just wondering if better to bike rack on the rear or the top.

[tolsson]

I installed mine myself in about 3 hours. As has been mentioned before, the hardest part is figuring out how to remove the rear bumper cover. Lots of hidden fasteners! Once you get past that challenge, it's a very straight-forward job.

It will need to the dealer for coding after you get the kit installed.

[996/699]

Just get the OEM bike rack that attaches via the bumper and the tow bolt holes. Its great takes two minutes to install and carries two bikes.

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by 996/699

Just get the OEM bike rack that attaches via the bumper and the tow bolt holes. Its great takes two minutes to install and carries two bikes.

Don't think I've seen that one. Link?

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by Epacy

Don't think I've seen that one. Link?

E, is this it?

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-35d-pics.html

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by AwesomeM3

E, is this it?

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-35d-pics.html

Yay. That's my car, bike and dog :-)

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Epacy

Also, what are the best bike racks people have used. Prefer top or rear hatch mounts?

Probably depends on what types of bikes you are carrying. I usually carry full carbon road bikes with Dura Ace components, so they never go on the rear where they will get dirty. I also carry a race tandem, which is too long for a hitch rack but fits well on an X3 or X5. Weight isn't an issue with these bikes (The Cervelo is about 15 lbs, the Trek a little more) and the height to load them isn't a problem for me given that I'm 6'4". If I was shorter, I would bring a step stool. Overhead clearance, and remembering they are up there, is apparently an issue for some people, but I have been doing it so long it isn't an issue for me, and I like being able to see the bikes through the sunroof while driving. I like Thule racks personally, and have an ATOC as well, but Yakima are also good.

If you carry mountain bikes, they will be heavier, and likely already dirty, so carrying them in the low pressure zone behind the vehicle really isn't an issue. It is also less work to lift them up. You either lose, or compromise, access to the rear hatch, but that is simply a tradeoff. PDC will beep at you constantly, but you can turn it off every time you put it in reverse. If you have a hitch, or want one anyway, Thule and Yakima both make good carriers. The BMW carrier is worth looking at if you don't otherwise need a hitch, since it bolts to the tow bolts in the bumper.

Do a search on bike racks, it has been discussed many times here and you will see pictures of various solutions.