what exactly is the issue with msport and hitch?

[mik]

is the only issue that you have to cut a painted bumper instead of a plastic one? or is something actually different in how the msport bumper mounts? i have an 09 and i would like to use the factory hitch. ive done a bunch of searching an no one says why most dealers will not install. while shopping around i test drove an msport with a factory hitch installed so i know its possible, but i want to know what im up against. any info appreciated

[HIRISC]

Well, the cutting of the bumper - done at the dealership - is one issue.

The sh*tty fitment (read engineering) is the larger issue.

The M Sport rear cutout is different - and even less elegant - than the non-M Sport cutout. Part of that is placement related and part of the difference is that the M Sport fascia is all painted the bodycolor. The non-M Sport rear fascia has a black section that happens to coincide with the bumper hole.

Neither is great.

I needed to use my X5's hitch the week I received it, so I had no alternative other than the 'factory' hitch.

The first rear fascia cut-out was horrible and practically rendered the hitch useless.

I asked the dealer to re-order a new rear piece, re-paint, and re-cut. Two weeks in the shop and it looks better than it did, but still like a wart.

If BMW doesn't re-engineer the hitch to be a) hidden and b) mounted at the factory, this will be my last X5.

No excuse for dealer-level butchery on a $70K+ vehicle.

You listening BMW?

[HIRISC]

First pic is of the rear of my X5 immediately after I took delivery.. I had to edit the contrast to let you see the hitch better. You'll note how 'off-center' it is.

The second pic is a closeup of the distance of my hitch/cutout. You can see there is less than 2" of space between the rear fascia and the hitch. That's problematic for two reasons: 1) not enough space to really get your hand in there for a screw on bike rack bolt and 2) exacerbates the off-center thing. Yes, the truck is dirty.. had just returned from a trip up north.

The last pic is a closeup of a non-M Sport hitch/cutout. The spacing is more centered and allows for 'hand-room'.

The dealer went on and on about how the M-Sport's underpinnings required the hitch cut-out to be 'more off center' than the non M sport version. I told them to push it over to the 'right' as far as they could while still allowing the light plug in to be accessed.

I'll post a pic of what it looks like now this afternoon.

[finnbmw]

There is no issue. Use the execuhitch from invisihitch BMW Hitches :: BMW X5 & X5M - Execuhitch - Manufacturer and Retailer of Hidden Tow Hitches for BMW, Mercedes, Subaru

[JCL]

I haven't done on E70, but on other BMW models I custom cut based on the clearance I needed, not what the template said. It should also be possible to re-orient the electrical socket so that the cutout doesn't extend so far to the left, it could be centred then.

[zx45]

Originally Posted by mik

is the only issue that you have to cut a painted bumper instead of a plastic one? or is something actually different in how the msport bumper mounts? i have an 09 and i would like to use the factory hitch. ive done a bunch of searching an no one says why most dealers will not install. while shopping around i test drove an msport with a factory hitch installed so i know its possible, but i want to know what im up against. any info appreciated

Why X5's doesnt come whit a hitch as standar equipement is ridiculous. Parcularly when one consider that the cheaper VW Touareg come whit one perfectly fit from the factory.

[Triple_O]

Simple, it is an add-on that many people want and BMW can charge a lot of money for. The same reason why many E60's have the bluetooth hardware already installed but not activated.

Originally Posted by zx45

Why X5's doesnt come whit a hitch as standar equipement is ridiculous. Parcularly when one consider that the cheaper VW Touareg come whit one perfectly fit from the factory.

[zx45]

Originally Posted by Triple_O

Simple, it is an add-on that many people want and BMW can charge a lot of money for. The same reason why many E60's have the bluetooth hardware already installed but not activated.

Not a bad point, as usual whit BMW money talk!

[SpaceGrayM]

i plan to go with the Execu Hitch BMW X5 M-Sport Hitch with Wiring Harness
i had the oem on my 07 X5 but now i have a 11 X5 Msport and don't want the ugly hitch showing.

[Clubby]

Im in Australia and i had no options here without cutting an ugly hole for a hitch. So i did some research and decided to import an Execuhitch for my MSport. It arrived last week and the install was easy and you wouldn't know I've got it fitted. If you want pics let me know.