Its put on the same way, its built the same way. Nothing is different. Its not a WALMART HITCH!!. Go look at them. The only differance is the name. Its a trailer hitch not life support. So go pay the big bucks so you will have a bmw stamp on it. But thats my opinion and everybody has one!!! So go broke or keep a pocket full of cash!!!

Wow! Not only did you put the wrong URL for the manufacturer, but you are frankly DEAD WRONG that they are the same thing except for a badge. This is horrible advice for people. Good luck with yours.

Really?

In that case, why is the Curt rated for 1000lbs less weight?

Why does the factory hitch include several reinforcements/components that are not included with the Curt?

Why does the Curt not include a module or other solution for telling the X5 that a trailer is attached (specifically - to disable rear PDC and make the DSC system aware that a trailer is attached)?

These aren't opinions, they're factual differences between the BMW and Curt units.

He can do whatever he wants, I could care less, and then when his frame gets messed up he'll have fun trying to get BMW to warranty it. I just have a problem with his advice to other people. The bottom line is that the Curt Hitch is not an approved hitch for an X5 by BMW standards. They DON'T look anything alike and the electrics are completely different as well. It continually amazes me when people try to save a few hundred bucks on a $75,000 car and risk their safety and long term reliability.

BTW, shaunatl great points! though you forgot to add, 'why does the BMW hitch require dealer coding (after the module is installed) to activate the anti-sway feature of the X5' and the curt hitch does not.

At this point I'm not convinced (edit: I stand corrected. Proof that coding is needed for X5's built after 10/01 is here: Xoutpost.com - View Single Post - Trailer Hitch (union county, NJ).) that the X5 does require coding after the module is installed. It certainly isn't mentioned in the instructions that were included with my hitch kit.

With that said, I did have my X coded for the hitch. At the time I thought it would fix the blinker problems I was having with my trailer (LED lighting), but it made no difference at all. I ended up fixing the problem by wiring a resistor in line on each LED tail, which causes the X to see it as a standard bulb/light. Everything has worked perfectly since then, and I've towed 2500+ miles.

Given that the resistors only cost me $20, and the install was simple, I'm very happy with the solution.

Can you post a copy/scan of those instructions?

These are the same instructions: http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/X5_trailer_hitch.pdf