hitch
 

I need to install a hitch on my x5 2001 3.0. The OEM's price is pretty outrageous.

Has anyone tried the one sold by Bavarian Auto Sports (like 400 bucks including the wiring kit). I heard that aftermarket ones can cause some damage in the car, but at over 1500 bucks that BMW charges (OEM part + labor), It is costing me more than the trailer I am purchasing.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Paul

depends on what you plan on doing with the trailer. Are you going to tow or use for bike rack. how much wiehgt will you tow. I think the OEM hitch is a good investment, or should i say insurance.

Since you will be towing a trailer, I would recommend you consider the BMW OEM hitch. I used the OEM hitch and wiring harness, and don't regret it at all. Even if you do go aftermarket, look at the BMW wiring harness (you can buy it with the hitch or separately). If the dealer is that expensive to install it, take it to any competent repair shop, preferably one you know or have a referral for. It is several hours work and whether they have done one before or not, they should be able to do it fine.

If you are even reasonably handy, do it yourself using the excellent instructions posted here, or get a friend to help out. You will need a few TORX bits, but everything else is standard mechanic's tools.

Lots of similar posts, the search function will show them.

Good luck.

Hitch
 

Planning on towing a trailer. sometimes with a motorcyle, others with a waverunner.

I guess it will weight about lbs600 with the bike and trailer about lbs 1000 with the waverunner and trailer.

Tired of BMW ripping us off with their oem parts and installation costs!!!

Thanks for your reply.

Paul

I Hate to be a smarty but you could have bought a Chevrolet. I remember my brother in law purchased some cheap aftermarket wheels for his 7 series. Bad mistake. he learned the hard way You get what you pay for. If you do get it OEM there is the advantage of the Warranty. Something to think about. Having my OEM hitch installed by an independant BMW shop next week.

Supposedly BavAuto only sells OEM parts...HOWEVER, (and I was going to start a new thread about this and probably will,) but BAVAuto's service SUCKS!!! I tried ordering a half bra for my X over a month ago..When I brought the details up on the net, it said "Available, in stock"..

So I give my card details, and AFTER I paid, it comes up with "on back order"..A month later, (yesterday as a matter of fact) I call them to see what the heck is going on, and they say it will be at least another month before they will even think about shipping it out.. :mad:

So if you call them and they say your hitch is in there right now, then maybe, but I would be very weary of what they say... :tsk:

paul


you can buy a dalan which is the SAME as the BMW trailer but 1/3 the price and install it yourself (about $125 bucks)

you can then order the electronics for the trailer (you NEED the BMW trailer module for the X5 -- NO WAY around this)... cost was slightly over $125

the da'lan attaches exactly the same way and is all but identical to the BMW trailer

the module allows you to connect the trailer wiring to the X5.

i always buy the exact BMW part except in this case. there is no justification for the price.

the dalan hitch comes with bumper support replacement and mounts identically.

i had an 01 which i put on the hidden hitch but only used it for carrying bikes. that hidden hitch is not available (the model was discontinued) because it was not up to snuff (it would pull the bumper off the car if towing more than 400 lbs of stuff); they issued a replacement which has an additional crossmember that drops down and attaches to the rear axle support which supposedly ures the problem but i can assure you it does not


go either with the BMW hitch or the dalan hitch with the BMW electronics, and you'll be fine. you'll save over $300-400 with the dalan hitch and sacrifice nothing

another Dalan reference...
 

I am also interested in the '01, 3.0 trailer hitch.
I googled the dalan string and found the usual players, but several pages back found this quote inside the merceded benz club site

"I work for Curt Manufacturing the nations leading manufacturer of towing products. Our current design list includes many new Mercedes models. Please contact me if you are interested in helping us finalize a design for a NEW Mercedes. For existing Mercedes hitches look us up at www.curtmfg.com or contact our affiliate DALAN HITCH at 1-800-325-2613"

I do not know if it will helpful, but I plan to contact them on Mondy to see...

dose Dalan ave a web site?

hitch
 

Thanks guys for all your replies. I am a big supporter if possible for OEM parts, but in this case (and I know for a hitch kit it is critical is a good one), I am outraged at BMW charging lots more. I am sure as well, they do not even manufacture the part themselves, they probably add the BMW logo and pump the price up. It may be that Dalan makes the one for BMW and sell it also with their brand. In terms of installation, I do not trust the BMW stealer for this kind of work as I may trust my local guy.

I will search for the Dalan and try to find out if for any reason they are the ones that make the OEM part.

Thanks again to all for your feedback.