I have a 2001 4.4 with OEM trailer hitch. The guy I bought it from told me he had it installed by BMW after he bought the car for $1200. I don't know if that's true. I have never used the hitch myself. I assume all the wiring and stuff is there too, although I don't recall seeing anything. I suppose I could have it removed along with the assorted wiring and harnesses and sell it, if it's that hot an item.

2 Days ago, i took my Hitch off my 4.8is, that shit was ugly, i have it in my garage, i could sell it i guess, but i'am thinking 2 things.
1. Might need it to pull family friends 800 horsepower yahama boat
2. currently i'am in Republic of Georgia Tbilisi, how in hell can i shipp it to you guys in case you buy it.

-there are so manny 2000-2006 x5's imported from states in my country every month it's a joke, and i see them in city LOT I MENA A LOT OF THEM HAVE HITCHES, usually youngsters drive X's her and they all take it off, some even just throw it out.

So it's a hot item there and not much of an item here, strange world

Does ugly mean "pain in the ass to remove?"
Here in south FL, you don't see too many with hitches.
Is it just the E53's that have the availability problem? Ebay has a couple for E70's.

By ugly i meam cosmeticly, 4.8is back lower bumper plus the exhaust it has, hitch just does not look good with all that, removing it was not hard, BMW mechanic who i'am friends with did it for me, at my house.
He removed the whole back bumper, plus minor things from the trunck, unscrewd the bolts and wallah.

Wow, looks like a 3-hour job to install, so I assume same to remove. Personally, I don't have 3 hours to spare or the ambition to tackle that mess. I'll get a quote from my mechanic. Some one has to want a hitch package really bad to pay for removal, shipping and part. Maybe I'll put it on Ebay.

Assume 3 hours for a mechanic to remove it, but it isn't that simple. When the hitch was installed, the rear crossmember was replaced. You need the non-hitch crossmember to reintall your bumper. You also need the replacement struts for the collapsible bumper supports. That means that the only realistic way to sell the hitch is to have the two trucks in the same place, and swap the parts over. Otherwise, one of you is going to have to drive around without a bumper until you get the parts shipped.

Thanks for the info. My mechanic already clued me in on the logistics this morning. I'm selling the truck and getting a new vehicle soon... like this week. Maybe I should put the hitch on ebay with a reserve of $13550 (clean NADA trade in value) and winner gets free 2001 X5 4.4i.

I was just thinking, it's like always having another person driving arround with you, when you have the hitch installled on your car, cause that thing is heavy as shit

just the e53s ones in short supply. e70 is fine, the lucky bastids! shipping from Tbilisi would be a packet. prolly not worth it, might be cheaper to buy another truck at the rate domestic trucks are plummeting in value.

Does anyone know the name of the company that was providing the OEM trailer hitches? Are they still in business?