Why did the OEM hitches stop getting made again? Quality issues? I heard the story about the guy dying and his business dying with him is bullshit.

Well, I did hear that the guy died and the business went under during the power struggle to take over internally at the dealer, but it could be BS for all I know. If it has any truth to it I'd think it got pretty heated with people getting cutthroat... Whatever, nothing we can be changed.

Just to help out. Looks like OEM hitch on ebay.

eBay Motors: BMW X5 E53 TRAILER HITCH KIT CLASS III 1999 - 2006 X5 (item 290303524062 end time Apr-16-09 06:34:40 PDT)

5 available......wonder if dealers are getting inventory again.

If I needed one I would be all over this, would not take a chance.

Hitch diagram
 

Weasel56, where did you get diagram # 1? It's the hitch I have on my 4.6, it came with the vehicle so I don't have any other info about it. I looking to sell it since I don't need it and want to tell people exactly what it is. I originally thought it was an OEM but your info is telling me it's something else. Mine seems much stronger in design than the "Curtis" hitch because it has the additional middle support beam which gives it three points areas of connection to the frame opposed to the other design which just attaches horizontally. Any one interested, I'm in San Diego.

mye53 how much? i would need it shipped to nyc. do you have any pictures?

BMW of Bloomfield has 5 of them in stock (now 4). Mine is being shipped to California today! WooHoo!!!
Parts Phone: (800) 796-4698.
Also, BMWNA has given the end of the month as an estimate for the new ones to come out. This should all be over soon.

they have 2 now. i just grabbed one. looks like this is new old stock they found when moving inventory around, not from the new supplier. in any case, i am happy to get one. it's too late for my VIR run this weekend but should be good for Mid Ohio!

Correction .. they only have ONE now! :D