Hi guys, great stuff and it's awesome to see our beloved X, with all is sporty spirited driving capability, still have the ability to be a great tow vehicle.

Funny 'cause I just walked in from a 4 hour install of the OEM hitch and wiring harness. Install wasn't too bad just took time as there is much more to installing a hitch on an X5 than there is on a F150 or the like. Anyway install is done and I can't wait to get towing again with our new(ish) X.

Previously on our 2002 3.0 Auto we towed about 2-3000lbs of ATV's and she performed like a dream. About 40K miles on that one and the aftermarket draw-tite hitch and wiring never gave me a problem I just decided to go OEM this time around. We're going to have our new X5 for many years to come and I wanted the ultimate hitch setup. Overall perception of the BMW hitch is very good. built like a tank

Anyway good luck and check our BMW of Bloomfield (NJ) for the OEM hitch. If you're not aware of the X5 hitch situation as of late your gonna' want to do some searching on this forum about it. They were on national backorder for months and we were going crazy trying to get them. Call Peter at the parts counter at Bloomfield. I bought mine on Tuesday and they had a few left.

Happy Towing!!!:thumbup:

Thanks Jeff!

'01 3.0 X5 w/5983# Load
 

Hi All-

Well, bought an '01 3.0 with 5 speed manual trans, installed the $500 OEM hitch and wiring harness (very beefy), and hooked her up.

She pulls See Truth very nicely and stops her ever better!! All performance is better than with the Chevy Suburban, especially the stopping.

Yes, the rear of the car was closer to the salt water than I would like, so I installed a 2' trailer extension, and that has resolved the issue.

This X5 does not have the self leveling suspension, but carries the 550# tongue weight well. She seems to ride level (reference pics) and have logged ~ 3000 miles and 25 launches with no issues or handling concerns. Pulls the heavy load right up the wet ramps . . . and some of them have been steep!!

Changed ALL the oils a few months ago (engine and 4 tranny oils) and glad I did. Will change the tranny oils every 50k or so despite BMW's claim to lifetime oils.

What a machine. I call it my German Sports Tractor.

"Fish On!" - Darrell

Looks great :thumbup:

Cool!

Now that's a boat! Very nice, and congrats on the purchase. Glad you're happy with it!

DSAviate: I see you changed the fluids, VERY good idea as they are not (really) lifetime. Redline MTL is what you want. If you have the NV125 transfer case, either Redline ATF or MTL. Add drain plug magnets as well, BMW didn't. Been there, done that.

You don't have rear self leveling suspension, I would recommend Bilsteins (especially on the rear), the real B6 yellow ones. Much better behaviour and ride (did this as well).

Thanks for the oils and shocks tips Gregory.

I'm a fan of german full synthetics myself, been using lubro/liqui-moly (LM) products for years in my bimmers.

Engine: LM 5w40
MT: BMW MTF-LT-3
TC: LM ATF 3
Diffs: LM 75w90

Yes, I upgraded all 5 drain plugs to magnetic recently as well.

Here's a recent pic of my X still pulling See Truth 4 years later but now sporting a few upgrades and lots of preventative maintenance. I matched the 4 front OEM 87s to 275/45R20 GT Grabber UHPs with H&R 25mm spacers in the rear.

Need to post many improvements on "show us your X" one day soon.

I really like your gunmetal 87's and your Depo angel eye headlights btw :)