I'll just chime in and add that because the entire lower rear valance is black, you really don't notice our black hitch reciever, especially with the rubber plug inserted. OR, if you want to add an element of red-neck to your X, just get one of those propeller covers, or one of these! :rolleyes: :rofl:

http://www.wholesalecarcovers.com/icon-76814202.jpg http://www.wholesalecarcovers.com/92350785.jpg

Yes its diesel something else you don't get in the US. Exhausts point straight down for some reason, probably because its expected to belch black smoke sometime in its life!

That is perfect because i'm doing the same thing as the OP! What is the towing capacity w/ that hitch then? :thumbup:

Harbor Freight has a generic US style hitch plate - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices that can be custom welded to whatever a designer can think of then I was thinking of using something like this - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices to get the ball away from the bumper, but its not a completely flat mounting area under our bumper reinforcements so I stopped pursuing it :(

M5James...

Let me know what you find out..OR if it is even usable here in the US!

ALSO a big fan of the TLR's! Great bikes.! I raced (AMA too) for quite a few years...

THANKS!

Thanks Z, I absolutely love it too...can't make up for that sound :thumbup:

I did some searching RealOEM.com Part Search and found http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=FB32&mospid=47741&hg=71&fg=10 and RealOEM.com BMW E53 X5 4.4i Retrofit kit, towing hitch detachable, so now I just need to find the differences and see where to take it from there.

Hey Cole, any chance for some under bumper and through the receiver hole pics? I'm hoping I can see some visual differences and mounting points.

Searched on Google using the RealOEM part numbers Google and found Equipment/styling - outside for BMW X5 (E53). After conversion, it's around the same price as the US factory one, but at least it's hidden! I emailed the seller since the PDF http://www.schmiedmann.com/377/produktId/7507.htm link is broken. I'm still looking around now...

Received this http://static.schmiedmann.dk/Manualer/14.4106.pdf from Schmeidmann.com today, so looks like i'll be digging through the X later tonight to see if its compatible w/ our bumper reinforcements.

The X5 is the same in both geographies. You will need the two braces that go into the box sections of the unibody, as well as the cross member and all the hardware/bolts. You discard the collapsible bumper supports (for the 5 mph bumper). The US hitch has a different brace for the bumper, presumably to make it stronger and keep it legal without the shock mounts.

The euro hitch isn't legal in the US (it is not DOT approved, and it is a metric hitch ball) but it is usable, depending on your trailer coupler, since 50 mm is close to 2".

The other downside is that while you can tow a small trailer with it, there is no receiver so no possibility of using hitch-mounted accessories such as bicycle carriers.

If you look on the tab above for Online References, in the E53 section there is a PDF of the BMW guide for installing the OEM hitch. It is the euro book in this case, so it shows the euro hitch in the diagrams.

Good to know, thanks for the info. I've replied to the guy who sent me the PDF to see what shipping charges would be or if its possibly something I could get more locally. I have a full size Chevy now to pull my enclosed trailer with now, but it'd be nice to be able to take a small utility trailer w/ my bike (im guessing 500lbs combined) to Seattle, track events, etc using the X. I hope this pans out. Thanks again for the info though.