Another Window Regulator Problem and OEM Tow Hitch..
 

Well guys you know I love this forum.

I bought my X5, January 16, 2010.

Since then I had to fix my door carrier, and on Sunday, when I put the window down, I heard a big bang, and the window didnt go back up. I searched the forum, and thank God for this forum I found out it is the window regulator.

I called my BMW dealership and they told me it was covered under the CPO warranty (wow Thank God), and I would have to pay the $50 deductible.

This time I didnt want to go in the door panel (I did to fix the door carrier handle), and instead let the dealer do it for $50 dollars.

While I was there they had a OEM tow hitch for $445, and I know I could do the DIY, I didnt want to screw up anything,

So they told me they install it and do everything with a 2 year warranty, including wiring harness for $845,

What do you guys think? is it too much, and or is it a good deal, thank you your input would be greatly appreciated...

a friend and i did the tow hitch install in 3 hrs or so. we weren't in a hurry and took our time reading and re-reading the several diy's in addition to the bmw instructions. only thing you may need the dealer to do is to re-program the lcm so all your trailer lights work fine.

Hey man,

Sorry to hear of the window reg. but we've all had them go. It's a common thing and thank god covered under CPO. I've had 3 over our 2 X5's. Keep an eye on them.

As for the OEM hitch I too got mine for about the same price (which is a smokin' price for the OEM "KIT" by the way...just make sure you are getting the wiring harness too) and installed myself. It was my first hitch install, and with my father helping with the bumper on and off I got it done in about 5-6 hours. Long job but it is fairly basic. Not too much technical skill required for this one. It's good to have a second person especially when removing the rear bumper.

Also my 2006 (and I see yours is a facelift X5 too) did NOT need to be programmed by the dealer. Plugging in the OEM wiring harness just worked. Trailer lights and rear PDC off when towing all worked right away! I just talked to another board member the other day who did the same OEM install and didn't need programming.

Good luck, do the hitch yourself and save the $400. Happy towing the X5 is an awesome tow vehicle!!!

thanks, but I did want to save the $400, my "back" is not working so well, this guy wanted to do it for $90 bucks, I was afraid to let anyone do it for so cheap...

So I let the dealer do it, dont flame me, I know I could have saved the $400. but Oh well....

Is it easier to replace the door carrier, or install the tow hitch? the door handle carrier took me 6 hours to do... (I did take my time).. but It was raining, and my X could hardly fit into my garage....

Also do you think my 3.0 can tow 2 seadoos and a trailer from like Los Angeles to Laughlin Nevada?

Its a 282 mile stretch.. hopefully....

jcap, my 2005 hasn't been programmed yet and the trailer lights all work. the only issue is that the turn signals blink faster. has anyone else experienced that? i'm assuming it's due to the lcm detecting a higher resistance when the trailer is hooked up and thinking it's a blown light.

cheappc, should be a peice of cake..

There was a big discussion on this a while back. Without programming, the anti-sway functionality etc might not be activated with the tow hitch. Some people are adamant about not needed it coded, but the only way to know for certain if the hitch is properly setup is to connect it up to the DIS.

The rapid flash is due to a high resistance, as you suspect. Abnormal blinking may have to do with LED lights on the trailer, but in my case I resolved it by running a dedicated ground wire.

There is nothing wrong with letting the dealer do it, the price he quoted you was fair.

Your 3.0 will have no trouble at all towing 2 Seadoos on a trailer. Over 1600 lbs you should have trailer brakes, so add up the weight of the two Seadoos and the trailer, and see how close you are.

I do have led lighting on the trailer. i will check on the ground wire. thanks! I may just have the dealer check on the programming to verify everything is setup right.

Unlike the E70, I believe the E53 does not require programming. The BMW factory installations for the E53 hitch do no mention it, while the E70 hitch installation kit does. I own an E53 and my mechanic tells me no programming is required.

If someone is certain this is not the case, I'd appreciate hearing from them.

We occasionally have the blinkers go into rapid mode then come back to normal again. We are towing a trailer with all LED lights.