Hi,

Thanks for this. I have the rear cross member but my impact absorbers are different and maybe thats what I need to buy. It seems as though the ones I have are specific for a hitch. I will see how much they are and give that a go. If they are expensive then Ill cut the ball of the towbar removed so its hidden

In the RealOEM link you provided in post #10 (RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 3.0d Carrier, bumper rear) they show as $51 each. With the usual extreme UK price translation, they should be between 50-100 GBP each, just as a guess. A gas axe would take that bracket off much cheaper than that.

Your probably not wrong. I think its part #2 in the diagram which is more expensive. Im at the dealers tomorrow to pick up a door handle carrier and will enquire about the shock brackets too.

Yes, it is part #2. If you are at the dealer make sure you also get the large rubber grommet that fills the hole where the trailer wiring came through. There is also a plastic filler piece that clips into the bumper and covers the hole where the hitch ball was, depending on which bumper you have (unless you already have these items)

The wiring for the hitch cam though the side air vents(if thats the technical term). The only gromet i can see at the rear is the one for the PDC wiring and thats all intact.

Thanks fo your help guys. Just hope the brackets arent an arm and a leg!

Got a price from the dealers for the shock brackets and it did cause a shock!

They are £109 each. Have found someone breaking an X5 and he is willing to sell me them for £20 :-). Is the bumper carrier different between an X which has a hitch fitted to one that doesnt or is it only the shock brackets and rear cross member.

Thanks in advance

They are different as the hitch kit comes with a new one, just don't remember how. That was a pain in the process b/c u have to undo all the plastic rivets that hold the skin onto it and re-attach the new one.

Scott

The bumper carrier is different in the North American OE hitch kit, but I don't think yours is in the UK. The UK instructions don't mention changing the bumper carrier, and besides, you don't have the OE hitch.