When I installed my hitch kit, I had the BMW dealer do a program update. My hitch kit had a post-2006 manufacture date. I don't know whether the reflash/program update was necessary for proper working, but I've had no electronic issues, and, for example, the Tekonsha Prodigy RF brake controller has worked flawlessly. Not cheap, though - the reprogram cost me at least $150, might have been $200 or more at the dealer [I don't have my service chron handy .....]

HELP!!!! I just finished installing my OEM hitch kit on my E53 4.4. Everything went well until I tried to put the bumper back on. I purchased the metal bumper reinforcement. It is identical to the one previously on the vehicle. I'm guessing I was sent the wrong part.

Can anyone confirm what the metal bumper reinforcement specific for the towing package looks like? Part number?

Yup. It's a different part. Here are some pics of the reinforcement bumper from my install this last winter http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07...8aef13ba86.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07...4c44a66039.jpg


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I wonder if you can remove the "center" as seen in this pic - and end up with the same thing? http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07...8ebff6f13c.jpg


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Should have read the entire forum before posting. This was talked about more then once already. Two people say yes you can cut the excess and one says no.

I'm going to try it. I'll report back on my experience.


Great. Well since I can't find the correct one and I do have a spare. Can I cut the 12 gauge steel off this one?


Attachment 67102

Can't hurt. I suspect the crash protection that piece offered was far exceeded by the giant Chunk of steel of the hitch :)

I don't recall where I read it, but I believe the correct bar is the European member. It doesn't have the plate that you are looking to remove.

Found it. 51128250415 European carrier. The BMW retrofit instructions call out this part number.

Finished my OEM hitch install. I ended up cutting the excess steel. It came out great. Make sure if you're going to cut it, have someone who knows what they are doing. I needed a plasma cutter and grinder. If you're not confident enough to atempt this on your own, just pony up the $290 and get a new 51128250415 from the dealer. Attachment 67107

Why would you need a plasma cutter? It's spot-welded together - drill out the spot welds and it will literally fall apart.

Hello, i'm new to this thread, but I will be purchasing a 2006 x5 4.8is. I'm doing a ton of research on it as I already have plans on how to upgrade/ modify this truck. I want a tow hitch but I don't like the 3 point system look. Granted I only tow my road bikes, however I do have a project RX7 I'd like to tow eventually to the body shop for finishing. I know that the OE is no longer available and is hard to come by. From studying just the pictures provided on this thread, I'm wondering if we can fabricate the upgraded bumper support in order to fully support an aftermarket 2 point system without worries of bending the sheet metal? If someone could just measure out the dimensions, we can find a fabricator that will make it. Or we can get it 3D scanned and print it for fabricators to duplicate in SS. I'm just brainstorming. I don't even have my car yet. LOL