Tow Hitch package availability
 

Lenny at sponsor Morristown BMW didn't have the hitch, noting their limited availability; unfortunate, since they were running a black Friday sale that would have saved me $100 or so. He was kind to run a national dealer search and email me the results [as of 3 December]: The part number is 72-60-0-009-711. List is attached. Note that I bought the one at Athens, GA BMW, so its gone; the parts guy there told me he had received multiple calls from other dealers seeking to buy it from them, but, recognizing the limited availability, they held on to it. Those of you in the northeast will want to contact Bloomfield, NJ? [zip 07003], who show six in stock. BTW - it is one big sumbich package; you don't realize you are buying a complete replacement crossmember/bumper frame. It barely fit in the back of my X5, with one side of the backseat dropped. Next: when weather permits, the install, following the BMW .pdf and instructions posted here ..... For those of you with OEM hitches, is there a frame/cover piece that goes in the bumper cover around the 2" hitch mount or does it just leave the oval opening around the hitch? Thanks, guys.

My x5 had the hitch when I bought it but if I am understanding your question right you are correct. There is no replacement insert. There really isn't even much room around the hitch as is.

BTW. I don't know when my hitch was installed on my 2004 build x5 but I know that when I picked the vehicle up last month the exposed portion of the hitch was missing most of the paint and had a good layer of surface rust. This sounds weird but you may want to consider prepping this portion of the hitch and spraying on a few coats of rustoleum's industrial enamel. Its probably inevitable anyways as it is impossible to keep paint on a hitch from chipping but it can't really hurt to add more paint. I pulled my bumper and gave it a few coats - not a big deal.

Great, Patrick European in Schaumburg, IL has one.

You can trim the original insert to fit around the hitch.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...5/IMG_1918.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...5/IMG_1919.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...5/IMG_1916.jpg

I had to trim a little extra (and make it two pieces) for the rear Radar module.