Is there a new hitch option??
 

Just talked to my salesman and my E70 is now finally on it's way to the dealership. I asked him about doing the tow hitch and he mentioned that instead of cutting out a section of the bottom of the bumper, they supply an entirely new piece with an oval cutout (comes cut out) about 5 inches wide for the hitch and hooks... Has anyone heard of this? Is this a new option or is he thinking of something from the E53?

Thanks,
Chris

He's wrong. It's a cutout. But there is a piece that fits over the cut part so the ragged edges don't show. That piece comes with the towing package and is listed with a separate part number.

Someone posted the entire procedure here a few months ago.

I saw all of that, and the pics... he was just describing something different. I also found some E53 pics, I think that's what he was thinking of, must not have seen the E70 setup yet.

Has anyone tried to cut out less of the plastic, maybe have the plug hanging behind the plastic instead of mounting it so you don't need so much cut out (cut out just enough for the hitch receiver and hooks...)?

I have the hitch and the cutout. I am not sure why there isn't a cover that would go over the spot when not in use that would bump out a little similar to what you see on the Lexus GX470. With the cutout there is a good bit exposed and it is more visible because of the aluminum showing. Someone discussed blacking out the exposed metal. Seems like for an extra $1200 to get a hitch on an "activity" vehicle, BMW would have better solutions.

Land Rover did a great job on the Range Rover sport, cover flips up (or down, don't remember) to uncover the hitch receiver. Otherwise, you wouldn't even know it was there.

I agree, considering it's a $1200 option that should come standard, you'd think they could've done whatever was necessary to have the receiver set back an extra inch or so and hide it all together when it's not in use.

I have just picked up my new E70X5 and i love it i dont want to get out of it when i get to work.
has any one got photos of the tow hitch fitted i didnt order it with one and know think is it going to look real ugly.......

This is from Australia:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/...ly-member.html

same hitch, just less aggressive cutting. i've been trying to work with a UK company called Witter to get a hidden hitch made with a 2" ball for our use here in the US (no luck so far).

I can't find pictures of it at the moment. It is "u" shaped receiver which clicks to lock in behind the bumper.....keeping my fingers crossed.


EDIT: It kind of looks like this:
http://www.trailerbility.co.uk/images/towbar1.jpg

I had my BMW hitch installed three weeks ago. I had the dealer paint the muffler with flat black hi temp paint while they had the real apron removed. It came with the apron molding and I also removed the ugly sticker on the hitch. It looks great to me.

Will try to post pictures

Hi Norcal pics came through yes it does look great hope my dealer does the same thing.
thank-you