2007 X5 Trailer Hitch install
 

Good day,

I am new to your forum and, though I have searched, I have not found my situation shared as yet.

I ordered my 2007 X5 without skimping on the options and received it in June. I immediately found that my trailer hitch was on back order and is a dealer-installed option. It was finally received and installed per the BMW specs.

Then, upon installation of the hitch, I was appalled at what was done to my X5. The cut-out for the hitch assembly was oversized, visually asymmetrical, ragged-edged, and a poor representation of a factory advised process. Looking from the rear, the left portion has the necessary access for the trailer light receptacle, however, to the right side of the hitch assembly, the cut-out of the bumper has no masking whatsoever, leaving a full view of the shiny muffler. My first reaction was to immediately order a new bumper. The dealer's intermediate step was to order and install a border piece for the cut-out only addressing the ragged cut of the bumper, still leaving the appearance of a mis-created hole. BMW should be embarrassed.

After a series of "What is BMW going to do?" questions, my dealer (who by the way is quite concerned and cooperative) states that BMW doesn't seem to be getting a lot of complaints, so it doesn't seem like they will be taking up the issue (yet).

So, my curiosity is whether this is an issue out there or not. I have attached a photo.
Mark

I think it looks terrible. This should be a factory installed option so it is done right.

Welcome to X5world.

That is unacceptable work. I would be raising hell with the dealer for a new bumper cover. I can't believe a dealer let you pick up your car looking like that.

:iagree: You should definitely complain and seek a replacement bumper trim... Only this time, they should have a professional body shop tech administer the cutting.

I cannot believe that is BMW's current Tow\hitch solution. You would have figured there would at least be a factory bezel included to line the cutout trim for a neater appearance. Guess I'll avoid that option until BMW offers somthing better.

Good luck!!!
Tae

yeah that's hopeless, you definitely have an issue there

Sorry but, holy crap! that is pretty nasty. If they can't get it done right, just have the dealer remove the hitch and replace it with a brand new bumper cover. Totally unacceptable.

this thread has the photo of how it should look.

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/...+trailer+hitch

:xoutpost:
Unbelieveable :confused:
That looks HORRIBLE!!!
Insist on a new bumper cover, or take a copy of the picture above showing a proper installation, and make them match it!!

Yikes....makes me think back to my Navigator (hold the punches) and how well the bumper cover was designed. It had a nice color matched cover which you could pop off to access the hitch & connector. When not in use, you'd cover it up and it looked sweet. This looks very "pickup" like. I'd complain...couldn't the trailer hitch have been mounted a little lower as to not cut into the cover and then with a U type bracket - bring it back up to the required height?

Mark here again. The dealer has ordered in and installed that thin plastic trim piece that some of you mentioned. It helps, but my big complaint is the amount of muffler that shows on the right side that makes the whole install look wrong.
Interesting to note, I was recently behind a new Jeep with a similar install but the right side had a mask that appropriately camouflaged the cutout.

Unfortunatley, your cutout is correct. The trim is just missing. This is a BMW issue, not the dealer.

The photo in post 6 is shot from above, but it is exactly the same.

I have the hitch and it looks the same, just with the trim added. I agree it is a terrible design!