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!

Yes, trim is missing. I have the hitch too.

Real sorry to see,, don't want to rub salt in to the wound but have a look here, my dealer in Sydney Australia did a real nice job of mine. If your happy with that job then you may want to show the pic to your dealer.

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

Now this one looks really good. You would think that BMW will have a standard install for these things, but that's too much to ask, I guess.

Ummm.... now THAT is a nice install. But is it the standard OEM trailer hitch? the connector that is showing makes me think that it's not....

There is no OEM (factory) hitch. You are confusing the OEM (dealer) install in Australia with the OEM (dealer) install in NA. Two different products.

The hitch in Aust is custom made for the vehicle, hence the better install.

I painted my exhaust black with "grill" paint. The results can be seen here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...hitch-e70.html

Here's my install today on my M-Sport!

Looks great!

Was that a dealer install or did you do it yourself? Did you have to trim the aero bumper?

It was dealer install, they trimmed about 10mm into the rear bumber bar!

I have a Hidden Hitch that I haven't installed yet, it should appear similar to yours, just sitting under the bumper. Still debating whether I need to mess with installing the electrical controller and deal with the error codes, since I will only use it for a bike rack. But then again, I may need it if I decide to get a jetski or something...

I assume you have a controller under the bumper as well?

This looks like the most economical fix.....for now

My dealer wants $1200 for the BMW hitch and installation. Unbelievable.

I found a local hitch company that sells a Draw-Tite model for the X5. It looks just like the BMW hitch, except the receiver sits just below the bumper. No need to cut a hole out of the bumper. They also use the BMW OEM wiring harness. Total with labor and taxi it is only $662.

Because the price is 1/2 and I don't have to have the large opening cut out of the bumper, I'll likely go with this setup. I might have the dealer re-program the car for the hitch.

Anyone had any experience with a Draw-Tite hitch on an X5?

I believe you lose the mounting points for the 2 "tow hooks". These don't come with non-oem hitchs... see my pics in the other thread I posted the link for.

I painted the shinny part of the exhaust that shows on the TH with "grill" paint. 3-4 coats and bottle says it could withstand heat up to 1200degF. Now it looks uniform from the rear view just like M3Armand's pics. :thumbup: