The bumper cover needs to come off to install the bumper. It is very easy to do and the instructions are included as well as replacement plastic rivots for the wheel wells.

You do have to remove the bumper cover. Fairly easy to do and the intructions with the bumper explain how to do it. Kit even includes the replacement plastic rivots for the wheel wells. No cutting of the bumper cover is necessary.

Is the BMW hitch removable?
 

I thought I remember reading that the hitch that BMW installs is removable - that is to say, you can quickly remove the receiver when you aren't using it (so you don't have a visible hitch all the time).

Does anyone know if that's correct or not?

Only in Europe.

2007 X5 Man: I really appreciate you posting all of this! I've been trying to find another option besides having a BMW hitch put on which would require them to take the whole rear end of the car apart.

You have already provided so much information for all of us, so I hate to ask, but I will anyway. Would you take a picture of the underneath of the hitch? I'm trying to understand exactly which part of the frame you attached the hitch to.

Once again, thanks for your help with this!

The hitch mounts to four bolts on each side of the rear of the car. These are the same four bolts that holds the metal bumper to the back of the car. You remove the four nuts on the bolts on each side, remove the metal crash bumper, slide the mounting plate on the hitch over the four bolts, replace the metal bumper and reinstall the nuts. That is it for the hitch, very easy to install. No cutting of the bumper cover. The bumper cover needs to be removed to do this but it is very easy to do and the instructions that come with the hitch are very clear and easy to follow. This hitch mounts the same way as the BMW accessory hitch, it just sits a little lower to clear the bottom of the bumper cover and therefore eliminates the cutting.

Does the dealer installed option hide behind the bumper with a removable cut out unclipped to expose it?

Man no disrespect but the hitch coming out of the rear is horrid and the need to reprogram is crazy. Those looking for an IDEAL solution should check out phantomhitches.com I had an issue find something to work both with my bike and motorcycle while not killing the look of my X5 and my wife's X3. I also did not want a cheap after market or the $1400+ OEM.

This company had everything I needed along with BMW approved part numbersand great customer service giving my wife a $75 gas card because we bought two hitches! I towed my yamaha from tampa to atlanta and it worked perfectly. They may have a towing solution for you?

The True Bimmer tow solution
 

Well hello everyone I am new to this forum but man have I seen some comments on the lack of quality towing systems at a respectable price for our Bimmers. Well I have a 2006 X5 4.8 and my wife's has a 2007 M sport X3. I race bicycles and am now getting into track days with my Yamaha R1. I needed tow systems to tow my trailer and carry my bikes.

Every after market hitch had a hugh 2" square coming out my Bimmers rear not to mention that the wiring was not the most confident product to attach to the very complicated electronic system. And we all know how the OEM products are over priced and labor is outragous(4 hour install my a--). Well I was referred to a company that provided both my vehicles with OEM quality for nearly half the cost and this tow system came COMPLETE no ala cart or the need to purchase other items to complete the tow system.

Speaking of COMPLETE if you have a X5 with third row seating then you have no spare wheel. Well this company has a spare wheel carrier that works with the hitch system. Has anyone seen this product in the market place for the new E70 with third row seating?

What is really enjoyable and unique about my new hitch is that when I am not using it you cannot even tell or rather can't SEE I have a hitch at all!!!:wow:NO SQUARE TUBE AT THE REAR:thumbup:

So if anyone is looking for a great tow solution checkout this site phantomhitchesdotcom you will be impressed with this hitch.

Why are you posting the same spam in every towing thread?