I learned today when you have BMW flash the computer, you get a zoom feature on the camera with 2 markings showing 4" and 8" from the tip of the tow hitch.
Awesome feature for backing up to the trailer!!

Installed my hitch on my new 35d over the weekend.
Many thanks to Ranchhand for his excellent photos outlining the bumper cover removal.

The installation was quite easy actually, easier that the E53. Took time to do the cutout and went for the asymmetrical method. Sprayed the muffler and lip behind the hitch with high heat flat black paint. Well worth the 15 minutes of work as it hides all of the mechanicals visible through the cutout.

5 plastic rivets will need to be replaced as they are destroyed in the process. 4 in the wheel wells and one in the right rear storage tray. No problem driving without them but will replace in short order.

Hooked up the battery on completion and attached to the trailer. Typical DSC error codes on restart. Spin the steering wheel lock to lock and they go away, just like on the E53. No other codes. Everything works except for the brake lights. Guess I should expect to have to spend a couple of hundred dollars for reprogramming from a manufacturer that charges $1,000 for the comfort access "option" that should be standard on a $61k car.

Generally, very happy with the hitch and the X5. Handles like a sports car next to my E53. Very neutral with lots of stick, even with the Bridgestone runflats.

Edit:

FYI - The dealer I bought the car from wanted $270 to reprogram the computer. Another local dealer said it was a 1.5 hour job @$135/hour = $205. The third dealer quoted me $119. That's not unreasonable. Guess who got my business?

Thanks

Does anyone have the details on the wiring scheme for the hitch wiring kit?

Thanks again.

See my post # 27 here, and yes you do need to get the electronics flashed for the E70.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...riences-3.html

Holy thread revival!

Someone linked to this thread the other day so I went ahead and linked what I had written up in another thread. That's all. If people would do a 1 minute search instead of posting the same questions over and over and over and over again it would be much better, but that's wishful thinking at best.

Someone is familiar with the internetz... :D

I am getting prepared to install trailer hitch on my 2010 x5. Does anyone know the part number for the 4 trim retainers (plastic rivets) (on the wheel well) that we must replace? Thanks.

I think I found the part number for the expanding rivet, 51-77-7-171-004.