2011 hitch install diy?
 

Anyone successfully installed a hitch on your 2011? are the 2011 different from the pre LCI?
I installed the hitch on my e53, just wondering how difficult it will be on the e70.
My dealer ball park estimate was around $1500...dont really want to spend that much.

thanks
franklin

Man that's steep. And includes ~$900 in dealer profit.

The performance center installed mine for $680 all in. Maybe they use "training" mechanics for labor?

Hitch is about $500 with wiring and it took me about 3 hours to install mine (remove bumper, install hitch, install wiring, reinstall bumper - I did an aftermarket Draw Tite so I didn't have to ruin the bumper cutting it - OEM will take a little longer as you have to cutout the bumper). After that you will still have to go to the dealer and pay an hour + labor to have the OEM one programmed to make the wiring work. If you go aftermarket on the wiring, you don't have to program it, but you don't get the stability program changes, which is fine for a small trailer or bike rack, but you might want the programming if you pull a big trailer. You would probably spend $650 to do it yourself, $1500 is one of the higher prices I have seen - $1200 seems to be the normal price, some people have posted that they got it down to around $1000 installed.

The DIY install is not that hard at all. Below I have attached the instructions for the wiring and OEM hitch install. It goes step by step and very simple. If you have a few hours and some patience you can easily do it yourself. I can't speak for the LCI, but I would imagine it is going to be just as simple seeing as the only real change is the rear bumper cover. You will need to purchase a plastic rivet tool ($30) if you plan on doing this install yourself. After the install you will still need to go to the dealership and have the software coding done to ensure the additional module functions correctly and the DSC software gets updated to compensate for trailer sway. Either way its still substantially cheaper than the dealership, and if you're as particular as I am, you'll do a better job than the dealer. Let me know if you have any questions.

I just ask the same question yesterday on bimmerfest. good stuff on reply. check the link

CURT Class III Hitch - bimmerfest - BMW Forums

looks like i can diy within $250 without wiring :thumbup:. i just use it for my bike rack

thanks for the link guys. The execuhitch looks promising (since none of the 3 local dealers will return my call about service cost)

Will do more research on it.

Thank you so much for the DIY (PDF) instructions for the OEM trailer hitch installation.

I just went to the dealer yesterday to get a quote on the hitch and installation.
$500 for parts, $475 for installation.

I consider myself pretty mechanically incline, but after two back surgeries with a fusion, I am leaning towards the dealership just doing it. One for warranty reason, and two for piece of mind.

What do you think on the installation cost?

Unless you have the ability to do the programming yourself, without the dealer, installation isn't a choice between free and $475. You should ask your dealer what it will cost to reprogram after installation, and that price is what you should compare to the $475 quote. It might simplify your decision process.

:iagree:

The reprogramming is 1 hr labor.

I was also asking for comparison of what others have paid for this install. Does it seem like a reasonable deal?

This thread includes a reference to a poster paying just under $700 installed at the performance centre. That is an anomaly.

Dealer prices installed have ranged up to $1500. Anyone getting it down to $1000 has appeared to have done fairly well.

Flat rate time at the dealer is 2.5 hours, plus coding. If your dealer has an hourly rate around $125, and the $475 includes coding, then it appears reasonable.

FYI
Paid $1200 installed at Long Beach BMW

I priced this at the Local BMW dealer today.
Total including hitch and labor around $1000.00. I think this is a
good deal and I will be getting it done soon.

Thanks for the information. I will take some pictures before and after for reference.

I think the price is a good quote then. I will order today or tomorrow. The service department said it was a 5 hour job and will give me a loaner vehicle. I just don't understand why a BMW/Mercedes dealership would have Toyota Camry for loaner, booo.

Probably because they subcontract their vehicle loaner program to someone like Enterprise rent a car.

I paid $780 installed and coded at Murray BMW in Denver, CO.

i actually ended up having the dealer install it...paid $1100 installed.

I installed the execuhitch on my X3, loved it. Installation took about 3 hours. If you know how to remove the bumper, the rest is pretty much plug and play.

So, dropped off my car yesterday. Then called around four o'clock for a status update. The install was done, but the ECU update was going to take overnight. That seems weird to me that the update takes so long, but it must rewrite a whole new flash on the ECU for when the trailer wiring is plugged in; the X5 will automatically changes over to towing mod. Meaning different shift points, different braking etc. I cant believe how advanced BMW is, and the ECU comminucation with the computer is ancient speeds. We are talking 12 hours of sitting on a computer to re-flash the ECU. The only world that comes to mind is WOW!

Yes, it can take hours, but it isn't doing all that. With respect to the trailer, it is simply recognizing that the trailer wiring module is installed, so that the rear PDC can be disabled when a trailer is connected, and so that the trailer stability mode (which is already programmed inside the dynamic stability control) can be activated if necessary.

There may have been other updates required.

Mine took overnight too and it failed the first time so they had to redo it. The update codes other modules in the car as well.

Picked up my X5 this morning. The programming took overnight, but it took the first try. The dealership tried to charge more than quoted, but it did not fly. Final price was $475 labor. I am really glad that I had them install the hitch. The piece of mind of cutting the bumper alone was worth it. Now I can tow my ATV and rent a pop-up this year. I wonder what the MPG is when towing a full load of 5-6K lbs. Max load with the OEM hitch is 6K lbs trailer and 600lb tongue wait; which is very impressive I think.

I recently towed approximately 3000lbs tandem seadoo's with trailer and I averaged 22mpg doing 75 on my 800 mile trip with a truckload of stuff in the back. Didn't even know they were back there on my 35d.

BMWs official instructions- this is the 'bible' for BMW work- says 2.5 hours.

It would seem to be very hard for BMW to justrify more than 2.5 hours. $140 and hour is 350. 120 and hour is 300.

And the posted document explicitly states that the 2.5 hours INCLUDES programming- and any other required programming should be charged separately (and billed to warranty)

As we know, the whole 'hitch thing' is an opportunity for the dealer to make more profit, with sales reps quoting whatever they can get away with.....

Awesome, thanks for posting this. My hitch package from BMW didn't have the instructions included. Wish me luck!

I have to make the installation of the execuhitch which seems very easy. My only question for the ones that did the Execuhitch installation.... What about the electric wiring for a 2009?. Easy ?

EXECUHITCH?
 

EXECUHITCH?

yes

Anybody have install instructions/images of the Execuhitch install??

Thanks!

Yes and running great, send me pm at

[email protected]

Anyone have pics of the hitch installed on the LCI X5?