Bike racks on a 2009 3.0?
 

I need to get a bike rack for my wife's X5 3.0. its a 2009 with the automatic closing hatch. Are there any recommended? Also, what's the going cost for a hitch install? I ask because I've seen some bike racks that fit into hitches. thanks.

Your choices are roof mount, hitch mount, or bumper mount.

1) I like roof mounts because they keep the bikes up out of the grit. That matters more for my carbon road bikes than it would for mountain bikes.

2) If you want a hitch rack, suggest you look at the Thule T2. Yakima makes similar models, also good. Recommend you get one with rails that the wheels sit in, not ones where the bike frame hangs. Expect the PDC to go off every time you put it in reverse. Easier to load than the roof mount if you are vertically challenged. Good solution for mountain bikes which can be heavier, and often dirty.

3) BMW makes a bumper mount bike rack that doesn't need a hitch. It bolts into the tow hook attachment points. Intriguing concept. Otherwise functions similar to a hitch mount.

There are many threads on the subject, do a search on bike rack. Here is one to get you started:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...bike-rack.html