'Hidden' Hitch - About Time
 

My former 2010 X5M and current 2013 50i trailer hitch install were/was an absolute butcher-job.

While shopping for my wife's new 50i F15, I was pleasantly surprised to see (maybe old news) that BMW finally figured out a less invasive hitch treatment.

:thumbup:

Old (E70):
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l5...4.jpg~original

New (F15):
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l5...4.jpg~original

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l5...4.jpg~original

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l5...4.jpg~original

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l5...4.jpg~original

The bad news is that BMW charges $1900 for it.. LOL.

yikes! I bought a second hand 2010 X5 30d and the guy that sold it to me didn't know it had the electric version, found out when I took the car for inspection. nice feature but probably wont be using it much.

Search for this on YouTube. It is the ultimate hidden hitch.

BMW X5 automatic trailer hitch

Yep, thats the one!

The BMW one in the first post is not 'automatic' or 'electric' as per this YT video:
BMW X5 automatic trailer hitch - YouTube

The new BMW hitch receiver can be removed, but that is a manual process.

Makes the $1900 all the more silly.

ps, if you lease, it's important to know that the dealer installs this (not factory). As a result, the hitch's full value is not subject to the same residual value as the vehicle. My dealer said that on a 36 month lease, after paying $1900 to install their hitch, BMW gives you back $200 at lease end.

After 5 BMW's, the hitch nonsense and the incessantly squealing brakes (in cold weather) has me considering other brands for my daily driver :confused:

It to exposed to the elements has it hangs lower than the exhaust muffler, slow to attached tow ball arm, no pin for quick connection of a snatch-em strap, low towing capacity.

not yet
 

I am not as jazzed about the hidden hitch. My lease is up on my 2012 50 and looking at the new 2015 diesel, but the hitch configuration is looking to be a problem with an expensive solution.

There are two hitch solution for an X5, both of which I have been quoted 2.2k installed!:wow:

The first is a standard 2" receiver class II hitch with a 3500lb capacity.

The second is a proprietary class III hitch with a 6000lb capacity and without the 2" receiver.

If you notice from the parts list, both have the same module, harness, and cross beam, but the hitch part is different. I am not sure why the capacity is different since the connection to the car is the same.

In any event, my problem is that I need the 2" reciever for my bike rack, bumper pack, and a few other attachments, but i need the class III hitch to tow my 22' boat. So unless I am mistaken, I must get a price of one complete hitch, and the head unit alone for the other. Than I must carry both around in the truck with me. This just seems kind of stupid to me and very expensive. Why don't they just make the 2" receiver class III and be done with it? Its an industry standard!

I plan to lease, so a third party hitch could present its own problems, but does anyone even know of a 3rd party hitch?

I mean, a hitch solution for me could cost 3K all said and done, just stupid!

Shoud have done my research first.
 

Forget BMW factory. Here it is!

The hitch

and instructions

I see E70 hitches only.. No F15's.

Link?

Pricing as of 12/3/14
 

I sent them an email and they responded that the F15 version is in stock, but not up on the website yet. They responded to my email within 24 hours. Here is the pricing they sent:
Tow rack/OEM controller, ball mount & 2" rack connector: $1148.00
Tow rack/Non-OEM controller, ball mount & 2" rack connector: $863
Tow rack/no controller, 2" rack connector: $544

They sent me photos and install guide too. I will most likely install it myself, looks easy enough and I did it on my 2004 X5.

Right on. Thanks.

I think we'll 'just say no' to BMW and if I need to put a hitch on her X5, we'll look to the solution above.

That looks great! We'll be taking delivery of our F15 soon and are planning to install towing hitch. Do you have the part number? Are these genuine BMW parts?

Thanks