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      04-08-2015, 11:08 PM   #1
mdrobc13
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e70 X5M Towing?

Has anyone either upgraded their X5M with an OEM trailer hitch or done an aftermarket one on their X5M? I've got a quote from the dealership but they have no examples to show me nor can they tell me how it will work out. They've done quite a few on e70 X5's as retrofits and see aftermarket ones done both outside the dealership and in their service dept. But couldn't give me much experience or have any pics. So am asking if any of you guys have anything in this area? I believe they must likely cut my rear diffuser to do so and probably that would be left open although I do recall the X5's had a cover plate that covered the trailer hitch area often at least my 2004 X5 4.4 did. Anyway thoughts?

PS...Other option is to put one on my wife's Q5 2.0T but I think the X5M would have much better towing capacity.
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      04-09-2015, 12:07 AM   #2
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Have you seen the thread below…lots of hitch info -
http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...ighlight=hitch

From the thread above it looks like forum member 'gan23' has the OEM hitch on his/her X5M. Yes, the OEM setup requires your rear bumper/diffuser to be cut, as pictured below -



I went with Execuhitch on my E70 M Sport - no cutting required and no visible hitch receiver unless you're towing. They make a hitch for the E70 X5M as well (link is below). Do you live in the Seattle area (WA plates on that X5M)? If yes, I had a local body shop which specializes in BMW's install mine. Many do it themselves but I didn't want to bother with it.

http://execuhitch.com/tow-hitches/bmw-x5-and-x5m/
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      04-09-2015, 12:12 AM   #3
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BMW Northwest in Fife installed my Execuhitch on my 2012 X5M. Spendy but worth it in my opinion.
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      04-09-2015, 12:09 PM   #4
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I just installed the execuhitch. Pricing seems high at first but when you consider it is completely hidden, comes with the OEM harness, and allows you to code dozens of great features, it's well worth it to me. I added the bike rack adapter as well. Total cost was about $1,000 with tax shipped. If you went with Curt, purchased an OEM harness for $350, paid for coding services to match what comes free with Execuhitch, you're getting pretty close to the same price. If all you want is a straightforward tow hitch with lights, probably harder to justify Execuhitch. Just get a non-OEM wire harness. If you're towing anything heavy and want the added features such as stability control to manage sway, backup camera zoom, etc., get the OEM harness and get it coded.

http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...9#post17714449
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      04-09-2015, 01:00 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by X5MFan View Post
BMW Northwest in Fife installed my Execuhitch on my 2012 X5M. Spendy but worth it in my opinion.
Was coding included? What was their fee?
They are in my neighborhood...
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      04-09-2015, 09:34 PM   #6
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Try execuhitch perfect hidden hitch, pricy though
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      04-09-2015, 10:24 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by serge1 View Post
Was coding included? What was their fee?
They are in my neighborhood...
I had this done a couple of years ago. Bought the hitch and OEM harness directly from the supplier and had it shipped to BMW NW. As far as I know this was the first one they installed. They did a great job, including coding. I believe the total was $1200 parts and labor.
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      04-10-2015, 10:31 AM   #8
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If you're comparing Curt and Execuhitch, they have their pluses and minuses. Curt costs about half of the Execuhitch though.

Mann hitches in Bellevue installed the Curt with OEM harness in my M Sport for around $550, which is a lot less than you'd get an execuhitch done for. Major drawback with the Curt is the receiver is visible when not in use.
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      04-10-2015, 12:22 PM   #9
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If you were to only use the hitch for bike and ski carriers, which one do you favor, suggest?
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      04-10-2015, 03:05 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChiTownM View Post
If you were to only use the hitch for bike and ski carriers, which one do you favor, suggest?
What you plan to tow probably doesn't matter - all these hitches will work to tow a boat/trailer, etc., as well as a bike rack. I think it comes down to what you want to pay and how important the look is to you.

Curt - one of the least expensive options, no bumper cutting, but receiver always showing

OEM - more expensive than Curt, rear bumper requires cutting, and receiver always showing

Execuhitch - more expensive than OEM, no bumper cutting, receiver only visible when you're towing/bike rack mounted

I have the Execuhitch bike rack version (no wiring harness) and it works great. I rarely need to haul my bike anywhere so I like the fact I never see the receiver. I will note that I chose to have a 2nd hole drilled through the bike rack connector so I could get the rack closer to the vehicle. With my particular bike rack (Yakima FWIW), where the receiver sat, and where the factory hole was drilled through the connector, I didn't like how far off the back of the vehicle the rack sat. Still safe and functional, but I wanted to get it closer.
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      04-10-2015, 05:27 PM   #11
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I actually don't mind the receiver always showing - I don't tow anything; I want to install the hitch step so I can keep people off my ass. In NYC - when parallel parking or during traffic, drivers get right up on my bumper. Any closer, they'll be in my back seat.
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      04-10-2015, 06:59 PM   #12
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I have an Eissenmann aftermarket exhaust installed. Would this prevent installing the Execuhitch/Invisihitch? It mounts in factory mount points and cutouts. Just lighter and sounds better.
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      04-10-2015, 09:06 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jiggz
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChiTownM View Post
If you were to only use the hitch for bike and ski carriers, which one do you favor, suggest?
What you plan to tow probably doesn't matter - all these hitches will work to tow a boat/trailer, etc., as well as a bike rack. I think it comes down to what you want to pay and how important the look is to you.

Curt - one of the least expensive options, no bumper cutting, but receiver always showing

OEM - more expensive than Curt, rear bumper requires cutting, and receiver always showing

Execuhitch - more expensive than OEM, no bumper cutting, receiver only visible when you're towing/bike rack mounted

I have the Execuhitch bike rack version (no wiring harness) and it works great. I rarely need to haul my bike anywhere so I like the fact I never see the receiver. I will note that I chose to have a 2nd hole drilled through the bike rack connector so I could get the rack closer to the vehicle. With my particular bike rack (Yakima FWIW), where the receiver sat, and where the factory hole was drilled through the connector, I didn't like how far off the back of the vehicle the rack sat. Still safe and functional, but I wanted to get it closer.
Thank you for the insight. I am especially interested in hauling my ski equipment. Don't want to buy a box and the bars.
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      04-11-2015, 10:39 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mdrobc13 View Post
I have an Eissenmann aftermarket exhaust installed. Would this prevent installing the Execuhitch/Invisihitch? It mounts in factory mount points and cutouts. Just lighter and sounds better.
no, it won't matter if you have oem exhaust or aftermarket
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      04-11-2015, 12:17 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rennis
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdrobc13 View Post
I have an Eissenmann aftermarket exhaust installed. Would this prevent installing the Execuhitch/Invisihitch? It mounts in factory mount points and cutouts. Just lighter and sounds better.
no, it won't matter if you have oem exhaust or aftermarket
Thanks good to hear! 😊
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      04-12-2015, 12:27 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rennis View Post
If you're comparing Curt and Execuhitch, they have their pluses and minuses. Curt costs about half of the Execuhitch though.

Mann hitches in Bellevue installed the Curt with OEM harness in my M Sport for around $550, which is a lot less than you'd get an execuhitch done for. Major drawback with the Curt is the receiver is visible when not in use.
I am going to guess Mann did not perform coding?
In my research for the upcoming hitch installation for this summer, I have compared Curt and Execuhitch. When coding is accounted for, the difference is about $200. Well worth not having the ugly square receiver under the bumper.

Price-included coding is a major plus that Execuhitch should be advertising better. A lot of things are thrown in together with hitch coding, such as keyfob options, trunk close from fob and inside, LEDs, fogs, etc.
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      04-18-2015, 01:33 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by serge1 View Post
I am going to guess Mann did not perform coding?
In my research for the upcoming hitch installation for this summer, I have compared Curt and Execuhitch. When coding is accounted for, the difference is about $200. Well worth not having the ugly square receiver under the bumper.

Price-included coding is a major plus that Execuhitch should be advertising better. A lot of things are thrown in together with hitch coding, such as keyfob options, trunk close from fob and inside, LEDs, fogs, etc.
I am going to give them a call probably next week to clarify and will let folks know. I thin the Execuhitch is the better option.
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      04-19-2015, 08:26 PM   #18
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try invisihitch...
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      04-28-2015, 04:29 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by mdrobc13 View Post
I am going to give them a call probably next week to clarify and will let folks know. I thin the Execuhitch is the better option.
any update?
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      09-23-2015, 02:17 PM   #20
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Here's a pic of a hitch that was installed on my X5M when I bought it... It looks like a Curt hitch...

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      05-04-2019, 06:14 PM   #21
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What exhaust is that, Megan? Any picture of the hitch looking straight at it from the back?

Would like to get these done soon, exhaust (mostly for the tail pipes) and the hitch (for the bicycles & the cargo carriers -bags/coolers)

Would I still need the wiring harness and coding if all I am doing is the ^ things?

Thanks

Last edited by quick; 05-04-2019 at 06:57 PM..
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      05-04-2019, 07:14 PM   #22
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Found these stealth hitches the best so far out of (OEM---cutting the diffuser, Curt...showing the hitch all the time, Execu...most popular, why?)

Stealth hitches

https://stealthhitches.com/products/...2011-2012-2013

3 ways the hitch can be bought

Click on " what's included in your package" in red just above the price in the ^ link?

Seems like I'm going for the Invisi-hitch's "Rack package" unless you guys have another suggestion?
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