2008 X3 - Bumper cut or not for tow hitch

[stormies]

Hi everyone

What a great forum that I have found, ton's of useful information.

I am hoping soemone can help, I am moving from a 3 series to an X3 in the next 2 weeks and need some help / understanding on installing a tow hitch receiver to the X3.

I managed to find some great threads with respect to this but I am confused since I have been told that with the 2008 model the bumper does not have to be cut at all.

Well some ppl say yes and some ppl say no - and this is at BMW ! confusing.

Anyone out there who can set the record straight?

Another thing is the price, BMW quote $1200CDN, quotes from Hitch City and Rack Attack $300CDN......am I missing something?

Thanks in advance
Stormies

[PimoX3]

Hi everyone
Well some ppl say yes and some ppl say no - and this is at BMW ! confusing.

Anyone out there who can set the record straight?

Another thing is the price, BMW quote $1200CDN, quotes from Hitch City and Rack Attack $300CDN......am I missing something?

If you hunt around online, you should be able to track down installation instructions for the BMW OEM hitch kit, or alternately have a chat with your local dealer parts guy who can usually help out. From what I have seen/understand, there is no cutting required of the outer bumper cover, but a little trimming is required inside to facilitate the hitch - so maybe the yes/no answers were both right (sorta). On newer models, you may also require a separate lower bumper trim piece which has the cutout for the hitch.

As for the price, get used to the Canadian prices being significantly higher than the US prices. As I am also in the market for a hitch kit, I am guessing that the quote of $1,200 above is including installation and tax ($775 list + a couple of hours install + tax), but you should be able to get the price lower through negotiation... $600 is more like it for the parts. Alternately, source the kit from the US for just over $300 and either install yourself (apparently pretty easy) or have the dealer do it.

I would be surprised if the Hitch City or Rack Attack kits include the electrics for the hitch at that price, or alternately don't include the install... either way, those prices seem very low for hitch + electrics + install. You may want to check...

Anyway, good luck with your search!

P.

[stormies]

Hi

Thanks for the input, yea those Canadian prices are crazy!

After discussion with my local BMW dealership it came down to, the price difference is because "it is BMW".

Whatever that was suppose to mean, nonetheless it was not the answer I was looking for.

It was more of a question of why is there such a huge difference, a 50-100$ difference would make sense but not a $900 difference.

Anyhow, the quotes from Rack Attack and Hitch City include the tow hitch receiver and installation.

For the electrical / wiring it would be an additional $170 CDN.

So I guess the question of cutting not cutting is the yes/no answer - this being a Leased X3 I want to to ensure that I don't have a problem when returning it.

If the trimming is on the inside - should there be anything to be concerned about?

Surely I can't be the only leased X3 driver out there who wants a tow hitch receiver installed to carry some bikes.

Thanks in advance
Stormies

[cer2225]

There is a knock out on the outside of the bumper itself so you should be fine. If I were you I would buy one online and do the install yourself. I am getting one on my 08 X3 that I have included in the lease because some of if can be residualized as long as it is done before delivery and dealer installed but a quick search of the internet found me a few kits (OEM hitch and wiring) for 395 less 20% USD. I would strongly recommend that you shop around. Also alot of dealers give 20% off to BMWCCA members.

I have the install instructions I think if you can't find them. Someone was kind enough to send them to me and i think I saved them. It is very easy to do. Also there is at least one picture tutorial online somehwere as well.

[X3bmw4ever]

There is a knock out on the outside of the bumper itself so you should be fine. If I were you I would buy one online and do the install yourself. I am getting one on my 08 X3 that I have included in the lease because some of if can be residualized as long as it is done before delivery and dealer installed but a quick search of the internet found me a few kits (OEM hitch and wiring) for 395 less 20% USD. I would strongly recommend that you shop around. Also alot of dealers give 20% off to BMWCCA members.

I have the install instructions I think if you can't find them. Someone was kind enough to send them to me and i think I saved them. It is very easy to do. Also there is at least one picture tutorial online somehwere as well.

cer2225, could you send me the installation instructions if you still have them.

Does anyone have pictures of how their OEM tow hitch looks on a 2008 X3?

Much appreciated everyone,

[cer2225]

No problem. Send me a PM with your email and I will send it right out.

[Eric in SD]

Does anyone have pictures of how their OEM tow hitch looks on a 2008 X3?

Much appreciated everyone,


I am thinking about getting the trailer hitch for the '08 X3 too. I would also appreciate a photo of the installed hitch on the '08. I am curious if the entire pop out is permanently removed or if it is trimmed and put back. It seems to me that the pop out opening is too big for a clean looking installation.

Thanks,