X3 and Bicyles

Originally Posted by pharding

Does the BMW hitch require cutting the gravel guard? Does it stick out all the time when not in use?

Yes, there is a cutout. I will try to take a picture later today and post.

I wonder why BMW would provide a factory cutout for X1 and X5 and not X3. What's up with that?

Originally Posted by pharding

Do all hitches require you to cut either gravel guard or the rear bumper?

YES. (Assuming we are speaking of the X3 because it has no pre-cut factory notch in its gravel guard like some other vehicles such as the X1 and X5).

Originally Posted by pharding

What are the dimensions of the notch opening that needs to be cut into the gravel for the invisi hitch?

The notch in the gravel guard needs to be approximately 8 inches wide (side-to-side) by 3.5 inches deep (front-to-back). You can see the removable gravel guard in the attached photo, with an area marked for cutting the notch.

It is a smooth-edged notch that looks like a factory notch if done correctly with a dremel tool. (But you are only going to see it if you stick your head under the vehicle).

Originally Posted by pharding

How does the BMW F25 X3 Trailer Hitch Kit stack up against the invisihitch?

Poorly in my humble unbiased opinion


The current Group Buy gets you the invisihitch receiver and bike-rack connector delivered to your door for $600. So it is price competitive with the dealer hitch. As for feature comparisions:

* The invisihitch is completely undetectable when not being used, whereas part of the dealer hitch is permanently visible.

* The removable part of the dealer hitch relies on a plastic handle that tends to break. We know this because some BMW dealers now install the invisihitch as a result of this recurring problem.

* The dealer hitch uses a non-standard, shallow receiver depth. This can be a problem when some bike racks "bottom out" as they are inserted into the receiver. That is, you cannot insert the bike rack deeply enough to allow the holes to line up for the cross pin. The invisihitch uses a standard, 6-inch depth receiver which allows all bike racks to insert and attach properly.

* The invisihitch is available natively with a 1¼ inch opening or 2 inch opening. This eliminates the need for adapters and their associated rattles and keys.

* If you plan to tow, the invisihitch has a higher towing capacity and a zero forward/aft play ballmount.

I am sure there are other differences I have neglected to mention. I am not aware of any differences that are to the advantage of the dealer hitch over the invisihitch.

Cheers,
Daryl
daryl@invisihitch.com

Daryl ("invisihitch"):
- What holds the gravel guard together in one piece after the huge area is cut out of it (re: pic in your previous post)?
- Would Invisihitch consider making a gravel guard with cutout available (finished nicely to look like a 'factory' part)?

Invisihitch and all: thank you for the feedback.

Originally Posted by noka

Daryl ("invisihitch"):
- What holds the gravel guard together in one piece after the huge area is cut out of it (re: pic in your previous post)?
- Would Invisihitch consider making a gravel guard with cutout available (finished nicely to look like a 'factory' part)?

I am surprised to see the gravel-guard opening get much attention. Other vehicles come from the factory with an opening in their gravel guards. It's not unusual at all, and you never see the opening since it is underneath the vehicle.

As to what keeps the gravel guard together once an opening is notched into it, the gravel guard extends the full width of the vehicle, so the opening for the hitch receiver is a small portion of the entire gravel guard. Also, as you can see in the photo I posted earlier in this thread, the gravel guard is bolted to the vehicle on the along both its front and rear edges, surrounding the opening for a hitch, so it is quite secure. Lastly, the gravel guard is a pretty thick material. It's not going anywhere.

-Daryl

Also want to mention that the deadline for the Group Buy just got extended through the end of this week:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=675950

Cheers,
Daryl
daryl@invisihitch.com

Will the invisihitch work with the MSport rear bumper?

Originally Posted by Vortec4800

Will the invisihitch work with the MSport rear bumper?

Yes. We have two different hitches for the X3 (Msport vs non-Msport), so please indicate which when ordering.

Both are completely undetectable when not in use (no bumper cuts).

Daryl
daryl@invisihitch.com

Originally Posted by invisihitch

I am surprised to see the gravel-guard opening get much attention. Other vehicles come from the factory with an opening in their gravel guards. It's not unusual at all, and you never see the opening since it is underneath the vehicle.

As to what keeps the gravel guard together once an opening is notched into it, the gravel guard extends the full width of the vehicle, so the opening for the hitch receiver is a small portion of the entire gravel guard. Also, as you can see in the photo I posted earlier in this thread, the gravel guard is bolted to the vehicle on the along both its front and rear edges, surrounding the opening for a hitch, so it is quite secure. Lastly, the gravel guard is a pretty thick material. It's not going anywhere.

-Daryl

OK, I figured the answer to my 2nd question would be no.