Latest on 2011 x5 Tow Hitches

Based on what I've read it looks like the only difference in the lci hitch is the trim piece for the bumper?

And software coding, but the wiring harness etc looks identical to the original E70 kit?

Long story but I kept the hitch off my my 4.8i, never installed it on my 35d and now hope to use it on my 35i Msport.

Anyone know approximately what the dealer SHOULD charge for trailer hitch re-coding only ... no hitch or harness installation, just recoding of OEM owner installed electrical kit & hitch? Be sure it state your model year if you have the answer. Thanks.

Originally Posted by YuCrew

Anyone know approximately what the dealer SHOULD charge for trailer hitch re-coding only ... no hitch or harness installation, just recoding of OEM owner installed electrical kit & hitch? Be sure it state your model year if you have the answer. Thanks.

Labor for complete installation was about US $600. This included installing all the hardware and re-coding. I did not shop around for the cheapest rate, just got the dealer that services my 2011 BMW X5 to do it. Location - Bay Area, CA (northern CA). I was told, from a time perspective, re-coding and testing everything is working correct is the most time consuming step.

Originally Posted by RPsX5d

Labor for complete installation was about US $600. This included installing all the hardware and re-coding. I did not shop around for the cheapest rate, just got the dealer that services my 2011 BMW X5 to do it. Location - Bay Area, CA (northern CA). I was told, from a time perspective, re-coding and testing everything is working correct is the most time consuming step.

BMWs official, published time allowance for everything, including coding, is 2.5 hours.

Any 'problems' with coding will be covered by BMWNA... or should. If the dealer whines about how they had to recode, etc, etc, tell them to take it up with BMWNA. Actually, I'd wonder if you looked closely at the paperwork you sign (and which they don't let you take) if there was some time on there for a warranty claim to deal with some recoding. Dealers love the double dip

I'm getting mine put on my 2012 X5 today. They charged me $570 for the hitch and about $580 to install. I hope I don't have any issues with the lights not working!

The published installation time for the factory hitch including programming is 2.5 hours (according to the instructions that come with the factory hitch kit). My dealer quoted 3 hours just for programming! Most would agree that is ridiculous, arrogant and/or ignorant.

I dropped my car off at 7:45 this am for a hitch install and they called at 4 pm to tell me it had 2 hours left of programming. Never thought this was a two day project!

Keith3679: I was wondering if it just takes the computer that long to program. I presume the tech does a few minutes of work hooking things up and making menu selections and then walks away, periodically checking until it does its thing. I don't mind paying for real labor but don't feel like paying for "the paint to dry" if you know what I mean. What are your thoughts?

Keith3679: You are the only person I have found with a 2012 and hitch installation. Would you mind telling me if the first pic below looks like yours. This area is inside the right rear "cargo" area and the cover simply pulls out. The harness I have requires the module carrier below the fuse panel (fuse panel is covered by hanging felt material). Mine does not have a module carrier in that space. Mine is obviously somewhere else.

If yours looks like the pic, does your work order/invoice show the trailer hitch kit numbers or electrical kit or harness part numbers?

Update: Thanks a Keith3679 and dkotanto, the mystery is solved. Stupid me thought the carrier module had wires and connections. Now I understand and SEE from Keith's pic it is simply a white plastic mounting tray with slots to organize and hold various modules. If you have no options requiring modules, you have no module carrier. So in the case of no module carrier and the addition of a trailer hitch module, the module is just sitting loose. 61356960333 is the correct part number for the module carrier for my 2012 X5. It needs three nuts to hold it in place. I believe the list price for the carrier module is just under $12.

^^^

Mine is the same as yours and it is a 01/2011 production. The module is simply pushed and tucked loose behind the cover

I took my 2011 X5 Diesel to the dealer, dealer installed the hitch. I paid $950 and tow my boat. no problems, no worries. Electronics work fine.

I'll take a pic tomorrow.

Here are the pics I sent to YuCrew for everybody else to see. Sorry for the quality, these are cell phone pics that I snapped on my way to work this AM.

YuCrew, I looked at my dealer invoice for the hitch and there are no part numbers. So did you purchase a BMW hitch or third party with the BMW module? Are you taking to dealer later to program? I would have done myself if I had the time!

Drawtite/Reese Towpower/Hidden Hitch (same hitch, different brand) aftermarket hitch (minimal cutout of the bumper...in fact no bumper cutout, just a 2.25" x 8.25" cutout of the silver colored lower trim piece, that is UNDER the bumper itself) with BMW electrical kit and dealer programming (retrofit coding not yet done ... have to find a dealer who will not rip me off for 2+ hours to just do software).

Originally Posted by flymikeair

$184.00
Draw-Tite Class III Hitch (Part Number: 75600)
got from
http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/

electronics I got from a local shop to avoid shipping but they can be purchased from these websites

Tow Ready Wiring part number 119176

http://www.woodys-auto-supply.com/

for the 7 pin plug you'll also want to get
7-Way Trailer Wiring Harness part number 20224

http://www.americanrvcompany.com/

total cost if you feel up to doing the work yourself is about $270. Took me about 4 hours to do it, this is not difficult but you will need a second person there and lots of patience to find all the little screws and spots to get it apart. i will warn you taking the back bumper off is tricky, go to your local bmw center and see if they will print off the instructions to remove the back bumper. Mine did and it was much easier once i had those. For connecting the wires use a circuit tester on the 10 volt setting and test each circuit from the back of the plug while it is plugged into the light. I ultimately cut a hole in the lower fascia for the 7 pin plug so it has a nice clean look better then the factory installation IMHO. When I get my car emptied from the move and can see the wires again I'll post which wire connects to which.

flymikeair:

We just got X5 and are planning to do the same as yours, one thing not clear for me is how to run power wire from hitch to the car battery, did you run them under the car or through the car? thanks.

MiamaPanther:

You probably already know the battery is in the rear of the car. You could run the wiring out of one of the two holes below the right tail light and just above the right tail pipe. That is where the factory wiring harness goes. See page 10 of the instructions below


Thanks.

Got it, I just ordered all the parts, will post my DIY experience when it's done

Coincidentally, though I bought the hitch some months ago, my plan is to get it installed on the car (2011 35i Sport__11/10 build) tomorrow 6/11/11.

Perhaps not well thought out, but what happens if you plug in the module without doing the coding; dead car or just the new module isn't being "communicated" with?

I guess I'd better call my tech buddy at the dealer once I get everything physically mounted. If it has to go in for coding, I "might" be able to have him do it as part of another service.

Good chance I'll get plenty of pictures during the process, I always do: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...2775.743998290

Originally Posted by 0428

Really? Who tows stuff using an European luxury SUV?
What happened to the Tahoe? or Sequoia?

There's plenty of people dumping their Tahoes, etc for the diesel Euro SUVS, like the Q7, Treg, etc

Originally Posted by YuCrew

... Update: Thanks a Keith3679 and dkotanto, the mystery is solved. Stupid me thought the carrier module had wires and connections. Now I understand and SEE from Keith's pic it is simply a white plastic mounting tray with slots to organize and hold various modules. If you have no options requiring modules, you have no module carrier. So in the case of no module carrier and the addition of a trailer hitch module, the module is just sitting loose. 61356960333 is the correct part number for the module carrier for my 2012 X5. It needs three nuts to hold it in place. I believe the list price for the carrier module is just under $12.

List price at my dealer (Yark BMW, Toledo, Ohio) was $6.95 for the module carrier (my cost $4.82).

You got took

I installed the hitch/harness myself and took it to the dealer for coding. Over the phone they quoted me 180, which was doable. 4 hours after dropping it off they call to say that I didn't install the harness. After a couple calls with the technician, assuring him that I installed it myself and that it's there, they quote me 400 for just coding!!?? WTF that's actually the quote I got from a couple dealers. I picked up my x5 and went to uhaul to pick up there wiring harness for $50. And it doesn't require coding and it works well with led brake lights, which the bmw harness is finicky with. the very next day I towed my car to the track with no issues what so ever! save your money and buy an aftermarket harness(took 30 minutes to install)

krnnerdboy: Like you, I installed hitch and harness myself. I called three dealers for re-programming and got 3 different prices ranging from under $150 to over $400. I ultimately got my local dealer (not the dealer I bought the vehicle from) to match the lowest price. However, if I had the experience you had, I would have gone with a modulite or equivalent, like you did.

I do love the fact that the DSC and PDC behave differently when a trailer is connected. The display in the car shows a pic of a trailer ball, when you put vehicle in reverse and PDC is disabled.

Do you folks who tow car, boat or cargo trailers find that your X5s can handle the load without the self-leveling suspension? I am about to order a 2012 X5 6 cyl gasser and that option seems to be no longer available except on the X50. I'm concerned about rear-end sag.

I do plan to order the adaptive (variable shock damping) drive option.

My 2012 X5 gas tows a 23+' boat on a dual axle trailer (surge brakes) with absolutely NO issues whatsoever. Load is a hair over 5,000# and correctly balanced. If your tongue weight is correct, I just don't see why you'd have an issue. I will say that I considered my ML430 more than adequate as my previous tow vehicle but towing with the X5 is much more pleasant and economical. I have not seen any towing complaints on any of the X5 forums. Most X5 "towers" really love their diesels, though and the torque must feel pretty impressive.