'11 35d tow hitch install complete

Happy to report that my new 35d had her hitch successfully installed and software recoded last week. Greenwich BMW (ct) did the work under the supervision of the BMWNA regional service tech. He was there because I gave BMWNA a hard time about this hitch issue.

Anyway, the job is done and all of the lights do what they're supposed to do. Trim for the bumper cutout is fine..cost was parts and 5 hours labor. Pictures below of install, and then after I blacked out the muffler.

Originally Posted by Lunablue

Happy to report that my new 35d had her hitch successfully installed and software recoded last week. Greenwich BMW (ct) did the work under the supervision of the BMWNA regional service tech. He was there because I gave BMWNA a hard time about this hitch issue.

Anyway, the job is done and all of the lights do what they're supposed to do. Trim for the bumper cutout is fine..cost was parts and 5 hours labor.

Pictures would be great!

Originally Posted by Lunablue

Happy to report that my new 35d had her hitch successfully installed and software recoded last week. Greenwich BMW (ct) did the work under the supervision of the BMWNA regional service tech. He was there because I gave BMWNA a hard time about this hitch issue.

Anyway, the job is done and all of the lights do what they're supposed to do. Trim for the bumper cutout is fine..cost was parts and 5 hours labor.

Please post pictures.

here you go:

Thanks for posting those pics! looks great,

Maybe they have lifted the ban of ordering this hitch from the dealer.

sorry, looks ugly to me... Huge opening, I can see the muffler, argh!

I'm happy that you finally got a hitch installed and that you like it.

I think aesthetics are personal and personally I think it looks terrible. I took delivery of my 2011 X5d 6 weeks ago and have been eagerly waiting a tow hitch to pull my boat. This looks butchered and incomplete from every angle. Shame on BMW!

I dislike it so much that I am now interested in selling my X5 and buying the 2011 Porsche Cayenne. For anyone interested... mine is a 2011 X5d, 1250 miles, white/ oyster, Premium, roof rack. I will sell it for $45,000. I'm in Newport Beach, Ca and am happy to provide pics. For Ca. residents you will have license paid until July, 2011.

I agree...they did not have their best minds working on the rear end of this one. If they come up with a better design, I will get a bumper retrofit. That said, I wanted only a diesel to pull my boat (3600 lbs wet) between CT and South Carolina -- 900 miles each way. You know why a diesel...you bought one. The bumper doesn't bother me -- although I may black out the muffler.

As for aesthetics, I have never liked anything about the Cayenne/VW/Q7. My next door neighbor has a Cayenne. The hitch is a prettier installation -- but no wiring.

$45,000 is a great deal for someone...you might want to sleep on it

yes, maybe blacking out the muffler would help... I'm just disappointed after the long wait. I really like my X...almost as much as I dislike the hitch installation. I looked at everything before I bought this... Lexus, Porsche, GM, Ford, Mercedes... they all have a very nice hitch installation. Why does my favorite, BMW, have to screw it up?! I'm coming from a 2002 X5 that had a beautiful hitch installation but at 155,000 miles it was time to upgrade. Regrets!

Originally Posted by bec

yes, maybe blacking out the muffler would help... I'm just disappointed after the long wait. I really like my X...almost as much as I dislike the hitch installation. I looked at everything before I bought this... Lexus, Porsche, GM, Ford, Mercedes... they all have a very nice hitch installation. Why does my favorite, BMW, have to screw it up?! I'm coming from a 2002 X5 that had a beautiful hitch installation but at 155,000 miles it was time to upgrade. Regrets!

I think that cutout could have been smaller- I dont like seeing the mufflers- but knowing that there is a software fix for the lighting, and that the hitch bolts up fine- one could certainly engineer a better cut out design that wasn't so gaping. Im thinking that the light plug in could be moved and mounted under the lip of the rear fascia and the cut out made only large enough to just allow the receiver to stick through with only an inch or so of opening around it. You just need to oversee what they plan to do and tell them how you want it. You'll be disappointed with the cayanne every time you go to fill it- which when towing will be about every 250 miles

The problem is that the bmw's hitch department did not communicate with the bumper department. The hitch does what it's supposed to be doing, and the bumper is what it is. The install is the ugly stepchild. I'm blacking out the muffler. Will post pics

Used hi temp paint on the muffler. makes it disappear...

That is better... thanks for posting.

I'm probably going to keep the X, I really do enjoy it and I don't think I'll like anything else better. I just know BMW could have done a better job and feel let down. I'm thinking about a few other alternatives. Maybe a metal fabrication shop could do something to make it look better.

You are 100% correct. It is hard to believe that a company that operates at such a high level can screw up the easy stuff.

I was thinking about fabricating a black plastic cover with a receiver post to cover the whole thing when not in use. Let us know what you come up with....

The reason why the opening is so big is because they have to accomodate for the "hitch pin". I agree they could have made the opeing smaller but they would have to lower it slightly. Another option is that it stick out more -which I know most people will not like. The trailer connector could have been recessed and pointed slightly downward. Overall though to me it doesnt look that bad.

Did you paint the whole muffler,or just the part that was showing?

I thought others might be interested in seeing a picture of what the trailer hitch looks like without the trim piece. (2011 X5 50i) The trim piece wasn't available at the time I had the hitch installed. They mentioned they'd have to cut away more of the bumper to accommodate the trim piece should I decide to get it installed.

The hitch pin and electrical are both accessible. A tight fit, but still accessible. Since my primary use is that of a Yakima bike carrier, it hasn't been a problem.

fox7, I like that look a lot better...I bet you could find a rubber gasket trim and cut/glue it to the cut edge to give it a more finished look.

Painted entire muffler painted from side to side, and as far back and under as I could reach.

Great suggestion about painting muffler to improve appearance.
Bumper trim cut-out necessary to access connector and hitch pin assembly.
My 2011 X5 3.5i was delivered August 25th with hitch installed, but brake lights are not working. Towed my 3500 lb. boat and single axle trailer with surge brakes today and car behaved like there was no load attached. (checked in rear view). Very happy with performance during break-in 350mi. on clock so far.

Originally Posted by fox7

I thought others might be interested in seeing a picture of what the trailer hitch looks like without the trim piece. (2011 X5 50i) The trim piece wasn't available at the time I had the hitch installed. They mentioned they'd have to cut away more of the bumper to accommodate the trim piece should I decide to get it installed.

The hitch pin and electrical are both accessible. A tight fit, but still accessible. Since my primary use is that of a Yakima bike carrier, it hasn't been a problem.

Very nice, looks better than with the trim!

Brought the trailer over to the house to check things, clean it up & load in preparation for race in 2 weeks. X5d pulls it really easily. But, local road fuel consumption is only c. 14 mpg. Slightly better than X3 3.0.

I'll be curious to see how it does on Interstates heading to/from Savannah.

How much does your trailer weigh? We've got a 900 mile trip with the boat CT to Hilton Head coming up in October. Will report on MPG. Hope it's better than 14.... :>)

Originally Posted by Lunablue

How much does your trailer weigh? We've got a 900 mile trip with the boat CT to Hilton Head coming up in October. Will report on MPG. Hope it's better than 14.... :>)

My trailer bare is 2700#. Right now it probably has 200 - 300# of stuff in it. Race car weighs 1250# & additional tools, etc, another 100- 200#. It will total c. 4500.

The 14 mpg today was for a 12 mile r.t. with 45 mph max 6 stop lights & 4 turns.

Based on this, I would estimate closer to 17 or 18 on highway with car, et al. In its prime, X3 got 14 mpg pulling this same load.

Worst part of your trip will be the DE/MD tolls with a trailer. I really hate those greedy states. But, from here to CT, only option is go inland on I-81 & then cut over.

I had an '07 x3. X5 ride will be a welcome upgrade, although the seat heaters don't seem quite as intense. Probably spend as much in fuel taking 81 as the tolls will cost on 95.