2003 3.0 tow hitch

[jpilk99]

I am not finding any BMW tow hitches, (or at least none under $500-600), and wondering if any of the non-BMW are decent replacements. I will not be towing anything heavy (I'd be surprised if I got near 1,000lbs).

Any suggestions on a good tow hitch that might only be a couple hundred?

Thank you,

Jay

[anthonyk03]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Trailer-Tow...AAAOSw9pNcn654

[effduration]

I am not finding any BMW tow hitches, (or at least none under $500-600), and wondering if any of the non-BMW are decent replacements. I will not be towing anything heavy (I'd be surprised if I got near 1,000lbs).

Any suggestions on a good tow hitch that might only be a couple hundred?

Thank you,

Jay

I can't in good faith recommend a tow hitch other than the OEM...Sure people use those other ones, but they all look like toys compared to the OEM hitch which someone obviously but a lot of engineering into. In particular, I would avoid the aftermarket hitches that have the arm that drills into the subframe underneath..I hae seen pblms with those.

your towing needs are light...but If you ever want to tow 5000+ lbs with it, you will wish you bought the OEM hitch .. I suggest you check junkyards, and anybody who is parting out an X5 with a hitch.

BTW - use only the E53 OEM wiring harness & tow module, do not accept any other solution.

[White94RX]

Very good advice.

[goinstrong]

I had U-haul install a class 3 hitch. It has been on for over 4 years and has performed perfectly. TI think it was about $300 installed. The rear bumper has to come off to properly install it, but it has been great. I periodically tow about 4300# without any issue. Hope this helps!

[flyfishvt]

There's nothing wrong with aftermarket hitches except most of them don't include a bracket for the harness connector so you would have to create one. You'll also have to hack into the lights to wire it up.

As an alternative I searched the LKQ lots and eventually found an e53 with a factory hitch. My car already has an aftermarket hitch so I grabbed the harness and the module.

[White94RX]

Nothing wrong with an aftermarket hitch, if it's done properly, and attaches in the same manner as the factory style (by replacing the rear bumper support with an upgraded unit with accompanying hitch). I've seen holes and brackets drilled into the spare wheel well area and simply bolted into place.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk