Towing hitch

[jeremy]

I am thinking about fitting a towing hitch to my soon to be X6.  Primarily to fit a bike rack but also to tow a car trailer for moving my project car around.

I was looking at Westfalia as these are the OEM ones:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290610083801
With the plug and play wiring loom:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290697002977

I was also going to get the rear BMW trim:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=FG02&mospid=50902&btnr=51_6793&hg=51&fg=17
(Part numbers 51127192733 and 51127192879)

So it should be a fairly straightforward job and look completely standard when done.

Does anyone have the installation instructions from BMW for a retrofit towing hitch?  Or know where I can get them from?

Thanks

Jeremy

[X5Sport]

If you know the Westphalia product number, have a look on their website.

[jeremy]

Thanks X5Sport

I've just done that and they're pretty good instructions but step one is a diagram of the rear bumper with an arrow to indicate it needs to be removed!!

I was hoping the BMW instructions would show where the fastners are etc to make life easier!

[X5Sport]

If you have a look on this site (RealOEM) and fill out the data you know about the car you may be able to pull up the BMW Retrofit kit.  It's hidden in the 'Equipment Parts' sub section.  If you know the VIN of your car, then put the last 7 characters into the 'Serial Number' box.

The one I've found is this one and you need to either see if you can get hold of the EBA numbers referenced on the web, or ask your friendly BMW parts team to print a copy (or email it to you).  They will also have any additional info on removing the rear bumper if it's not in the EBA already.

Richard

[jeremy]

Thanks Richard
I use realoem a lot.

You answered my question - the only real way to get hold of those instructions is to ask the parts department - I'm not sure they're going to be that accommodating!

[X5Sport]

For something like a retrofit kit they should supply it as they may not be doing the installation.  If your car is under warranty though be wary!  BMW have a nasty habit of walking away from dealing with any faults that might be even slightly related to work they haven't done! 

Some Dealers will play nicely, but others will refer it up to BMW GB who can on occasions be an absolute pain.  If you are using what BMW fit as OEM then I don't think they have any case to refuse, but.........

Richard

[jeremy]

Unfortunately I don't have any relationship with a parts department so don't even want to risk it!