[denaliman]

I finally installed the Stealth hitch. I have the OE wiring Harness and Control box. The install on the X6M is quite involved as far as removing panels. Unlike the X5 almost all of the passenger side interior panels need to be removed including the rear speaker panel to access the fuse box and one PIA bolt that holds in the passenger tail lamp. FYI the fuse box access is very limited at about 1/3 the access hole compared to the X5. There is a spare placeholder for the module to sit in you just need to remove all the interior panels to access it. Fit of the hitch to the frame was good, a little tight with no play for adjustment and needed a little persuasion with a rubber mallet to seat against the frame. Quality is excellent. Kick to open works fine and module was coded (coded by local guy. highly recommend this coder since it can be very tricky). Running the wire harness was simple as well by drilling a 3'8" hole and cutting a slit in the grommet to slide wires between. I also installed my rear Radenso radar detector antenna on the post where the hitch attached to the vehicle (seen in pic 3). I masked and painted the gravel guard heat shield with high heat satin black enamel paint to finish it off. Install took about 4 1/2 hours excluding coding. See my above posts for parts needed. Hope this helps others contemplating this hitch solution. Here are some pics.

[chrisnack]

Did you buy the rack/tow package and just not use the wiring? Or did you buy. the rack +a ball mount? which Ball mount?

[denaliman]

Originally Posted by chrisnack

Did you buy the rack/tow package and just not use the wiring? Or did you buy. the rack +a ball mount? which Ball mount?

Bought rack and tow package. 2" ball mount standard with package, It has a 3" rise U5L I believe is the product, but check with Stealth for your application. I did not use the Stealth wire harness.

[chrisnack]

Originally Posted by denaliman

Bought rack and tow package. 2" ball mount standard with package, It has a 3" rise U5L I believe is the product, but check with Stealth for your application. I did not use the Stealth wire harness.

Gotcha, thanks. I think i'll give them a call and see if i can order it without the wiring harness to save a little bit of money.

[denaliman]

Originally Posted by chrisnack

Gotcha, thanks. I think i'll give them a call and see if i can order it without the wiring harness to save a little bit of money.

I would also recommend going with the slightly longer ball mount U5L. I checked and the standard is U5S.

[Ilyam5]

Originally Posted by denaliman

Bought rack and tow package. 2" ball mount standard with package, It has a 3" rise U5L I believe is the product, but check with Stealth for your application. I did not use the Stealth wire harness.

man - you are the hero for doing this on your own. Its the only thing holding me from x5m - lack of tow pack. If i can do it. I definitely want that over M50.

What coding was done to enable tow mode and sensors not loosing it.?

[denaliman]

Originally Posted by Ilyam5

man - you are the hero for doing this on your own. Its the only thing holding me from x5m - lack of tow pack. If i can do it. I definitely want that over M50.

What coding was done to enable tow mode and sensors not loosing it.?

Module needs to be coded with Esys. I would recommend using a knowledgeable coder. I did have challenges with mine, but the person I used figured it out. Ben at RG Sport could probably do this for you or codemybimmer is top notch. Without coding it will trigger DSC faults and Chassis Stabilization codes. If you go the Stealth supplied harness it will by-pass all car electronics. You won't get trailer zoom, pdc turn off on rear sensors, trailer stabilization and couple others. No big deal though.

[chrisnack]

Originally Posted by denaliman

I would also recommend going with the slightly longer ball mount U5L. I checked and the standard is U5S.

Thanks, will do.

Man, i love the exhaust tips, been trying to find some for my 50i and it's been a struggle.

[chrisnack]

Called and ordered the hitch a few minutes ago, they were able to discount it slightly since i didn't need the wiring harness and was using the BMW OEM wiring/module.

Cost for BMW wiring + stealthhitch is more than just the Stealthhitch tow package, but i want the OEM integration, i've had it before, it works well disabling all the appropriate systems.

[AmooManiak]

Can anyone confirm if part # 51126889278 also fits 21 X5 M50i? Real OEM does not have any details on the 21 model year.

[denaliman]

Originally Posted by AmooManiak

Can anyone confirm if part # 51126889278 also fits 21 X5 M50i? Real OEM does not have any details on the 21 model year.

it should MY 2019 to 2021 should be the same.

[AmooManiak]

Originally Posted by denaliman

it should MY 2019 to 2021 should be the same.

Thank you for the quick response!

Is anyone aware if there is some sort of "pre-installation" done to some cars where it may not work on others?

I called the local dealership and they were a little confused based on the VIN number. They said that my car was not built for a trailer hitch - but that's the whole point of this retrofit. Are they all the same and the dealership just doesn't know?

[denaliman]

Originally Posted by AmooManiak

Thank you for the quick response!

Is anyone aware if there is some sort of "pre-installation" done to some cars where it may not work on others?

I called the local dealership and they were a little confused based on the VIN number. They said that my car was not built for a trailer hitch - but that's the whole point of this retrofit. Are they all the same and the dealership just doesn't know?

unfortunately the dealership does not know. They only go by what their catalogues them. Check on leebman German site they will have the realoem type catalogue . they have my 2021 X6M . If you don't understand German just Google translate.

[denaliman]

Originally Posted by denaliman

unfortunately the dealership does not know. They only go by what their catalogues them. Check on leebman German site they will have the realoem type catalogue . they have my 2021 X6M . If you don't understand German just Google translate.

you'll want to check to see if you have factory option 8SL. That's the trailer preparation option. If you don't have that you won't be able to use the factory tow harness or control module. You can still install a hitch you'll just have to either splice into the wiring ( see stealth hitches site for info and instruction )or find a suitable alternate harness. I think there was another member that got one from Europe. without the module and harness you won't get towing mode which turns off rear pdc and trailer stability, trailer zoom.

[AmooManiak]

Ok, got it. Looks like I don't have that option.

[denaliman]

You will have to look at the actual build sheet. It may not show on your order options. Dealer can check.

[jad03060]

The mechanical hardware should fit, but the OEM rear bumper cover is different. IOW, the part behind the bumper cover should bolt on, but the rest of the OEM bits won’t unless you spend a lot of money replacing parts.

On the 2021 MY sold in the US, they do not apparently still include the make ready for the electrical interface, either, so to use OEM parts requires also replacing a harness so the control box and plug to the trailer would fit, and without the OEM rear bumper, you’d have to figure out somewhere to mount that. IOW, it can be done, but it’s not as easy as it used to be.

The retrofit hitch sold in some markets would fit, but require cutting the bottom of the bumper cover (where it’s mostly invisible) to attach a ball, but it does not support a receiver that most things like bike racks sold in the US expect. The STealth Hitch comes with both a ball and a receiver, but to get the electrical interface, it won’t automatically trigger the OEM functionality except turn on the lights. You can replace a harness and use the OEM electronics with it if those are important to you.

Getting the hitch as part of the build from the factory also gets you upgraded front brakes, assuming you didn’t opt for them in another package, so all together, it’s a bargain, but not easy to retrofit, and certainly not cheap.

[AmooManiak]

Thank you for all the input guys, really appreciate it.

[mikester6]

Originally Posted by denaliman

Bought rack and tow package. 2" ball mount standard with package, It has a 3" rise U5L I believe is the product, but check with Stealth for your application. I did not use the Stealth wire harness.

Grats man! It’s finally installed. Hope you like it

[midwestbmwguy]

Such a difficult process to haul two bicycles. Very shortsighted on the part of BMW. I almost have buyers remorse with my 2021 X6
Not a do it yourself or in the price for me of the stealth hitch installed was quoted $1300.

[Multimodal]

Originally Posted by jad03060

Getting the hitch as part of the build from the factory also gets you upgraded front brakes, assuming you didn’t opt for them in another package, so all together, it’s a bargain, but not easy to retrofit, and certainly not cheap.

I don't think this is true.

[chrisnack]

I’ll take the appearance of the stealthitch with BMW wiring for $1300 all day long over the factory hitch. The stealth hitch is also rock solid on the mount, absolutely no play like you have with a standard receiver.

It takes less than an hour to remove the bumper, and less than an hour to install the hitch. You do not need to take anywhere near as much stuff off as the instructions say. There is no reason to take any of the inside trim and panel off, at least on the X5, only the battery cover and the fuse cover.

You also don’t need to take the taillights out either, but it does make the bumper easier if you haven’t done it before as those are the most likely clips to break.