[aaaaaaaaaz]

TL;DR: For LCI cars, it is basically not possible to install hitch after-market properly unlike pre-LCI ones.
(For N. America standard 2” square receiver only, not European version)


For LCI, it is virtually not possible to retrofit the tow hitch after the car leaves the factory. Best after-market option costs triple the factory option after installation, and cannot be coded in the way car recognize the trailer to activate safety and convenience features.

For hitch rack only (e.g. bike / snowboard) users, after-market may be a route to hide the hitch and retain the kick-open feature.

[LDT]

Originally Posted by aaaaaaaaaz

(For N. America standard 2” square receiver only, not European version)

For LCI, it is virtually not possible to retrofit the tow hitch after the car leaves the factory. Best after-market option costs triple the factory option after installation, and cannot be coded in the way car recognize the trailer to activate safety and convenience features.

For hitch rack only (e.g. bike / snowboard) users, after-market may be a route to hide the hitch and retain the kick-open feature.

Agree 100%. If you think there’s any chance of towing something order the OEM hitch. I haven’t towed since Covid year but usually order my SUV with a hitch.

[davchr]

Excellent chart

[Rob_G77]

I have the tow hitch, but never use it. My X5 was bought off the lot and had pretty much everything I wanted though. I have come to find that comfort access missing from the rear door handles is far more of a PITA than missing the rear kick to open feature.

I think the integrated IDrive features with the factory hitch make it a definite plus over any third party addition. People who tow around here generally use trucks though, not SUV.

Rob

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Originally Posted by Rob_G77

I have the tow hitch, but never use it. My X5 was bought off the lot and had pretty much everything I wanted though. I have come to find that comfort access missing from the rear door handles is far more of a PITA than missing the rear kick to open feature.

I think the integrated IDrive features with the factory hitch make it a definite plus over any third party addition. People who tow around here generally use trucks though, not SUV.

Rob

Yea no comfort access for back door is annoying, unfortunately all new BMW seems to be like this no matter what trim level u get

A pickup truck is not that practical here in California - whatever in the truck bed would be sure get stolen, and cops don’t care

[letsgopony]

Some old threads also mentioned the 3AC towing package upgrades the front calipers: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...74&postcount=3, which makes the package even more worthwhile, but not sure it's still the case for MY25.

[David3]

This is precisely why I was sure to check the trailer hitch option box. I tow our small Airstream with the X5 and love it. Unlike previous versions of the X5 adding a hitch to the LCI G05 would not be practical.

I item not correct on OP chart is no self leveling. If you have a 50e, with air suspension, it will self level as this feature is not related to the hitch. The sensor is part of the suspension.

I was not aware the vehicle is prewired for an electric brake controller. I use a wireless version.

[Colibri]

Great chart.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by letsgopony

Some old threads also mentioned the 3AC towing package upgrades the front calipers: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=3, which makes the package even more worthwhile, but not sure it's still the case for MY25.

if the vehicle would be outfitted with the standard brakes without the tow hitch, optioning the tow hitch will definitely upgrade them.

know the LCI 50e already comes with tow hitch brakes as its standard brakes. if one options M Sport brakes, those are an additional step up from the tow hitch brakes

[Traxion]

Definitely agree, I was looking for a tow vehicle and after browsing the forums the consensus states the safest thing to do was get one with the factory tow hitch. Seemed like the LCI was going to be exactly like all the previous year models where it wasn't going to be worth it or possible to retrofit.

[Phasers]

Originally Posted by letsgopony

Some old threads also mentioned the 3AC towing package upgrades the front calipers: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...74&postcount=3, which makes the package even more worthwhile, but not sure it's still the case for MY25.

This is still correct ['free' brake upgrade with tow package], but if you get the M-Sport brakes it is irrelevant as those are superior to the towing package brakes.

[letsgopony]

Originally Posted by Phasers

This is still correct ['free' brake upgrade with tow package], but if you get the M-Sport brakes it is irrelevant as those are superior to the towing package brakes.

I picked M Sport Package (ZMP), but no M Sport Professional (ZMQ) nor M Sport Brakes (2NH). If the Trailer Hitch (3AC) upgraded the front calipers to the unpainted brembo, I think this $650 option is really a no-brainer.

[jad03060]

The front brakes are upgraded with the towing package IF your configuration would have otherwise come with the smaller ones. They are not the painted version unless you opt for that option as well.

It is possible to retrofit the OEM capability, but it is far less expensive to get it fitted at the factory, and a dealer may not update the software to enable the full capabilities unless you live in a market that may have the towing make-ready as an option. BMW does not offer that in the USA, while it did on previous versions. It is prewired for that ability in some markets with the appropriate option.

[formerE36M3/4/5]

When I was searching for a X5 there were only 3 cars on dealer lots w/in 100 miles of me with factory trailer hitch option (and none were optioned anywhere close to how I wanted it). I custom ordered and did PCD in SC. On the day of my PCD there were 5 of us picking up cars, all 5 ordered with the trailer hitch option. For whatever reason dealerships just don’t order their lot cars with the hitch.

[aussieintexas]

Originally Posted by aaaaaaaaaz

Yea no comfort access for back door is annoying, unfortunately all new BMW seems to be like this no matter what trim level u get

A pickup truck is not that practical here in California - whatever in the truck bed would be sure get stolen, and cops don’t care

I’d suggest it is not about them not caring but with the workload and staff cuts in most police forces it is probably more about priorities

[Jcit]

I can also unfortunately confirm my 50e was not able to have a stealth hitch with any sort of electrical harness installed. I purchased it off the lot even though it did not have the 8SL option. I thought maybe I could still have it installed by tapping into power and the lights. I did have the support hardware installed to use my bike rack but after conversations directly with Stealth Hitch they said they would not be offering any type of electrical harness for this vehicle and do not recommend tapping into the lights so my installer said no. I am SOL for towing.

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Originally Posted by aussieintexas

I’d suggest it is not about them not caring but with the workload and staff cuts in most police forces it is probably more about priorities

Not blaming the police, but more about policies here - DA not prosecuting for crime, prop 47 making theft under $950 no longer felony…

[JMD]

Originally Posted by LDT

Agree 100%. If you think there’s any chance of towing something order the OEM hitch. I haven’t towed since Covid year but usually order my SUV with a hitch.

Hmm, I'm not sure if this is 100% true! That is, unless there is some very substantial differences between removing rear bumper of say G05 X5 over an E53 X5. I say this because after watching a particular YT vids years ago, I was able to install an OEM tow-hitch on my '03 4.6is. It was a straight-forward plug 'n play job. In fact, the number one thing a second set of hands could have done was to assist in removal and reinstalling the "Bumper Cover". Other than that, installing the OEM tow-hitch was quite easy. In fact, it was so easy, upon trading my '03 4.6is for an '05 4.8is, my negotiation on the trade allowed me to remove the tow-hitch from the 4.6is,...right on the back lot of the dealership. So, I was able to add a tow-hitch to my E53 X5s at cost of the to-hitch assembly only.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by JMD

Hmm, I'm not sure if this is 100% true! That is, unless there is some very substantial differences between removing rear bumper of say G05 X5 over an E53 X5. I say this because after watching a particular YT vids years ago, I was able to install an OEM tow-hitch on my '03 4.6is. It was a straight-forward plug 'n play job. In fact, the number one thing a second set of hands could have done was to assist in removal and reinstalling the "Bumper Cover". Other than that, installing the OEM tow-hitch was quite easy. In fact, it was so easy, upon trading my '03 4.6is for an '05 4.8is, my negotiation on the trade allowed me to remove the tow-hitch from the 4.6is,...right on the back lot of the dealership. So, I was able to add a tow-hitch to my E53 X5s at cost of the to-hitch assembly only.

No longer possible to do that since they no longer provide the wiring and you can't do any coding.

[mscot]

Originally Posted by aaaaaaaaaz

Not blaming the police, but more about policies here - DA not prosecuting for crime, prop 47 making theft under $950 no longer felony…

My car was broken into twice in Georgia. Cops did not give a fuck about it there either. No cops care about petty theft and damage.

[Boardmember]

I ordered mine with the tow hitch and guess I’ve not realized there’s an upgraded front caliper on the xDrive 40i.

I’ve had a single op to tow my 5x10’ Big Tex Trailer and golf cart - appx 2000# total. My LCI handled that small load about as well as any of my previous half-tons. (Acceleration, braking, highway speeds, around town) I admit I find it interesting my vehicle publishes a higher tow rating than that for my wife’s ‘23 Lexus GX460 (6500#, V8, body-on-frame truck)

[bono]

It is actually downgraded towing capacity - in Europe X5 has 7,700 lbs towing capacity. Anybody who has experience with towing will admit that X5 tows much better than ANY half ton truck on the market. Body on frame has NO advantage for towing vs. unibody. Body on frame is just an archaic product which is easy and cheap to manufacture.

Originally Posted by Boardmember

I ordered mine with the tow hitch and guess I’ve not realized there’s an upgraded front caliper on the xDrive 40i.

I’ve had a single op to tow my 5x10’ Big Tex Trailer and golf cart - appx 2000# total. My LCI handled that small load about as well as any of my previous half-tons. (Acceleration, braking, highway speeds, around town) I admit I find it interesting my vehicle publishes a higher tow rating than that for my wife’s ‘23 Lexus GX460 (6500#, V8, body-on-frame truck)