[robininni]

Does anyone know what dealers are charging to add the factory tow hitch? Anyone know the markup on that?

[JFU]

Originally Posted by robininni

Does anyone know what dealers are charging to add the factory tow hitch? Anyone know the markup on that?

I don't think it's abled to be added at the dealer (or if possible it's going to be expensive). The vehicles that come from the factory with the hitch have other part differences than just the hitch yourself. You're best bet is to have a good shop install the invis hitch. This way you also retain the ability to use kick to open.

[robininni]

Originally Posted by JFU

I don't think it's abled to be added at the dealer (or if possible it's going to be expensive). The vehicles that come from the factory with the hitch have other part differences than just the hitch yourself. You're best bet is to have a good shop install the invis hitch. This way you also retain the ability to use kick to open.

On an M50i I think all the other stuff (bigger brakes) are already there so I'm pretty sure the factory hitch can be added, but more expensive than coming equipped. Dealer said they would do it at cost so I was just wondering if anyone knew what that should cost or what it typically costs retail from the dealer.

[DSTJ99]

Originally Posted by robininni

On an M50i I think all the other stuff (bigger brakes) are already there so I'm pretty sure the factory hitch can be added, but more expensive than coming equipped. Dealer said they would do it at cost so I was just wondering if anyone knew what that should cost or what it typically costs retail from the dealer.

It's the bumper that is different so you would need a whole new rear bumper cover which is going to be expensive. I needed one on our x7 and ended up doing a custom order of the car to make sure I had it for hitch racks, etc. There is an aftermarket one mentioned above that was something like $600 uninstalled but factory one is going to a lot more when you have to buy the bumper. The factory one also has software modifications.

[unfoundnemo]

Originally Posted by robininni

On an M50i I think all the other stuff (bigger brakes) are already there so I'm pretty sure the factory hitch can be added, but more expensive than coming equipped. Dealer said they would do it at cost so I was just wondering if anyone knew what that should cost or what it typically costs retail from the dealer.

Tow package has bigger rear brakes too. This is part of the reason an after market hitch cant meet the same tow capacity as a factory one.

[robininni]

Originally Posted by unfoundnemo

Tow package has bigger rear brakes too. This is part of the reason an after market hitch cant meet the same tow capacity as a factory one.

A dealership told me the dealer factory installed tow hitch is not available yet for the 2020 x7 (just m50i? not sure) as it is prewired for it as opposed to 2019 x7 which weren't?

He said it is coming but may be a couple months before BMW releases it.

Does this sound right? He acted like it would not be as expensive since the 2020 x7 is already prewired for it but I just can't get it yet.

[jmciver]

I think your dealer service advisor may be misinformed (which is not surprising)..

Link to the trailer hitch part numbers: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=71_1119

Link to a few online vendors where you can get the kit, showing that it is available:

https://www.bmwdirectparts.com/oem-p...10-71606889279

https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...10-71606889279

The cost of the kit seems pretty reasonable. The cost of labor, to include some coding, will probably at least double the cost of the kit.
The question about the X7 coming pre-wired from the factory for the trailer hitch is a valid one since BMW is not always consistent with pre-wiring different options in different models/years. But I would imaging the presence of pre-wiring could be confirmed with a VIN search (either on the net or by the dealer)....

[robininni]

Originally Posted by jmciver

I think your dealer service advisor may be misinformed (which is not surprising)..

Link to the trailer hitch part numbers: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=71_1119

Link to a few online vendors where you can get the kit, showing that it is available:

https://www.bmwdirectparts.com/oem-p...10-71606889279

https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...10-71606889279

The cost of the kit seems pretty reasonable. The cost of labor, to include some coding, will probably at least double the cost of the kit.
The question about the X7 coming pre-wired from the factory for the trailer hitch is a valid one since BMW is not always consistent with pre-wiring different options in different models/years. But I would imaging the presence of pre-wiring could be confirmed with a VIN search (either on the net or by the dealer)....

What you linked to is not the US factory hitch. That looks like what I understand the European hitch to look like. Maybe the 'dealer installed' BMW US hitch will be the European hitch that hides itself away? That would be slick. Maybe that's why the dealership said they can't get it yet because it has to be approved or something so to start sales in the USA of the X7 with trailer hitch they had to do the more typical American hitch but now they are prewiring 2020s that don't come from the factory with the "American" hitch for this retractable style hitch and maybe eventually the factory hitch option will turn into this too for 2021+ models? All speculation but seems logical based on the picture you posted which is available but can't be bought on an American X7 from the factory.

This would actually make a lot of sense because the 2020 X7's if you were to put on the factory hitch after production, you would have to replace the rear bumper since it sticks out through it. If the after production add on hitch that goes with the 'prewiring' was as shown in this short video, it would not require replacing the rear bumper I don't think. It looks like it tucks in behind it?

This hitch in the video definitely matches the diagram you linked to.

Wow, I'm getting excited starting to think buying one without the USA factory hitch at this point is a terrific idea if I can later add this!!

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by robininni

What you linked to is not the US factory hitch. That looks like what I understand the European hitch to look like. Maybe the 'dealer installed' BMW US hitch will be the European hitch that hides itself away? That would be slick. Maybe that's why the dealership said they can't get it yet because it has to be approved or something so to start sales in the USA of the X7 with trailer hitch they had to do the more typical American hitch but now they are prewiring 2020s that don't come from the factory with the "American" hitch for this retractable style hitch and maybe eventually the factory hitch option will turn into this too for 2021+ models? All speculation but seems logical based on the picture you posted which is available but can't be bought on an American X7 from the factory.

This would actually make a lot of sense because the 2020 X7's if you were to put on the factory hitch after production, you would have to replace the rear bumper since it sticks out through it. If the after production add on hitch that goes with the 'prewiring' was as shown in this short video, it would not require replacing the rear bumper I don't think. It looks like it tucks in behind it?

This hitch in the video definitely matches the diagram you linked to.

Wow, I'm getting excited starting to think buying one without the USA factory hitch at this point is a terrific idea if I can later add this!!

Yes, it is the US version. Read the text in the link. It is the "Trailer tow hitch set US", the link is from the US parts catalog, not EU. You can't go by the generic picture in the parts catalog. Also, the EU version you linked to is not DOT legal here in the states. That is why you don't see that design hitch here in the states.

[robininni]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Yes, it is the US version. Read the text in the link. It is the "Trailer tow hitch set US", the link is from the US parts catalog, not EU. You can't go by the generic picture in the parts catalog. Also, the EU version you linked to is not DOT legal here in the states. That is why you don't see that design hitch here in the states.

I see that now and that's dumb that they don't have the correct picture if this is the case. How hard would it be to have the diagram correctly match the part? Sheesh.

Also, do you know why that RealOem parts only show parts for production dates of 3/2019 as the latest month? It may not be relevant to later produced models. Maybe 4/2019 is when the 'hitch prewiring' started on X7's that didn't come from the factory with the hitch?

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by robininni

I see that now and that's dumb that they don't have the correct picture if this is the case. How hard would it be to have the diagram correctly match the part? Sheesh.

Also, do you know why that RealOem parts only show parts for production dates of 3/2019 as the latest month? It may not be relevant to later produced models. Maybe 4/2019 is when the 'hitch prewiring' started on X7's that didn't come from the factory with the hitch?

The RealOEM catalog gets updated on an irregular basis so I couldn't tell you when it will get updated again. However, in most cases, the part numbers will still be relevant to cars with newer build dates.

[like2short]

Originally Posted by robininni

Does anyone know what dealers are charging to add the factory tow hitch? Anyone know the markup on that?

A lot more than the $550 option! It's a fairly labor intensive job.

[robininni]

So just an update for those interested in factory tow hitch for their 2020 x7:

I questioned salesman again about the tow hitch availability because BMW Genius said it isn't available and there is no announcement that it will and thus if not equipped at the factory, you cannot add the BMW factory tow hitch to an X7.

He said this was a canned response because it hasn't been officially release but will be very soon. He says he knows this because he's been in meetings at the dealership where this topic has been discussed and a North America BMW rep who knows about this and has discussed this with the dealership confirms it is being developed as will be released for dealership install. He says this is definitely coming, but can't say for sure when, certainly before the year is over.

He's been doing this 18 years and didn't flinch, waver or otherwise sound in any way unsure of what he was saying.

I'm still not sure what that US parts hitch is that has been posted in this thread. Maybe that is the official BMW hitch that is going to be released but isn't available yet. I'm assuming that can't be ordered right now if you tried.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by robininni

So just an update for those interested in factory tow hitch for their 2020 x7:

I questioned salesman again about the tow hitch availability because BMW Genius said it isn't available and there is no announcement that it will and thus if not equipped at the factory, you cannot add the BMW factory tow hitch to an X7.

He said this was a canned response because it hasn't been officially release but will be very soon. He says he knows this because he's been in meetings at the dealership where this topic has been discussed and a North America BMW rep who knows about this and has discussed this with the dealership confirms it is being developed as will be released for dealership install. He says this is definitely coming, but can't say for sure when, certainly before the year is over.

He's been doing this 18 years and didn't flinch, waver or otherwise sound in any way unsure of what he was saying.

I'm still not sure what that US parts hitch is that has been posted in this thread. Maybe that is the official BMW hitch that is going to be released but isn't available yet. I'm assuming that can't be ordered right now if you tried.

Most likely the reason the part is in the system (and can therefore be ordered now) is for collision repair purposes. But as far as a dealer installed option/retro-fit is concerned, the dealers can't/won't do it until they have official permission from BMW HQ and have approved installation procedures.

[shpoogle]

Originally Posted by jmciver

I think your dealer service advisor may be misinformed (which is not surprising)..

Link to the trailer hitch part numbers: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=71_1119

Link to a few online vendors where you can get the kit, showing that it is available:

https://www.bmwdirectparts.com/oem-p...10-71606889279

https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...10-71606889279

The cost of the kit seems pretty reasonable. The cost of labor, to include some coding, will probably at least double the cost of the kit.
The question about the X7 coming pre-wired from the factory for the trailer hitch is a valid one since BMW is not always consistent with pre-wiring different options in different models/years. But I would imaging the presence of pre-wiring could be confirmed with a VIN search (either on the net or by the dealer)....

Hitch retrofit is now [as of last week] available for all 2019 and 2020 G05/G06/G07s that came equipped with option 8SL (Trailer Hitch Prewiring). I'm pretty sure all 19/20's have this option. Disables kick to open. Towing Capacity is 5,952lbs with a max nose weight of 606lbs

Any vehicle produced after 08/2020 no longer has this option unless factory optioned with tow hitch, retrofit will not be available for these vehicles (MY 2021).

Part numbers for G07;
-51 12 9 850 003 MSRP: $951.00
-61 13 1 367 599 MSRP: $0.69
-61 13 6 840 334 MSRP: $86.77
-61 12 9 834 453 MSRP: $214.78
-63 11 5 A05 6D0 MSRP: $178.27

Last two part numbers are Wiring set and Control unit, not necessary if not using electrical connection.

[Wild Blue]

Fascinating. I'm still wondering why the change for MY2021

[Saejin]

You can still add the hitch and switch out the bumper cutout if you just want to use hitch mounted accessories such as bike racks.
You won’t be able to tow unless you tap the wiring but then you can’t get the BMW programming done for towing since there is no ore-wiring in 2021.

[malba2366]

Probably better just to install a stealth hitch aftermarket than trying to use the OEM one.

[heart_doctor]

Originally Posted by robininni

Does anyone know what dealers are charging to add the factory tow hitch? Anyone know the markup on that?

I just ordered a 2021 x7, we went with the tow hitch. I think it was $500 or so?

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

Fascinating. I'm still wondering why the change for MY2021

Could be just one more cut back in parts and manufacturing steps for 2021. It seems to be the theme for 2021 BMW models.

[Wild Blue]

Originally Posted by malba2366

Probably better just to install a stealth hitch aftermarket than trying to use the OEM one.

I agree with this. Supposedly better tow rating, hidden hitch when not in place, keeps the uniform bumper, retains the foot kick open function, and cheaper, compared to OEM insall after production.

If making the decision before production, still cheaper and easier to just order the tow hitch option.

[windupbird81]

check out car and driver's long-term test. they detail their experience adding a hitch after delivery.