[bracer]

FYI the Draw Tite hitch for the M40I will work on the X3M as well.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...ID=20185002428

I installed the Curt version which required a bracket to be cut and a hole to be drilled but otherwise fit well. The Draw Tite one would be a complete bolt in.

Much cheaper alternative to Stealth Hitch if you don't want to go that way.

Also the towing plug is still there as it was in the M40i I had, so I suspect the BMW wiring harness would be a bolt in and could be coded in to recognize the tow hitch and adjust stability control, etc...

[2kaccordocoupe]

Pics?

[shemeld_135]

Originally Posted by bracer

FYI the Draw Tite hitch for the M40I will work on the X3M as well.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...ID=20185002428

I installed the Curt version which required a bracket to be cut and a hole to be drilled but otherwise fit well. The Draw Tite one would be a complete bolt in.

Much cheaper alternative to Stealth Hitch if you don't want to go that way.

Also the towing plug is still there as it was in the M40i I had, so I suspect the BMW wiring harness would be a bolt in and could be coded in to recognize the tow hitch and adjust stability control, etc...

Pics? What's the difference between the two and why did you choose the one you did? Iv been looking for one for my x3m comp but didn't want to drop 800+ on a hitch.

[bracer]

In all honesty, I picked the one I did by accident. I thought I was picking the M40i version, but just screwed up.

Because of that I had to cut off one small tab and drill a hole. For me not a big deal, but I have all the tools to do this easily. In the M40i version there are no side plates where I had to drill this one, so it would be plug and play. It wasn't worth me buying the other one for another for $180, I just modified this one to work for me.

The good news is I trimmed absolutely nothing on the car and it fit pretty much perfectly other than the mods I had to do because I goofed on ordering.

[CosmosMpower]

What's the tow rating on X3M?

[bracer]

4400lb if in the USA, 5500lbs in the rest of the world.

For me I tow a 2000lb Miata on a 800lb trailer, so not a big issue.

[2020X3MCDG]

Has anyone installed the Stealth one? I would prefer that hitch as I am not towing anything.

I am just super nervous of having a shop remove my bumper.

[strohw]

I installed the Stealth Hitch myself, it's not hard. It took me about 3.5 hours taking my time. A shop should be able to do it in half the time I did. They'd also be use to popping trim pieces off and should do a good job.

[MrItaly]

Originally Posted by 2020X3MCDG

Has anyone installed the Stealth one? I would prefer that hitch as I am not towing anything.

I am just super nervous of having a shop remove my bumper.

I'm no grease monkey and have installed the stealth hitch on my own without issue. Just RTFM closely and you'll be fine. The reason the euro hitches rate higher than their US equivelants is the hitch itself. Euro hitches are solid with zero play from the vehicle frame to the ball where the trailer or accessory attaches. American hitches, in contrast, use a receiver with a locking pin which introduces some Y-axis play during acceleration and deceleration which in turn lowers the overall towing capacity given the increased forces transmitted to the body of the vehicle in those situations. The stealth hitch mimics the euro concept offering a solid connection to the ball. That is unless one opts for their standard receiver solution which results in maximum versatility for receiving different hitches with different sized balls at the cost of slightly lower tow ratings. I purchased both: a fixed ball with a higher capacity for all of the things I own and tow as well as a standard receiver in case someone asks me to tow a different ball size than what I run. Ciao

[BrockDM]

Originally Posted by 2020X3MCDG

Has anyone installed the Stealth one? I would prefer that hitch as I am not towing anything.

I am just super nervous of having a shop remove my bumper.

I have the Stealth on mine and absolutely love it. Use their site to find an Authorized Installer near you and see what they charge. One local to me did it for $350 and was worth every penny! GL

[2020X3MCDG]

Thanks guys. This is making me feel a little more relieved. I will plan to get that hitch installed.

[TX3M]

Originally Posted by bracer

FYI the Draw Tite hitch for the M40I will work on the X3M as well.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...ID=20185002428

I installed the Curt version which required a bracket to be cut and a hole to be drilled but otherwise fit well. The Draw Tite one would be a complete bolt in.

Much cheaper alternative to Stealth Hitch if you don't want to go that way.

Also the towing plug is still there as it was in the M40i I had, so I suspect the BMW wiring harness would be a bolt in and could be coded in to recognize the tow hitch and adjust stability control, etc...

Does the installation of the Draw Tite hitch require removing the bumper bodywork?

[evo-mike]

Originally Posted by TX3M

Does the installation of the Draw Tite hitch require removing the bumper bodywork?

I'll let you know, just bought it. Should be here Thursday.

[TX3M]

Originally Posted by evo-mike

I'll let you know, just bought it. Should be here Thursday.

OK, thanks!

[Anders R]

Does the US not get the option S3AC which is a fully invisible trailer coupling that swings out electrically at the touch of a button?

[Razel]

Originally Posted by Anders R

Does the US not get the option S3AC which is a fully invisible trailer coupling that swings out electrically at the touch of a button?

No.
Something to do with NHTSA perceptions.

[Macanakey]

Originally Posted by evo-mike

I'll let you know, just bought it. Should be here Thursday.

Their price seems to jump all over the place. It was around $230 a few months ago & I didn't buy it then. I'm hoping it comes down a bit before I pull the trigger. I find that I get super cheap on the less expensive stuff!

[evo-mike]

Originally Posted by Macanakey

Their price seems to jump all over the place. It was around $230 a few months ago & I didn't buy it then. I'm hoping it comes down a bit before I pull the trigger. I find that I get super cheap on the less expensive stuff!

It was like $154 on Amazon

[Macanakey]

Originally Posted by evo-mike

It was like $154 on Amazon

Would you mind sharing link? I see several options there. Not sure which is the right one.

[evo-mike]

Originally Posted by Macanakey

Would you mind sharing link? I see several options there. Not sure which is the right one.

It shows $173 now:

Draw-Tite 76226 Max-Frame Class III Receiver Trailer Hitch for Select 2011 and Newer BMW X3 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D7GS11C..._oibpFbJSBV727

[Macanakey]

Last Q for now - does installing one of these units affect your ability to open the hatch with the foot-kicky motion? I do love that feature on the car.

[robopp]

Originally Posted by Macanakey

Last Q for now - does installing one of these units affect your ability to open the hatch with the foot-kicky motion? I do love that feature on the car.

I can never get mine to work. Any trick to it? I read the manual and did exactly what it says - put foot under the bumper then pull it back quickly - and it still works sporadically.