[SlammedR8]

I am picking up a 2019 X5 next week (hopefully). The car has everything I want except it has a trailer hitch which I have no need for and I don't like how the bumper is missing the diffuser. Can anyone comment on whether this can easily be removed OR if i can order a diffuser and it will fit over the hitch?

[bmwx3805]

Originally Posted by SlammedR8

I am picking up a 2019 X5 next week (hopefully). The car has everything I want except it has a trailer hitch which I have no need for and I don't like how the bumper is missing the diffuser. Can anyone comment on whether this can easily be removed OR if i can order a diffuser and it will fit over the hitch?

You would need a whole new crash bar, bumper brackets, and new rear bumper . If you didn't replace rear bumper you would just have a random hole in the bumper and it would look weird .

[Nativetexan]

Originally Posted by SlammedR8

I am picking up a 2019 X5 next week (hopefully). The car has everything I want except it has a trailer hitch which I have no need for and I don't like how the bumper is missing the diffuser. Can anyone comment on whether this can easily be removed OR if i can order a diffuser and it will fit over the hitch?

Did you ever remove the bumper? I’d be interested in it if so.

[2016M4DVR]

FYI- you loose the kick open feature with factory hitch.

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by 2016M4DVR

FYI- you loose the kick open feature with factory hitch.

Which isn't losing much. Though this one is much better than my previous BMWs with that feature, my size 13's only work with it 80% of the time and the other 20% I just look like a kicking jerk

[2016M4DVR]

Originally Posted by wrickem

Which isn't losing much. Though this one is much better than my previous BMWs with that feature, my size 13's only work with it 80% of the time and the other 20% I just look like a kicking jerk

It works pretty well for my wife. It's her car. I wanted the hitch.
Had I not figured out the elimination of that feature, I'd still be in the doghouse.

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by Nativetexan

Did you ever remove the bumper? I’d be interested in it if so.

Ordered the standard diffuser and we will see if it can be fitted over the hitch.

Stay Tuned!

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by 2016M4DVR

FYI- you loose the kick open feature with factory hitch.

That explains why it wasn't working for me...any one know if it can be coded to work again? I'm assuming the sensor may still be there. I use that feature often and disappointed to read that it doesn't work.

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by SlammedR8

That explains why it wasn't working for me...any one know if it can be coded to work again? I'm assuming the sensor may still be there. I use that feature often and disappointed to read that it doesn't work.

I think the "kick to open" doesn't work because the entire bumper assembly is different with the tow hitch so the sensor does not exist.

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

I think the "kick to open" doesn't work because the entire bumper assembly is different with the tow hitch so the sensor does not exist.

According to my local BMW Store, the bumper is actually the same Part # as a car with out the Tow Hitch. The only difference to the bumper was the diffuser itself. I guess we'll see later this week when we attempt it.

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by SlammedR8

According to my local BMW Store, the bumper is actually the same Part # as a car with out the Tow Hitch. The only difference to the bumper was the diffuser itself. I guess we'll see later this week when we attempt it.

By bumper I was meaning the structural components underneath the plastic bumper cover. My understanding is the way the factor hitch is installed, it's beefed up the bumper, etc.

[SlammedR8]

Well gentlemen, I have an update.

The standard diffuser does fit over the tow hitch WITHOUT removing it. The tow hitch pushes the diffuser out in the center by approx 1/8 or less of an inch, it is barely noticable. For me, it is the lesser evil between having a tow hitch that I don't need and won't use ever. I also don't want to remove it completely as the vehicle is leased and would need to be put back on and of course, theres always the what if I need it in the future. The diffuser is held on by approx 4-6 screws so its quite a simple swap.

Note, this is how it comes from the factory and it needs to be painted still.

Pic of the current diffuser is attached for those who don't know how it looks with the tow hitch. Its essentially the same diffuser with the center cut out for a tow hitch.

It is being painted this week and I should have it installed by Friday.

[SlammedR8]

Here it is...painted & installed.

As I mentioned above, the middle is being pushed about 1/8 of an inch so its not fully flat as it would be without the tow hitch but to me this still looks much better than the tow hitch that I have no need for.

[FreddyBMW]

Originally Posted by wrickem

Which isn't losing much. Though this one is much better than my previous BMWs with that feature, my size 13's only work with it 80% of the time and the other 20% I just look like a kicking jerk

Hahaha....I liked the way you described this feature....My previous Audi Q7 had it (even with the Factory Hitch) and most of the times when I would need it to work with something in my hands, my kicks would do nothing....and when there are times when I would try it, it would work.

It's like those audio gesture thing; when you want it to work, it just would not work!

[FreddyBMW]

Originally Posted by SlammedR8

Here it is...painted & installed.

As I mentioned above, the middle is being pushed about 1/8 of an inch so its not fully flat as it would be without the tow hitch but to me this still looks much better than the tow hitch that I have no need for.

Viola! Awesome! its a stunning job! Probably BMW should step in and provide a fabricated diffuser to put on to the Hitch are but your solution did the trick!

How much was that unpained diffuser and how much was the paint job? Thanks.

[MoshiTo]

Originally Posted by SlammedR8

Here it is...painted & installed.

As I mentioned above, the middle is being pushed about 1/8 of an inch so its not fully flat as it would be without the tow hitch but to me this still looks much better than the tow hitch that I have no need for.

Sorry for the bump 3 years later 😁
But how much did it cost total? The bumper and paint?

Thanks

[ST3]

Originally Posted by MoshiTo

Sorry for the bump 3 years later 😁
But how much did it cost total? The bumper and paint?

Thanks

Check out (search) a recent post from a guy in Idaho that was quoted the "hidden" hitch option for his X5. I'd go that route vs any mod of the bumper.

[MJBradley1967]

Is that trim OEM? Are there other options available (smooth ones)?