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      11-13-2017, 12:00 PM   #1
cafge1
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Factory Trailer Tow Hitch - Picture

I am considering the Factory Trailer Tow Hitch option (3AC). Has anyone got a picture of one installed on the new X3. There is a video on the BMW UK site that shows the tow hitch automatically stowing under the rear bumper and disappearing when not in use. Not sure if we get this same one in Canada but it has the same Option Number. Interested if this factory install has the same rear bumper or requires a different one. Thanks
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      11-13-2017, 12:25 PM   #2
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There is some info in here

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1436021

and here

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showth...1434332&page=6

The above post has a few pictures posted by Mex Well of the back underside of the bumper. No pictures of the US system other than the bike rack linked in the post at the top.
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      11-13-2017, 03:30 PM   #3
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I should be taking delivery of my X3 with that option sometime next week (hopefully). I will post a picture of it unless someone does so first. I'm curious myself to be honest. The descriptions and pictures have all been conflicting and the only clue may be the pic with the bike rack, but the Canada configurator says that it is motorized which is not the case in that pic with the bike rack. Then the Canada configurator has a pic of the ball mount tow bar that you see for the Euro markets but has a description describing a 2" receiver hitch. The US configurator says a 2" receiver hitch but no mention of any motorized mount.

The mystery will soon end! lol
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      11-14-2017, 06:30 PM   #4
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US Specs cars will get a class II hitch not the cool European hitch
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      11-14-2017, 06:35 PM   #5
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      11-15-2017, 07:47 AM   #6
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Oh man, I thought these questions had already been sorted! I was at my dealer last week, and they had both the M40i (which was technically my order, and a 30i, with hitches.

I didn't think to take pics, as I figured initial orders already had these documented. It's been a while since I've had a hitch, so I'm probably not the best at remembering Class II vs. III. But this hitch seems big. It also has those two ears on the side to connect chains.

It's also kinda ugly the way the opening cut out of the rear diffuser. I suppose it has to be like this for practical reasons, but it would have been nice if there was a removable cosmetic cover around the hitch opening. Because it looks rather "aftermarket", as currently implemented.
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      11-15-2017, 08:21 AM   #7
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Here is the picture I took yesterday at dealership
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      11-15-2017, 09:20 AM   #8
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I was worried it would look too weird, but now I kind of wish I would have gotten it. It's not invisible by any means, but nicely integrated.
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      11-15-2017, 09:58 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by finalfantasyfan View Post
Here is the picture I took yesterday at dealership
Hideous badge to stick on the back of a brand new car.
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      11-15-2017, 10:05 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZHPsedan View Post
Hideous badge to stick on the back of a brand new car.
It looks like it is almost a "Swell" X3.
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      11-15-2017, 10:15 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by ZHPsedan View Post
Hideous badge to stick on the back of a brand new car.
Yes, a particularly annoying North American thing.

I remember working at a Ford dealer in the 1970's when those badges were drilled into the car. Nothing like giving rust a head start. I always insist that my car is devoid of such embellishments. The licence plate frame I can take and replace if I want.
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      11-15-2017, 04:25 PM   #12
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Not too bad wish it was totally invisible but for the money I couldn't pass it up.
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      11-15-2017, 05:37 PM   #13
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At my store we never put stickers on cars. It looks so cheap.
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      11-15-2017, 09:16 PM   #14
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I have just received a message saying that in Canada we will not have 3AC, We will have the hitch as shown above. I am disappointed, but would accept it. Except the other shoe dropped. Hands free trunk opening is disabled when the hitch is selected. This is contrary to the assurances that I was given when I placed my order and paid my deposit.

Since BMW seems to have trouble getting the facts straight, has anyone checked to see if the hitch actually disables hands free trunk opening?
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      11-15-2017, 09:19 PM   #15
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Just talked to the dealer in Calgary a few minutes ago about the new X3 as we configured it and he confirmed that you lose the hands free trunk opening when you go for the trailer hitch (I hadn't asked him, he just advised that was one of the downsides with the hitch).
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      11-15-2017, 09:26 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cafge1 View Post
Just talked to the dealer in Calgary a few minutes ago about the new X3 as we configured it and he confirmed that you lose the hands free trunk opening when you go for the trailer hitch (I hadn't asked him, he just advised that was one of the downsides with the hitch).
Apparently a bulletin came out saying that this afternoon. However I have lost confidence in the BMW Canada product team. I do not think that they know the product.

They did not know about the steering wheel issue until I raised it with my dealer. They advertise extended merino leather then say that it is not extended. Then this.
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      11-15-2017, 09:45 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slalom View Post
Apparently a bulletin came out saying that this afternoon. However I have lost confidence in the BMW Canada product team. I do not think that they know the product.

They did not know about the steering wheel issue until I raised it with my dealer. They advertise extended merino leather then say that it is not extended. Then this.
I don't think it's just BMW Canada.. I haven't gotten any more straight answers from BMW USA with some of these things either.

That blows that you lose the hands free trunk opening because of this. I am not sure why it couldn't be implemented ESPECIALLY since this is a fixed hitch. They could not move the sensors? Was the hitch a last minute addition to the X3 plans?

Ah well - the low cost of the hitch has to come with a catch.
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      11-15-2017, 09:48 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KAP8 View Post
It looks like it is almost a "Swell" X3.
There are some ugly dealer badges, but that one is among the ugliest. I always tell them to not stick a dealer badge on mine. I guess some folks are okay to drive around with a dealer badge stuck to a BMW.
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      11-15-2017, 09:50 PM   #19
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Darn. My X3 went into production today with hitch. I didn’t expect to lose the hands free feature. Utter garbage.

Hitch,
Spare tire,
executive pack

The above Questionable decisions on my part.
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      11-16-2017, 08:05 AM   #20
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Might be interesting if someone could take a few photos of the undercarriage with roughly these views so comparisons could be made. I would think the small central opening is probably the motion sensor, and if so, wonder why it couldn't be moved laterally just a bit? Maybe they're concerned too many people might accidentally open it when an obstruction is there causing the liftgate to get damaged?
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      11-16-2017, 08:19 AM   #21
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The changes made by BMW are material to me. I am going to re-examine alternatives including Volvo, Porsche, MB and Audi. I may have no choice but to rescind the contract.
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      11-16-2017, 11:56 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Max Well View Post
Might be interesting if someone could take a few photos of the undercarriage with roughly these views so comparisons could be made. I would think the small central opening is probably the motion sensor, and if so, wonder why it couldn't be moved laterally just a bit? Maybe they're concerned too many people might accidentally open it when an obstruction is there causing the liftgate to get damaged?
That is what I was thinking too, but I guess it's the most plausible reason was that they thought for people putting things on the hitch, there was a high possibility to activate it and while I don't think I would, I can see why. Too bad there is no technology to deactivate it only if something is inserted into the receiver.

I will miss the hands free, though - but I think in the long run the hitch would work out to be more valuable to me.

When I take delivery, I'll try to take a photo of the underside. The absence of the hole you noted would probably confirm that that is the sensor.

I still don't know when I'll pick it up. My car is finally complete and awaiting to be released to the carrier!

Edit: I have a dilemma... I have a business trip coming up on the 27th... If I take delivery of it right before that, I won't even be able to play around with it much for 2 weeks while I am out of town. ARRRRGH!!!
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