[david.shain]

Well, I like the receiver hitch. I am looking at the Curt hitch now, but wonder what had to be modified on it to fit a 325i sedan. I was going to do the install myself. The measurements all seemed good for fitment. Maybe I missed something somewhere. Thanks for the pic and info.

[kapribadi]

Thanks for the posting. I'm trying to install a hitch on my 2006 325i (sedan) as well but am having trouble finding a bolt-on product. I have several questions to the original poster:

1. which curt hitch did your shop install? Was it the 11771 (http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...cleid=20067647) or some other model?
2. How was it modified to fit? Some drilling? Cutting? welding? bending? I can drill and cut at home, but no welder or metal bender...

Thanks for the help beforehand.

[Whit]

I hope you ride singletrack and NOT on the road.

[blingman]

Originally Posted by abcommercial

If my rack is ugly, then the roof rack is Fugly.

The point is to have a sturdy, reliable rack with minimal affect on the car, its performance, and its appearance.

Trunk-mount rack - scrapes up paint over time; least sturdy option

Roof-mount rack - seriously affects the aerodynamics of the vehicle; exposes bike to the elements (sandblasting effect and moths); exposes roof to dings from falling bike; exposes bike and roof of car to disaster if you pull in the garage (requiring extra precautions)

Hitch-mount rack -- the hitch is barely visible (the least visible of the three). When the rack is connected, it doesn't touch the paint and is extremely sturdy. It also goes on and comes off extremely fast - faster, even, than the trunk-mount. Clearly the winner here.

Friday night - rack goes on, bike goes on, ready to roll out in the morning (club ride starts at 7:30). At club meeting point, bike comes off, no need to remove wheels. After ride, come home, and rack comes off in mere seconds.

Agreed! I like it, def planning on getting one.

[kapribadi]

Ok... I figured out that the original poster purchased the 11771 (or 117710 / no ball / tongue).

Still trying to figure out the mods needed to make it work. What was the name of the shop that did the work? Contact info anyone?

I'm antsy to get it ordered and the work started...

Thanks

[kapribadi]

Just called Master Hitch in Houston, TX (713) 974-4440 and the guy answering the phone admitted to doing the work.

The gentleman on the phone said he used the Curt PN 11033. http://www.curtmfg.com/part/11033#tab=vehicles

So I guess I was wrong in guessing it was the 11771???

The 11033 fits the 2007-2010 328xi and 335xi.... Which makes me wonder. I doubt those are the wagon styles.

The guy told me that the bumper part fits up fine, but the center bar that extends to the frame cross-member (by the axle) is too short and needs to be modified.

Modifications are: After mounting the main hitch to the bumper, note how the center bar is too short. Grind welds off of center bar where mount plate is (axle side). Torch / heat up center bar to straighten out as needed, then re-weld the plate back on to the center bar aligned with the available holes in the frame cross-member.

Seems like I don't have the tools for this job. Maybe I can do half the job then have a local shop complete it.

-----> Can the original poster please confirm the actual Curt PN installed on your vehicle?

Thanks!

[Bimmerlover76]

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

I don't understand why everybody is so down on this. Without the rack, you can barely tell the hitch is there. And, how the car looks with the rack is pretty irrelevant since he isn't going to be driving around with under ordinary circumstances.

From what I can see, the hitch install looks great and is a very practical solution for carrying bikes around.

+1

Plus, he can simply remove the rack when not in use. That's the nice part.

[L8apex79]

I'm planning on a hitch rack as well. Tossing my tri bike in the back with the seats folded down worked great so far, but no way will I do that with a muddy cyclocross bike. The roof rack just seems tedious to me and I'm alway afraid of clipping my bike on the garage door.

[abcommercial]

Haha, thanks for dredging up this old thread. Now I can see what my car used to look like about 80k miles ago.

Incidentally, I've been rocking a Yakima Holdup bike rack for the last few years. It is also a hitch rack but instead of this slender, tall pillar, it is lower and wider, without extending above the trunk. It holds the bike by the front and rear wheels only, without touching the frame. I've been all over with it, and I'm still using it 2-3 times per week.

[kapribadi]

Hello abcommercial,

Would you please be so kind and share the Curt PN for the hitch installed on your vehicle?

Any chance you can get a picture of the undercar, specifically of the support bar?

Thanks,
Krishna

[Speedwagon]

Originally Posted by abcommercial

If my rack is ugly, then the roof rack is Fugly.

The point is to have a sturdy, reliable rack with minimal affect on the car, its performance, and its appearance.

Trunk-mount rack - scrapes up paint over time; least sturdy option

Roof-mount rack - seriously affects the aerodynamics of the vehicle; exposes bike to the elements (sandblasting effect and moths); exposes roof to dings from falling bike; exposes bike and roof of car to disaster if you pull in the garage (requiring extra precautions)

Hitch-mount rack -- the hitch is barely visible (the least visible of the three). When the rack is connected, it doesn't touch the paint and is extremely sturdy. It also goes on and comes off extremely fast - faster, even, than the trunk-mount. Clearly the winner here.

Friday night - rack goes on, bike goes on, ready to roll out in the morning (club ride starts at 7:30). At club meeting point, bike comes off, no need to remove wheels. After ride, come home, and rack comes off in mere seconds.

I really like mine also, I didn't have much choice with a bike over 8', it pulls great in the cars draft! No wind noise, and sturdy

[mitmoht]

What do you guys think of this hitch. Completely hidden until needed.

http://execuhitch.com/tow-hitches/

[Bimmerlover76]

Originally Posted by Speedwagon

I really like mine also, I didn't have much choice with a bike over 8', it pulls great in the cars draft! No wind noise, and sturdy

Holy S***. That's epic. lol

[Supraboard]

Just had it done here in Austin at Spillar and they used the Curt 11033 and charged an hour labor to install. Happy to take the bikes now everywhere!

[Speedwagon]

Originally Posted by Supraboard

Just had it done here in Austin at Spillar and they used the Curt 11033 and charged an hour labor to install. Happy to take the bikes now everywhere!

Where is the photo?

[Dave99]

Abcommercial - thanks for the picture of your hitch mounted under your bumper! It's been difficult to find other E90s with hitches. It looks like they did a fantastic hitch install. They're not beautiful by any means but they are incredibly functional!

Besides, roof racks for bikes are nonsense! They are way more conspicuous than that hitch receiver, they howl so loud at highway speeds, and waste gas. Most importantly, they are disasters waiting to happen. Ever try hoisting a pair of 40 lb downhill bikes onto a roof rack? its a teeter tottering act that can end up with a dented roof especially if youre less than 6' tall. Its just a matter of time of you ask me. Even worse, all my hardcore MTB buddies who had roof racks either had their bikes blow over in cross winds on the highway and crash on their roofs or accidentally ran into their garages with bikes on their roofs. It sounds really dumb but sometimes people get distracted. I count 4 catastrophes just amongst my friends. They all smartened up and now use hitch mount bike racks.

Counter-point to the hitch haters and roof rack lovers based on real life experience.

[Diablo335]

Roof racks are horrible. I like what you did.

But -- a bike fits in the trunk with the wheels off...

[07lilredwagon]

Originally Posted by slupie

I am waiting for the weather to break a bit so I can put the Curt hitch on my E91. I might even wire a light package so I can tow small utility trailer with my BMW. I want to see peoples faces when I pull upt to the hardware store and buy a sheet or two of plywood and haul it home with guess what, my BMW. My E91 and wifes E90 are daily drivers not garage queens.

I had a roof rack on my E39 and it was a pain to put it on take it off. It was a major pain to put the bikes on the rack also.

I am not crazy about seeing the receiver but for the convenience I will live with it.

Here, Here! My e91 has a receiver that came with the car...Im pretty stoked about it!...see my trailer idea somewhere here on the forum


JP

[Meeni]

Originally Posted by mitmoht

What do you guys think of this hitch. Completely hidden until needed.

http://execuhitch.com/tow-hitches/

That's awesome, but is there a version that is not overpriced ?